New Gear Alert – NAMM 2018 Edition: Return of the U67, BLA’s Flexible 500 Series Rack, Eventide Pedal Power & More

NAMM 2018 is officially upon us, and there is no shortage of exciting new gear hitting the market. Here are some notable announcements, with much more to follow next week:

Neumann announces reissue of the revered U 67.

The venerable U 67 will be reissued by Neumann, built to the original specifications.

For the first time in decades, the iconic U 67 tube microphone is back in production and built to the original specifications.

With three selectable polar patterns (omni-directional, cardioid, and figure-of-8), and advanced tube circuitry, including low-cut and pad switches, the Neumann U 67 is well-equipped for virtually any recording task. Its smooth top end with a subtle tube shimmer makes the U 67 an outstanding vocal microphone for both male and female voices. Due to its essentially linear response in the three polar patterns, the U 67 is also a very versatile microphone for all kinds of instruments, such as strings, woodwinds, brass, piano, drums, acoustic and electric guitar, bass guitar and upright bass.

The U 67 comes in a vintage case that is—just like the mic itself—hand-made in Germany. Besides the microphone, it includes an elastic suspension, a microphone cable and the NU 67 V power supply. The power supply was redesigned to meet today’s strict safety requirements and to accommodate the slightly higher filament current of newer premium-grade tubes. The new NU 67 V is fully compatible with older U 67 microphones, and automatically adapts to the local mains voltage.

The U 67 will be available in March of 2018; pricing has not yet been disclosed.

Black Lion Audio introduces the PBR-8, a 500 series rack with serious flexibility.

The PBR-8 by Black Lion Audio is 500 series rack with a unique twist.

Equipped with a fully balanced TT/Bantam patchbay, the PBR-8 has unlimited routing options for quickly dialing in sounds that don’t require modules to be loaded in any particular order. Easily try out a signal chain, re-route it, split it using one of the built-in “Mults,” send it to modules in another rack, route it back, then send it out, all from the front panel.

Providing a stable and reliable power supply has long been one of the issues dogging this format. To solve this issue, the PBR-8 features OST (On Slot Technology) developed in Europe by Heritage Audio. This technology allows for individual regulation per channel, insuring that noise, power issues, or crosstalk of one module does not effect other modules. The hefty power supply provides 400mA per rail per slot maximum, with an overall of 1.6A (1.8A non continuous) per rail, whichever is reached first.

The PBR-8 is available for $899.

Eventide powers your pedalboard to the “MAX.”

Eventide and Cioks offer pedalboard users a low-noise, compact, and expandable solution for clean power.

Eventide in partnership with Cioks, introduce an ultra-low noise, compact and lightweight power solution for your pedalboard. The Eventide PowerMAX delivers an unprecedented 38.4 Watts of power capable of powering up to seven high-current pedals, each switchable to 9, 12, 15 or 18V plus a USB output to power your smartphone or tablet. PowerMAX is also expandable with the Cioks 4 to add more outlets.

The unit mounts easily to Pedaltrain or Templeboard pedalboards with the included screws and template. Less than half the size and weight of the PowerFactor 2, the PowerMAX is less than an inch high and adds only one pound to your pedalboard—and it comes with a full five-year warranty. PowerMAX is a state-of the-art Universal power supply (85-265V), which can be used worldwide.

PowerMAX will be available at Eventide stompbox dealers worldwide in April of 2018 for $199.

Blue Cat Audio announces Axiom software for guitar and bass.

Axiom is a complete in-the-box solution for guitarists and bassists, offering amp simulators, built-in effects, and even the ability to host third party plugins.

Based on the acclaimed Destructor plugin for amp simulation tones, Axiom offers an infinite number of amp models and effects, thanks to its open architecture.

Axiom’s two amp simulation channels (with pre and post effects) can be mixed together or used alternatively like a real amplifier. Amp models can be chosen from hundreds of presets or personalized with the amp editor, which offers complete control over all parameters. Additional input and master sections let you adjust the tone at the input and output of Axiom, with 4 additional effect slots each. A brickwall limiter also protects the output from overshoot.

Axiom includes more than 30 built-in effects that can be loaded in any of the 32 plugin slots, including a built-in version of Blue Cat’s Late Replies for creative delays and reverbs, and a built-in version of Blue Cat’s Destructor. All effects slots can also host third party Audio Unit, VST or VST3 plugins. Axiom offers an extra “Tools” section with 3 additional slots to host virtual instruments such as a metronome, drum machine, sequencer or synthesizer, to be mixed with the guitar.

Axiom will be available as a standalone application or plugin (VST, VST3, AAX, Audio unit) for Mac and Windows in Q2 2018.

Radial now shipping SAT-2 attenuator and monitor controller.

The SAT-2 by Radial is a simple yet versatile stereo attenuator, built to handle everything from trimming down a high-gain mic preamp to functioning as a compact monitor controller.

The SAT-2 is a passive stereo audio device that provides you with attenuation and control over your signal level wherever you may need it.

When using the SAT-2 as a monitor controller, simply connect it in between your playback device or recording interface, and a pair of powered speakers. The SAT-2 is equally useful in a recording studio, or with a simple PA rig to control overall output levels. Both XLR and ¼” TRS options are provided for the inputs of the SAT-2, eliminating the need for adapter cables. XLR outputs can be connected to a pair of powered speakers, while the trim knob provides an easy-access master volume control. Mute and mono switches allow you to silence the outputs or sum left and right together to check mixes for mono phase compatibility. A handy dim switch with adjustable level control allows you to temporarily lower the output volume without losing the setting on the main trim control.

The SAT-2 can also be used to attenuate signals before sending them to your audio interface, so you can drive your mic preamps hard for coloration without clipping the inputs of the recording device. A high quality 4-pole rotary knob ensures consistent L-R tracking over the entire range of the trim pot, fully maintaining the left-right balance of stereo sources.

Compact but extremely rugged, the SAT-2 is housed in a 14-gauge solid steel enclosure, with a book-end design that protects the connectors and switches from damage, and I-beam construction that prevents stress on the circuit board that can cause solder joints to fail.

The SAT-2 is available for $99.99.

Rainger FX announces Reverb-X digital reverb.

Rainger FX offers a unique reverb solution for guitarists and bassists with Reverb-X and accompanying Igor expression pad.

Reverb-X is based on the excitement of plugging an overdrive pedal after a reverb pedal; it’s “wrong,” but everything you play sounds epic, exaggerated, and full of texture and detail. An overdrive circuit—after the reverb—can be blended in via the “Distn” knob. Have it totally clean, a bit gritty, quite rough, or dial in a fully burnt-out glow.

Reverb-X is based around an FV-1 chip, and comes with an Igor expression pad for real-time control. “Size” adjusts the length of the effect, and “Level” adjusts the amount of it you hear (the original guitar signal is always present).

Plug in the Igor expression pad and you get no reverb at all. However as you start to lean on it, the signal gets diverted to the waiting reverb pathway, and a bloom of reverberation grows behind whatever notes you’re playing. Take your foot off of Igor and you go back to fully dry—but the reverb decays on its own.

Reverb-X is available now for £147. (Note: orders may be delayed during the week of January 22nd, 2018 due to NAMM.)

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