John Bohlinger has a blast taking an extensive tour of Fender's ambitious, expansive, and intuitive Tone Master Pro modeler.
This amp modeling workstation is designed to allow players to harness endless tonal possibilities, all contained in a powerfully intuitive and easy-to-use interface. The award-winning Tone Master amplifier series, originally debuted in 2019 with the introduction of the Tone Master Twin Reverb and Tone Master Deluxe Reverb, marked a new frontier in digital amplification. The tone, feel, responsiveness and character of the Tone Master Series amplifiers are intended to be virtually indistinguishable from their original tube counterparts, featuring the exceptional tonal qualities of their legendary predecessors with modern capabilities for today’s musician.
The ME-90 is designed to offer exceptional audio quality with 24-bit AD/DA and 32-bit floating point processing, flagship-grade AIRD amp models, IR loading, an effects loop, and more.
With its intuitive interface and diverse effects selection, the ME-90 allows guitarists to create configurations and tweak tones with the ease of a stomp filled pedalboard. The panel includes 30 different knobs for selecting categories and dialing in sounds instantly. There are 36 preset patches with ready-to-play pro tones, plus 36 user patches for storing personalized setups.
The ME-90 features a massive library of Boss effects, offering seven different categories filled with selections derived from the flagship GT-1000. There are 60 effect types in total, with access to over 20 more via Boss Tone Studio. A send/return loop is available for external pedals, complete with the ability to save the on/off status in patches and place the loop before or after amp models in the signal chain.
Along with its effects, the ME-90 includes amp models ported from the GT-1000, driven by advanced AIRD technology for authentic tube tone and touch response. Eleven onboard amp types offer everything from clean combo tones to punishing high-gain stacks, and more selections are available in Boss Tone Studio. Each amp includes a dedicated cab sound for connecting to a PA or recording device, and it’s also possible to load three user speaker IRs with a dedicated software app.
The ME-90 features eight footswitches with smooth, quiet operation and an expression pedal with an integrated toe switch. Memory mode allows the player to call up complete patch setups with the footswitches, while Manual mode provides direct on/off control of each effect category within the patch. The footswitch LEDs light in different colors for quick identification in the heat of a performance. There’s also an option to set all LEDs to light in fixed colors for each mode if desired.
Boss Tone Studio for macOS and Windows allows users to organize patches, edit tones, and change out some amp and effect types with alternate selections. It’s also possible to download pro setups at Boss Tone Central and swap patches with the ME-90 community on Boss Tone Exchange. The ME-90 supports the optional Bluetooth Audio MIDI Dual Adaptor, enabling users to stream music from a mobile device and wirelessly shape tones using the dedicated BTS editor app for iOS and Android.
The ME-90 is lighter than its previous generation model while maintaining the rock-solid durability that Boss is famous for. The expression pedal has been newly redesigned as well for even finer parameter control. The processor can be powered with four AA batteries or an optional AC adaptor, and a rear-panel switch optimizes the outputs for use with a guitar amp or a full-range sound system such as a PA. And along with Boss Tone Studio communication, the USB-C output provides audio interface functionality for working with music production software on a computer.
The BOSS ME-90 is available in the U.S. now for $349.99.
For more information, please visit boss.info.
HeadRush PRIME aims to take amp cloning to a whole new level.
HeadRush, the leading maker of touchscreen-based solutions for guitar-based performers, is today announcing the release of its new flagship multi-FX pedalboard - the HeadRush PRIME. Greatly expanding on the capabilities of the original HeadRush Pedalboard, the new HeadRush PRIME adds onboard amp cloning with the ability to share and download clones over built-in Wi-Fi from the all-new HeadRush Cloud, full vocal processing capabilities with a suite of vocal FX including the industry standard AntaresAuto-Tune, a Streaming Practice Tool, Bluetooth connectivity, and an expansive library of amps, cabinets, and FX that provide everything a professional guitarist or vocalist could ever need on stage or in the studio.
HeadRush PRIME takes amp cloning to a whole new level by leveraging its 7” touchscreen to create the easiest and most intuitive cloning process ever. Plug in your target device, follow the on-screen instructions, and the magic of your favorite amp or pedal setup is captured in minutes. Once a clone is created it can be tweaked, paired with a cabinet, and easily added to any rig. Saved clones and rigs can also be shared with the online HeadRush community via the HeadRush Cloud and PRIME’s built-in Wi-Fi connection.
The new HeadRush Cloud is a free database for HeadRush PRIME users to search, demo, and download rigs and clones uploaded by the HeadRush community, as well as from featured artists and content partners. It delivers unlimited freedom and creative options to players. The new HeadRush Cloud uses PRIME’s built-in Wi-Fi connection so everything can be done directly from the touchscreen. It is the ultimate resource for quickly sculpting a tone to sound like your heroes, as well as learning how to craft your own unique sounds that you can share with the HeadRush community.
“We built the HeadRush PRIME to be the pinnacle of modeling, FX, and cloning technology. The PRIME is something gigging guitarists and vocalists – as well as producers and bedroom players – will be blown away by every time they use it. The acclaimed HeadRush touchscreen workflow really elevates all the new features – it’s never been this easy to dial in a killer guitar and vocal sound or clone your favorite amp or fuzz pedal. We want to empower our users to be as creative as possible while still putting the music first. The HeadRush PRIME is the most powerful multi-FX pedalboard ever, and we can’t for people to get their hands on it!” Walter Skorupski, HeadRush Senior Product Manager
HeadRush PRIME – Key features:
- 7-inch high-resolution touchscreen with intuitive interface
- Realistic and responsive amp, cabinet, and microphone modeling including all new models by Revalver, the recognized innovator of software guitar amp modeling
- Expansive library of guitar and vocal FX, including Antares Auto-Tune
- Amp Cloner captures the sound of your favorite amp, preamp, distortion pedal, overdrive pedal, or fuzz pedal
- Direct Wi-Fi connection to the HeadRush Cloud for clone sharing, preset sharing, and firmware updates
- Wi-Fi streaming music practice tool makes learning songs easier than ever before
- Bluetooth audio connectivity for playing along with mobile devices
- Powerful custom-designed multicore DSP system with gapless preset switching
- Road-ready steel chassis with durable built-in expression pedal and universal power supply
- 12 footswitches with customizable color LEDs and OLED scribble strip display screens
- Import virtually unlimited guitar and bass cabinet IR files
- Stereo FX loop for integrating external FX pedals and 4 cable method connectivity
- Best-in-class looper with save/load functionality and MIDI Sync
- Record and re-amp via the built-in USB Audio interface (up to 24-bit/96KHz)