All posts by JenThorpe

NIKON EXHIBITS AT CES 2025



Nikon Corporation (Nikon) will exhibit at CES 2025, one of the world’s largest digital technology trade shows, which will take place in Las Vegas Nevada, from January 7 to 10. The Nikon booth (#19504) will be located in the Central hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

As set forth by the Medium-term Management Plan, Nikon is striving to become a key technology solutions company in a global society where humans and machines co-create seamlessly by 2030. The Nikon booth will offer interactive and experiential content featuring our state-of-the-art technologies that support society’s foundation and creativity, alongside co-creation initiates with our partners.

Nikon is also pleased to announce that the Z6III mirrorless camera has been selected as a CES Innovation.

Awards 2025 Honoree in the Imaging category, The Nikon Z6III features the world’s first partially stacked CMOS sensor to deliver ultra-fast readout speeds and high frame rates, making it the most versatile, capable and powerful mid-range mirrorless camera designed to give photographers and videographers unmatched performance. The Z6III will be displayed at the Innovation Awards Showcase at CES 2025, as well as in the Nikon booth with other Z series mirrorless cameras and lenses.

Main Exhibits at the Nikon Booth:

Immersive video content: A drone video taken by Nikon Creates Corporation, a subsidy of Nikon, will be shown at the booth entrance. The footage, shown on two large screens measuring 7m x 3m (23ft x 10ft) and 2.5m x 3m (8ft x 10ft), will offer visitors an immersive experience.

Robot vision systems: The system enables flexible robot operation, equipped with dynamic vision that surpasses humans and an image processing engine. The demonstration will take place in a futuristic kitchen setting where the robot vision system will pick up objects flexibly, swiftly and accurately. Nikon’s “C3 eMotion” is built into the robot arm, which packages the parts necessary for robotic joints.

Riblet processing: Inspired by shark skin, microscopic grooves are created on the surface of   materials using Nikon’s original laser processing technology. This reduces frictional resistance, such as air and water, and can improve energy efficiency in various fields. Visitors will be able to view actual materials that have undergone riblet processing and participate in a quiz using a touch panel screen.

In-vehicle camera system: Co-created with Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, the innovative in-vehicle camera system integrates telephoto and wide-angle functions (released on December 19, 2024). Visitors can experience the view from inside a truck while experiencing the benefits of this system in checking both far away and in the close periphery simultaneously, as VR footage.

Virtual production: An experienced exhibit called “Studio Extreme” will be set up where visitors can participate in creating videos that merge the real and virtual worlds. The shoot will use Studiobot LT, a robot arm and motion control system from Mark Roberts Motion Control Limited (MRMC), a subsidiary of Nikon. The end of the arm will have a cinema camera attached to it from RED Digital Camera inc., which became wholly owned subsidiary of Nikon in April 2024.


Shure Introduces The MV7i Smart Microphone And Interface



Shure announced the MV7i Smart Microphone and Interface at CES 2025. Featuring a world-first and patented technology, the MV7i sets a new standard of versatility and ease-of-use for podcasters, musicians, and streamers who require two channels of recording. 

Answering the needs of today’s creators, the MV7i enables users to directly connect to a second XLR microphone of their choice or musical instrument (keyboard, guitar, etc.), eliminating the need for an external hardware interface. 

Designed to simplify the way creators record audio, the MV7i offers the same unmatched audio quality as the award-winning MV7+ – complete with onboard DSP and MOTIV Mix desktop and MOTIV mobile app integration. 

“Whether they’re recording a podcasts with a guest or tracking vocals and instruments simultaneously in their home studio, creators need technology that simplifies their workflow and makes capturing audio seamless,” says Edwardo Valdes, AVP of Global Marketing and Product Management, at Shure.

“The MV7i delivers the same renowned sound signature as the celebrated MV7+ and streamlines the creative process, saving creators from additional expenses an the hassle of confusing setups so they can focus on their craft and push boundaries, while we handle the technology. By combining Shure’s legendary microphone audio quality with an integrated interface, we’re eliminating complexity while maintaining professional standards, all in one elegant solution.”

Engineered for seamless two-channel recording, the MV7i supports creative needs, from podcasting with a guest to recording vocals and instruments. The built-in interface lets users seamlessly connect a second microphone or instrument directly into the MV7i, and then control both channels of audio in either the MOTIV apps through a computer or a phone or with any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) and app. 

Its powerful, built-in Digital Signal Processing (DSP) engine ensures studio-quality sound on both channels, minimizing production setup. Creators can adjust the DSP setting on each of the MV7i’s two channels independently. 

Inspired by Shure’s iconic SM7B, the MV7i’s design is complemented by a durable metal chassis, ensuring longevity and reliability. The microphone includes a built-in combo XLR and 1/4” input, enabling users to connect a second microphone or instrument with 60dB gain and 48V phantom power, compatible with both dynamic and condenser mics. 

The MV7i instantly detects and automatically selects and applies the appropriate DSP for the recording application. Its USB-C output ensures broad compatibility with Mac, Windows, and select mobile devices, and is MFi certified for iPhone and iPad use. Additionally, the color-customizable LED touch panel provides intuitive mute control and dual-channel LED display for a quick, at-a-glance access, simplifying your favorite Digital Audio Workstation and streaming platform.

“Creators no longer need a separate interface. The MV7i puts it all in one convenient and space-saving package, designed for users regardless of their level of audio knowledge,” continue Valdes. “Customized control of the microphone through MOTIV Mix makes it even easier to use.”


Cort Unveils Two New Top Cedar Acoustic Guitars



The new MR500F-CED and L100OCF-CED acoustic guitars have solid red cedar tops and black satin finishes. Cedar is a highly sought after tone wood for acoustic guitars. Often reserved for nylon stringed instruments or high-end, hand-crafted steel strings, cedar topped guitars bring warmth and resonance to production models at an attractive price point. Both models are now available online and at select retailers worldwide.

To complement the cedar tops, both models feature mahogany back and sides to balance the overall tone and response of the guitars. The black satin finish is located to the top while a clear satin finish is applied to the back and sides. ABS ivory binding and rosette adorns the body.

With their ivory pick guards, the guitars are immediately reminiscent of classic guitars from yesteryear. The dovetail construction allows the mahogany neck to transfer sustain to the body and provide enduring performance. At a 25 1/2” scale length, the 20 fret ovangkol bridge, a PPS nut, die cast tuners, and D’Addario EXP16 strings. Onboard electronics are provides by the Fishman Presys VT and S-Core system.

Cort’s MR500F-CED is a full-size dreadnought body. With a wider lower bout and deeper body, the dreadnought is full of powerful bass response and loud projection. They are a flat pickers dream and the cutaway provide easy access to the top end of the fretboard. Perfect for dynamic chords and heavy strumming, these guitars measure 1 11/16 (43mm) at the nut for easier navigation.

The L100OCD has an orchestra body. Compared to the dreadnought, an orchestra model is a considerably smaller but with a wider string spacing, measuring 1 3/4” (45mm) at the nut. This smaller, cutaway body and string spacing make these guitars ideal for finger pickers and provide great comfort for extended playing for players of all sizes.

To learn more about these new models, see us at NAMM BOOTH 5102 or visit us online at www.cortguitars.com

Street prices are:

$369.99MR500F-CED BKS

$369.99 L100OCF-CED BKS


Graph Tech Launches Barrel Knobs For Ratio Machine Heads



Enhance your Ratio Machine Heads with Graph Tech’s new Barrel Knobs. Designed for comfort and style, these barrel-shaped tuning buttons offer a fresh look and feel to your instrument. Available in chrome and black finishes, these knobs are the perfect way to personalize your guitar.

Graph Tech Guitar Labs has the latest edition to their Ratio Machine Head family: Barrel Knobs. These barrel-style tuning buttons bring a fresh look and feel to the Ratio system, offering players a new way to personalize their instruments – and an easy-to-grip alternative to more tuner knobs. 

Available in two different finishes — chrome and black – the new barrel knobs can be ordered as a standalone option. If you already own Ratio Machine Heads, simply order the Barrel Knobs and swap them out — the process is easy and only takes a few minutes. Best of all, there is no need to replace the entire Ratio tuner system.

The new Barrel Knobs were developed at the request of guitarist Thomas Nordegg, known for his work with rock legends like Frank Zappa and Steve Vai.  A longtime fan of Graph Tech’s Ratio machine heads, Nordegg saw an opportunity  to enhance the system’s ergonomic design and approached Graph Tech with the idea of creating a barrel-style tuning buttons to provide an alternative option for players seeking a fresh look and feel.

Designed to integrate seamlessly with the Ratio system, these knobs combine ergonomic comfort with understated style, giving players another way to personalize their instruments.

More and more players are option for Ratio Machine Heads on their instruments. Ratio Machine Heads are designed with gear ratios that are uniquely calibrated for each string, making turning consistent and predictable across the fretboard. This innovative system simplifies fine-tuning and alternate tunings, saving time and improving accuracy.

Here’s what the new Barrel Knobs offer:

Refined Functionality: Barrel-shaped design for a natural grip and precise adjustments.

Timeless Aesthetic: A sleek, modern look that compliments any guitar style.

Perfect fit: Designed specifically for Ratio Machine Heads, ensuring flawless compatibility.

Available in chrome and black to suit a variety of instruments and player preferences.

Graph Tech’s new Barrel Knobs are available for $3.00 each and are available in chrome and black finishes.


Supercool Pedals Unveiled The Barstow Bat



The newest pedal in Supercool’s lineup, designed to honor the classic RAT distortion pedal with more tone-customization, a dead-quiet circuit response, and an eye-catching design.

The Barstow Bat is designed to offer a versatile 3-band EQ section to create colors and tones beyond that of its influence, with a surprisingly quiet and calculated circuit under the hood. For even more sonic versatility, the TURBO button swaps between classic and silicon RAT distortion and a more open and aggressive TURBO RAT LED clipping mode.

Features

The Barstow Bat highlights include:

  • Classic RAT Distortion with a super-quiet noise floor
  • Eye-catching graphics based on the work of Hunter Thompson and Ralph Steadman’s iconic Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
  • Massive output volume
  • Active isolated 3-band EQ for a wide range of tones
  • Selectable clipping modes (Standard or TURBO)
  • True Bypass on/off switch
  • 9-volt  DC power from external supply, not battery compartment
  • Hand assembled in Peterborough, Canada
  • LIMITED EDITION BLACK version available until 2025

Walrus Audio Announces Black Friday 2024 Floral Series



The Walrus Audio Floral Series has once again sprouted up from our pedal garden. A long-time fan favorite, the Floral Series returns with a fresh new bouquet of patterns and prints to dress up your pedal board wit the life-giving visual perks that plants can bring, but without all the allergic side effects.

385 Overdrive MKII, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series – $249.00.

Inspired by the rich tones of the Bell and Howell Filmosound 365 projector, the reimagined 385 MKII Overdrive offers dynamic, responsive, tube-like drive with a simple but effective controls. The MKII adds an A/B with to toggle between two sets of volume and gain knobs as well as a 385+ switch that slams the front end of the circuit for added high-gain saturation.

Badwater Bass Pre-amp and D.I., Black Friday 2024 Floral Series  – $299.99.

The Badwater is a bass tone magnification device sonically highlighting what makes bass so crucial to music. The all-in-one bass pre-amp and DI features optical compression, overdrive, and a four-band EQ section. Enhance bass rig’s capabilities and dial in everything from warm cleans, gritty chords, punchy drive, or bright and crisp slap sounds.

Fable Granular Soundscape Generator, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series $299.99

Let your storybook adventure grow with the Fable Granular Soundscape Generator. The Fable creates new sonic adventures with five granular delay programs centered around sample and chop algorithms creating bizarrely beautiful networks of sampled and resampled sounds.

Julianna Deluxe Chorus/Vibrato, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series -$279.99

Juliana is an analog, digital LFO, stereo chorus/vibrato with new expanded features.

Kangra Filter Fuzz, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series – $219.00

The Kangra Filter Fizz is a true bypass, two-in-one pedal that provides a thick and spatty octave fuzz, and a psychedelic filter thats great for sweeps, frequency boost or even envelope filter sounds.

Melee: Wall of Noise, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series — $299.99

The Melee Wall of Noise is a distortion + reverb combo that unapologetically uses a joystick to meld reverb and distortion into one massive blaze of sound. With the flip of the order switch, run the distortion into the reverb or reverb into the distortion; signal chain is your call now.

Monumental Harmonic Stereo Tremolo, Black Friday 2024 Floral Series – $279.99

Building off the rich, warm pulsating modulation of the Monument, the Monumental Harmonic Stereo is an analog optical tremolo bringing new controls, features, and width to the Walrus Audio line. New features available in the Monumental include the ability to save presets, blend between standard and harmonic tremolo modes, access to new wave shape and tap division options, and most importantly, a pan control to set the stereo spread of the tremolo to the right and left channels.


Roland Expands Its Presence In India With The Opening OF Two New Roland Stores



Roland Corporation, a world leader in professional music equipment, announces the successful grand openings of two Roland Stores in India, in Mumbai and Delhi. Addressing a long-standing demand for premium musical instruments in the region, these stores aim to invigorate the local music scene by providing musicians with direct access to Roland’s acclaimed range of products, including state-of-the-art instruments, synthesizers, amplifiers, and audio technology.

The grand openings of the Roland Stores in Mumbai and Delhi were marked by dynamic celebrations last week that brought the vibrant music scene to life. Attendees immersed themselves in a creative atmosphere, with live performances by popular artists such as Darshan Doshi, Zubin Balaporia, and appearances by influential music figures Mayur Jamari, Rajeev Bhalla and Avanti Nagral. 

The interactive environment of these new spaces inspired musicians and enthusiasts alike, setting the stage for Roland’s vision of fostering creativity and connection in India’s music community.

The Roland Store concept is a pioneering “Store-in-Store” (SIS) model designed to bring Roland’s iconic products — such as pianos, drums, guitars and pedals — directly to consumers in an interactive environment. With this initiative, Roland aims to make a strong impact on India’s vibrant home music scene, particularly in markets where access to premium instruments and equipment has been limited. 

The new locations showcase a comprehensive selection of Roland and BOSS products, creating an immersive environment for hobbyists and professionals alike. Customers can try out digital pianos like the FP-30X, electronic drum kits such as the TD-07 and TD-17, and an array of BOSS pedals all set up and ready for hands-on demonstrations.

Knowledgable and highly trained staff will be on-site to offer personalized advice and ensure customers make informed decisions suited to their musical needs. These spaces are designed to inspire creativity and make high-quality musical instruments more accessible to musicians of all skill levels.

The Roland Store concept is a pioneering “Store-in-Store” (SIS) model designed to bring Roland’s iconic products — such as pianos, drums, guitars and pedals — directly to consumers in an interactive environment. With this initiative, Roland aims to make a strong impact on India’s vibrant home music scene, particularly in markets where access to premium instruments and equipment has been limited. 

The new locations showcase a comprehensive selection of Roland and BOSS products, creating an immersive environment for hobbyists and professionals alike. Customers can try out digital pianos like the FP-30X, electronic drum kits such as the TD-07 and TD-17, and an array of BOSS pedals all set up and ready for hands-on demonstrations.

Knowledgable and highly trained staff will be on-site to offer personalized advice and ensure customers make informed decisions suited to their musical needs. These spaces are designed to inspire creativity and make high-quality musical instruments more accessible to musicians of all skill levels.


Limited Edition Release Nikon Z fc Camera Model In Collaboration With HERALBONY



Nikon Inc. Announced a limited-edition release of the “Nikon | HERALBONY Z fc model, featuring premium exterior designs created by contracts artists from HERALBONY Co. Ltd. These model were previously only available in markets outside the U.S.

HERALBONY is a Japanese company dedicated to crafting and challenging perceptions of disability through art. Nikon was inspired by HERALBONY’s mission to “Radiate Your Color” and its extensive licensed art collection created by neurodiverse artists, and this shared vision led to the collaboration. With the Z fc unique artwork, this camera will not only serve as a tool for capturing and expressing moments, but also a means for individuals to express their own unique identities.

During this collaboration, Nikon and HERALBONY carefully selected four works of art from the 2,000+ pieces in the HERBALBONY licensed collection to be featured on the premium exterior of the Z fc. Individuals can now choose a camera adorned with a design that particularly resonates with them.  Additionally, this collaborative edition includes exclusive welcome screens that can be displayed when the camera is turned on, plus the camera comes on specially designed packaging, enriching the user experience.

Price and Availability

The new Nikon Z fc. HERALBONY edition will be available in four colors representing the work of each artist and paired with the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens. The HERALBONY models will be available in late December 2024 for a suggested retail price of $1,199.95 and will be sold exclusively through the Nikon Store at nikonusa.com.

The standard Nikon Z fc in its classically styled black and silver is currently available with a variety of kit configurations; the body-only is available for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $959.95, or paired with the silver NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR lens for $1,099.95 SRP. 

For more information about the latest Nikon products, including the vast collection of NIKKOR Z lenses and the entire line of Z series cameras, please visit nikonusa.com.


Cannon Launches New Cropping Guide For Select EOS Cameras



Cannon Inc., the parent company of Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging solutions, announced a new Cropping Guide feature that will be available via a firmware update for Canon EOS R50, EOS R10 and EOS R7 camera models that allows users to more easily frame their subjects through the use of four tailored on-screen guides.

The new feature will be available December 9th from Canon USA for the price of $120 USD. For customers who have previously purchased one of the camera models compatible with the feature, they can send their device to a Canon Service Center and it will be returned with the Cropping Guide feature installed. 

For those new customers interested in the above mentioned models, the option to purchase them pre-loaded with the feature (with an additional cost) will be available via Cannon Direct and other dealers starting December 9th.

The new Cropping Guide feature provides on-screen guidelines that help shooters position subjects with precision, helping to ensure consistent and professional results while saving time on editing. It allows for Canon users to position the frame at the time of capture so that post-production and editing can be kept at a minimum. Lastly, Cropping Guides can be applied to horizontal of vertical framing scenarios, allowing for a wide range of shooting situations.

Canon will showcase its new offering to visitors to the School Photographers Association of California (SPAC) trade show on January 21-26 in Las Vegas, NV at the South Point Hotel and Casino Booth #715. This new feature is specifically designed for school photography, sports events, or any scenario in which subjects need to maintain a consistent position.


Wampler Launches ReWired Pedal



Brent Mason is one of the most recorded guitarists in history. The ReWired brings you his signature sound in a pedal — now evolved, refined, and redefined.

What makes us different?

Each Wampler product that bears the official “Wampler — Built in USA” logo is custom designed and assembled in the USA using premium globally sourced components chosen for superior sound and response. Each pedal comes complete with Wampler’s 5 year limited warrantee — we stand by our products so you can stomp on them!

The guitar has always been in Brent Mason’s DNA. Growing up in a musical family, with both parents and grandparents playing, Brent would wake up, grab the guitar from the foot of his bed, and practice for hours — sometimes 4-5 hours straight.

There’s no shortcut to mastering his skill, but there is a shortcut to getting his legendary tone. Introducing the all-new Wampler Brent Mason ReWired – an ultra-versatile, 2-channel Overdrive and Distortion pedal that delivers an incredible range of essential tones for every guitarist.

Brent Mason’s career as a session guitarist spans over five decades, making him one of the most recorded musicians in history. His unparalleled talent has graced more than 1,000 albums, playing with and contributing to chart-topping hits from icons like Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Black Shelton, Shania Twain, and many others.

A Grammy winner and Musicians Hall of Fame inductee, Brent has also earned twelve Guitarist of the year awards from the Academy of Country Music, two CMA Musicians of the Year titles, and was named one of the top ten session guitarists ever by Guitar World magazine.

Brian Wampler’s journey with Brent Mason began way back around 2004, when he’d make weekend trips to Nashville just to watch Brent play. Inspired by Brent’s incredible talent and effortless touch, Brian set out to craft signature pedal that would become the cornerstone of Brent’s sound.

The Overdrive channel perfectly captures Brent’s iconic rhythm tones, offering everything from crystal-clear light dirt to a crunchy, muscular Overdrive. The Distortion channel screams with rich harmonics, making it ideal for solos — whether used on its own or stacked with the Overdrive for maximum effect.