Here at Sweetwater we constantly scan the horizon looking for new and innovative products or vintage products come back to life. We look for awesome new gear that excites us — gear that we know our customers will love, whether they play guitar, bass, keys, or drums, or engineer for live shows or in the studio. Here’s a handful of the coolest new products we’ve spotted so far at the onset of 2017.
Universal Audio Apollo Twin MkII
Even More to Love for Those Who Love Apollo
Universal Audio’s Apollo Twin MkII improves on the acclaimed Apollo Twin with next-generation AD/DA converters for astonishingly wide dynamic range and ultra-low THD. And with expanded monitoring controls, the Apollo Twin MkII packs console functionality into a desktop interface for Mac and PC. Built-in UAD processing lets you take advantage of the rich, warm, analog sound of UAD Powered Plug-ins during mixdown — and even in real time during tracking. Speaking of tracking, the Apollo Twin’s astounding Unison mic preamp technology lets you re-create the sound of classic mic preamps in a way that software processing simply can’t match.
Supro Electric Guitars
The Authentic Vistatone Sound Returns
Based on Supro’s vintage res-o-glass guitar designs, the Supro Americana Series Black Holiday semi-hollow electric guitar combines the best of vintage appeal with modern craftsmanship. The semi-hollow mahogany back is topped with Acousti-glass, creating a swampy tone that loves distortion. Dual Vistatone pickups and ’50s wiring deliver the iconic sound that put Supro on the map. Whether you’ve always wanted a vintage Supro guitar, or are simply looking for an alternative to typical guitar designs, the Black Holiday will exceed your expectations.
Trace Elliot ELF Micro Bass Head
A Pocket-sized Giggable Bass Head
How’d you like to hold 200 watts in the palm of your hand? With the Trace Elliot ELF Micro Bass Head you can. And bassists at Sweetwater will attest — it’s totally giggable. Achieve great bass tones with ease, thanks to the ELF’s streamlined control set and clean signal path. The ELF makes no compromises. It eschews an in-line power supply in favor of an internal one, so it’s completely portable. A studio-quality XLR output ensures that every ounce of your tone reaches the PA. A premium headphone output makes silent practice sound great. The Trace Elliot ELF micro bass head includes a high-quality embroidered carry bag and top-notch software package.
Behringer DeepMind 12
Behringer’s Classic Analog Polysynth
The iconic synthesizer sounds on your favorite progressive rock, pop, and jazz-fusion records from the 1970s and ’80s are forever inscribed in music history. With the DeepMind 12, Behringer set out to create the ultimate analog polysynth, a 12-voice beast that can effortlessly deliver any classic synth sound you’ve ever heard — or imagined. Incorporating two digitally controlled analog oscillators and two LFOs per voice, three envelopes, a noise generator, unison mode with a handy detune fader, an extensive 8-bus modulation matrix, a 32-step sequencer, four digital FX engines, built-in Wi-Fi, a silky aftertouch-enabled keybed, and more, the Behringer DeepMind 12 is a value-packed axe with serious synthesis firepower that will make you a musical force to be reckoned with.
Pearl Mimic Pro Drum Module
Dedicated Slate Drums Host w/ Touch Interface
The unmatched realism of Steven Slate Drums 5 comes to the stage in the Pearl Mimic Pro Drum Module. Access 60 world-class drum kits sampled in some of the finest studio spaces. Then blend each kick, snare, tom, and cymbal with session-recorded room mics, served in glorious 24-bit, for unheard-of realism from an electronic kit. The 7″ color touchscreen eliminates clunky controls for fast, intuitive navigation through the Mimic Pro’s powerful features. Onboard Burr Brown converters — one of the most respected names in the game — succeed in bringing each sample to life before it hits your ears. Sixteen ins and outs with triple- and dual-zone cymbal support cater to virtually any kit, while a 120GB SSD and SD/USB support keep samples fresh as you progress from gig to gig.
MIDAS MR Rackmount Digital Mixer
16 Midas Pro Preamps in a Rackmount Mixer
Combining 16 award-winning Midas Pro microphone preamplifiers, four amazing DSP engines, extensive control options, and a full 18-channel audio interface, the Midas MR18 isn’t just a killer digital mixer for live sound, it’s also an amazing addition to your recording studio. It borrows heavily from the highly successful M series mixer line, including essential live sound tools such as four independent DSP effects engines, dynamics and EQ processing for each bus, and Ultranet connectivity for Behringer Powerplay P16 personal monitor system compatibility. What’s more, the MR18 features auto mixing, making it one of the most user-friendly portable mixers out there. Best of all, it fits perfectly in your 19″ equipment rack, so you can easily take all of this mixing power anywhere you go.
Akai Professional MPC X Sampler
The MPC You’ve Been Holding Out For!
Akai’s MPC X is the modern MPC all the diehards have been waiting for. With one foot in the future and one in the past, this sweet, standalone sampling powerhouse combines everything you miss about traditional beat production with flexibility that goes beyond the most cutting edge modern music workstation. Here are the highlights:
- A complete stand-alone DAW that lets you untether from your PC
- Everything you loved about sampling and beat-making onboard
- Delivers a perfect blend of classic loop and modern track production
- 10.1″ multi-touch screen and all the hands-on controls you need
- 16 of the best velocity-/pressure-sensitive pads you’ll ever feel
- 16GB of internal storage and external hard drive support
- Preloaded with an epic collection of sounds you’ll actually use
- Pro-quality, all-bases-covered analog I/O connects to everything
- Control your entire rig with extensive MIDI, CV/Gate, and USB I/O
- MPC 2.0 adds audio track recording and upgraded time warp
- 10GB Vault 2.0 sample library includes production-ready content
Sennheiser XS Wireless
Affordable Wireless You Can Count On!
The Sennheiser XSW 35 wireless handheld microphone system gives you reliable performance for an incredibly low price. This complete wireless handheld microphone set is perfect for use in small to midsize venues, conference rooms, houses of worship, and more. In addition to a super-reliable true-diversity receiver, the XSW 35 includes a wireless dynamic microphone that’s wonderful for both singing and speech. And since it’s easy to both set up and to use, you don’t have to be a wireless guru to get the most out of the Sennheiser XSW 35 wireless system.