Cruztools GrooveTech Jack and Pot Nut Tool

Summer 2011 Guitarist 135
CONTACT: Source Distribution PHONE: [phone] WEB: www.presonus.com
CONTACT: Logjam Music PHONE: N /A WEB: www.log-jam.co.uk
www.presonus.com
www.log-jam.co.uk
QUICKTEST
MISCELLANEOUS
As the folk and roots music
revival continues apace, the
performing acoustic guitarist
seemingly needs more than just
fretboard talent to break
through. The looper is the route
for some of those wanting to
increase the size and scope of
their sounds, while the humble
foot stomp – quite often
homemade – underpins many
an artist, not least Seasick
Steve. For those of us not
wanting to go down the DIY
route, our choices are limited,
but the Logarhythm is purpose-
built to give you a bass drum in
a box, specifically a paperback-
sized choice of four hardwoods
GUITARIST RATING
used to the height, especially if
you’re stompin’ from a seated
position, but that adjustment
aside, it’s faultless.
Verdict
Nicely designed and made in
the UK, the Logarhythm will
add a bass drum to any acoustic
performance. Can you kick it?
Yes you can… [DB]
that sits some 45mm off the
floor. On its underside is a non-
slip gauze – essential for use on
uncarpeted floors and stages.
It’s passive, so there’s no battery
to worry about either – just plug
in the jack to, ideally, your PA or
acoustic amp and off you stomp.
Sounds
The Logarhythm responds well
to soft or hard kicks and there’s
a slight tonality difference
depending on where you hit it.
The type of shoes you’re
wearing will also have an
effect, but it certainly emits a
very usable bass drum-like
thump. It takes a while to get
The Bottom Line
We like: Simplicity; no
battery; rich and variable
sound; non-slip gauze
We dislike: It sits quite high
off the floor and takes some
getting used to
PreSonus
Audiobox Studio
£209
A one-box recording solution
We took a look at the Presonus
Audiobox 2 x 2 USB audio
interface and its bundled Studio
One Artist software a little
while back. We concluded that,
being rugged and portable
while offering mic, guitar and
MIDI (so you can add a
keyboard) interfacing options,
it was a strong contender for
your money if you wanted to
record on your computer. Now,
Presonus has made it easier to
get started in that direction by
releasing the Audiobox Studio
package, putting interface,
software, microphone and
headphones, plus the
connecting leads, in one box.
In Use
The Audiobox interface does its
job well, whether you wish to
plug a guitar straight in or use it
with the included M7 large-
diaphragm cardioid pattern
condenser mic – the ideal type
for recording vocals and
acoustic guitar.
The mic has no suspension
mount or low-cut filter, but it
does a decent enough job, and
the HD7 headphones fit
comfortably and reproduce
sound clearly. Those three
hardware items would
complement any DAW, but with
unlimited audio tracks, a whole
bunch of plug-in effects and
virtual instruments, plus
bundled loops and samples, the
Studio One Artist software
offers a practical working
environment to knock together
backing tracks and build, then
mix, your productions.
The Bottom Line
We like: Complete package;
versatile audio interface; price
We dislike: No suspension
cradle for mic
GUITARIST RATING
Verdict
While you could, of course,
assemble your own package of
audio interface, headphones,
mic and DAW from separate
manufacturers, it may be easier
to let the keenly priced
Audiobox Studio take the
guesswork out of it. [TC]
Logjam Music Logarhythm Mk II
£59.95 (inc postage)
UK-made foot-stompin’ kick
drum in a log
GIT345.rev_quick.indd 135 7/15/11 11:26:39 AM