Jazzy tones are renowned for their clean, simple, and transparent tones. However, many jazz players turn to guitar pedals for character and flavour to enhance a mellow tone. We’ll go over some of the best guitar effects for jazz that you can get right now.
Best Guitar Effects For Jazz
There are many guitar effects out there. Some are used more often by jazz players than others. The most popular guitar effects for jazz are as follow:
Chorus
Compression
Delay
Octave
Reverb
Chorus
TC Electronic Corona Chorus
Chorus gives your playing the illusion of two guitar signals, providing texture to an otherwise clean tone. It also provides ambience and lush sounds that are essential when it comes to jazz. To add a different dimension to your clean jazzy tones, consider picking up a chorus pedal.
Delay is an incredibly versatile effect suitable for any jazz player. From lengthy, echoing nuances to slapback tones, this effect allows you to create larger-than-life sounds, especially when combined with other effects. Every jazzist should have a delay pedal in their arsenal to unlock thicker, more emotional tones.
An octave pedal unlocks massive creative potential for jazz players. The most useful feature of the octave effect is the ability to mimic the sound of bass using a regular guitar. You can also create the illusion of a full band with different rhythmic cords.
Reverb provides the illusion of space and gives your playing texture and ambience. This effect is considered an essential effect in the jazz scene because it adds depth and texture to clean tones. For instance, many players traditionally rely on a lush spring reverb for pristine texture and ambience.
Now, you should have a better idea of what guitar effects are best for jazz music. However, you can experiment with other effects if you would like more creative liberty. If you would like to see more options, browse our entire line of guitar effects pedals.
If you use a PC or Mac to make music, an audio interface is a must-have. A good audio interface will let you produce high-quality music and connect gear to aid your production process. However, if you’re looking to purchase your first audio interface or want to upgrade, you’ll find that there are many options on the market. Let’s go over our choice of some of the best audio interfaces you can choose from for every budget.
Considerations Before Buying
Before you shell out a ton of money on an audio interface, there are some factors to consider. The most important considerations are the number of inputs and outputs required, the audio interface connectors, and DAW compatibility.
Number of Inputs & Outputs
The first thing you’ll need to consider before purchasing your audio interface is the number of inputs and outputs you’ll require. If you want to record multiple microphones or instruments at once, you’ll need numerous inputs and outputs. However, if you’re a solo artist or produce most of your sounds on your computer, then one or two will likely suffice.
Connectivity
You must ensure that your audio interface can be connected to your computer or, if not, then you get the appropriate adapter. There are four standard cable options used, including:
USB – USB is the most common connectivity option and is available on most computers. However, the transfer rate can be slower than its other connectivity counterparts.
Firewire – Mostly seen on more expensive home studio audio interfaces, Firewire is becoming a less common cable option.
Thunderbolt – Boasting higher data transfer speeds than USB and Firewire, Thunderbolt is commonly seen on higher-end audio interfaces.
PCIe – PCIe is the standard connection for professional audio interfaces and provides ultra-low latency and high I/O counts.
DAW Compatibility
Most audio interfaces are compatible with most DAWs, but not all of them are. So, if you are loyal to a particular DAW, make sure the audio interface you choose is compatible with the program. Otherwise, you may be unpleasantly surprised when your shiny new audio interface arrives and it doesn’t work with your DAW.
Focusrite Scarlett (Beginner)
The third generation of Focus Scarlett provides excellent sonics at affordable prices. Available from this line are the Solo, 2i2, 4i4, 8i6, and 18i8, meaning there is likely a device for your I/O needs. This family of audio interfaces sports low latency, vibrant Scarlett preamps, and instrument inputs for all of your tools. Another great feature is the Air button, which adds openness to your voice or instrument when used. If you’re a beginner on a budget or want a great piece of equipment at a low price, consider the line of Focusrite Scarlett audio interfaces.
The PreSonus Studio 1810c is perfect for producers wanting to record from a wide range of sources. This audio interface has up to 18 simultaneous inputs, including four microphone inputs with XMAX mic preamps, four dedicated line inputs, eight channels of ADAT Optical input (4 channels at 96 kHz), and S/PDIF inputs. You also get two headphone outputs with A/B switching for monitoring different mix streams. If you need more input and output options at a cheap price point, check out the PreSonus Studio 1810c.
Are you looking for a higher-end option loaded with features? The Arturia AudioFuse is a versatile option with four discrete preamps, excellent connectivity, and even Bluetooth capabilities options. It’s easy to monitor mix streams with instant speaker A/B switching and record your guitar and bass directly into your DAW with Reaming output. If you’re looking for a step up from the cheaper options, the Arturia AudioFuse Studio is a great choice.
If you want a high-end audio interface, consider the RME Fireface UFX+. Some of this high-grade audio interface’s features include MADI I/O, boosted DSP, and low latency Thunderbolt connectivity. The Fireface has an impressive channel count, including 12 analog inputs, 16 ADAT, 2 AES, and 64 MADI with input and output, totaling 188 channels. This audio interface sounds unbelievably crystal clear and transparent. If you need a serious piece of equipment for your home recording sessions, check out the RME Fireface UFX+.
No matter your audio interface needs, there is an option for you. Hopefully, by reading this article, you’ll be pointed in the right direction to your purchasing needs. Want to browse more audio interface options? Check out our entire range of audio interfaces.
The world of guitar effects pedals is vast and daunting for beginners. So, where do you start? Let’s go over the different types of guitar effects pedals and give our recommendations for some great pedals to start your collection off.
Types of Guitar Effects Pedals
Guitar effects pedals allow guitarists to change the audio signal of their guitar through circuitry. This gives musicians access to different sounds and textures that are easily controllable via the pedal. For many players, buying pedals to explore new guitar effects is addicting! Let’s go through an overview of the most common types of guitar effects pedals on the market and make some recommendations for each type.
1. Boosts and Compressors
Boosts increase the output level of your guitar without distorting the audio. Compressors ensure each note you play is on the same level, meaning no matter how hard or soft you play a string, the volume will sound the same. Both of these effects are great for tackling solos.
Delays and reverbs add an echoing effect to your signal. Delays repeat your original signal once or multiple times depending on your settings, transforming your solos. There are digital delay pedals available, as well as analog delay pedals. Digital delay pedals offer longer delay and an exact copy of your original sound, while analogs add an element of slight unpredictability. Reverbs make your sound richer and fuller, as though you are playing in a cave. However, many amps come with reverb pre-installed, so you may not need to buy another.
If you want to get down and dirty with your sound, consider the family of distortion, fuzz, and overdrive effects. Distortion pedals give your sound power and aggression, bringing chords, solos, and riffs to the forefront. Fuzz models add edge and a raspy sound to your playing, which can be bass-heavy depending on the pedal. Overdrive pedals give your guitar a heavier, thicker sound that pushes your guitar signal.
Harmonizer and octave pedals allow you to play frequencies above and below your guitar. For instance, this can let you transform your guitar into a bass or your bass into a guitar.
Loopers are not effects on their own but allow you to record your notes and then play them back – essentially allowing you to have a jam session with yourself. Loopers are great when you want to layer guitars on top of each other to create the illusion of more than one guitarist.
The modulation family of effects makes your chords more dynamic. For instance, chorus pedals add warmth and act as though multiple guitars are playing at once. Phasers have a characteristic sweeping sound that has been used in countless classic songs, such as “Breathe” in Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.” Flangers sound more dramatic than the other effects, creating sound effects that have been compared to airplanes. Tremolo alters the volume signal so that it drops and picks back up again at a controllable rate. Vibrato pedals alter the pitch of the notes being played.
If you want to try out a wide range of effects but don’t want to buy multiple pedals, there are pedals with multiple effects built into them. However, one thing to note is that they tend to lack the versatility of single effects units.
The wah pedal is nearly synonymous with the electric guitar and is heard on classics such as Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child” and Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”. As its name implies, the wah-wah pedal creates a distinctive sound mimicking the human voice saying the onomatopoeic name.
Welcome to the wonderful, addictive world of guitar effects pedals. While we have only scratched the surface of pedals, we hope that this article will give you some guidance into your guitar effects journey. We recommend that, if you’re not able to sample your effects pedal in person, you at least look up a video of someone playing with the pedal to get a better understanding of the effect you’ll achieve.
Find the perfect guitar effects pedal for your sound in our large collection.
Adding lighting and effects to your stage gives your crowd an immersive and fun experience. Give your audience a night to remember with our choice of DJ lightings and effects.
1. American DJ Vertigo HEX LED Rotating Moonflower Lighting Effect
The Vertigo HEX LED from American DJ creates a unique rotating moonflower effect with 20 multi-colour beams. The unit is easy to set up and use and is automatically designed to move to music’s sound. The Vertigo HEX LED is perfect for clubs, bands, or on-the-go entertainers who want an effect their audiences will love.
The Quad Phase HP LED from American DJ shoots dazzling beams of light in up to fifteen colours. There are four channels to customize your audience’s experience, including colour, rotation, strobe, and stutter. This effect is great for performers looking to fill clubs, wedding receptions, parties, or dance stages with streaks of colour.
Bathe your venues in fun black light with the American DJ UV Cannon. Designed for large venues, this unit will transform your venue’s environment and provide the mood you’re after. Designed for ease of operation, the UV Cannon is a must-have for performers.
Create an exciting bubble display with the American DJ BubbleTron. With easy setup and use, hundreds of bubbles can be produced each minute, creating a fun experience for your audiences. Pair with lighting effects to bring the atmosphere to the next level.
5. American DJ Sweeper Beam Quad LED Lighting Effect
The American DJ Sweeper Beam Quad LED lightning effect produces sweeping beams that bathe your audience in colours. Hook this unit up to easily create an immersive experience for your audience.
Provide a dynamic experience for your crowd with the American DJ Fog Fury 3000. This unit generates high outputs of fog and doesn’t require any warm-up time before use. Your production may be foggy, but the choice is clear – add the Fog Fury 3000 to your effects arsenal today!
Take your venues to the next level with any of these DJ effects. Want to do some more browsing? Check out our full collection of DJ lighting and effects.
Musicians need to ensure that they have the right power amplifier for their performance to give their audience clear sound quality. Need help choosing the right one for you? Well, then check out our list of 6 of the best power amplifiers for live sound.
1. Behringer EP2000
The Behringer EP2000 is a great all-around choice for musicians, delivering superb sound quality, durability, and reliability. It can provide 2 x 1,000 watts at 2 ohms, 750 watts at 4 ohms, and 2,000 watts at 4 ohms in bridge mode. It has precise power, signal, and clip LEDs to allow you to monitor performance, and its XLR and 1/4″ TRS jacks allow for compatibility with any source. Also, the selectable low-frequency filters let you remove distracting infra-sound frequencies, and the independent DC and thermal overload protection on each channel prevent your amp from overloading. For musicians looking for a high-quality, reliable amp, the Behringer EP2000 is an excellent choice.
Need something ultra-powerful? Then, consider the Behringer NX4-600. It is a 6,000-watt (4 x 1,600 watts at 2 ohms; 2 x 3,000 watts at 4 ohms) 4-channel Class-D power amplifier. All of this punch is packed into a lightweight (13.4 lb / 6.1 kg) and rack-mountable powerhouse. Thanks to its reliable overload protection and SmartSense Loudspeaker impedance compensation, you can run this amp at full-power for hours-on-end. For musicians wanting to go all-out, consider the Behringer NX4-6000.
The QSC GX5 is ideal for musicians who require maximum performance and portability. The 2-channel amp delivers the right amount of power to the most popular speakers entertainers use. Also, adding a subwoofer is simple with the crossover switch to allow for louder playing. Its built-in GuardRail protection prevents overloading while delivering peak power, avoiding unprofessional distortion levels and shutdowns. If you want a power amp with a dramatic appearance, easy set-up and adjustments, and excellent quality, the QSC GX5 is an outstanding option.
The Behringer KM750 is a professional two-channel 750-watt (750 watts in bridge mode; 2 x 400 watts at 4 ohms; 2 x 200 watts at 8 ohms) stereo power amplifier. Behringer’s Accelerated Transient Response technology perfectly synchronizes your speakers with the power amp’s signal. This feature provides your sound with the ultimate punch and clarity every time. Also, the LEDs and controls make operation simple. Need a reliable, robust, and responsive unit? Consider the Behringer KM750.
A compact amp delivering clean sound quality, the QSC RMX 1450a is excellent for touring acts. With two channels delivering 400 watts per channel at 4 ohms, the unit incorporates renowned QSC designs. The features include a dual mono, high-current power supply, clip limiters, selectable low-frequency filters, and signal and clip LED indicators for performance monitoring. For those looking for QSC quality in a compact package, check out the RMX 1450a.
The GX7 provides power, portability, and professional sound quality. The GX7 can operate in stereo or mono modes and has a 2RU chassis for installation in any standard equipment rack. The GuardRail protection lets you go all-out without any overloads. And since the crossover switch allows you to add subwoofers, the GX7 is a superb choice for any musician looking for reliability and great sound.
Each of these amps is an excellent choice for today’s musicians. Be sure to look over each of these amps to find the right one for your demands. Need to do more research? Check out our full selection of power amplifiers for live sound.
If you have a home studio, you’re definitely going to want to add a MIDI controller to your arsenal. But with so many options out there, where do you start? Well, you’re in luck: we’re going to cover five of the best MIDI controllers on the market for your home studio.
1. Akai MPK Mini MK3
For beginners on a budget, the Akai MPK Mini MK3 is a great entry-point into the world of pro music production. Highly portable and feature-loaded, this is everything a beginner needs in a MIDI controller. This MIDI controller has topped the sales charts for years, for good reasons.
Some of its notable features 8 knobs to tweak software parameters, a four-way joystick for pitch and modulation control, the built-in arpeggiator, and eight MPC performance pads.
A drawback of this keyboard is that it only comes with 25-keys, but it will be suitable and cost-efficient for the beginner.
For Ableton Live users, there is no better option at this price point than the Novation Launchkey Mini MK3. This small powerhouse boasts many features, including Fixed Chord mode, a controllable arpeggiator, 16 velocity-sensitive RGB, 8 rotary controls, pitch and mod touch strips, and sustain input. Other size variants are available should you want something with more keys, including 25-, 37-, 49-, and 61-key options. This controller was specifically made for Ableton Live users, so you probably wouldn’t want to go with this option if you use a different DAW software.
M-Audio has been producing MIDI controllers for decades, producing some of the best-selling keyboards worldwide. The Keystation 49 is one of these bestsellers. Although the keyboard looks simplistic, it is loaded with features perfect for a home studio. Namely, these features include 49 full-size keys, pitch, modulation, and octave controls.
It also comes with a comprehensive software bundle, including Ableton Live Lite and Pro Tools First (M-Audio Edition). Also included are three AIR virtual instruments, including AIR Music Mini Grand, AIR Music Velvet, and AIR Music Xpand!2. The Keystation MK3 also comes in a 61-key variant for those who want the extra keys.
The Alesis V25 is an easy-to-use, compact controller. Its features include 25 full-sized, square-front keys, eight LED backlit touchpads with velocity and pressure sensitivity, 4 assignable knobs and 4 assignable buttons, pitch and mod wheels with expressive control and seamless visual feedback from the illuminated buttons and knobs. Like the Akai MPK Mini MK3, a downside is that there are only 25 keys, but it has all of the features you need without the space required for larger keyboards. Also included are software bundles with Ableton Live Lite (Alesis Edition) and MIDI editor programs.
The Arturia MiniLab Mk II is a compact keyboard with impressive features, specifically designed for electronic musicians. Its arsenal includes 25 velocity-sensitive keys, 2 banks of 8 high-quality velocity & pressure-sensitive pads with RGB backlighting, 16 rotary encoders, and 2 capacitive touch sensors for pitch and modulation control. It also comes with a software bundle that includes Ableton Live Lite, Analog Lab Lite, and UVI Grand. This keyboard may only have 25-keys, but it has many versatile features, making it perfect for the electronic musician who wants a compact controller.
If you’re looking for a MIDI controller for your home studio, any of these listed are a great option. Still undecided? Take a look at controllers.cc. You can specify your MIDI controller needs and it will narrow down a list of appropriate choices for you. Then, take a look at our wide selection of MIDI controllers and find the best one for you.
