Perhaps there is little that is more disappointing for a budding musician with a CD than to realize the importance of having a way to sell that CD before going to all the expense of recording. That being said, Guit Stix was created by a musician who apparently has lots of CDs to give away if backers will donate to his campaign. And just what is this product? It functions as a stand, pick holder, and tuning holder. The product appears to be wooden and rather bulky for attaching to a guitar. It doesn’t appear to be particularly sturdy. But hey, this guy should probably be given some credit for attempting to come up with a creative way of getting his CDs marketed and promoted and making some extra money off of a unique product idea. As for the pros who are interested in some useful performance gear, consider checking out the A Little Thunder campaign to add some live bass boost to that upcoming concert. This campaign seeks to raise $5000 by November 27, 2014. For $100, backers get one product to compliment that CD, and an expected delivery of January 2015.
Tag: guitar
There’s nothing like being able to feel the bass in a song rattle your bones and the drums vibrate your entire being when in a concert setting. Not only does it stir up the audience, but an enthusiastic audience enjoys the benefits of the band responding to that, which energizes the band’s performance.
For those who are all about that bass, A Little Thunder boosts the bass on an electric guitar and seems to offer a euphoric buzz to musicians and audience members alike. It is easy to install because no modifications are necessary to the instrument. Guitarists just replace their existing humbucker with A Little Thunder for bass sounds that roll like a loaded freight train surging through a dark and stormy night. Not having to use a foot pedal will make for less clutter on stage and the auto detect frequency technology means that musicians can focus on the simplicity of enjoying their music. While guitars come in many different shapes and sizes, which can mean some compatibility issues, it appears that this has been taken into consideration given the fact that the engineering team is in the process of working on anticipated modifications.
This product seems like it’s really aimed at a niche market of heavy metal musicians, although rock and modern jazz players and their audiences may also appreciate this new level of bass boost. This campaign seeks to raise $35,000 by November 8, 2014, and if $60,000 is reached, backers who contribute at least $25 will have their names entered into a product giveaway drawing. For $199, backers get one product with an expected delivery of November 2014.
The Premise. The world of entertainment is an ever-changing industry, always looking for ways to make the audience feel that they’ve gotten the best show possible. One of the most popular ways that 21st century performers do that is by breaking that “fourth wall” and interacting with the audience. While much of this has relied on the front person (or lead singer), guitar players are now getting a shot at this. Why is this important? Because more interaction usually means an invite to return to a venue. And if the band has merchandise, it can also mean more sales.
The Product. SoulPedal lets guitar players have the technology of their wah wah pedal in wireless form. To make it even more convenient, it gets worn like an in soul inside the right shoe, with a “dummy” left one included for balance. Built in arch support and a total weight of three ounces help ensure comfort. A tap of the foot turns the pedal on, and when it’s time to change the sound, a bend of the knee, slight lean forward, or stop of the foot makes it happen.
The Pitch. The video for the $35,000 campaign gives just enough detail on how the product works to satisfy the curious, and plenty of clarity on how to use it. Seeing it in action among other users is a nice touch, and it appears very user friendly.
The Perks. There are nine tiers from which backers may choose. The $279 early bird special offers the complete product with an expected delivery of September 2014. There is a chance for a full refund on the price for the backer who wins the contest announced at the indiegogo campaign site.
The Potential. The wireless technology aspect for this product makes it an especially exciting development for guitar players. Lead singers who play the guitar will likely be especially appreciative of this particular item. If there is an interest in the upgrade kit, a Windows system will be required. It’s noteworthy that there is also a development in the works for keyboard players in connection to note/velocity parameters that would eventually be available through the upgrade kit.
The Premise. It’s often said that learning a musical instrument can be tough, and it is. But teaching a musical instrument can also be a difficult task. You need to have an instrument to demonstrate on, but also need to be free to make corrections to your student.
The Product. RoboTar is a robotic guitar hand. More simply put, it can be placed over the first four frets of any standard size guitar and it plays chords while you strum. The device attaches to a computer, tablet or smartphone via a USB cord. Existing songs or songs of the musicians own making can be loaded onto the app which controls the product. A foot pedal allows the player to change chords. The product is made of a thin white plastic and lights show which frets are being played when RoboTar is on.
The Pitch. RoboTar’s creator speaks in his video about how his father’s debilitating stroke inspired the product. He was looking for an instrument that could be played by anyone unable to use both hands. From there, the product’s uses branched out to novice players and music teachers. The campaign also shows footage of people using RoboTar, making it easier to understand the product. RoboTar is aiming for an ambitious $230,000 goal in its 40-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. For a first production run version of the RoboTar, backers will have to donate $795 for delivery in December 2014. To save $50, backers can also opt for the later second production run RoboTar for $745 set to ship in June 2015. Higher tiers offer a wireless version of the product which uses Bluetooth technology and a battery pack.
The Potential. Any product that allows someone to play a musical instrument who otherwise would not be able to is awesome. In addition, it has great benefits for everyone else like holding chords while the melody is played higher up on the fingerboard, cutting out the need for a rhythm guitarist. The MiKord is a similar product aimed at helping novice guitar players perform songs, but doesn’t give the freedom to change chords at will. However, the MiKord’s lack of freedom makes it much less expensive than the RoboTar. Still, the RoboTar is a great product for anyone who would like to play the guitar, but is unable to do so.
The Premise. Though the guitar is one of the easiest instruments out there to learn, the hardest part of playing it well is coordinating chord changes with rhythm. When a person is just learning, there is a lot of stopping, looking at finger placement, and then playing is resumed. With persistence and patience, the instrument is eventually learned if a person has any musical ability at all. But for those who don’t really have any musical propensity and wish that they did, a potential solution is in the works.
The Product. MiKord is a learning aid/connected assistant for those who’d like to be able to play guitar chords, but would rather skip to the part where the glamour and riches ensue. The product gets strapped to the neck and makes the actual chords as the user presses down on it, while the digital readout tells a person what strings to play and what chords are being used via preprogrammed music downloadable from the MiKord website. Unfortunately, there’s no missing its white, brick-like protuberance from the fretboard for anyone hoping to pass as a calloused guitar deity.
The Pitch. The video for the $65,000 campaign demonstrates placement of the product on the guitar neck and the digital music readout, but it seems strange that the campaign doesn’t include a person actually playing a song while using the product. The background music used suggests that a person could potentially play just as well, but there is no clear indication that the background music is provided by someone who is actually using the product.
The Perks. There are eight tiers from which a backer may choose. For $165, a backer gets one product with an expected delivery of November 2014. An additional $20 needs to be included for shipping.
The Potential. For those who have a disability in their left hand or fingers, have severe arthritis, or just aren’t musically gifted but wish they were, something like this product may be of benefit. A sense of rhythm is still required to make this product work, as well as a good enough ear to know when the chord changes need to happen. Picking patterns will still require agility and dexterity in the right hand. There will also still be a certain amount or coordination required for the flow of the song as chord changes and rhythm take place, but it may not require as much effort as if one actually had to form the chords on their own. This item will not actually help a person to learn to play the guitar, but it may help them to make music. There is no substitute for an actual teacher and being patient enough with oneself to just learn to play the instrument and practice, not even with something like ChordBuddy.
The Premise. Musicians have trouble spending time away from their instruments. But bulky instruments, especially guitars, aren’t very portable and cannot be left in cars or public places where they may be stolen. Those with busy lives who like making music are left with few options.
The Product. The FretPen allows traveling musicians to travel easier. This mini guitar has one string and uses an app and electronics to allow the user to make music on the go. With the iOS app, users can add effects to their music and play with either an acoustic or electric guitar sound. The FretPen is the size of a normal pen and even comes with a pen attachment so it really delivers on its name. This product uses Bluetooth technology to deliver wireless music to your smartphone. Using the app, the FretPen user can then edit the music they’ve made however they wish.
The Pitch. Fret’s video shows a rocker guy using the FretPen in transit which is a great example of the product’s versatility. The rest of the campaign shows screenshots of the app in action as well as the mechanics of the product. The creators use photos comparing the product to common objects to demonstrate how small it truly is. FretPen hopes to raise $35,000 in its 30-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. For early-bird rockers, FretPen will cost $99 at the “Front Row” price or $119 at the “Second Row” price. The regular or “Main Floor” pricing is $129. Reward tiers go up to $1,499 and all have an estimated delivery date of November 2014.
The Potential. FretPen is a small, fun and easy way for musicians to make music while they’re touring or even just at their day jobs. Of course, it won’t match up to an actual guitar, but seems to be able to do a decent job at creating some cool music. We’ve seen guitars that hook up to smartphones and tablets in the past, like the IGI Smart Guitar and the relatively portable Jamstik, but none so tiny and wireless as the FretPen. This product is perfect for amateur guitarists or busy rock ‘n’ rollers and will certainly find success in the smartphone-meets-guitar market.
While there may be certain musicians that every musician respects and wants to sound like, the creative aspect of music means that each musician is most likely to take various elements of those favorites to create their own unique style and sound. Anima X offers a fresh opportunity for musicians who really enjoy tinkering with how their instrument is made to get a desired sound. The new bridge system includes features such as a bell brass baseplate, as well as saddle body assemblies that can be made of stainless steel, aluminum, or brass to create enhanced sustain, resonance, sonic, and tonal characteristics for the instrument. For $100, backers get the items for their own saddle assembly, or $250 for the assembled, six string bridge unit. Anticipated delivery is July 2014.
Musicians who travel around must bear the weight of their instruments constantly. Drum sets in particular can be cumbersome to tote around and a pain to set up. DrumStooled combines a stool with a bass drum so that musicians who are so inclined can play the guitar and the drum at the same time. It cuts down on luggage for bands that travel around. One of these French instruments costs rockin’ backers €600 with an estimated delivery date of September 2014. DrumStooled hopes to raise €30,000 in its 60-day Indiegogo campaign.
The Premise. Trying to make it in the music business is hard, that’s no secret. Besides all the shows, all the writing and the practice, there’s a physical aspect to it as well. Putting on a good show usually requires managing a lot of equipment and making audio adjustments. Without a roadie or a sound guy, that just becomes even more work to add into the mix.
The Product. The Amperage Pedal is designed to take the ease of bringing a laptop or tablet on stage with an act and give it the kind of functionality that a quality amp would. With chicken-head knobs that are easy to turn and full programmability through the StageManager program packaged with it, musicians can change the volume, tone, treble, bass, mid, reverb, or anything that can be assigned through a MIDI controller. This package of hardware and software is designed to ultimately do one thing: rock crowds.
The Pitch. The North Shore Guitar team shows off what the Amperage Pedal can do with a quick studio jam session. The demonstration is a little long for what it offers, but true guitar aficionados will see the impact, and after all that’s who this product is made for. The other campaign materials show off the Amperage Pedal’s internals, and there is also a video demonstration of the StageManager software necessary to bring the most out of the pedal. The project is looking for the oddly precise sum of $9,781 to order all the necessary parts to manufacture the pedals.
The Perks. The Amperage Pedal takes the stage in May 2014. Early backers can get the pedal and the corresponding StageManager software for $178. Musicians that want to add a little flair can have custom artwork put on their pedal at the $370 tier.
The Potential. The Amperage Pedal isn’t exactly high-tech, it’s not stylish or flashy, and it probably won’t revolutionize the small concert. But it does look extremely well-built, perfectly functional, and will probably be a giant leap forward for those that take the time to get used to how the device works and how it can improve a live performance. It’s a curious mix of effect pedal and mixing board that could become a staple for upcoming bands everywhere.
Recording equipment can be quite expensive for amateur musicians. Now, all you need is a smartphone. The IGI Smart Guitar plugs directly into your smartphone to record music, add effects or process sound. The adapter normally needed for such a thing is built right into the guitar, cutting out the middle man. One IGI Smart Guitar goes for $450 with an estimated delivery date of May 2014. Smart Guitar is hoping to raise $15,000 in its 57-day campaign on Kickstarter but there are other ways to connect an existing guitar to an iOS device. The Facebook page offers fun guitar facts and even funnier pictures of John Mayer.