Michael Stern

Credited with being the pioneer of the “SuperStrat,” Wayne Charvel found himself in the right place at the right time. In the mid 1970s, Charvel had a guitar shop adjacent to Los Angeles in suburban Asuza. Initially a repair shop, it became iconic for modifying instruments, notably for Eddie Van Halen who lived close by in Pasadena. Guitar modifications became stylish and necessary in the mid ‘70s due to the high performance that shredders like Van Halen and Randy Rhoads required. As demand increased for hot rod Strat variations Charvel became synonymous with 1980s hard rock and metal musicians. The early “San Dimas” models had high-output humbucker pickups, custom paint jobs, Floyd Rose tremolos, and customized Strat-style bodies.

Solid State Logic recently released the Acoustifier, a unique modeling plugin that transforms an acoustic guitar D.I. signal into the sound of a miked acoustic guitar. Recording an acoustic guitar with a great microphone is not always possible, particularly in a live sound setting. The Acoustifier is a remarkable tool that can breathe life into a sterile sounding recording of a direct acoustic guitar pickup. The results are convincing and can substantially improve the tone of a direct acoustic guitar.

HISONG Music Technologies was founded in 2024with a goal to simplify mobile recording. Billed as “the world’s first all-in-one mobile recording capsule built for musicians and content creators,” the AirStudio S1 is a wireless handheld microphone system designed to act as a portable studio. The battery powered rechargeable microphone is switchable between condenser and dynamic pickup elements and houses a wireless USB-C Bluetooth dongle and in-ear monitors. At just 4.75” long it is small enough to fit in your pocket.

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In the 1930s, Epiphone and Gibson were fierce rivals with both companies making archtop guitars. Financial difficulties for Epiphone enabled Gibson to purchase the company in 1957, and Gibson moved Epiphone manufacturing from New York to Kalamazoo, Michigan. Gibson continued the brand using the same equipment and craftsmen as Gibson Guitars. Initially used for competing in the bass market and broadening distribution, in 1970 Epiphone transitioned into Gibson’s primary import, budget-friendly brand, producing Asian made accessible alternatives to classic Gibson designs.

Celebrating over 100 years of superior and historic audio achievement in 2024, Beyerdynamic was founded in Berlin in 1924 by Eugen Beyer. Beyerdynamic pioneered cinema loudspeakers before launching the world’s first dynamic headphones, the DT 48, in 1937. Relocating to Heilbronn after World War II, the company became a global leader in professional studio headphones and microphones, with a century-long dedication to handmade German-engineered audio innovation. Beyerdynamic released its first studio-grade dynamic microphone, the M 19 in 1939. The M 19 was lauded by the audio industry the best of the first studio-ready dynamic microphones. Featuring an omnidirectional moving coil with an aluminum diaphragm it gained immense popularity for radio reporting, with a robust metal-cased version built to withstand tough field conditions, including being tested by being dropped from the second floor of the Berlin broadcasting center.

QSC is a well-known manufacturer of PA and monitor speakers for mid and small-sized venues, with experience dating back to the 1960s. QSC WideLine line arrays are commonly used in smaller arenas, amphitheaters, and regional concert series. QSC is a leader in portable, active loudspeakers often used by support acts, in clubs, or as fill

Following the 2022 release of the highly innovative and unique Freqport Freqtube FT1 USB Hardware Tube Preamp, Freqport has unveiled an emulation plugin of their FT1 analog hardware. The original Freqport Freqtube FT1 features four analog tubes, (2) E83CC and (2) 12AT7, that operate as 4 mono or 2 stereo tube preamp channels. The FT1 connects to your DAW via USB and is controllable with full recall from their plugin software. Two of these units per DAW can be used to provide a maximum of eight real tube channels.