Akai Introduces A New Line Of Effects
Pedals
January 28, 1999
Akai, a recognized leader in the design and manufacture of innovative
audio products, introduced the new line of guitar effects pedals at the
January 1999 NAMM show.
Slated for delivery in February 1999, the five new effects pedals combine
the best vintage sounds with today's feature options in a stylish and
easy-to-use design.
The Akai Shred-O-Matic offers mind-bending 12AX7A tube and diode distortion
in one unit. Using Shred-O-Matic's MIX function in either TUBE or DIODE
mode allows player dynamics to customize the distortion. When playing
softly, the signal is routed only through the tube section, resulting
in a mellow, low-level distortion. Harder playing will mix the warm, low-level
output of the tube section with the screaming output of the diode section.
For maximum flexibility, two user selectable modes are also available,
SMOOTH, providing a gradual change between tube and diode and PASSION,
providing an abrupt change.
Shred-O-Matic features easy-to-see and easy-to-use controls including
output level control and LED indicator for distortion mode. The foot switch
turns the effects on and off and when the unit is off, and the internal
circuitry allows the signal to bypass the unit, without coloring the sound.
The Shred-O-Matic's foot pedal provides total control of either the output
level or the drive level. Additionally, while operating in the MIX mode,
the pedal can be used to switch between tube and diode distortion. Suggested
retail price of the Akai Shred-O-Matic is $199.00.
The Akai Headrush is the first effects pedal offering a high quality
sound delay, tape echo simulator and a looping recorder in one. User selectable
delay options allow for maximum control of signal output and include several
timing and level adjustment selections as well as the feedback level for
repeats. Headrush also simulates an analog tape echo machine, providing
four tape-head parallel outputs for amplifier or mixer input, while the
looping recorder with overdub mode is a powerful tool for the solo musician.
Headrush features left and right foot switch controls and LED display.
Depending upon which mode is selected, the left switch controls the on/off
and play/stop functions, while the right side sets desired delay time,
recording and overdub options. The LED display indicates which effect
in use and blinks in time showing the delay time selected. Suggested retail
price of the Akai Headrush is $259.00.
Akai's new Variwah combines a traditional pedal wah, touch wah and swell
wah in one unit. Touch wah settings control the automatic wah each time
a chord or note exceeds the touch sensitivity threshold. Simply by hitting
a chord or note, the Swell wah allows users to activate an oscillator,
continuing the wah effect until the strings are muted. Variwah features
a foot switch and assignable foot pedal which control many user defined
settings. Regardless of wah mode, the foot pedal can be used to change
wah speed or depth and can also be specifically assigned to change swell
wah depth, swell wah speed, wah filter movement and touch sensitivity.
Suggested retail price of the Akai Variwah is $199.00.
The Intelliphase analog phaser provides four adjustable keys including
depth, speed, feedback and touch sensitivity for maximum user control.
Intelliphase offers a soft touch mode, adding phase effects only when
the input level is under the threshold level and a hard touch mode, adding
effects only when the input level exceeds the threshold level. Convenient
on and on foot switch and LED power on/off indicators are provided. Suggested
retail price of the Akai Intelliphase is $149.00.
Akai's new Tune Lock chromatic tuner offers powerful calibration features
and comes complete with a large seven segment LED display and built-in
microphone for acoustic instruments. Output can be muted for silent tuning
on stage and the unit automatically turns off after four minutes of inactivity,
extending battery life.
In manual mode, the Tune Lock can manually calibrate the base pitch in
increments from 437Hz to 446Hz. Depressing the calibration switch for
more than two seconds switches the unit to standby for automatic calibration.
In auto mode, the Tune Lock automatically calibrates to a tone that is
held for longer than two seconds. Suggested retail price of the Akai Tune
Lock is $99.00.
For more information, visit Akai at www.akai.com.
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