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News

Helix Stadium Redefines the Low End

A New Era for Bassists Begins When Line 6 unveiled the original Helix nearly a decade ago, guitarists rejoiced — and bassists took note. The system’s flexibility, modeling power, and signal routing turned it into a favorite among players across genres. Now, with the arrival of the Helix Stadium series, bassists finally get a rig that isn’t just compatible — it’s custom-built to elevate their tone, control, and creativity to stadium scale. Tailored for the Bottom End — and BeyondThe Helix Stadium family includes two floorboard models — the streamlined Helix Stadium Floor and the expanded Helix Stadium XL Floor — both of which deliver massive processing power, unprecedented UI clarity, and performance features that speak directly to the working bassist’s needs. Whether you’re running DI into a PA, slaving a vintage Ampeg rig, or splitting signals for synth and clean tones simultaneously, Helix Stadium gives you the routing and dynamic range you need. Think of it as a studio-grade bass preamp, effects suite, and performance hub — all under your feet. Smarter Modeling with AgouraCentral to Helix Stadium is Agoura, Line 6’s brand-new modeling engine. For bassists, this means you can sculpt amp tones that truly feel right under the fingers — with touch-sensitive dynamics that reflect your right-hand technique, whether you’re ghost-noting on a P-Bass or digging into slap passages on a modern five-string. But it gets better. The “Hype” control allows you to dial in how “real” or “idealized” you want your amp tone to be. Want the gritty sag of an SVT pushed too far? Go authentic. Prefer a studio-polished DI chain with surgical EQ? Dial it in instantly. Meet “Proxy”: Clone Your Real-World Bass RigsFor those with beloved tube heads, boutique pedals, or unique mic’d cabinet tones, Helix Stadium introduces Proxy, a new cloud-connected system that lets you capture the sound of your actual gear and bring it to the stage — no heavy lifting required. Imagine cloning your 1976 Acoustic 370 and running it at any venue, anywhere in the world — perfectly mic’d and EQ’d every time. Built for the Stage (and the Pit)Bass players often double as the backbone and the brains of the band — holding down the groove and triggering tracks, managing MIDI, or syncing with lighting rigs. Enter Showcase, a performance playback engine built into Helix Stadium. You can run up to 8 stereo tracks, trigger MIDI changes, or cue light scenes right from your footswitch — no laptop needed. And with the XL Floor, you also get a toe-controlled expression pedal (perfect for filter sweeps or sub-drops), plus 12 OLED scribble strips to label every switch clearly — even under dim stage lights. Connectivity: All the I/O You Could Ask For Whether you’re running IEMs, backline, front-of-house, or all of the above, Helix Stadium has the flexibility to integrate with any modern setup — even multi-instrument rigs. Options for Every Player Prices start at $1,799 USD, with preorders opening June 25 and the XL shipping this Fall. Final Word: Built for Bassists Who Lead the BandWhether you’re laying down dub-heavy grooves, navigating complex prog changes, or supporting a pop act with backing tracks and synth bass, Helix Stadium isn’t just “compatible with bass” — it’s tuned to your role as a sonic architect. This is more than an upgrade. It’s the first Helix built with bassists in mind from the ground up — and it’s ready for your next big gig.

FEnder Laura Lee Jaz Bass
News

Fender Unveils Signature Laura Lee Jazz Bass

A Bold Collaboration with Khruangbin’s Bass Muse Scottsdale, AZ – June 10, 2025 — Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) proudly announces the launch of the Laura Lee Signature Jazz Bass, a striking new addition to its Artist Signature Series, developed in close collaboration with Laura Lee of the genre-defying band Khruangbin. Recognized for her hypnotic basslines, minimalist playing style, and commanding stage presence, Laura Lee has redefined modern bass playing. Her new signature model celebrates that innovation, blending vintage Fender tone with contemporary flair, and a design that’s as unique and expressive as her sound. “The bass is an extension of myself — it’s how I move, how I express emotion,” says Laura Lee. “Fender really let me put a piece of my personality into this instrument. It’s elegant, funky, and feels like home when I play it.” Standout Features: Laura Lee’s warm, inventive playing has propelled Khruangbin albums into the Top 40 in the U.S. and beyond — and now, her signature instrument gives players everywhere the tools to explore the same expressive sonic range. Designed to inspire, this bass is as visually stunning as it is musically empowering. The Laura Lee Signature Jazz Bass is now available at select retailers and via Fender.com

Boss Plug-in
News

BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In Now Available in Your DAW

Roland releases the BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In Roland has unveiled the BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In, bringing the iconic sound of BOSS compact pedals to digital audio workstations (DAWs) for the first time. Available exclusively through the Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, this plug-in suite offers musicians and producers a new way to access the legendary tones that have shaped music for decades. Since their debut in 1977, BOSS compact pedals have been a staple on pedalboards worldwide, known for their durability and distinctive sound. The new plug-in faithfully recreates eight of these classic effects, allowing users to integrate them seamlessly into their digital workflows. Included Pedals: Each effect is modeled with precision, capturing the nuances that made the original hardware beloved by musicians across genres. Features Tailored for Modern Production The BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In is designed with both authenticity and flexibility in mind: Accessing the Plug-In To use the BOSS Effects Pedals Plug-In, users must subscribe to the Roland Cloud Ultimate membership, which offers a 30-day free trial. This subscription not only provides access to the BOSS plug-ins but also to a vast library of Roland’s virtual instruments and effects. Looking Ahead Roland has indicated plans to expand the plug-in’s library, potentially bringing more of their extensive catalog of over 140 BOSS pedals into the digital realm. This move signals a commitment to preserving and evolving the legacy of BOSS effects for future generations of music creators. For more information and to start your free trial, visit the Roland Cloud website.

News

Panda Audio Unveils the Future Impact V4 VIP

Compact Powerhouse for Bass Synth Enthusiasts A new evolution in synthesizer pedal design has arrived. The VIP edition delivers all the powerful features of its larger predecessor in a significantly smaller, pedalboard-friendly format—without compromising performance. Measuring just 125 x 85 x 60 mm and weighing only 330 grams, this compact unit fits seamlessly into any setup while maintaining the full capabilities of a much larger device. Designed with versatility in mind, it covers an impressive sonic range—from classic synth basses, leads, and pads to a wide array of effects including octaver, chorus, flanger, phaser, distortion, envelope filter, wah-wah, tremolo, reverb, and more. With a built-in tuner, it has the potential to replace an entire board of dedicated pedals. This next-generation pedal features a powerful signal processor capable of replicating the architecture of classic synthesizers, including oscillators, filters, amplifiers, and envelope generators. It also includes modern processing blocks such as harmonizers, distortion, chorus, and EQ for ultimate flexibility in sound design. Key enhancements include: This pedal is more than a synthesizer—it’s a complete sound design platform, optimized for musicians seeking power, portability, and creative freedom.

Dingwall SP1
News

Dingwall Guitars Unveils the SP1

A Modern Classic for the Studio and Stage Dingwall Guitars has officially released the SP1, a bold new addition to their Ready to Play series that merges vintage-inspired tone with cutting-edge design. Available in both 4- and 5-string configurations, the SP1 is poised to become a go-to instrument for session players and live performers alike. A Fresh Take on the PJ Formula At its core, the SP1 is a passive PJ-style bass that offers remarkable tonal flexibility without the need for onboard preamps or batteries. Its pickup configuration features a Dingwall Dual-P split-coil in the neck position and an FD3n humbucker at the bridge. These are controlled via a Quad-Tone rotary selector, which offers four distinct voicings: neck pickup solo, both pickups in series, both in parallel, and bridge pickup solo. This intuitive setup is complemented by master volume and tone controls, allowing players to dial in a wide range of sounds with ease. Multi-Scale Comfort and Precision True to Dingwall’s legacy, the SP1 employs a multi-scale (fanned fret) design, ranging from 32 inches on the treble side to 34.25 inches on the bass side for the 4-string model. This ensures balanced string tension and enhanced clarity across the fretboard. The neck is a one-piece maple bolt-on with an elliptical profile, paired with a rosewood fingerboard featuring 22 banjo-sized frets. Built for Versatility and Style The SP1’s body is crafted from alder and finished in a range of striking colors, including Vintage Burst, Ducati Pearl White, Dark Candy Green, and Metallic Black. A standout visual feature is the transparent pickguard, originally hand-painted by artist Hugh Fisher and now UV-printed to allow the body color to subtly influence its appearance. Hardware includes Dingwall’s minimalist bridge with a custom riser system for easy action adjustments, lightweight open-gear tuners, and black nickel hardware. Hybrid Craftsmanship and Pricing The SP1 is the result of a hybrid manufacturing process, combining precision work from Indonesia with final assembly and quality control in Canada. Pricing starts at $2,499 for 4-string models and $2,599 for 5-string versions. Each bass comes with a padded gig bag, making it ready for the road straight out of the box.