Novation, Framus + more: our seven favourite gear releases of the week
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Novation, Framus + more: our seven favourite gear releases of the week

1. Novation Launchkey MkIII MIDI Keyboards

Novation’s Launchkey range has been a mainstay among Ableton users for years now, and that bond only looks to grow firmer with the release of the sleek new Launchkey range. MkIII sees Novation  add Scale and Chord modes to the keyboards, as well as controls to trigger track arm, quantise, loop controls and Lives’s Capture MIDI function. Other improvements include a dedicated arpeggiator and standalone functionality to make the Launchkey MKIII a no-brainer for producers looking for a powerful controller for both live and studio work.

 

 

2. Framus Devin Townsend D-Series Stormbender

Finally – Framus have delivered on their promise of an affordable D-Series variation of the acclaimed Devin Townsend signature Stormbender. The D-Series model was announced back at NAMM in January, and offers players with a deluxe AAAA flame maple veneer top over a mahogany body for a cutting, hefty tone with plenty of character and sustain. A 22-fret tiger-stripe ebony fretboard gives you a viable platform to shred on top of, while Fishman Fluence Devin Townsend signature pickups deliver only the finest tones for whatever occasion you may be chasing. Keep your eyes peeled for when they arrive in Australia. 

 

 

3. Cort A4 Ultra Ash Bass

With a resonant ash top, mahogany body, five-piece maple neck and panga panga fretboard, the A4 Ultra Bass is another shining example of some of the quality gear Cort have been churning out as of late. The A4 Ultra Bass is loaded with Fishman Fluence Bass Soapbar pickups with three unique passive/active voicing to tackle a range of applications, while a master volume knob lets you push-pull to split the coils and blend pickups. Elsewhere, Hipshot Ultralight tuners and a TransTone bridge deliver top notch tuning stability, while all black hardware adds a touch of class to the A4 Ultra – Cort really are on a roll this year.

 

 

4. Aston Microphones Limited Edition Spirit Black Bundle 

After a limited edition black run of the Origin sold out in record time earlier this January, Aston Microphones have created another tantalising limited edition offer with the Spirit Black Bundle, packaging their flagship condenser microphone with an all-black Swiftshield microphone shock mount and pop filter. The bundle arrives in a numbered boxset, with Aston only announcing a scant 1,500 bundles will be made, so if you’re keen, you better get your dibs in quick. The Aston Spirit has found fans in the hands of users like Radiohead, Noel Gallagher, Bullet For My Valentine and Tory Lanez – now, you can join that club with a blacked-out bundle of your own. 

 

 

5. Recording King Humbucker Lap Steel

Retro-revivalists Recording King have debuted the Humbucker Lap Steel, a relatively affordable lap steel slide guitar with, um, a humbucker. It’s made from mahogany and has a 23.5” scale, as well as a bone nut, pearloid fretboard and metal button tuners. There’s two knobs to control tone and volume, with the humbucker being able to pump out a range of clean and crunchy sounds: from spanky clean country to roaring AC/DC as demonstrated in the official demo below, this thing is a certified little ripper. 

 

 

6. Eventide x Cioks Power Supply Range

Eventide have linked up with Cioks to create a new maximum fidelity power supply range. The new PowerMINI, PowerMINI EXP expander and PowerMAX rev2 deliver the best power possible to your pedalboard regardless of how big it may be, with a bunch of switchable outputs available to suit the flexible user. The PowerMAX rev2 delivers 42w of power and can handle up to seven high-powered pedals, while the PowerMINI features four outputs, with the PowerMINI EXP being used to expand the amount of pedals on offer. If you’re super serious about building the best board possible, these power supplies could be up your alley.

 

 

7. JAM Pedals ‘Lending A Hand’ Charity Release 

If you want to help out those fellow musicians who have been adversely affected through COVID-19, JAM Pedals have got a great initiative for you. The stomp box manufacturers have created 150 unique gold pedals, each hand signed by a range of high profile guitarists such as Nile Rodgers, Graham Coxon, Steve Lukather, Nels Cline, Neal Schon and Bill Frisell. The sparkly pedals will be granted to the ten highest donation offers for each artist’s assortment of pedals, with the sweepstakes being open until July 12. Head here to find out how to get involved today!

 

 

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