Are you looking for a flexible amp modeler for the stage, studio, or home? In this in-depth demo, PG contributor Tom Butwin takes you through gigging, practicing, and recording with two compelling options: the touchscreen-powered Hotone Ampero II and the tactile, amp-style Blackstar AMPED 3.
A sub-$1K SE version of PRS’ imaginative T-style evolution delivers insane value via deep-dish Narrowfield pickups, an ash body, and comfort few T-Styles can match.
PG contributor Tom Butwin tries the Lutefish Stream, a desktop device that lets musicians rehearse, record, and collaborate online with ultra-low latency. Tom tours the hardware, explores the browser-based mixer, and enlists a musical collaborator to test a real-time rehearsal for an upcoming performance.
PG contributor Tom Butwin features the all-new Hotone Verbera. The dual-engine reverb pedal blends IR realism with algorithmic creativity and adds the ability to clone your favorite reverb effects.
Ever imagined your sound echoing through a sold-out stadium? Or reverberating off the metallic walls of a NASA spacecraft hangar? What if your guitar fell into a cosmic white hole… or drifted through the vaulted ceilings of a centuries-old cathedral?
Welcome to Verbera — where imagination meets reality. This is not your typical software convolution plugin. Verbera is a standalone, hardware-based convolution reverb pedal — with Instant IR loading, stunning tweakability, and boundless sonic range. Whether you’re recreating iconic spaces, vintage hardware, or crafting otherworldly reverbs never heard before, Verbera gives musicians and engineers a powerful new tool for both live and studio setups.
PG contributor Tom Butwin details four pedalboard options that can help your acoustic sound its best onstage or in the studio. From subtle enhancements to total tone control, these preamps and effects from Grace Design, LR Baggs, and Radial cover the needs of any serious acoustic player.
Grace Design’s Moxi is a powerful dual-channel preamp and blender that offers studio-level control in a surprisingly compact footprint. With independent EQ and high-pass filtering on both channels, it’s perfect for managing multiple instruments or pickups—especially in live scenarios where switching between guitars can be a headache. What sets it apart is the ability to blend two sources (like mic + pickup) or quickly toggle between instruments with different EQ profiles. Whether you’re solo or managing your own sound, the Moxy keeps your setup flexible without sacrificing tone.
The Session from LR Baggs is a smart, stage-ready pedal designed to give your acoustic guitar signal that final polish. Even if your pickup already sounds great, this pedal adds subtle compression and harmonic richness that really elevate your tone. With controls for volume, gain, saturation, and a simplified “comp EQ,” it's incredibly intuitive—especially for those of us who don't want to get lost in compressor settings. The goal here is to retain the natural sound of your acoustic while giving it a warm, studio-finished edge.
The Align Chorus by LR Baggs gives acoustic players a lush, musical modulation option without compromising their guitar’s natural tone. Instead of overwhelming your sound, the pedal preserves your guitar’s character while adding subtle to rich chorus textures. The tone knob only affects the chorus effect itself, not your dry signal, which is key if you love the core tone of your instrument. With intuitive controls for depth and size, it’s easy to dial in anything from a gentle shimmer to a more expansive chorus that still feels organic and usable.
Radial’s PZ Pre is a tone-shaping Swiss Army knife for acoustic players. With two inputs, full EQ, a notch filter, effects loop, and multiple output options (pre- and post-EQ), this pedal is all about adaptability. It excels in complex stage setups where you might need different EQ profiles for monitors and front of house, or if you’re switching between instruments. The A/B toggle makes instrument changes seamless, and the boost function is perfect for stepping out during a solo. Whether you play acoustic guitar, upright bass, or even switch between them, the PZ Pre handles it all with pro-level control.
