Author: Adam Lawton

Donner DMK-25 Pro USB Midi Keyboard Controller

Features

• 25 Keys, 8 touch Pads, Innovative Wheels, Personalized Touch bar w/ Light Scale
• High-Definition OLED Screen Display
• 4 Exquisite Velocity-Sensitive Curves
• Small and Lightweight
• Intelligent Dynamic Scale Mode
• Real-time Multi-Mode Control
• Compatible with a Variety of DAW
• 40 Free and Entertaining Keyboard-Teaching Courses

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Since 2012 Donner Music has been making affordable, quality instruments for all level of musicians. New from the company is the Donner DMK-25 Pro USB Midi Keyboard controller. This compact USB powered unit features 25 keys, 4 sliders, 8 touch pads, 4 Innovation wheels, a Personalized Touch bar with light scale and to top it off a High-Definition OLED display screen. The unit is compatible with a variety of DAW’s and its simple plug and play operation will have you creating and arranging in no time.

Having been in the market for a new Midi controller I was quite anxious to check out the DMK-25 Pro from Donner. Packed with an overflowing number of features and control options the small yet formidable controller upon first look had me a little nervous to start however after simply plugging the unit into my computer with the included USB cable I was up and running in no time. Gone was the need to search for the appropriate driver downloads and operating software and the absence of another power supply cluttering my work area helped put me a little at ease before really diving in. I paired up the unit with Garage Band and after a couple quick settings changes, I was up and running. (The DMK-25 Pro is compatible with a number of DAW’s) Right away the OLED screen grabbed my attention as the High-Definition display proved to be quite helpful across the board when setting parameters as it allows user to pull up settings such as speed, arpeggio, and velocity all in real-time. The Touch Bar and innovation wheels are another nice addition to the controller as both features brought an added level of control to the product. The 25 velocity sensitive keys and 8 velocity sensitive pads seemed to offer the same feel as other models on the market but with a bit more response which was a welcomed surprised. Now this could be attributed to the product still being new so I am going to be curious to see if that feel will remain after several months of usage. Another feature worth noting is the Intelligent Dynamic Scale Mode. This feature allows you to play essential bass lines, melodies, and leads with ease and the 16-scale tones enable you to switch between a variety of sounds and genres and when enable you no longer have to worry about tuning issues while working on your arranging. That feature alone makes this unit worth every penny of its sub $100 price tag.

From its ease of use and wide array of features to its vast DAW compatibility Donner’s DMK-25 Pro Midi Controller is a near perfect unit for those looking for a Midi controller. The unit’s small footprint makes both travel and home set up a breeze and the simple USB-C power feature means one less cord to remember and no bulky power supply taking up valuable space. If that was not enough as a bonus each DMK-25 Pro comes with 40 free teaching courses which range from beginner to advanced so there is a little something for everyone here. If you are in the market for a new controller or getting ready to purchase your first unit, I highly recommend checking out the Donner DMK-25 Pro as you will not be disappointed.

To purchase the DMK-25 Pro visit Donnermusic.com or the Donner Amazon Store.

Gibson:
Celebrates Guitarist Kirk Hammett of Metallica
Recreates Iconic “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard Burst Guitar

Custom Shop (out Today), and Gibson Les Paul Standard (out April 11) via Gibson.com

Above: Kirk Hammett with Greeny, his 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard. Credit: Ross Halfin.

For 130 years, Gibson has shaped sound across generations and genres of music, becoming one of the most relevant, played, and loved guitar brands around the world. Gibson is proud to unveil its first official global release and partnership with Kirk Hammett, legendary guitarist of the multi-platinum selling and GRAMMY® Award-winning band, Metallica. No other guitar has earned legendary status like “Greeny,” the magical 1959 Les Paul Standard, now owned by Kirk Hammett. For the first time ever, Gibson has collaborated with Kirk to create “Greeny” for a worldwide audience to enjoy in both a Gibson Custom Shop version, out now, and next month a Les Paul Standard version from Gibson. The Kirk Hammett “Greeny” assortment is available through Premium Gibson dealers, and via Gibson.com.

“I am very honored and grateful for this opportunity with Gibson,” says Kirk Hammett. “To be able to share some of that mojo which ‘Greeny’ has means a lot to me. It’s exciting to know that anyone can experience some of that ‘Greeny’ magic. I truly think these models are just as inspiring as the original and hope you do too!”

“We are excited to continue the evolution of Greeny with the Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab Aged Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ 1959 Les Paul Standard, and on April 11 we’ll also be releasing the Gibson Kirk Hammett ‘Greeny’ Les Paul Standard,” adds Cesar Gueikian, Gibson Brand President. “Kirk has been inspiring musicians for decades, starting with his 1979 Gibson Flying V, and over the years expanding his collection across many Gibson guitars. Over the last 10 years since he became the custodian of Greeny, he has incorporated the Greeny sound into everything he does, making it a staple of his Metallica sound on records and on stages around the world. And as I said before, we’re just getting started!”

Above: Gibson Custom Shop Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard

The story of “Greeny” is shrouded in mystery, but few guitars are as illustrious. Greeny is one of the most iconic original Les Paul Standards ever made, with a unique sound as recognizable as the guitar itself. Originally owned by Peter Green, it was used throughout his time with Fleetwood Mac and later sold to Gary Moore, who used it for three decades with Thin Lizzy and as a solo artist. Now owned by Kirk Hammett, Greeny has passed through the hands of three legendary guitarists. Its distinctive sound is partly from the out-of-phase middle switch position due to the neck pickup’s reversed magnetic polarity.

The Kirk Hammett “Greeny” 1959 Les Paul Standard from the Gibson Custom Shop is artfully aged to match the original by the Murphy Lab and was inspired by this legendary guitar. With its Indian Rosewood fretboard, the Custom Shop Greeny gives players around the world the opportunity to experience some of the magic of “Greeny” for themselves. The Gibson Custom Shop “Greeny” arrives with an exclusive Lifton reissue 5 latch hardshell case with brown leather exterior and pink interior.

Due out on April 11, 2023, the Kirk Hammett “Greeny” Les Paul Standard version was inspired by this legendary guitar and gives players around the world the opportunity to experience some of the magic of “Greeny” for themselves. The Gibson Kirk Hammett “Greeny” Les Paul Standard comes with an Original Series hardshell case.

Watch/share the new interview with Kirk Hammett: HERE.

Above: the Kirk Hammett “Greeny” Les Paul Standard

Von Frankenstein Monster Gear Instrument Strings

Our score 4.5 out of 5 stars

Von Frankenstein Monster Gear guitar and bass strings are the brainchild of Doyle/Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein. Produced in conjunction with Sheptone all strings are made in the U.S using the best-available, domestically sourced, raw materials. Each string is made by hand, one at a time, with nickel-plated steel that is wrapped over a treated hex steel core. Von Frankenstein avoids rushed mass production which helps ensures quality, feel and durability from every string produced.

When it comes to guitar and bass strings the market seems to be constantly flooded with new string products boasting enhanced feature including everything from wider gauge options and special coatings to the use of new metals all of which are supposed to help aid or solve all together the age-old pursuit of tone. Every guitarist and bassist at one time or another will struggle with finding a tone that is all encompassing. This poses the question of, do all these newly marketed features, and advances really help players achieve that? Not always. From my experience what often happens is you might get say improved output, but the strings do not have a great feel, or the feel is good, but the tone is lacking. Finding a string that has everything a player needs is probably harder at times than actually learning the instrument so it can certainly be daunting.

What we found in the newly introduced Von Frankenstein Monster Gear guitar and bass strings are outside of a few edgy product names like “Decapitators”, “Collateral Damage”, “Toxic Rocks” and “Beast Mode” a solid US made string with no gimmicks. What you see is what you get with the Monster Gear strings which are made through a partnership between legendary Doyle/Misfits guitarist Doyle Wolfgang Von Frankenstein and Sheptone (Sheptone has been producing instruments strings since 2007). We checked out the “Sentient-6” and “Von Frankenstein” guitar sets as well as a set of the “Beast Mode” bass strings and the first thing that jumped out at us was the unique packaging. Unlike a lot of bigger companies who package a majority of their strings all together Monster Gear individually packages each string in its own sealed bag. What is nice about this is it eliminates the possibility of strings rubbing together and/or creating an opportunity for corrosion and wear to occur even before being used. We checked every string as we installed them and found no flaws or trouble spots whatsoever.

From a playability standpoint both the guitar and bass strings all provided a smooth and balanced feel which made fretting chords comfortable and bending single notes almost effortless. The bass side of the strings provided plenty of low-end percussiveness that remained tight even in lower tunings while the treble strings rang out crisp and clear without being too bright or brittle. Even after playing on the strings for several sessions the tone has remained consistent as has the overall feel.

While boasting an artist roster which includes the brands namesake along with the likes of Exodus guitarist Gary Holt and Arch Enemy guitarist Jeff Loomis these strings are clearly aimed at players in the punk and metal genre however, we found that the tonal properties of the strings could be easily adapted to practically any style. If you are looking for a quality string that does not sacrifice tone or feel and, is hand made in the U.S. then look no further. Von Frankenstein Monster Gear strings are a quality product that guitarists and bassists from all genres and ability will surely enjoy.

To purchase Von Frankenstein Monster Gear strings visit www.vonfrankensteinmonstergear.com

MARK VII
Available Now on www.mesaboogie.com
A New MARK Icon, MARK VII Series Offered in Head, 1×12 Combo, and Rackmount

 

Explore the new MESA/Boogie® MARK VII in the video above, HERE.

Introducing the MESA/Boogie® MARK VII.

A new MARK, icon with nine amps all-in-one, and a simple design, that can be used anywhere.

From humble beginnings to worldwide recognition, MESA/Boogie® has remained the original boutique Home of Tone, hand-crafting amplifiers of uncompromising quality from the world’s finest materials in California, USA. Founder Randall Smith instilled basic principles into MESA such as passion, drive, integrity, and excellence, and his insistence on making the best amplifiers has guided half a century of breakthrough innovations, elevating the amplifier into an instrument in its own right–one with the power to shape and create musical genres. MESA/Boogie is proud to announce the new MARK VII series, available now at authorized MESA/Boogie dealers and on www.mesaboogie.com.

The MARK VII is the Magnum Opus, the flagship of Randall Smith’s 50+ year career in one visionary amp design. The new MARK VII takes the knowledge, history, innovation, and performance and distills it into the simplest, most versatile, and smallest 90-watt Mark series amplifier ever. The 3 Channel, 9 Model Preamp, coupled with our legendary Simul-Class Power section that offers three distinct characters across its three wattage ranges, creates a new MARK icon in terms of adaptability, soulful tube tone, and magic. Joined by iconic features that put Boogies at the top of every player’s dream list, such as on-board Graphic EQ, lush reverb, a seamless effects loop, and innovative power switching, the MARK VII features a CabClone IR™ DI Direct Interface. With identical features and great sounding IRs from our standalone Cab Clone IR, this built-in version allows individual assignment of 8 Rectifier Boogie Cabinets per channel for unmatched tunability of direct sounds.

The long-awaited “Simul-Seven,” aka the new MARK VII, leapfrogs its predecessor, the Mark Five, and the secret Mark Six prototype to arrive at the most power-packed Boogie Mark model ever created in terms of tone, flexibility, compact design, and interfacing. The MARK VII is a do it all tone machine that delivers legendary Mark performance and adds two new sounds. Within the MARK VII’s 3 channel, 9 mode preamp are the iconic circuits of the Mark IIB, Mark IIC+, and Mark IV, the legendary Mark Series Clean, Fat and Crunch modes, and a new modern high-gain Mode full of character and attitude (more shredding than previous Mark amps and more vocal than a Recto), aptly named MARK VII.

“We have been working on the evolution of the Mark for several years. In fact, it started before Mesa Boogie joined the Gibson family,” says Cesar Gueikian, Gibson Brands President. “At one point in the process of testing, Second Gear (aka Randy Smith), James Aschow, Doug West, Tommy Waugh, Steve Mueller and I got together, and we all agreed this Mark blew our prototype Six away and is a massive leap forward for Mesa Boogie in function and design.”

“The Mark VII has been a goal of ours and discussed for years, well before joining Gibson, and part of our concentrated R&D efforts since 2016 although under the Mark VI moniker,” says Randall Smith, founder of Mesa/Boogie. “I finished the preliminary great sounding circuit board in 2018. Refinement continued from that moment on until late ’22 when release preparation began. It became obvious about halfway through the R&D we had a Mark amplifier worth skipping a generational number for. We had leapfrogged our beloved prototype Mark VI mule by such a large margin, it was truly fitting to rename it the Mark VII.

The VII is by far the best amplifier I’ve ever done in terms of good design and editing, our Design Team at MESA is great at that, and it’s created an amplifier that not only contains the best of our entire Boogie history, but also manages to do so with a purer signal path and 2 less preamp tubes than its predecessor the Mark Five! The first comment players we’ve shared the VII with have made throughout development, is how incredible the Tone is and how they ‘can’t believe an amp with this much going on can sound so pure and legit in all Modes’. The key to that is signal path optimization, the knowledge, and tricks I’ve accumulated over the last 55 years and near impossible to please cohorts here like Doug West, Steve Mueller and Jim Aschow, who’ve been doing this with me for four decades. I also have to say that Cesar Gueikian at Gibson’s steadfast belief in us and the Mark VII assured at every step it got the highest level of support and priority. At almost 77 now, I still love what I do, pursue it daily, and foresee doing it as long as I can, but I have to say …after the VII, I’ve been enjoying working on some easier projects, Ha!”

The MARK VII offers discerning players analog, all-tube sound, soul, and feel in a smaller more compact, yet more comprehensive package. With a focus on perfecting icons, bringing back beloved classics, and introducing new realms of modern high gain, all while improving the interface and the performance across all mediums, the MARK VII offers inspiration and freedom across all musical styles. The MESA/Boogie MARK VII is now available in Head, 1×12 Combo, and Rackmount Head formats.

Explore and shop the MESA/Boogie MARK VII series on www.mesaboogie.com and at all authorized MESA/Boogie dealers.

MARK VII HEAD

The MARK VII Head gives users all the benefits of the new MARK VII and can be paired with the user’s speaker cabinet(s) of choice. Use a MESA 1×12 cabinet for portability, or one (or two!) MESA 4×12 cabinets for maximum punch and projection. You can use different cabinets for each gig, depending on your preferences and needs – the choice is always yours.

MARK VII 1×12 COMBO

The MARK VII 1×12 Combo is the classic wolf in sheep’s clothing Boogie configuration. It delivers more power and Tone than you’ve ever heard coming from such a compact 1×12 platform. It can also be paired with external cabinets when even more punch and projection are desired. The MARK VII 1×12 Combo is the classic MARK configuration that made MESA/Boogie the world standard in professional amplification.

MARK VII RACKMOUNT HEAD

The MARK VII Rackmount Head has all the Tone, features, and power of both of its MARK VII stablemates, along with the cabinet-selection and pairing benefits of the MARK VII Head, but in a 19” wide rackmount configuration that is ideal for rackmounted rigs, including recording studio installations, as well as rack-based touring rigs.

We unbox and review the Donner DED-80 Electronic Drum Set.

Donner DED-80 electronic drums offer authentic play and feel which essential to skill building. Designed for beginners the DED-80 features 180 Built-in sounds＆15 drum kits, with 30 demo songs covering multiple music styles. The training and recording functions of kids drums will allow beginners to improve their playing skills and enjoy every note!

Donner has developed a new structure hi-hat pedal, which is a combination of comfort and durability. The new design is lightweight and avoids most of the noise, giving you the best experience . Double-layer mesh heads and a high-density structure, guaranteed the service life, and close to restoring the real drum hitting experience. Also, the 10″ cymbal provides a precise strike area.

Ideal for Apartment Home＆ Outdoor performers Donner has developed a more stable drum stand, the size is more suitable for teenagers Youth. Portable and foldable, suitable for home and outdoor performances! (Drum Set Expanded size: 39.37in*17.72in*43.31in)

DED-80 drum sets can be linked to DAW software through the USB MIDI interface, as a tool for your music creation, use our headphones for silent practice. Package includes: 7’’ drum pad x4, 10’’ cymbal padx3, kick pedal x1, hi-hat pedal x 1, audio cable x1, drum throne x 1, headphone x 1, drumstick x1.

40 Free and Entertaining electronic drums -Teaching Courses. We have carefully created drums for kids teaching courses for users ranging from beginner to advanced, which are ideal for zero-based players who want to try arranging music. 40 free and entertaining courses are sufficient to master all aspects of arrangement creation.

For more Information or to Purchase the DED-80 visit: https://www.donermusic.com/buy/ded-80

https://www.amazon.com/Donner-Electronic-Headphone-Christmas-DED-80/dp/B09ZXR98LJ?th=1

Donner DJP-1000 Semi Hollow Electric Guitar

A classic body that sings the Blues Wonderful Versatility and Playability Advanced Neck-through Craftsmanship Faithfully Reproduce the Sound of the 70s Exquisite Details with A Delicate Touch SPECS Body Material: Maple Neck Material Type: Maple Neck Shape: Rounded C Fretboard Material: Rosewood Top Material: Maple Guitar Pickup Configuration: H-H Guitar Bridge System: Tune-O-Matic bridge

To Purchase:

https://m.donnermusic.com/buy/djp-1000

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Donner/…

 

We review the Donner DTC-100 electric guitar

Guitar Specs:
25.5″ Scale
Poplar Body
Bolt on AAA Canadian Maple Neck
Purple Heart Fretboard
22 Frets
9.5″ fingerboard radius
Donner Standard Series T pickups
1 Volume, 1 Tone, 3 way switch
6 Saddle Vintage Style String Through Body
Includes Gig Bag, Cable and Strap

Click Here To Purchase the Donner DTC-100

Epiphone: Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection

Legendary Fantasy Artist Frank Frazetta’s Epic Work
“The Berserker”
Available Worldwide on Epiphone.com

Collection Features Seven, Limited-edition Epiphone Les Paul Silverburst Models Featuring the Artwork of Five World-Renowned Visual Artists: Curated by Adam Jones of TOOL

Above: Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection: Frazetta “The Berserker.”

For 150 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design. By leveraging its iconic past and leaning into the future, Epiphone has now set the stage for the next era of sound for present and future generations. Epiphone is proud to announce the long-awaited Adam Jones and Epiphone partnership has now arrived with the release of the Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection. This unprecedented, limited-edition collection blends Adam’s love of fine art and music, resulting in seven, iconic and unique Les Paul Custom Silverburst masterpieces which feature the artwork of five distinguished visual artists curated by Adam Jones of TOOL. The Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection is now available worldwide at authorized Epiphone dealers and on www.epiphone.com.

The second model to debut in the Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection is Frank Frazetta’s “The Berserker.” Known as the Godfather of fantasy art, acclaimed artist Frank Frazetta was an illustrator of comic books, movie posters and paperback book covers whose visions helped define fantasy heroes like Conan, Tarzan, John Carter of Mars, and more. This guitar displays Frank Frazetta’s masterpiece, “Berserker” on the back of the guitar, artwork on the rear headstock is designed by world-renowned artist Korin Faught. The artwork “Berserker,” also known as “Conan The Conqueror,” was painted by Frazetta in 1968, for the cover of the Conan The Conqueror paperback novel by author Robert E. Howard. The original artwork is currently owned by Kirk Hammett of Metallica and Conan® is a registered trademark of Conan Properties International LLC.

Frank Frazetta was born in Brooklyn on February 9, 1928, and as a boy studied art at the Brooklyn Academy of Fine Arts. He began drawing for comic books of all stripes–westerns, mysteries, fantasies–when he was still a teenager. He was also a good enough baseball player to try out for the New York Giants. Frazetta was a versatile and prolific comic book artist who, in the 1940s and ’50s, drew for comic strips like Al Capp’s “Lil’ Abner” and comic books like “Famous Funnies,” for which he contributed a series of covers depicting the futuristic adventurer, Buck Rogers. Explore the artwork of Frank Frazetta, HERE.

“My exposure to Frank Frazetta began early in my life. There’s something about his artwork that has spoken to me for as long as I can remember,” says Adam Jones. “When I was very young, I would save money to buy his adult comic art and pulp novel covers without my parents’ knowledge, sneaking them into the house undetected. To this day, as I work on my own projects, I’m transported back to those moments of discovery and influence. Frank’s technical prowess is unmatched in his genre (I’m such a proud nerd…) and he continues to be one of my heroes.

When Cesar at Gibson and I discussed a line of fine art-enhanced guitars, I hoped we would get permission to use one of Frank’s images, and I am so grateful to his estate for allowing us to use ‘Berserker’ on this Epiphone Les Paul.”

“I was 13 years old when I first heard the TOOL song ‘Schism,’ it immediately resonated with me on a spiritual level and I’ve been a fan ever since,” adds Sara Frazetta, Granddaughter of Frank Frazetta. “To collaborate with Adam Jones and my Grandfather’s artwork on this gorgeous new Epiphone Art Collection of guitars has been amazing and seeing the guitars, it’s clear Frazetta’s art was destined for guitars.”

Watch the video for the Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection, HERE, and explore the collection HERE.

The Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection: Frank Frazetta’s “The Berserker” isn’t just an art piece to hang on the wall; it’s an exceptional instrument for players to craft their own masterpiece. The Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection has a bound mahogany body with a maple cap, a three-piece bound maple neck with an Adam Jones Custom profile, and an ebony fretboard. It is equipped with a reverse-mounted Epiphone ProBucker™ Custom humbucker™ in the neck position and a Seymour Duncan® Distortion in the bridge; both are wired to CTS® potentiometers and Orange Drop® capacitors. A Marquee Back Plate with Frank Frazetta’s name and the title of the artwork, “The Berserker” is also included. The guitar is finished in Antique Silverburst as an homage to Adam’s beloved original Silverbust 1979 Gibson® Les Paul Custom, a Protector hardshell case is also included.

The Epiphone Adam Jones Art Collection consists of seven, Silverburst Les Paul™ Custom models, each featuring reproductions of different works of fine art on the back. Adam curated all of the featured artwork, and selected five distinguished artists Mark Ryden, Frank Frazetta, Julie Heffernan, Korin Faught, and Ernst Fuchs for the collection; additional artwork designed by world-renowned artist Korin Faught, adorns the back of the headstock of each model. Only 800 guitars of each model from this unprecedented, extremely limited edition run will be produced.

One of the rock’s most talented and sonically innovative guitarists, Adam Jones is renowned as the guitarist for the band TOOL, as well as his work as a visual artist, sculptor, videographer, producer, and special effects designer (Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, Edward Scissorhands, Ghostbusters II, Batman Returns, A Nightmare on Elm Street 3, 4 and 5, Dances with Wolves, Bride of the Re-Animator, Pet Sematary, Shocker, and License To Kill).

The Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection guitars are a new take on Adam’s #1 guitar, his prized original Gibson Silverburst 1979 Gibson Les Paul, and Adam was heavily involved in creating the new guitar. Utilizing his extensive experience in visual art, special effects and design, Adam Jones is both the director of the majority of Tool’s music videos and creates the visual experience on stage for the band. For the world premiere of the Gibson Custom Shop Adam Jones Les Paul, Adam composed and scored “The Witness” a new song and animated short film. Watch/share the “The Witness,” on Gibson TV, HERE.

Explore the Epiphone Adam Jones Les Paul Custom Art Collection “The Berserker,” HERE.