MIPro January issue 176

FOR EVERYONE IN THE MI BUSINESS | ISSUE 176 | JANUARY 2015

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32 CLASSICAL We speak to some of the classical sector’s most LQˊXHQWLDO LQGLYLGXDOV WR ˉQG RXW ZKHUH WKH PDUNHW LV KHDGHG

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT PROFESSIONAL • FOR EVERYONE IN THE MI BUSINESS NO. 176 • JANUARY 2015 • WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK

PRINT • ONLINE • MOBILE

California Dreamin’

The Winter NAMM exhibition returns this month for its 113th outing. Check out our comprehensive show preview to make sure you don’t miss out on any of this year’s main attractions...

SEE PAGE 15

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE 03 MiPro176 Cover Editorial_final.indd 1

THE SALES MAN P11

SECRET DEALER P47 MYSTERY SHOPPER P50

16/12/2014 15:17

resonate Expand Your Share of the Market

BUILD your brand SHOW your products REACH your customers

* ! . 5 ! 2 9 s ! . ! ( % ) - # / . 6 % . 4 ) / . # % . 4 % 2 s ! . ! ( % ) - # ! , ) & / 2 . ) ! www.namm.org/thenammshow

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PRINT • ONLINE • MOBILE

WWW.MI-PRO.CO.UK

No. 176 • January 2015 REGULARS: Analysis 6 • MIA 8 • Colin Rees 11 • %LUNHWWV 23 • Secret Dealer 47 • New Gear 53 • %DFNOLQH 56

IN THIS ISSUE Elizabeth Parker Production Executive HSDUNHU#QEPHGLD FRP

12 Kelly Sambridge Head of Design NVDPEULGJH#nbmedia.com

Darrell Carter Commercial Director dcarter@nbmedia.com

Karma Bertelsen Account Manager NEHUWHOVHQ#QEPHGLD FRP

Enquiries to: MI Pro, NewBay Media, Saxon House, 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA. Tel: 01992 535646 (Editorial) Tel: 01992 535647 (Sales) Fax: 01992 535648 Š NewBay Media 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. The contents of MiPro are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems.

Printed by Pensord, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, NP12 2YA

Laura B. Whitmore Founder of the WiMN (Women’s International 0XVLF 1HWZRUN WHOOV XV about the issues facing women in MI

47 Secret Dealer The perils of over the phone debit/credit card transactions is under our Secret Dealer’s scrutiny this month

53 New Gear New products from $FRXVWLF $PSOLˉFDWLRQ UDG, Meinl, Laney, Focusrite, Iconic Sound, /HH 2VNDU DQG *DWRU

RETAIL

FEATURES

RETAIL ESSENTIALS

47 Retail Analysis

15 NAMM 2015

37 Effects Pedals

$ ORRN DW WKH QHZ WHQ year warranty cover issued by Roland across a range of its digital pianos

MI Pro provides a comprehensive preview to the upcoming LA extravaganza

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23 Birketts

Guitar Village in Farnham is the focus of this PRQWKČ V UHWDLO SURˉOH

50 Mystery Shopper

Our man of mystery heads WR /RQGRQČ V 'HQPDUN Street. Again.

53 New Gear

We shine a spotlight on some of the newest products to hit the MI PDUNHW

2XU ODZ VSHFLDOLVW NLFNV off a brand new column ORRNLQJ DW FRPSHWLWLRQ law

28 Cenzo

Townshend

:H WDON JHDU DQG UHWDLO with the acclaimed mixer and producer

32 Classical gas $ ORRN DW WKH VWDWH RI WKH FODVVLFDO PDUNHW

:H NLFN RII WKH QHZ \HDU ZLWK DQ LQ GHSWK ORRN DW some of the most prominent pedals available on the PDUNHW ,QFOXGHG WKLV PRQWK are old and new models from Chord, Xvive, Fret-King, Aguilar, Seymour Duncan and Movall.

EDITORIAL COMMENT

Happy new year IT’S THAT TIME of year again, when the international MI community converges upon LA to show off its newest releases and hopefully secure some new business for the year ahead.

Of course, many exhibitors are remaining tight-lipped when it comes to their upcoming launches, preferring to wait until day one of the show to lift the lid on their latest lines. However, as is customary in our January edition, we are able to provide a comprehensive guide to what you can expect when the doors to the Convention Centre open on January 22nd.

And while we’re on the subject of new things for 2015, you may also notice a couple of changes to your monthly MI Pro. Nothing too radical, mind. More of a refresh than a reinvention.

Boasting more interviews and feature length articles than ever before, we’ve got extended expert sales commentary from MI Pro regular Colin Rees, along with WKH ˉUVW LQ DQ DOO QHZ VHULHV RI FROXPQV from Rafael Ruiz, partner at legal advice ˉUP %LUNHWWV +HUH KH NLFNV RI ZLWK VRPH fascinating insights into the complex world of competition law.

Also new for 2015 is our MI Pioneers VHULHV ZKLFK EHJLQV ZLWK D ORRN EDFN DW the career of Orange CEO and industry legend, Cliff Cooper.

Elsewhere, WiMN founder, Laura B. Whitmore tells us about the issues facing women in MI and offers a glimpse at what ZH FDQ H[SHFW IURP WKH DQQXDO 6KH 5RFNV $ZDUGV ZKLFK WDNH SODFH DW 1$00 Completing the line-up is our retail HVVHQWLDOV IRFXV ZKLFK WDNHV D ORRN DW WKH ); SHGDO PDUNHW We hope you enjoy these new features DQG ORRN IRUZDUG WR VHHLQJ \RX LQ /$

Daniel Gumble Editor

dgumble@nbmedia.com

Mi Pro is a member of the PPA

05 MiPro176 Contents_final.indd 1

Follow us on Twitter @MIProfessional

16/12/2014 14:39

ANALYSIS

Taking control

BY RONNIE DUNGAN

Iconic UK drum brand, Premier, has dropped its distributor Hanser in the US and plans to attack the market directly, building its own US dealer network...

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“Obviously the NAMM 2015 exhibition will be pivotal for us in reestablishing relationships directly with our US dealers.”

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JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

08 MIPRO

NAMM 2015 Preview

PAGE

15

The MIA is the trade body for the UK musical instrument industry, servicing and representing the interests of manufacturers, importers, publishers, retailers and supporting businesses.

Xxx

THE MIA exists to Promote, Protect and Support the UK Music Making Industry. This applies to doing all we can to keep every possible shop trading on the UK’s high streets. Easy to say, but it’s the actions to support the message that count.

Consumers are swamped with choice of where and how to buy, and we QHHG WR Ë‹ QG QHZ ZD\V WR ensure they are buying ZLWK FRQË‹ GHQFH IURP WKH best music businesses our industry can offer.

We are, therefore, proud to announce the launch of Trusted Music Store (TMS), a brand new campaign to support our high street retailers by encouraging customers to buy from their MIA shops.

“This warranty cover is a critical aspect that helps customers choose who they buy from.�

A new campaign to support UK retailers!

MIA chief Paul McManus tells us about a brand new initiative to be introduced this year that is aimed squarely at supporting high street dealerships by encouraging shoppers to buy from their local MIA stores...

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The logo you see here is trademarked and will be available for MIA retail members who are part of the TMS Scheme to display in both their shop windows, as a full colour A5 sticker(s), and as electronic images for their website.

We have tested the logo on many retailers and suppliers and feel that we have arrived at something that is visually representative and easily LGHQWLË‹ DEOH WR WKH JHQHUDO public as a brand able to deliver more than just an instrument purchase and a guarantee.

All shops participating in the scheme will be added to a database of shops in the TMS scheme. With its own domain name, the public will be able to see who and where the trusted shops are.

The website will naturally focus attention on why WKHVH VSHFLË‹ F VKRSV DUH being highlighted. As we move forward, website information can be

H[SDQGHG WR LQFOXGH VSHFLË‹ F information that TMS shops may want to bring to the attention of the public.

In addition, the major suppliers and distributor brands have signed up to special warranty terms for the customer that they will honour should any TMS shop cease to trade. We naturally hope this will never happen, but read on‌ Importance of ATOL on the holiday business Any shop going out of business is obviously a disaster for the people involved and the community that the shop serves, but this warranty cover is a critical aspect that helps customers choose whom they buy from. In their minds, knowing their warranties are safe and secure, regardless of the trading status of the shop, is a very persuasive reason to favour that business.

The supporting brands for the scheme will also be shown on the website to reinforce this key message.

We plan to launch WKH VFKHPH RIË‹ FLDOO\ WR the public straight after Christmas. This will involve a press release to the general and local media throughout the UK. How do I get involved?

As a trade body, we are naturally here to support the industry at large and, VSHFLË‹ FDOO\ RXU PHPEHUV We are more than happy to welcome non-members into the Association so that they can take part in the scheme DQG DOO WKH RWKHU EHQHË‹ WV that we offer.

We will have a special deal for any retailer wanting to join the MIA and take part in TMS, so please see contact details below.

Any current MIA retailer wanting to be included in the scheme needs to email clare@mia.org.uk. Clare will send you the Agreement Form that you need to sign and get straight back to us.

Equally, if you would like to enquire about joining the MIA, email John at membership@mia.org.uk.

Or, simply call us on 01403 800500.

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JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - 352 &2 8.

MIPRO 11

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37

THE SALES MAN

ProMagTM

Ace in the hole

COLIN REES is a veteran sales trainer and business consultant with many decades’ worth of expertise in the bicycle retail sector.

There could be hidden net SURˉW LQ HYHU\ FXVWRPHU How to get more from your existing consumer

IT IS SAID there is 25 per cent more business available from every customer base.

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What is the customer feeling? I have what , FDPH IRU , GRQČ W ZDQW WR SDUW ZLWK DQ\ PRUH PRQH\ WKHUH LV QRWKLQJ , QHHG DQ\ZD\ VR letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s get out. ,I D VDOHV SHUVRQ VD\V WR KLPVHOI ȢHYHU\RQH , VSHDN WR WKLV ZHHN ZLOO EH RIIHUHG D

COLIN REES

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11 MiPro176 Colin Rees_final.indd 1

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;If a salesman says â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;everyone I speak to this week will be offered a repair kitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, what do you think the result will be?â&#x20AC;?

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The industry standard acoustic sound hole pickup from Dean Markley, conceived and crafted in the USA. All ProMag pickups in the range deliver superbly smooth, high-end response with perfect balance across all the strings. And like all Dean Markley products, you can expect the same generous margins!

KORG UK 01908 304601

16/12/2014 15:00

INTERVIEW

A manâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s world?

BY DANIEL GUMBLE

The market has long been a male-dominated arena, with a woefully low number of females working in the industry. Daniel Gumble caught up with Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Music Network :L01 IRXQGHU /DXUD % :KLWPRUH WR Ë&#x2030;QG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH LVVXHV IDFLQJ ZRPHQ LQ 0, WHERE TO begin on the issue of male dominance in our industry?

You wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need me to tell you that the market is, and always has been, something of a proverbial sausage fest, where the notion of woman as HTXDO FDQ VWLOO SURYRNH Ë&#x152;LFNHUV RI doubt and confusion amongst the tradeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more conservative types.

As a male who plays music with a female drummer, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve witnessed the reactions of fellow musicians at the sight of a woman sat behind a kit. Some offer a patronising â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;good for youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; slap on the back after a performance; others, a reassuring â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re not bad for girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pat on the head. In some cases, a palpable suspicion of witchcraft can permeate the venue.

In what is supposed to be a creative, forward-thinking LQGXVWU\ LWȢV D OLWWOH EDIË&#x152;LQJ WKDW these dinosauric attitudes continue to rear their ugly heads on such a disconcertingly regular basis.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not say things are all bad - many of those who work in the MI trade are all for a more representative gender balance yet a strange dichotomy does still exist. Anecdotal evidence suggests that more and more women are buying instruments and forming EDQGV 2Q WKH Ë&#x152;LSVLGH WKH QXPEHU of women working within the MI

12 13 MiPro176 Interview_final.indd 1

industry remains pitifully low, especially in the retail sector. MI Pro has pressed several UK retailers on the issue and almost every one has said that they would welcome more female members of staff.

Perhaps a lack females in prominent roles within the market belies the problem? The presence of more women would certainly help inspire others to get involved; not just as consumers, but as active players in the MI business.

In the US, writer and musician

around 1988,â&#x20AC;? she explains. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fast forward 20 years and I ended up becoming its marketing manager and working with a number of its other brands, I also became editor of its magazine, ProView. I left about seven years ago and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s when I started Mad Sun Marketing, a marketing company for the music and audio industries. It took a little while to get things rolling, but now Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m feeling like we might be around for a while, which is good!â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;More girls and women are picking up instruments and playing in bands. That will make things change in the next generation.

Things wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always be the same.â&#x20AC;?

Laura B. Whitmore has been at the fore of an ongoing campaign to get more women involved with the industry. Having spent over 20 years working in artist relations and marketing for Korg in the US, she has drawn upon her experiences to launch many laudable initiatives, such as her WiMN (Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s International Music Network) organisation and the She Rocks Awards. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started working at Korg USA in artist relations and marketing

THE WIMN A couple of years ago, Whitmore set about launching the annual She Rocks Awards and forming the WiMN, with the intention of celebrating women in the industry and providing them with an international information hub. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The whole WiMN thing came about in a sort of sideways way.

I started writing a column for Guitar World and I also started a blog called Guitar Girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d for female guitarists. Out of that grew this

event called the Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music 6XPPLW ZKLFK ZDV P\ Ë&#x2039;UVW VWHS to becoming a real advocate for ZRPHQ LQ WKH LQGXVWU\ 7KH Ë&#x2039;UVW Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music Summit happened around two and a half years ago and we brought in some celebrity players, like Meshell Ndegeocello and Marnie Stern, and we did some panels and workshops that were really wonderful. â&#x20AC;&#x153;From that, things really SURJUHVVHG 7KH Ë&#x2039;UVW 6KH 5RFNV Awards and the WiMN came about through a conversation with Bill Amstutz at NewBay Media in New York. He said NewBay had some great womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s events in other industries, so wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it be cool if there was something similar for the music industry? From that, everything else happened. As I was working on the awards, I thought there should be some kind of hub for women in music; a way to connect them; a home base for the She Rocks Awards and the Summit.

So thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how I formed the WiMN, which was in 2012.â&#x20AC;?

Since launching in 2012, the awards have gone from strength to strength. Held at the Winter NAMM show, the ceremony has shifted from its former breakfast slot to a Friday night gala event. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The past two She Rocks Awards

15/12/2014 12:16

took place at breakfast during NAMM on the Friday morning. We started with that time because of RWKHU FRQË&#x152;LFWV DW WKH VKRZ $OVR LW was a good way of getting our feet wet without committing to a lot of expense. This year we are taking a leap of faith and will be holding the awards on the Friday night (January 23rd). Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be co-hosting the event with Orianthi, so Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m thrilled that sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be there with me. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll also be honouring The Bangles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the 30th anniversary RI WKHLU Ë&#x2039;UVW DOEXP VR ZHȢOO EH doing a tribute to them.â&#x20AC;?

Top and above left: Laura B. Whitmore with Orianthi at the 2014 She Rocks Awards Right: Laura B. Whitmore with Sheila E, also at the She Rocks Awards

PERSONAL EXPERIENCES So what of Whitmoreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s own experiences of working in the music industry? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Honestly, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had a pretty good time of it. When I was younger I started singing and SOD\LQJ WKH Ë&#x152;XWH WKHQ ZKHQ , went to middle school I traded P\ Ë&#x152;XWH LQ IRU D JXLWDU 7KLV ZDV in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;70s so there was a folky scene anyway, which I really got into. I worked with the Marshall and Vox brands for 20 years at Korg, but it never occurred to me to play electric guitar until much later when I started writing for Guitar World. I was in a rock band for years, but I was singing and not playing guitar.

Eventually, it was Brad Tolinski at Guitar World that encouraged me to pick up an electric guitar.

It was really freeing and made me wonder why I had never done it before. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about all I can say.

I was never discouraged; I never thought I shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be holding an instrument because Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a girl.â&#x20AC;?

She did, however, encounter a less than welcoming atmosphere whilst cutting her teeth as an audio engineer. Yet she is keen to point out that the courses had a positive effect on her career. â&#x20AC;&#x153;My one experience of that [being discouraged] would be in college, when I took courses in audio engineering. I was one of very few women and felt it wasâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t encouraged for women. However, that training has really helped me; I know how to use Pro Tools, I can record myself. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m not sad that I did it but it was a little uncomfortable.â&#x20AC;?

RETAIL ROLE MODELS Whitmore feels that now is a good time for girls making their Ë&#x2039;UVW VWHSV LQ WKH ZRUOG RI PXVLF LGHQWLI\LQJ D QXPEHU RI NH\ Ë&#x2039;JXUHV doing their bit for the cause. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Guitar Center has a VP named Laura Taylor who is a huge advocate for women in the industry. She initiated a programme to make their stores

12 13 MiPro176 Interview_final.indd 2

more female friendly, so she started employing more women and showing more women in their ads. I think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the only way itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to change; I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to be a natural progression.

Well, it could be, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s going to take a really long time if it happens that way. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a great vintage guitar store in Brooklyn where the two main guitar techs â&#x20AC;&#x201C; who have left to start their own company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; were women. I interviewed one of them and they told me that sometimes guys would come in and they wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want a woman working on their guitar! Even if sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the best tech in the store. That stuff happens. But I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to be pessimistic, because as more girls and women are picking up instruments and playing in bands and becoming engineers, that will make things change in the next generation. It wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always be the same.â&#x20AC;?

WOMEN IN MARKETING The marketing of products can play a pivotal role in attitudes towards women, with Whitmore citing the sexualisation of females in advertising as something that needs to change. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Some brands are blatantly sexual in their advertising, and I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t think thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s necessary in any industry, but I get it. You have to sell. I guess itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s about how much integrity you have. I, as a marketer of musical instruments, feel you can sell without going there, but I donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to put those brands down, because I know itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tough and sometimes people want a TXLFN Ë&#x2039;[ DQG WKDWȢV D TXLFN Ë&#x2039;[ , write for Guitar World and they show models with almost nothing on and a guitar between their legs because they know that it sells.

What am I going to do? Not do what I do because they do that?

You have to suck it up sometimes and say â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m going to change what I can change and not freak out over that. I would hope that brands and retailers realise that there is a huge potential market that they arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reaching. For them to not do something to reach that market is very short sighted.â&#x20AC;?

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear that more must be done before we can say the market has struck an even gender balance, EXW ZLWK Ë&#x2039;JXUHV OLNH :KLWPRUH pushing the issue and providing a community with which to connect, surely things can only improve?

By breaking from the maledominated mould, not only will WKH PDUNHW EHQHË&#x2039;W IURP JUHDWHU diversity, it will introduce a vast new audience to the industry. And that can only be a good thing.

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14 MIPro176_v1.indd 1

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Way out

west Making its 113th outing this year, the Winter NAMM expo remains one of the biggest events on the international MI calendar.

With a raft of retailers, brands, suppliers and trade professionals once again set to descend upon LAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Anaheim Convention Centre for the four-day event, MI Pro provides a peek at what to expect from this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s eventâ&#x20AC;Ś

WITH CHRISTMAS now but a memory, the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s attention turns to the annual Winter NAMM expo. From January 22nd-25th, the LA show will set the scene for brands to unveil their newest products and innovations before a truly international audience â&#x20AC;&#x201C; over 95,000 attendees from more than 90 countries - while a plethora of networking events away from

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Exhibitors at the show will no doubt be looking to set the tone for the year ahead and make a big impact with their new launches.â&#x20AC;?

WKH H[KLELWLRQ Ë&#x152; RRU ZLOO SURYLGH attendees with the perfect platform upon which to connect with clients and fellow professionals.

Twelve months ago, the market was priming itself for a period of recovery, following a number of positive reports, yet the year

15 16 19 20 21 MIPro176 Namm_v5.indd 15

that followed failed to live up to expectations. This time around, predictions and forecasts have been somewhat muted, although some businesses are indicating that things are starting to pick up, albeit it on a modest scale.

With that in mind, many will be looking to make a big impact with their LA launches and hoping to set the tone for the year ahead.

As ever, many of those exhibiting will be keeping their new products under wraps until the Anaheim Convention Centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doors open.

However, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re able to offer an early glimpse of whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on offer at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show.

TANGLEWOOD HALL C #4258 Tanglewood Guitars will again be Ë&#x152; \LQJ WKH Ë&#x152; DJ RQ WKH PDLQ VKRZ Ë&#x152; RRU RI WKH 1$00 VKRZ ZLWK D KRVW of new products for 2015.

New ranges for preview prior to a phased 2015 launch will include the Sundance Delta Historic Series, an all new Mahogany range of traditionally styled guitars; the Evolution Deluxe Series, which will bring some new wood combinations to a whole new price point; the

Evolution Viscount Series, a new Jumbo range in Arctic White, Piano Black and Transparent Orange; the all-new Nashville V Series, which will see its UK launch in April; as well as a wholly new entry-level series, Discovery by Tanglewood, in a range of models and timbers to suit all tastes.

Existing lines will also feature new model launches, including the Java range and the recently expanded Roadster Series, with an all-new combination of models.

As Tanglewood Guitars is now RIË&#x2039; FLDOO\ GLVWULEXWHG LQ FRXQWULHV worldwide, many of its international partners will be visiting NAMM, so EH VXUH WR FRQWDFW WKH 8. RIË&#x2039; FH WR arrange a convenient time to have your own personal viewing and receive background information on all new lines on the booth.

JHS HALL B #5267 JHS will showcase its Fret-King and Vintage electric lines, with designer Trev Wilkinson on-hand to talk visitors through the instruments on display. A host of players, including Matt Smith, Jerry Donahue, Thomas Blug and Gregg Wright will guest as

demo artists.

Vintage Acoustics, including the Gordon Giltrap and Paul Brett signature instruments, will be DPRQJ WKH Ë&#x2039; UPȢV NH\ DWWUDFWLRQV while the Paul Brett â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Geminiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; launches at the show.

UK-designed Pilgrim guitars and Folk Instruments on display will LQFOXGH WKH 0D\Ë&#x152; RZHU HOHFWUR acoustic guitar. Furthermore, amongst a selection of folk instruments, Pilgrim launches the Celtic Dawn Tenor Resonator Banjo.

Encore, now in its 30th anniversary year, will also be showing an array of products.

Santos Martinez classical guitars will be on show at the booth, catering for all players, from the seasoned performer, with the Ray Burley Signature, to new players of all ages with the Estuduiante series.

Meanwhile, Odyssey will have British designer and master craftsman Peter Pollard on hand to showcase a number of his brass and woodwind creations.

BARNES & MULLINS HALL E, #1308 Faith Guitars will be enjoying its

15/12/2014 20:56

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

16 MIPRO

Ë&#x2039;UVW RIË&#x2039;FLDO RXWLQJ DW WKH $QDKHLP show in January 2015. Already with a strong foothold in Europe and Asia, Barnes & Mullins â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Faith Guitarsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; parent company â&#x20AC;&#x201C; is keen to move into the super-competitive and KLJKO\ LQË&#x152;XHQWLDO 86 PDUNHW +DYLQJ previously exhibited at numerous Frankfurt and Shanghai exhibitions

â&#x20AC;&#x153;There has been some success demonstrated by directly supplying retailers across the states, but the key to true success lay ZLWK PDUNHW VSHFLË&#x2030;F messages and overall marketing activities.â&#x20AC;? and the 2014 Nashville Summer NAMM show, Faith Guitars is well established in global territories, but as yet, the right partner in the US has been elusive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have been patiently waiting WR Ë&#x2039;QG WKH ULJKW W\SH RI SDUWQHU IRU Faith in the US,â&#x20AC;? said Alex Mew, the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s director. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There has been some success demonstrated by directly supplying retailers across the states, but the key to true VXFFHVV OD\ ZLWK PDUNHW VSHFLË&#x2039;F messages and overall marketing activities that will add both credibility and structural integrity to the core products. So, our investment in Winter NAMM 2015 will be directed toward this end.â&#x20AC;?

YAMAHA AND STEINBERG MARRIOTT HOTEL BOOTH As ever, Yamaha and Steinberg will be showcasing a vast array of products from across its extensive product ranges. Visitors can no doubt expect a series of brand new launches, while a plethora of existing lines will also be on display.

STUDIOMASTER & CARLSBRO HALL B #5470 The 2015 NAMM exhibition will see many new products on display from Studiomaster and Carlsbro.

For Studiomaster there are several new product developments. The new DRIVE series of moulded active and passive 12â&#x20AC;? and 15â&#x20AC;? cabinets to replace the VPX/VSX series will be on display, while the new CLUBXS series of compact fully featured

15 16 19 20 21 MIPro176 Namm_v5.indd 16

mixing consoles and the new VISION series, an ultra compact powered and unpowered range of consoles to FRPSOLPHQW WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV UDQJH RI QHZ active and passive cabinets, will also be showcased For Carlsbro, a revised KICKSTART range of entry-level JXLWDU DPSOLË&#x2039;HUV D QHZ PRGHO RI HOHFWURQLF GUXP DPSOLË&#x2039;HU WR EH introduced to the UK market later in 2015, additions to the SHERWOOD DFRXVWLF DPSOLË&#x2039;HU UDQJH DQG D QHZ and revised range of cables and stands will all be on show.

Alongside all these new products, both brands will be highlighting to FXVWRPHUV WKH YDULRXV EHQHË&#x2039;WV RI working with them.

To make an appointment at the companiesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; stand, contact simon@ studiomaster.com.

ROTOSOUND HALL C #4278 Rotosound at Winter NAMM 2015 will be exhibiting its full range of strings and accessories, including the recently launched collection of retro guitar pedals.

The company has been rolling out its innovative new environmentally friendly foil packaging and the 2015 NAMM show will see the introduction of further products in the range shipping with the foil packs, which keep the strings factory fresh and is designed to provide an unparalleled moisture barrier, ensuring strings will not tarnish or fade while in the packs.

Artist Appearances on the Rotosound stand will include legendary bassist Billy Sheehan with more announcements to come.

You can meet Billy and Rotosound chairman Jason How at the OMG stand #4278, Hall C.

PORTER & DAVIES HALL D #3476 Porter & Davies, Tactile Monitoring specialist, will announce the launch at Winter NAMM 2015 of its new KT Platform, which uses the transmission of sound by Kinetic Transfer (KT) to enable musicians to feel and hear their playing internally, instead of relying on conventional audio methods.

Suitable for bass players, DJs, guitarists, stand-up keyboard players and percussionists, the KT Platform is built to provide a full and faithful transfer of the sound and the weight of the sound through bone conduction with no time lag.

All notes are faithfully transmitted, including harmonics.

The company will also be

15/12/2014 20:56

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exhibiting its range of silent drum monitors, the Gigster, BC2, BC2rm, which are now used by an impressive DUUD\ RI KLJK SURË&#x2039;OH GUXPPHUV These include artists such as Clem Burke, Kenny Aronoff, Ray Luzier, Matt Sorum and the recently signed Arctic Monkeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drummer Matt Helders and the drummer of .DVDELDQ ,DQ 0DWWKHZV

ORANGE AMPLIFICATION HALL C #4890 2UDQJH $PSOLË&#x2039;FDWLRQ ZLOO DJDLQ be unveiling a whole host of new products at the forthcoming NAMM VKRZ 7KH FRPSDQ\ KDV D VHOHFWLRQ of exciting new products to reveal for both guitar and bass players, plus Orangeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Music Education division will be revealing a number of their QHZ LQQRYDWLRQV Details of all these new products will be available on the Orange Music Booth 4890, Hall C, on the Ë&#x2039;UVW GD\ RI WKH VKRZ Orange ambassadors Glenn Hughes and Andrew Watt (California Breed), Ty Tabor (Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s X), Larry â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lerâ&#x20AC;? LaLonde (Primus) and members of Deftones and Fall Out Boy will be dropping by the booth all WKURXJK WKH VKRZ

Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ADDARIO HALL C #4834 Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Addario is to launch a number of new products and developments for WKH IUHWWHG PDUNHW DW 1$00 EXP Acoustic: Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Addario will introduce the latest innovation proprietary high-carbon steel wire, NY Steel - to its line of EXP acoustic VHWV 7KH ZLUH KDV EHHQ PHWLFXORXVO\ engineered to be stronger and more consistent than any other standard musical wire, leading to a string with RSWLPXP SLWFK VWDELOLW\ Ukulele sets: Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Addarioâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ukulele string product line is expanding to offer players the full range of sound for their instrument or playing VW\OH 6SHFLË&#x2039;FDOO\ WDLORUHG JDXJHV for the Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone ukulele span a variety RI PDWHULDOV ,Q DGGLWLRQ WZR VHWV KDYH EHHQ GHVLJQHG VSHFLË&#x2039;FDOO\ IRU Low G tuning, which has become increasingly popular amongst XNXOHOH SOD\HUV ZRUOGZLGH American Stage Kill Switch cables: American Stage Kill Switch cables are precision engineered and DVVHPEOHG LQ $PHULFD LQ WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV )DUPLQJGDOH 1HZ <RUN IDFLOLW\ The cables feature a momentary Kill Switch for silencing the cable GXULQJ OLYH LQVWUXPHQW FKDQJHV The exclusive Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Addario designed, Neutrik built plugs feature the patented Geo-tip, ensuring a secure

15 16 19 20 21 MIPro176 Namm_v5.indd 17

connection in any instrument, pedal, or amp, while the in-line micro Ë&#x152;DPH VROGHULQJ SURYLGHV RSWLPLVHG connection and strength at the VROGHU MRLQWV Capo range expansion: Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Addario has expanded on its capo line, offering three new options for JXLWDULVWV 7ZR QHZ PRGHOV EDVHG on the NS Artist Capo are designed to simulate DADGAD and Drop D tunings on standard-tuned guitars, while the new Classical model is GHVLJQHG IRU Ë&#x152;DW UDGLXVHG FODVVLFDO Q\ORQ VWULQJ JXLWDUV All of these items will be available in the UK from February 1st 2015

ALFRED MUSIC HALL C #4618 Alfred Music is announcing new Complete Starter Packs intended to join its popular line of products at 1$00

â&#x20AC;&#x153;An array of high SURË&#x2030;OH GUXPPHUV ZLOO EH DSSHDULQJ DW WKH 3RUWHU 'DYLHV VWDQG LQFOXGLQJ $UFWLF 0RQNH\V GUXPPHU 0DWW +HOGHUV DQG WKH GUXPPHU RI .DVDELDQ ,DQ 0DWWKHZV ČŁ

Alfredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Teach Yourself to Play Banjo Complete Starter Pack includes D )LUHEUDQG Ë&#x2039;YH VWULQJ EDQMR ZLWK mylar resonating head for a full, rich soundboard, and a mahogany QHFN ZLWK D URVHZRRG IUHWERDUG Also included is the Alfredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Teach Yourself to Play Banjo (Book, CD & DVD) method, which begins by teaching the basics of learning to play the banjo, including how to hold and tune the instrument, and moves along to teach users to play GLIIHUHQW FKRUGV VWUXPV DQG VRQJV The Teach Yourself to Play Mandolin Complete Starter Pack contains a full-size Firebrand spruce top mandolin, including lightgauge steel strings to make playing HDVLHU 8VHUV ZLOO XVH $OIUHGȢV Teach Yourself to Play Mandolin (Book, CD & DVD) method to begin playing their instrument, starting with how to use picks and an introduction

15/12/2014 21:01

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

20 MIPRO

to standard music notation. This method allows users to master important mandolin techniques, such as tremolo and cross picking.

Alfredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Drum Course Complete Starter Pack contains percussion instruments, including a tambourine, set of maracas, woodblock, and mallets. The included method, Alfredâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Kidâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Drum Course (Book & CD) uses simple language thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s easy to understand to teach kids to play rhythms and songs on a variety of drums and sound sources.

ARIA HALL C #4278 A resurgent Aria and its Aria Pro II EUDQG LV PDNLQJ VLJQLË&#x2039;FDQW VWULGHV LQ its efforts to attempt to restore the Japanese guitar marque to its former levels of popularity.

Three bass ranges and two guitar lines are launching at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NAMM, all boasting eye-catching colour schemes, premium features and competitive pricing.

First up, there are four in the PE-512 range of six-string electrics, each product sporting a laminated TXLOWHG PDSOH Ë&#x2039;QLVK RQ D QDWR ZRRG body with a heel-less cutaway. The set neck is also made of the same nato wood. Each guitar has a 22-fret URVHZRRG Ë&#x2039;QJHUERDUG

15 16 19 20 21 MIPro176 Namm_final.indd 18

The pickups are two Seymour Duncan-designed HB-101 humbuckers, selectable through a three-way switch with sound controlled through two-volume and two-tone knobs.

Available in January at an RRP of around ÂŁ279, the guitars are available in a choice of four colours red, purple, blue and amber brown.

The Mac Lux guitar line has three colour options - black and gold, red and gold and blue and gold - each ZLWK WKH VDPH VSHFLË&#x2039;FDWLRQV $OO feature a carved top ash body with a bolt-on maple neck covered with a URVHZRRG Ë&#x2039;QJHUERDUG 7KH FRQË&#x2039;JXUDWLRQ RI SLFNXSV LV two ASJ-1s and an AHJ-1, controlled E\ D Ë&#x2039;YH ZD\ VHOHFWRU VZLWFK DQG volume and tone knobs. RRP is around ÂŁ689.

Ariaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s new bass line-up is all pitched around the same ÂŁ739 price point, but offers a number of bright colour options.

The IGB-Lux is ash, with a carved top and a three-ply, 24-fret, bolton maple neck under a rosewood Ë&#x2039;QJHUERDUG 7ZR SLFN XSV SURYLGH the power - an APJ-1 and an AJJ1. Controls are volume, balance, treble and bass. Machine heads are GOTOH GB707s. Hardware is chrome.

7KH Ë&#x2039;QLVK LV D FKRLFH RI EODFN EOXH

or red over a gold stain.

Similarly-shaped, the IGB-RC is a more ostentatious option, with D VLOYHU VSDUNOH Ë&#x2039;QLVK $YDLODEOH LQ red and silver and blue and silver, the body is ayous, with a carved top and the neck is three-ply maple under rosewood. Pickups are APJ-1 and AJJ-1 with the same volume, balance, treble and bass controls as on the IGB-Lux. Machineheads are GOTOH GB350 Res-O-Lite.

Lastly, the RSB 1500/M bass has the widest range of colour options Ë&#x2039;YH LQ DOO ZLWK D FKRLFH RI QDWXUDO caramel burst and see-through red, blue and green.

The body is maple with a quilted Ë&#x2039;QLVK DQG WKH EDFN LV DVK 7KH QHFN is a one-piece maple bolt-on with D PDSOH Ë&#x2039;QJHUERDUG 7KHUH DUH also two AJJ-1 pickups capable of adjusting; volume, balance, treble and bass controls.

STENTOR MUSIC HALL C #4219 At NAMM 2015, the company will be showing a range of Stentor violins, violas, cellos and double basses, including its high grade Messina, Elysia and Arcadia violins.

These are handcrafted instruments, carved from selected DQG Ë&#x2039;JXUHG WRQHZRRGV DOO LQGLYLGXDOO\ ZRUNVKRS Ë&#x2039;WWHG

MXL MICROPHONES HALL A #6690 MXL Microphones will be showcasing new studio and live microphones from the retro-styled black and chrome CR Series, such as the award-winning CR89 Condenser, the CR77 Live Dynamic Microphone, as well as the new Genesis FET and Revelation Solo studio microphones.

In addition, the USB microphone line will be on display, along with the line of Mobile Media microphones, which are designed to be used alongside mobile devices.

MXL will also launch its MM-4000 Mini Mixer and portable audio mixer for mobile phones, tablets, and computers. With it, the user can record audio to a device using up to four electret microphones simultaneously, essentially turning four analogue inputs into one analogue or digital output.

KORG HALL A #6440 Korg will be showcasing the recently announced KRONOS, which will be on demo throughout the show and available for visitors to try. The new KRONOS now at V3.0 has a number of enhancements to the user interface and the update SGX-1 Piano Engine - now SGX-2. This update introduces

16/12/2014 15:06

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

the new Berlin Grand piano to the existing deep German Grand and lively Japanese Grand, with the Berlin Grand offering a resonant piano sound with enhanced depth.

Visitors can expect an array of new products that are likely to be released on the opening day of the show.

PREMIER HALL D #3464 Premier will be launching its Modern Classic Club drum set to the US market at this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NAMM. Originally released as a dedicated snare range back in 2001, the Modern Classic range now features a selection of three-piece kits that are overtly retro with clean tones and a modern build quality, exclusively designed and handcrafted in England.

The Modern Classic Club features ultra-thin birch/mahogany shells with no sound rings, 30 degree round-over waxed bearing edges, lowmass solid brass tube lugs, 5mm solid rolled chrome hoops with solid bronze clips, undrilled bass drums and Remo USA drumheads. $YDLODEOH LQ WZR Ë&#x2039;QLVKHV Č&#x; PDKRJDQ\ RU birdseye maple; protected by a hand-applied satin oil complemented with contrasting wooden bass drum hoops, the Modern Classic Club was initially launched in May 2014 to the UK and European markets.

The range will now feature the addition RI D QHZ FRQË&#x2039;JXUDWLRQ ORRVH GUXPV DQG D hammered snare option.

The range forms a new-look portfolio from

15 16 19 20 21 MIPro176 Namm_final.indd 19

MIPRO 21

Premier that also includes the introduction of several new ranges, including an LQQRYDWLYH QHZ VQDUH Č&#x; 7KH % ( $ 6 7

TC GROUP HALL B #5932 TC Group will be launching a number of new MI products at NAMM 2015. As ever, details are still tightly under wraps at this stage, but we can say that there will be two new vocal products from TC-Helicon, two new guitar pedals and a range of bass product from TC Electronic, along with all the recently announced vocal, guitar and bass kits that TC Group has introduced in the past few months. Also on show will be a selection of studio monitors from both Tannoy and Dynaudio Professional brands.

MEINL BOOTH CONVENTION CENTRE LEVEL 2 204A Meinl will introduce various new cajon models, accessories, bongos, djembes and new hand percussion instruments. As far as Meinl cymbals are concerned, there will be additions to the Byzance and HCS ranges.

MARSHALL HALL B #5740 Marshall will be unveiling a collection of new products from all three of its brands 0DUVKDOO $PSOLË&#x2039;FDWLRQ 1DWDO 'UXPV 3HUFXVVLRQ DQG (GHQ %DVV $PSOLË&#x2039;FDWLRQ

16/12/2014 15:24

AdTemplate.indd 1

12/12/2014 15:18

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 23

BIRKETTS

RAFAEL RUIZ, PARTNER, BIRKETTS

The Internet, the supply chain and competition law 7KH Ë&#x2030;UVW LQ D QHZ VHULHV RI PRQWKO\ FROXPQV RXU OHJDO H[SHUW GLVFXVVHV WKH WKRUQ\ LVVXH RI FRPSHWLWLRQ ODZȨ

COMPETITION LAW regulators in the UK and Europe are repeatedly stating their belief that increased use of the Internet for retail sales will bring about supply chain HIË&#x2039;FLHQFLHV ZKLFK ZLOO OHDG WR SULFH reductions and increased choices IRU FRQVXPHUV *LYHQ WKDW UKHWRULF it is now more important than ever IRU PDQXIDFWXUHUV GLVWULEXWRUV and retailers to understand how competition law works and affects them; what it allows and what it GRHVQȢW DQG ZKDW WKH FRQVHTXHQFHV of breaching it are.

The purpose of this article is to give a brief explanation of how UK and EU competition law affects the arrangements that can lawfully be HQWHUHG LQWR E\ EUDQGV GLVWULEXWRUV and retailers in a supply chain. ,Q WKLV DUWLFOH , ZLOO VHW RXW WKH background to how this area of FRPSHWLWLRQ ODZ RSHUDWHV DQG WKH FRQVHTXHQFHV RI IDOOLQJ IRXO RI LW ,Q QH[W PRQWKȢV DUWLFOH , ZLOO H[SORUH some of the types of restrictions and arrangements that suppliers FDQ LPSRVH RQ FXVWRPHUV DQG some of those they cant. In the WKLUG DUWLFOH , ZLOO H[SODLQ ZKDW D VHOHFWLYH GLVWULEXWLRQ V\VWHP LV DQG explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of adopting one.

THE LEGAL BACKGROUND UK and EU competition prohibits as anti-competitive: all agreements, decisions and concerted practices between undertakings that have

23 MiPro176 Feature_final.indd 41

as either their object or effect, the prevention, distortion or restriction of competition in the UK (or the EU), and which may have an appreciable effect on trade within the UK or a part of the UK (or between member states of the EU).

It is important to note that the prohibition doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just apply to DJUHHPHQWV ZULWWHQ RU RWKHUZLVH

but that it covers all types of arrangements and concerted practices too. In this context it must also be remembered that

they either fall within the scope of the safe harbour of the Vertical Agreements Block Exemption; meet WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV IRU LQGLYLGXDO H[HPSWLRQ RU EHQHË&#x2039;W IURP exemption on the basis that they are DJUHHPHQWV RI PLQRU LPSRUWDQFH whereby the anti-competitive effect is deemed to be not â&#x20AC;&#x153;appreciable.â&#x20AC;? ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR EHQHË&#x2039;W IURP WKH %ORFN ([HPSWLRQ WKH PDUNHW VKDUH of both the buyer and the seller must be less than 30 per cent of the relevant market. It is important

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is more important than ever for manufacturers, distributors and retailers to understand how competition law works.â&#x20AC;?

WKH DJUHHPHQWV DUUDQJHPHQWV RU practices a person has with one counterparty will not be viewed in LVRODWLRQ EXW LQ WKH FRQWH[W RI DOO RWKHU DJUHHPHQWV DUUDQJHPHQWV DQG practices that person has with other FRXQWHUSDUWLHV WKH FRPELQDWLRQ RI which may have an anti-competitive effect or object.

8QIRUWXQDWHO\ WKHUH LV QR SURFHVV by which any such agreements can be â&#x20AC;&#x153;approvedâ&#x20AC;? as being lawful by the Regulators (the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) here in the 8. DQG WKH (XURSHDQ &RPPLVVLRQ in the EU). It is up to the parties themselves to assess whether their agreements fall foul of the above SURKLELWLRQ DQG LI VR ZKHWKHU

WKDW WKH UHOHYDQW PDUNHW DQG HDFK SDUWLHVȢ VKDUH RI LW LV UHYLHZHG IURP WLPH WR WLPH DV ZHOO DV WKH DUUDQJHPHQWV WKHPVHOYHV WR FKHFN that the safe harbour of the Block Exemption is available. ,Q PRVW FDVHV SDUWLHV ZLOO VHHN WKH VDIH KDUERXU RI WKH %ORFN ([HPSWLRQ as satisfying yourself that your DJUHHPHQW PHHWV WKH UHTXLUHPHQWV RI DQ LQGLYLGXDO H[HPSWLRQ RU LV RI PLQRU LPSRUWDQFH FDQ EH YHU\ GLIË&#x2039;FXOW DQG FDQ UHTXLUH D GHWDLOHG analysis of the object and effect of WKH DUUDQJHPHQWV FRQFHUQHG IURP an economic and legal perspective.

CONSEQUENCES The risks of an agreement infringing

the prohibition are as follows: â&#x20AC;˘ The parties may be ordered to cease or modify the agreement â&#x20AC;˘ 7KH SDUWLHV PD\ EH Ë&#x2039;QHG XS WR WHQ per cent of worldwide turnover â&#x20AC;˘ The restrictions (and sometimes the agreement itself) may be unenforceable â&#x20AC;˘ Third parties may bring an action IRU GDPDJHV RU LQ VRPH FDVHV DQ injunction in the civil courts â&#x20AC;˘ Directors of companies that infringe UK or EU competition law IDFH SRWHQWLDO GLVTXDOLË&#x2039;FDWLRQ DV D director ,Q SUDFWLFH WKH QRQ OHJDO ULVNV PD\ EH RI HTXDO FRQFHUQ WR WKRVH involved. These include: â&#x20AC;˘ Bad publicity â&#x20AC;˘ Diversion of management time â&#x20AC;˘ &RVWV RI OHJDO HFRQRPLF DQG industry advisers â&#x20AC;˘ Increased risk of ongoing surveillance â&#x20AC;˘ Increased risk of future complaints or investigations For more information, contact Rafael Ruiz on 01245 211288 or rafael-ruiz@birketts.co.uk. This article provides a summary, and is not intended to be a comprehensive review of all developments in the law and practice, or to cover all aspects of those referred to. Readers should take legal advice before applying the LQIRUPDWLRQ LQ WKLV DUWLFOH WR VSHFLË&#x2039;F issues. Neither Birketts LLP or the author, accept any liability for any reliance placed on the contents of this article.

15/12/2014 12:12

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

24 MIPRO

MI Pioneers: Cliff Cooper

,Q WKH Ë&#x2030;UVW RI D EUDQG QHZ VHULHV IRU ZH WDNH D ORRN EDFN DW WKH FDUHHUV RI VRPH RI WKH LQGXVWU\Č V PRVW LQQRYDWLYH DQG LQË&#x160;XHQWLDO Ë&#x2030;JXUHV NLFNLQJ RII ZLWK %ULWLVK DPSOLË&#x2030;FDWLRQ SLRQHHU 2UDQJH &(2 Cliff Cooperâ&#x20AC;Ś

FEW WOULD argue that there is not a more iconic, instantly recognisable DPSOLË&#x2039;FDWLRQ EUDQG RQ WKH PDUNHW than Orange. Ever since its arrival LQ WKH EUDQG KDV ERDVWHG D VXSUHPHO\ GLVWLQFW LGHQWLW\ DQG KDV IHDWXUHG SURPLQHQWO\ DFURVV MXVW DERXW HYHU\ VW\OH DQG JHQUH RI PXVLF :KHUHDV VRPH DPS EUDQGV FDQ boast similar iconic status within a particular musical form, be it heavy PHWDO MD]] LQGLH URFN HWF 2UDQJH KDV EHFRPH D SHUPDQHQW Ë&#x2039;[WXUH IRU SHUIRUPHUV RI DOO NLQGV DV D TXLFN ORRN DW LWV DUWLVW OLQH XS WHOOV \RX 6WHYLH :RQGHU 6OLSNQRW -LPP\ 3DJH 1RHO *DOODJKHU 0DGRQQD )OHHWZRRG 0DF 0DVWRGRQ *HGG\ Lee, Glenn Hughes, Scissor Sisters, amongst many others.

Of course, the attractive logo DQG EULJKW FRORXU VFKHPH QRW WR PHQWLRQ WKH XELTXLW\ RI KLJK TXDOLW\

24 25 27 MiPro176 MI Pioneers_final2.indd 19

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ever since its arrival in 1968, the brand has boasted a supremely distinct identity.â&#x20AC;?

components throughout its lines, JR VRPHZD\ WR H[SODLQLQJ 2UDQJHȢV popularity, but the main reason EHKLQG LWV FRQWLQXHG VXFFHVV OLHV ZLWK LWV YLVLRQDU\ IRXQGHU &OLII &RRSHU ZKRVH SHUVLVWHQW GULYH WR FUHDWH QHZ JURXQG EUHDNLQJ SURGXFWV XQGHUSLQV HYHU\ DVSHFW RI the business.

1960s $V D EXGGLQJ PXVLFLDQ DQG UHFRUGLQJ HQJLQHHU EDFN LQ WKH HDUO\ V &RRSHU VHW XS D EDVHPHQW VWXGLR IDFLOLW\ EHORZ D GLVXVHG VKRS RQ /RQGRQȢV 1HZ &RPSWRQ 6WUHHW ,QWHQW RQ EUHDNLQJ LQWR WKH UHFRUGLQJ PDUNHW KH EHJDQ KLULQJ WKH VWXGLR RXW WR D YDULHW\ RI DUWLVWV EXW ZLWK D ODFN RI PDUNHWLQJ QRXV WKH EXVLQHVV IDLOHG WR JDWKHU SDFH $V D UHVXOW &RRSHU VHW DERXW VHOOLQJ RII KLV EDQG HTXLSPHQW IURP WKH VKRS DERYH ZKLFK VROG ZLWKLQ D PDWWHU RI GD\V +H WKHQ EHJDQ SXUFKDVLQJ VHFRQG KDQG JHDU VRXUFHG IURP DGV LQ ORFDO SDSHUV DQG FRPPLWWHG KLV time fully to retail, selling a range RI JXLWDUV DQG DPSOLË&#x2039;HUV IURP WKH VWRUH ZKLFK TXLFNO\ EHFDPH WKH Orange shop, complete with bright RUDQJH H[WHULRU GÂŤFRU After a short time, the young HQWUHSUHQHXU IRXQG VXSSO\ KDUG WR FRPH E\ 8QGHWHUUHG &RRSHU VWDUWHG GHVLJQLQJ KLV RZQ DPSOLË&#x2039;HUV WR VHOO +DYLQJ GHVLJQHG WKH DPSV KLPVHOI he sought the services of amp PDQXIDFWXUHU 0DWDPS WR EXLOG WKH SURGXFWV IRU KLP LQ WKH DEVHQFH RI D SURGXFWLRQ IDFLOLW\ RI KLV RZQ 0HDQZKLOH GHVSLWH GUDZLQJ several complaints from locals on DFFRXQW RI LWV EROG FRORXU VFKHPH WKH 2UDQJH VKRS TXLFNO\ DWWUDFWHG D QXPEHU RI KLJK SURË&#x2039;OH VKRSSHUV IURP WKH ZRUOG RI URFN DQG SRS ZLWK HYHU\RQH IURP )OHHWZRRG 0DF WKH

16/12/2014 12:39

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

24 25 27 MiPro176 MI Pioneers_final2.indd 20

MIPRO

Above: Cliff Cooper recieving the Queenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Award from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip Left: Cooper in the back of the shop where he lived for a time

Ë&#x2039;UVW JURXS WR XVH 2UDQJH DPSV WR The Beatles, The Small Faces, Stevie :RQGHU 3DXO .RVVRII DQG 0DUF %RODQ DQG PDQ\ RWKHUV UHJXODUO\ IUHTXHQWLQJ WKH VWRUH

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The business quickly attracted a number of KLJK SURË&#x2030;OH VKRSSHUV from the world of rock and pop.â&#x20AC;?

1970s/80s ,QHYLWDEO\ LW GLGQȢW WDNH ORQJ IRU VWRFN WR EHJLQ Ë&#x152;\LQJ RII WKH VKHOYHV <HW QRW RQH IRU VWDQGLQJ VWLOO &RRSHU ZDV TXLFN WR HQVXUH WKDW WKH FRPSDQ\ȢV RXWSXW UHPDLQHG DKHDG of the curve with the invention of WKH ZRUOGȢV Ë&#x2039;UVW HYHU GLJLWDO DPSOLË&#x2039;HU LQ Č&#x; WKH 2UDQJH 20(& DPS Č&#x; ZKLFK EHLQJ D IHZ \HDUV DKHDG RI WKH PDLQVWUHDP DUULYDO RI GLJLWDO DPSV UHFHLYHG D OLPLWHG UXQ RQ DFFRXQW RI KLJK SURGXFWLRQ FRVWV DW the time.

7KH WXUQ RI WKH GHFDGH DOVR SURYHG WR EH D SLYRWDO WLPH IRU &RRSHU RQ D SHUVRQDO OHYHO PDNLQJ KLV Ë&#x2039;UVW IRUD\ LQWR WKH ZRUOG RI DUWLVW PDQDJHPHQW

16/12/2014 12:39

26 MIPro176_Velta.indd 1

16/12/2014 13:10

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 27

reunion with the brand proved to be incredibly fruitful. $PRQJ 2UDQJHȢV PRVW KLJK SURË&#x2039;OH users of the era was Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher, who, using an Orange Overdrive, was approached E\ &RRSHU DQG WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV WHFKQLFDO director, Adrian Elmsley, to work RQ DQ\ VSHFLË&#x2039;FDWLRQV WKDW FRXOG help optimise his sound. In search RI PRUH ČĄFUXQFKȢ D VHULHV RI PRGLË&#x2039;FDWLRQV ZHUH PDGH WR WKH 2YHUGULYHȢV SKDVH LQYHUWHU DQG preamp. The changes made in conjunction with Gallagher ended XS IRUPLQJ WKH EDVLV RI WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV OTR range.

2QH \HDU ODWHU WKH Ë&#x2039;UP XQYHLOHG its AD Series, garnering much critical acclaim and attracting several internationally recognised artists along the way. :LWK WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV VWRFN RQFH DJDLQ on the rise, Cooper seized the opportunity to expand into the new millennium, not only building upon its product roster with a series of technologically advanced models, such as its Tiny Terror range, Rockerverb Series, OPC (Orange Personal Computer), VT1000 Valve Tester and Dual Dark models, but also with a raft of merchandise items and accessories.

Elsewhere, identifying yet another opportunity overseas, Cooper now has two Chinese manufacturing facilities to meet the growing demand in the Asian market, complementing its operation for distribution and manufacture in Atlanta, USA.

&RRSHU DQG FR RXWVLGH WKH Ë&#x2030;UPČ V London store in the 1960s working with John Miles, Smokie, Nigel Benjamin, Cock Sparrer and The Stylistics. During this time he also opened The Orange Agency, booking artists such as Joe Cocker and Ike and Tina Turner amongst others.

Elsewhere, with the demand IRU WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV JURZLQJ OLQH XS of products showing no sign of slowing, a new manufacturing plant was opened in Bexleyheath, Kent LQ UHVXOWLQJ LQ D VLJQLË&#x2039;FDQW production increase. This period also saw Cooper take the Orange brand stateside; its products now being distributed in the US for the YHU\ Ë&#x2039;UVW WLPH Furthermore, the launch of its Custom Reverb Twin MKII and WKH *UDSKLF 9DOYH $PSOLË&#x2039;HU PRUH FRPPRQO\ UHIHUUHG WR DV ČĄ3LFV 2QO\Ȣ DGGHG WR WKH EUDQGȢV UHSXWDWLRQ DV

24 25 27 MiPro176 MI Pioneers_final2.indd 21

â&#x20AC;&#x153;It is Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued efforts to break new ground that have made Orange the brand it is today.â&#x20AC;?

one of the most innovative names on the market.

With a number of business ventures to his name heading into the 1980s, production of Orange amps began to slow, with Cooper building and selling models in small quantities for export and to special order only. He also entered WKH SURSHUW\ PDUNHW VSHFLË&#x2039;FDOO\ 0, VWRUHV DW RQH VWDJH RZQLQJ stores on Denmark Street, including Hanks Guitars, Rose Morris, Argents and Rhodes and World of Pianos.

1990s/2000s Having established a number of successful enterprises outside of the DPSOLË&#x2039;FDWLRQ PDUNHW WKH VORZHG production of Orange amps in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s eventually resulted in Cooper licensing the brand to Gibson in 1993 and reclaiming it in 1997. His

THE FUTURE The rapid rate at which Orange has expanded over the past two decades currently shows no sign of slowing. While it is and always ZLOO UHPDLQ D JLDQW LQ WKH Ë&#x2039;HOG RI JXLWDU DPSOLË&#x2039;FDWLRQ JDLQLQJ WKUHH Queens Awards for export and FRXQWOHVV DFFRODGHV LW LV DOVR D WUXO\ PXOWL IDFHWHG JOREDO FRPSDQ\ having become a key player in a number of additional markets, most recently with its new range of starter guitar kits.

In addition, Cooper is now in the process of developing a number RI QHZ VWDWH RI WKH DUW SURGXFWV for the music education market, whilst also readying a move into the pharmaceuticals sector, in what is without question his most diverse venture to date.

Ultimately, it is his ability to combine heritage with a relevance to contemporary consumers that has not only made Orange the brand it is today, but has made Cooper one RI WKH PDUNHWȢV WUXH SLRQHHUV

16/12/2014 12:39

INTERVIEW

In the mix

BY DANIEL GUMBLE

Mixer and audio engineer, Cenzo Townshend, speaks to Daniel Gumble about gear, working with some of the biggest names in music and the importance of a healthy MI retail environmentâ&#x20AC;Ś

FEW MIXERS can boast a client list to rival that of Cenzo Townshend.

Over the past two decades, he has mixed some of the most successful recording artists on the planet.

Among them, U2, Florence and the Machine, Tom Jones, Nick Cave, Graham Coxon, Blur, Snow Patrol, New Order, Jamie T, Kaiser Chiefs, the list goes on.

Heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s kept good company over the years on his side of the desk too, cutting his teeth alongside the likes of Alan Moulder, Flood and Mark Stent in the capacity of producer and engineer, before branching out on his own as a mixer.

Prior to becoming one of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most sought after studio Ë&#x2039;JXUHV KH VSHQW D QXPEHU RI \HDUV DJing, before pursuing a career away from the decks. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I started DJing in Miami in the mid â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s. I was already DJing here, then I went on holiday and ended up staying for two years. After a while, I thought I ought to get a proper job so I applied to some studios. I ended up working in Trident Studios in the late â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s with people like Alan Moulder, Flood and Mark Stent. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I then left and joined another studio where I met a producer called Ian Broudie and ended up recording his album in Belgium and working with him for about ten years after that, on albums for Northside, Terry Hall, The Lightening Seeds, The Wendys, The Wedding Present, The Birthday Party and The Fall, among others. The Fall I worked with a lot afterwards, and The Wedding Present.

28 29 MIPro176 Artist Interview_final.indd 1

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Ian then started doing more with The Lightening Seeds, so I moved down to London from Liverpool and worked with Stephen Street. I started specialising in mixing, with bands like Editors, Snow Patrol â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we had a couple of big hits with them, including â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Chasing Carsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

I also started doing a number of alternative/indie mixes for the likes of Late of the Pier, Klaxons, that kind of thing.â&#x20AC;?

After more than 20 years in the business, Townshend has amassed an impressive haul of mixing and

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The music shop on the high street is incredibly important; although you can buy things off the Internet, if you havenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t tried the SLHFH RI NLW Ë&#x2039;UVW \RXȢUH OHVV OLNHO\ WR buy it. Unfortunately, a lot of people walk into a shop, try it and then buy ÂŁ3 cheaper elsewhere. Hopefully things will change and people will start to add value to a shop that can give after-sale service and steer them in the right direction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Without them [MI stores] things would have been very different for me. We recorded all over the place

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The music shop on the high street is incredibly important. Without them, things would have been very different for me.â&#x20AC;? recording tools, having developed something of an obsession with vintage gear. He regularly frequents MI stores in search of new equipment and the proverbial hidden gem. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It began with collecting guitar pedals and amps, and ended up with having two studios! I found that young bands we were working with back then werenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t able to have JUHDW DPSOLË&#x2039;HUV DQG ZHUH UHDOO\ into pedals, so by providing good DPSOLË&#x2039;HUV ZH JRW D JUHDW VRXQG IRU them and by providing interesting pedals we got them really creatively enthused.â&#x20AC;?

The shifting buying habits of consumers from high street to the web since the turn of the century arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lost on Townshend.

DQG ZHȢG DOZD\V JR DQG Ë&#x2039;QG WKH local music shops, whether it was WR EX\ VWULQJV Ë&#x2039;QG D GUXPKHDG RU buy a tuner. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d often end up Ë&#x2039;QGLQJ D JHP LW ZDV H[FLWLQJ DQG youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d come away from that shop with something. Now thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s less of that because everything is delivered to you; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot more clinical. It doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the same romance.â&#x20AC;?

Among the essential brands Townshend has come to rely upon throughout his career is Palmer. $V D ORQJ WLPH XVHU RI WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV products, he is quick to point out the central role the brand has come to play in his work. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been using Palmer since the early â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;90s. A friend of mine whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a guitar builder told me to try out this thing called a Speaker

Simulator, which to me was an alien concept; the only way to get a guitar sound is to put a microphone in front of a speaker. However, I ended up using them enormously, particularly when we were in the studio recording backing tracks. To get separation from the instruments I would plug the simulator â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the PDI03 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; between the guitaristâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amp and his speaker and while they were rehearsing theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d have WKHLU DPSOLË&#x2039;HUV RQ DQG , FRXOG JHW D headphone balance for them. Then just before the take Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d go round and disconnect their speaker, because WKH 3', ORDGV WKH DPSOLË&#x2039;HU 7KH DPSOLË&#x2039;HU GRHVQȢW PLQG KDYLQJ WKDW â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just take a speaker out RI DQ DPSOLË&#x2039;HU RU GLVFRQQHFW LW IURP the circuit because it will blow up WKH DPSOLË&#x2039;HU Č&#x; \RX KDYH WR KDYH a proper choke or something that takes the load and the Palmer did that very well. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been running my HiWatts for ten years with these simulators and nothing has gone wrong â&#x20AC;&#x201C; completely trustworthy. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Half the time, when I would disconnect the speaker, the bands wouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even notice. All Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve given him is the sound of the Simulator in his headphones, so I can pull the speaker, have a silent room to record drums in and the guitar player doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even realise. Also, for bass, they are amazing. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re at home and want to record a good bass and you want more than a DI, one of these is invaluable. Even in WKH VWXGLR , Ë&#x2039;QG D ORW RI WKH WLPH it sounds better than a speaker, as you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get any of the artifacts of

15/12/2014 12:10

the speaker crapping out, or if you want a clean bass sound without any distortion itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s amazing. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s almost became a trademark for me. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Another thing theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got is WKH )DW DPSOLË&#x2039;HU ,WȢV OLNH DQ ROG vintage amp thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s built like a brick shithouse. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s got an incredible reverb and I use it a lot just for that.

Through a simulator Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll then send stuff from Pro Tools to it; vocals, guitars, anything. I can either overdrive it for the guitars or just use it for the reverb â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clean, and obviously itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s valve so it introduces third harmonic distortion. I was amazed at how good it was.â&#x20AC;?

Townshend was recently LQWURGXFHG WR WKH Ë&#x2039;UPȢV +HDGSKRQH $PSOLË&#x2039;HU DQRWKHU SURGXFW ZLWK which he was previously unfamiliar but has since become a key part of his set-up. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We were sent it to evaluate it and it was amazing, although it shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be amazing really, because with these bits of kit that you buy with a headphone output, JHQHUDOO\ LWȢV D IDLUO\ FKHDS DPSOLË&#x2039;HU thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s involved â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as small as possible and creates as little heat as possible, whereas if youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve got D EHVSRNH KHDGSKRQH DPSOLË&#x2039;HU externally you have a lot more room and generally it sounds ten times better. I had no idea as to the difference it can make; it really is quite an eye-opener. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not harsh and it can go incredibly loud without distorting or hurting your ears. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d recommend it to anyone. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have another thing called a Line Driver that enables us to

28 29 MIPro176 Artist Interview_final.indd 2

send guitar signals through long distances without any loss. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a line drive booster.â&#x20AC;?

Palmer aside, he regularly calls upon a number of other staple components.

altogether different experience for musicians, as opposed to working solely from their laptops. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Technically, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a different thing. I remember tape machines in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s would cost about ÂŁ80,000,

Townshend continues to rely on vintage, analogue gear in the studio â&#x20AC;&#x153;I use Pro Tools every day and I have an HDX system; I use a Solid State Logic desk but I also use a lot of old Neve compressors and equalizers. I use a company called Cartec â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Liam Carter from Cartec makes some great equalizers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; valve and solid state. For reverbs I use a Ë&#x2039;UP FDOOHG %ULFDVWL DORQJ ZLWK ROG school Lexicon reverbs.â&#x20AC;?

With a penchant for vintage gear, Townshend believes that a professional studio offers an

now not even the biggest Pro Tools rig in the world would cost. In the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s, Trident was charging around ÂŁ1,200 per day, not because they were making a fortune but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what the gear cost.â&#x20AC;?

He is, however, keen to emphasise that great results can still be obtained outside of the conventional studio. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You look at OK Computer by Radiohead. They rented a house in Bath and set up a studio in a

ballroom and a library and recorded.

You can still make fantastic records without a professional studio, but the know how really helps.â&#x20AC;?

Through mixing such a diverse array of artists during his career, Townshend has become accustomed to working in variety of ways to suit the needs of the performer. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interesting, working with people like Mark E Smith. They know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s expected and what they want. â&#x20AC;&#x153;If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re mic-ing up a kit and he thinks it sounds too posh, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll MXVW JR LQ DQG WDNH DZD\ Ë&#x2039;YH PLFV He wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know what they are or what theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing, heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll just think thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re too many. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been in a room with the guitarist, and he came up behind him with a mic boom stand and starts to hit the guitar while heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s playing, because in his opinion it was sounding too accomplished. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Once he appeared behind the backing singers with a megaphone and started shouting at them during a take. You can get nervous in those situations, but it produces things that are different.â&#x20AC;?

With a raft of projects in the pipeline, it looks like 2015 will be another busy year for Townshend.

Recent mixes for the likes of George Ezra, The Maccabees and Jamie T continue to illustrate both his versatility and widespread appeal.

And with a new, high-end mixing facility almost complete, his reputation as one of the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most in demand mixers looks set grow further still.

15/12/2014 12:10

15 – 18. 4. 2015

H

p t m C o r

w i T

GB

Find out more at: www.musikmesse.com info@uk.messefrankfurt.com Tel. +44 (0) 14 83 48 39 83

59864-001_MM_allg_MI Pro news_460x315_GB • CD-Rom • ISO 39 • CMYK • cp: 16.12.2014

Exciting trends and developments, all sorts of instruments and equipment, plus thousands of musicians and music-lovers – Musikmesse in Frankfurt is the largest international trade fair for manufacturers and distributors of musical instruments, sheet music, hardware, software and accessories.

Come and visit Musikmesse 2015 and discover over 95,000 square metres of exciting new ideas. A new feature at Musikmesse is the B2B area for retailers, offering a stylish and relaxed atmosphere for business meetings.

DU: 16.12.2014

Hands on music

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

32 MIPRO

CLASSICAL

Classical gas As something of a niche market, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fair to say that the classical sector operates outside of the PDLQVWUHDP 0, WUDGH :KDWČ V WUXH RI WKH PRUH JHQHUDO JXLWDU DQG DPSOLË&#x2030;FDWLRQ PDUNHWV ZRQČ W QHFHVVDULO\ DSSO\ WR WKRVH LQ WKH EXVLQHVV RI YLROLQV DQG FHOORV 7R Ë&#x2030;QG RXW PRUH DERXW WKH VWDWH of the classical market, MI Pro tracked down some of its leading brands, suppliers and retailers to paint a clearer picture of how itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s coping with todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s conditions and what we can expect over the next 12 monthsâ&#x20AC;Ś

DENNIS DRUMM,

Managing director, JHS ONCE ONE moves out of the starter arena, the classical guitar market is probably one of the most stable categories, which is a way of saying itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s become an important niche. Millions of young players start on the almost ubiquitous â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;three-quarter nylon strung guitarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The journey those folks are starting out on shows that the starter market is a huge feeder for guitar playing generally.

The market has suffered a little, perhaps from other â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;more excitingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; WKLQJV ZKLFK Ë&#x2030;JKW IRU \RXQJ SHRSOHČ V attention. Even the electric guitar is seen as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;coolerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, which is a shame as WKRVH WKDW PDNH WKH GLVFRYHU\ Ë&#x2030;QG WKDW while the nylon strung guitar per se is a speciality, broken down into concert and Ë&#x160;DPHQFR LW FUHDWHV WUXO\ H[FLWLQJ PXVLF Drawing new players is crucial and some of the real drivers for this market are accessibility, availability and affordability. It seems that for some VWRUHV DSDUW IURP WKH VHDVRQDO Ë&#x160;RRG of starter packs and the specialists, the classical guitar is somewhere between an afterthought and an irritation, which is a terrible shame. Classical guitar is heard in every musical style.

With everyone looking for business, perhaps itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s time for guitar sellers to refresh their approach and shock customers by talking about classics to all the guitarists who wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t expect it!

32 33 MiPro176 Feature Classical_final.indd 19

LIZ WILKES,

BRUCE PERRIN,

Marketing director, Stentor Music

Managing director, Barnes & Mullins

AS A MANUFACTURER Stentor NHHSV LWV Ë&#x2030;QJHU RQ WKH SXOVH OLVWHQLQJ to teachers and feedback from its customers. The general economic climate has been tough for retailers but the strings market remains stable, with 2014 being a good year for stringed orchestral instruments sales overall.

Consumers may be watching their spending but they are choosing quality brands they can trust. We continually invest in all our Stentor models to ensure our high standards of quality, reliability and good tonality.

Stentor violins, violas, cellos and basses are always in demand; classical instruments are now played in more different styles of music than ever before, in bands and in orchestras, so we are seeing our market continue to grow.

We support many of our customers who run successful rental schemes and many children are still learning through small group lessons at school.

Each year a new batch of young string SOD\HUV VWDUW RXW RQ WKHLU 6WHQWRU Ë&#x2030;UVW instrument. At Stentor we encourage and keep new players by offering a full range of instruments.

We would like to encourage more UHWDLOHUV DQG VXSSOLHUV WR Ë&#x2030;QG ZD\V to get involved with teachers and music hubs. We are happy to support initiatives to create more musicians.

STUDENT INSTRUMENTS have seen a moderate increase, with mid WR KLJK HQG SURGXFWV VDOHV SUHWW\ Ë&#x160;DW The market has faired very well overall, certainly when compared to certain other areas such as contemporary electric instruments.

Growth of our Jose Ferrer classical guitar range continues year-on-year.

It is priced well in the market but not really a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;starter kitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This is a misnomer for a classical guitar, as all you need is the guitar and a guitar bag. There are cheaper guitars available but as so often is the case, cheaper models do more harm than good.

The garbage sold by some charity shops should labelled as a health hazard or taken away for kindling. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a shame that so many youngsters fall at WKH Ë&#x2030;UVW IHQFH GXH WR JXLWDU UDWKHU WKDQ their ability. Such a large proportion of cheap guitars purchased at Christmas are under the bed by New Yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eve. That means the remaining minority take-up fuels the ongoing sales of trade-ups, strings, capos, cases etc.

Imagine the increase in sales across the board if we could increase the overall WDNH XS E\ WZR SHU FHQW RU Ë&#x2030;YH SHU FHQW" In an ideal world, we would get rid of the low quality starter products, ensure quality student instruments and watch the growth take care of itself.

15/12/2014 20:31

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 33

CLASSICAL

JUSTIN WAGSTAFF,

Managing director, Presto Classical

THE BOWED string market has faired reasonably well, both in the last 12 months, as well as through the darkest days of the recession.

As a company, The Sound Post has grown consistently for the last three years. We KDYH QRWLFHG D VLJQLˉFDQW geographical split in the market.

Retailers in London and the South East have faired much better than those in the rest of the country. Instrument sales have faired well and we have noticed an increase in the

WE’VE DONE well over the past 12 months and turnover is up seven per cent on the previous year. We’ve had to work very hard for that business though, putting on special events and trade stands, and we’ve also taken a small margin hit in order to remain really attractively priced. Overall we’re happy, though.

I think the market is fairly robust. People have perhaps bought different models than they would have done before the recession, but equally I suspect some people have held off buying more expensive items, such as cars, so have kept behind more money to spend on music and musical instruments than they otherwise would have been able to do.

Digital pianos have been good, especially models at the lower end. Wind and brass are stable but orchestral strings are slightly down.

We sell a lot of instruments to children and adults early on in their playing journeys. We don’t tend to focus on kits, but instead prefer to cater our sales VSHFLˉFDOO\ WR WKDW SDUWLFXODU customer’s needs. We avoid the very cheap end of the market.

It is crucial to attract new people to take up instruments.

Traditionally we’ve relied on schools to help with this, but increasingly that’s not producing the number of players it used to. That’s why initiatives like Learn to Play day are so important. I think trying to spread the impact of Learn to Play Day beyond the one day would be great so people have more opportunities to see, hear and be inspired by music, and then want to emulate that.

“Instrument sales have faired well and we’ve noticed an increase in the value of orders.” average value of orders placed with us. Sales of accessories, especially strings, are up, although top-end instruments have been slow but are starting to pick up.

The bulk of our instrument sales are in the starter-end bracket. The Primavera range continues to be popular with teachers and students alike.

Our intermediate instruments from Eastman Strings are always a popular next step up, and we have struggled to meet demand in one or two lines.

It is absolutely vital to attract new players. The future of music depends upon getting new musicians into strings.

With so many pressures on teaching in schools, we need to do everything that we can to help encourage music in schools.

32 33 MiPro176 Feature Classical_final2.indd 20

CHRIS O’REILLY

Commercial director, The Sound Post

16/12/2014 15:58

$ERYH 6WXDUW 6SHFWRU VKRZV RII RQH RI WKH Ë&#x2030;UPÈ V EDVVHV IURP KLV :RRGVWRFN 1HZ <RUN EDVHG ZRUNVKRS

34 35 MIPro176_Barnes&Mullins_final.indd 1

16/12/2014 14:55

INTERVIEW

Touching bass

)RU PRUH WKDQ \HDUV 6WXDUW 6SHFWRU KDV GHYRWHG KLV WLPH WR EXLOGLQJ VRPH RI WKH Ë&#x2030;QHVW EDVV guitars on the market. Ronnie Dungan visited the Spector chief at his New York workshop to GLVFXVV WKH Ë&#x2030;UPČ V KHULWDJH DQG ZKDW WKH IXWXUH KROGV IRU WKH EDVV VSHFLDOLVWȨ CERTAIN PEOPLE in the MI market are not really comfortable with the idea of being in the limelight, preferring to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;let their products do the talkingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. This can be dull in the extreme. Especially when their products have little to VD\ LQ WKH Ë&#x2039;UVW SODFH ,W DOVR PDNHV for a bad interview experience.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s nothing worse than having to drag information out of people who would rather be elsewhere.

Thank heavens then, for Stuart Spector. You know from the moment you meet him that there will be no such problems getting him to talk about..wellâ&#x20AC;Śanything.

His passion for his work and life in general comes rattling through abundantly in every sentence.

He has made his work his life and vice versa. And thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s probably the secret to his success, which started in 1973 when he made his Ë&#x2039;UVW LQVWUXPHQW EHIRUH EHFRPLQJ D ERQD Ë&#x2039;GH EXVLQHVV LQ Speaking in his workshop in upstate New York, where he has granted us an audience, he tells MI Pro how it all got going: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Originally I was part of a Brooklyn woodworkers cooperative. A friend of mine, Billy Thomas, whose family came from Wales DQG ZHUH Ë&#x2039;YH RU VL[ JHQHUDWLRQV RI woodworkers, taught me how to do woodwork. He was very proud that everybody in his family had PDLQWDLQHG DOO WKHLU Ë&#x2039;QJHUV IRU

34 35 MIPro176_Barnes&Mullins_final.indd 2

all those years. Woodworking machinery must be shown respect and we have a great safety record. â&#x20AC;&#x153;He and I and some others were forming a woodworkers cooperative shop, which rented a 4,000 sq ft loft space in an old factory building in Brooklyn. â&#x20AC;&#x153;One of the members of the group was Ned Steinberger, who Billy and I met when we went to look at some machinery. He asked to join our group and we found a 10 ft by 5 ft space for him in the

endurance specialist and sometime bass player, Sting who provided the brandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s breakthrough into the mainstream back in the eighties. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A dealer in St Louis ordered a white neck-through bass to coincide with The Police tour; he knew when they came through town he was going to show it to them. And Dan Martin, who unfortunately has passed away, had a white limousine, which he drove himself and had bribed all the security guards at the St

Ȣ:H DUH FXUUHQWO\ UHVHDUFKLQJ FDUYHG WRS DFRXVWLF LQVWUXPHQWV :H ZLOO EH PDNLQJ DUFK WRS EDVVHV ZKLFK FDQ EH SOD\HG DFRXVWLFDOO\ ČŁ corner of the shop. He observed me building instruments and said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;I bet I could design somethingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;.

About a week later he came back with the prototype of the NS bass.

The curved body was part of his training in ergonomics, form and function and how it then reacts to the body.â&#x20AC;?

6R WKH Ë&#x2039;UVW 6SHFWRU EDVV ZDV QRW in any way a reaction to what was already on the market? â&#x20AC;&#x153;No, it was completely original in terms of his concept and his experience.â&#x20AC;?

It was, of all people, rainforestbothering, Geordie sexual

Louis Arena. So when bands came through town, he would drive into the St Louis Arena during soundcheck, drive to the front of the stage, open the trunk, put out all these toys on the apron of the stage and go â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;OK guys, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re halfway through the tour, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made yourself some money, time to buy yourself some toysâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. And he showed the white bass to Stingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tech. He handed it to Sting who played it all through soundcheck and the show, handed it back to the techs and as the limo was leaving, Sting pointed to Dan and said â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;write that man a cheque.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;?

From then on, save for some trademark disputes with Kramer in the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;80s (but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another story), the brand has never looked back.

As well as its New York workshop, Spector instruments are also manufactured in the Czech Republic and South Korea. These ranges are distributed in the UK by Barnes & Mullins. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They have a history of precision manufacturing in the Czech Republic. We also work with a wonderful factory in South Korea World Musical Instruments.â&#x20AC;?

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s NAMM promises to be an interesting one for the Ë&#x2039;UP DV LW KDV D IHZ VXUSULVHV XS its sleeve with a new range of instruments made from reclaimed wood. There is even talk of moving into the acoustic guitar market. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re researching carved top acoustic instruments. For years weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve made some electric guitars and the challenge has been Ë&#x2039;WWLQJ WKHP LQWR WKH SURGXFWLRQ schedule. But in this carved top thing, we will be making acoustic arch-top basses that can be played acoustically.â&#x20AC;?

Some 40 years after he started, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s clear that Spectorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s enthusiasm is undimmed and heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not done trying new things either. And heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll never be done talking. Amen to that.

Read an extended version of this interview on www.mi-pro.co.uk.

16/12/2014 14:55

Ad Template_Layout 1 10/12/2014 10:26 Page 1

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 37

EFFECTS PEDALS

MI PRO

RETAIL ESSENTIALS

CHORD DL-50 DELAY PEDAL 7KH ˉUPȠV GHOD\ VWRPS ER[ KDV EHFRPH RQH RI LWV EHVW VHOOHUV VLQFH ODQGLQJ RQ WKH PDUNHW

C

hord, part of the AVSL Group, is well established within the pro udio, AV and MI markets. In recent years, the brand has branched out into a wide range of affordable musical instruments and accessories, and the selection continues to grow on a monthly basis.

The brand offers a variety of ranges of effects pedals, but the standout best sellers are by far the ‘50’ series of die-cast metal effects.

The range has been engineered to hark back

to the early days of stageproof effects pedals, utilising discreet circuitry, analogue preamps and a sturdy die-cast housing. It is powered using a 9V battery or optional mains adaptor.

The DL-50 is designed to serve as a versatile delay effect pedal, offering users both echo and doubling effects. A number of vintage delay effects are also made possible, from rockabilly slap-back to the multi rhythmic pulse of U2’s Edge, as well as Brian May’s ‘Brighton Rock’ solo effect.

REVIEWS: GUITAR INTERACTIVE:

4/5

“With a warm, organic sound and decent build quality we can’t see why this humble delay pedal couldn’t become a mainstay of any well-rounded effects setup.”

ALSO IN THE RANGE: DL-50 DELAY PEDAL DS -50 DISTORTION PEDAL OD -50 OVERDRIVE PEDAL HM -50 HEAVY METAL PEDAL MT-50 METAL DRIVER PEDAL SD -50 SUPER DISTORTION PEDAL CM -50 COMPRESSOR PEDAL GE -50 GRAPHIC EQ PEDAL PH -50 PHASER PEDAL FL-50 FLANGER PEDAL CH -50 CHORUS PEDAL BCH -50 BASS CHORUS PEDAL TU -50 PEDAL TUNER RV-50 DIGITAL REVERB PEDAL TR-50 TREMOLO PEDAL OC-50 OCTAVE PEDAL NG -50 NOISE GATE PEDAL RVP -50 STEREO VOLUME PEDAL

FACTS & FIGURES Power supply: 9V PP3 battery or optional PSU Delay time: up to 800ms Controls: Delay time, feedback and delay level

37 MiPro Recommended Chord RH_final.indd 35

Housing: Die-cast metal Dimensions: 80 x 130 x 55mm Weight: 620g

RRP £34.99 RRP £24.99 RRP £34.99 RRP £44.99 RRP £28.99 RRP £44.99 RRP £24.99 RRP £34.99 RRP £26.99 RRP £26.99 RRP £26.99 RRP £44.99 RPP £34.99 RRP £74.99 RRP £54.99 RRP £49.99 RRP £44.99 RRP £20.99

Contacts Address: AVSL Group Ltd, Containerbase, Barton Dock Rd, Manchester, M41 7BQ, UK Tel: 0845 270 2411 Email: sales@avslgroup.com Web: www.avslgroup.com

15/12/2014 12:47

MiPro175_HOUSE ADVERT_temp.indd 4

20/11/2014 12:54

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 39

EFFECTS PEDALS

MI PRO

RETAIL ESSENTIALS

XVIVE XV5 DELAY PEDAL

We take a close look at some of the most prominent effects units available on the market for guitar and bass.

D

esigned by US electronics specialist, Howard Davis, the Xvive range of micro-effects has enjoyed a great deal of success over the last few months, says the Ë&#x2039;UP SURYLGLQJ RSWLPLVHG tones aimed at offering guitarists a plethora of unique sounds.

The XV5 Delay pedal, RQH RI WKH Ë&#x152;DJVKLSV RI WKH new range, has garnered acclaim on account of its warm, vintage delay sounds, which makes the product suitable for just about any style of music, as well as its competitive price tag.

Dedicated echo, feedback and time controls provide easy access to a myriad of classic delay and echo settings, from snappy slapback to â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;arenaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; guitar solo sounds.

Its compact, rugged metal chassis renders it ready for the rigours of life on the road, and true bypass operation helps to keep the guitar tone preserved when not in use.

Compatible with the majority of nine-volt power supply units, the XV5 retails at ÂŁ52.99.

FACTS & FIGURES RRP: ÂŁ52.99 Sound: Warm, vintage delay Control: Echo, feedback and time controls Bypass: True bypass Power: 9V DC power supply required Current Draw: 10mA Chassis: Compact, rugged metal Size: 46w x 94d x 50h

ALSO IN THE RANGE: XV1 CLASSIC ROCK XV2 DISTORTION XV3 METAL XV4 FUZZ SCREAMER XV6 PHASER KING XV7 TUBE DRIVE XV8 CHORUS VIBRATO XV9 LEMON SQUEEZER COMPRESSOR XV10 AMP LITONE ( BOOST ) XV11 NOISE GATE XV12 ABY MINI XV13 MINI DI XV15 TONE SHAPER EQUALISER XPT03 PEDAL TUNER XW1 WAVE PHASER XW2 OVERDRIVE FUZZ XD1 MAXVERB

39 MiPro176 Recommended - Xvive_final.indd 31

RRP ÂŁ46.99 RRP ÂŁ46.99 RRP ÂŁ46.99 RRP ÂŁ46.99 RRP ÂŁ46.99 RRP ÂŁ46.99 RRP ÂŁ49.99 RRP ÂŁ49.99 RRP ÂŁ49.99 RRP ÂŁ49.99 RRP ÂŁ45.99 RRP ÂŁ45.99 RRP ÂŁ47.99 RRP ÂŁ32.99 RRP ÂŁ105 RRP ÂŁ105 RRP ÂŁ59.99

Contacts Address: John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd, Salem House, Parkinson Approach, Garforth, Leeds LS25 2HR, UK Email: info@jhs.co.uk Web: www.jhs.co.uk

15/12/2014 20:45

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

40 MIPRO

EFFECTS PEDALS

MI PRO

RETAIL ESSENTIALS

FRET-KING KLASSIC DRIVE PEDAL 7KH Ë&#x2030;UPČ V SHGDO UDQJH PDUNV JXLWDU GHVLJQHU 7UHY :LONLQVRQČ V Ë&#x2030;UVW IRUD\ LQWR WKH ZRUOG RI HIIHFWV VWRPS ER[HV

T

rev Wilkinson is known in the guitar world for his guitar hardware and pickups, which are designed to deliver optimised tonality and sound quality. His approach to building guitars, and his ability to think outside of every design box, is now presented in the FretKing range of FX pedals.

With the emphasis set Ë&#x2039;UPO\ RQ WRQH :LONLQVRQ has instilled his boutique ethos into the pedals.

Each effect has been comprehensively researched and benchmarked against a collection of original vintage pedals and devices.

Meticulously and authentically voiced, FretKing FX Pedals aim to deliver tones that users will be able to recognise straight out of the box.

The Fret-King FKKD Klassic Drive (ÂŁ79.99) has been engineered to deliver a full, smooth low gain tone that can also be used to break your clean tone up, or to drive your valve amp at crucial moments.

The Klassic Drive is suitable for a range of genres, anything from classic rock rhythms all the way through to blues noodling and jazz chords.

FACTS & FIGURES RRP: ÂŁ79.99 Inputs: 2 On/Off: Foot switchable LED: Effects On/Off Casing: Die cast aluminium Battery: 9V included Adapter: Not supplied Controls: Gain, Tone, Level

REVIEWS: GUITARIST:

GUITAR INTERACTIVE:

MUSIC RADAR:

4.5/5 4.5/5 4.5/5 Guitarist Choice Award

Contacts Address: John Hornby Skewes & Co. Ltd, Salem House, Parkinson Approach, Garforth, Leeds LS25 2HR, UK Email: info@jhs.co.uk Web: www.jhs.co.uk

40 MI Pro Recommended Fret-King_final.indd 40

ALSO IN THE RANGE: FKCB CLEAN BOOST FKDXXX DISTORTION XXX FKLD LINE DOCTOR FKPB POWER BOOST FKWW CLASSIC WAH

RRP ÂŁ59.99 RRP ÂŁ79.99 RRP ÂŁ59.99 RRP ÂŁ59.99 RRP ÂŁ89.99

15/12/2014 12:22

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

MIPRO 41

EFFECTS PEDALS

MI PRO

RETAIL ESSENTIALS

AGUILAR CHORUSAURUS 7KH Ë&#x2030; UPČ V EDVV FKRUXV SHGDO PDUNV WKH PRVW UHFHQW DGGLWLRQ WR LWV ); IDPLO\

D

esigned to provide warm, rich tones, the Chorusaurus utilises analogue, bucket-brigade technology to deliver optimised, organic chorusing. Housed within a robust metal casing, it has been carefully crafted LQ $JXLODUȢV WK Ë&#x152; RRU 1HZ York workshops.

Unlike many other bass chorus pedals, the Chorusaurus aims to give bassists unparalleled control of their tone with an intuitive four-knob OD\RXW %/(1' FRQWUROV the ratio of dry and wet signals, with unique â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;over 50 per cent wetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; settings DYDLODEOH IRU WKH Ë&#x2039; UVW WLPH 7KH 5$7( ,17(16,7< DQG WIDTH controls provide maximum tonal sculpting.

Users can dial in subtle swirling textures, extreme chorusing or anything in between. It has also been engineered to be incredibly quiet with minimal noise coming from its circuitry.

The Aguilar $PSOLË&#x2039; FDWLRQ EUDQG LV dedicated to using superior engineering processes to offer the best possible options for bass players.

By designing and manufacturing items such as heads, cabinets, preamps, pickups and effects pedals, the 1HZ <RUN EDVHG WHDP contributes to a great many aspects of the sound of the bass guitar.

Aguilar approaches every product that they manufacture with what it describes as â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;real worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; musical understanding.

The APCH Chorusaurus is now available from Barnes & Mullins now with an RRP of ÂŁ215.00

41 MiPro176 Recommended Aguila_final.indd 34

FACTS & FIGURES RRP: ÂŁ215 Controls: Blend, Rate, Intensity, Width Casing: Robust metal

ALSO IN THE RANGE: TLC COMPRESSOR OCTAMIZER OCTAVE PEDAL FILTER TWIN PEDAL AGRO BASS OVERDRIVE TONE HAMMER PREAMP / DI BOX

Contacts

Address: Grays Inn House, Unit 14, Mile Oak Industrial Estate, Oswestry, Shropshire, SY10 8GA Tel: 01691 668310 Web: http://bandm.co.uk/ Email: alex.mew@bandm.co.uk

15/12/2014 20:39

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

42 MIPRO

EFFECTS PEDALS

MI PRO

RETAIL ESSENTIALS

SEYMOUR DUNCAN 805 OVERDRIVE

Our focus on the effects pedals market continues with a look at one of Seymour Duncanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prominent models.

T

KH Ë&#x2039; UVW WKLQJ WR QRWLFH DERXW WKH 6H\PRXU 'XQFDQ 2YHUGULYH LV WKH WKUHH VPDOO NQREV XQGHU WKH /HYHO DQG 'ULYH NQREV 7KHVH DUH (4 FRQWUROV ZKLFK JR EH\RQG WKH VLPSOH ORZ SDVV Ë&#x2039; OWHU WRQH NQRE IRXQG RQ PRVW RYHUGULYHV 7KHVH DFWLYH FRQWUROV DOORZ XVHUV WR ERRVW RU FXW VSHFLË&#x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Ȣ VRXQG ZLWK IXOO RYHUWRQHV RU WR SURYLGH KDUPRQLFDOO\ ULFK KHDY\ JDLQ ZLWK ZDUP WXEH FKDUDFWHU ,W KDV EHHQ H[WHQVLYHO\ GHYHORSHG DQG UHË&#x2039; QHG WR SXVK WKH IURQW HQG RI DQ DOUHDG\ GLVWRUWHG DPS JLYLQJ SOHQW\ RI RXWSXW DQG WRQH VKDSLQJ FDSDELOLW\ :KHWKHU \RXȢUH ORRNLQJ IRU ULQJLQJ FOHDQV D VXEWOH ERRVW IDW FUXQFK RU VXVWDLQLQJ VROR WRQHV WKH LV EXLOW WR GHOLYHU RQ DOO IURQWV

FACTS & FIGURES RRP: ÂŁ159 inc. VAT Distortion Circuitry: Glass diode, back-to-back stack.

Bypass: True bypass â&#x20AC;&#x201C; unimpeded path from input to output Gain Control Range: 8dB to 36dB. EQ Centre Frequencies: â&#x20AC;˘ Bass - 90 Hz +/- 11dB â&#x20AC;˘ Mid - 750 Hz +/- 11dB â&#x20AC;˘ Treble - 2.1 kHz +/12dB Power: 9V battery or external 9 to 18V Regulated DC Adapter, centre negative â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so that the most common adaptors can be used Current consumption: 4.5mA Dimensions: 2.61â&#x20AC;? X 4.90â&#x20AC;?

X 1.45â&#x20AC;?

Top mounted jacks Designed and assembled in Santa Barbara, California Supplied with: Velcro and rubber pads. Red stickers for favourite settings

REVIEWS GUITARIST:

4.5/5

GUITAR & BASS MAGAZINE:

88% Contacts

Address: 4 Blackwell Drive, Springwood Industrial Estate, Braintree, Essex. CM7 2QJ Web: www.rosetti.co.uk Tel: 01376 550033 Email: sales@rosetti.co.uk

42 MIPro176 Recommended_seymour_final.indd 40

ALSO IN THE RANGE:

DIRTY DEED DISTORTION VAPOR TRAIL ANALOGUE DELAY PICKUP BOOSTER SHAPE SHIFTER STEREO TREMOLO VISE GRIP COMPRESSOR

RRP ÂŁ139.95 RRP ÂŁ149.95 RRP ÂŁ109.95 RRP ÂŁ219.95 RRP ÂŁ179.95

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EFFECTS PEDALS

MI PRO

RETAIL ESSENTIALS

MOVALL CENTIPEDE ANALOGUE DELAY PEDAL The Centipede delay unit marks the latest addition to the company’s Mini-Demon range of effects pedals

T

he inspiration behind Movall comes from a group of music industry professionals with a common aim to create new and interesting, high quality effects pedals at affordable prices. Established for just one year, Movall has an experienced team of engineers on board with years of music industry experience between them.

The Movall Centipede is a new pedal from the Mini-Demon series and is a classic analogue delay in a tiny package - the pedal itself is only 93 x 38 x 32mm and weighs just 260g. The Centipede requires a live 9V supply. Most pedal board power supplies will suit, and a dedicated power supply is also available.

The Centipede is designed to offer total control over the classic analogue delay functions, such as level, repeat and delay time, which makes it suitable for creating psychedelic tones, atmospheric soundscapes and a gentle reverb.

In common with all pedals from Movall’s Mini-Demon series, The Centipede shares a set of key features, such as compact design, tough zincalloy casing, true bypass, LED illuminated control knob, optimised tone and an affordable price tag.

FACTS & FIGURES RRP: £37.95 LED illuminated Dial: Indicates when the pedal is on Compact Dimensions: 93mm x 38mm x 32mm Casing: Tough zinc alloy outer casing Controls: Level, Delay, Repeat and Time Impedance: 500k Input 10k Output Power: 9V via AC Adaptor Only (40mA) Weight: 260g

ALSO IN THE RANGE: SCORPION: HIGH GAIN DISTORTION PEDAL HORNET: DYNAMIC OVERDRIVE PEDAL FIREFLY: WARM OVERDRIVE PEDAL CENTIPEDE: ANALOGUE DELAY PEDAL BUSY BEE: PREAMP BOOST PEDAL BLACK WIDOW: ULTIMATE OVERDRIVE PEDAL VANGOLEM: CLASSIC PHASE PEDAL CHORAL MERMAID: CLASSIC CHORUS PEDAL OCTOPUZZ: CRAZY FUZZ PEDAL MINOTAUR: LEGENDARY OVERDRIVE ICE YETI: RETRO DISTORTION PEDAL PLEXITROLL: HIGH GAIN DISTORTION PEDAL

RRP £37.95 RRP £37.95 RRP £37.95 RRP £37.95 RRP £37.95 RRP £37.95 RRP £39.95 RRP £39.95 RRP £37.95 RRP £39.95 RRP £37.95 RRP £37.95

Contacts Address: Rosetti, 4 Blackwell Drive, Springwood Industrial Estate, Braintree, Essex, CM7 2QJ Web: www.rosetti.co.uk Tel: 01376 550033

43 MiPro176 Recommended_movall_final.indd 34

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RETAIL

5HWDLO SURË&#x2030;OH P49 Mystery shopper P50 New gear P53

Sax, wind and brass superstore to open in 2015 London premises to be shared by Sax.co.uk, All Flutes Plus and Phil Parker A NEW 10,000 sq ft brass and woodwind superstore is set to open its doors in 2015.

Located on Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Hampstead Road, the new store, named SaxWindBrass.london, will be shared by Sax.co.uk, All Flutes Plus and brass specialist Phil Parker.

The move was instigated by Sax.co.uk, following its recent relocation from Denmark Street ahead of its impending demolition as part of the controversial Crossrail development. Having previously paid rental fees below the existing UDWH IRU WKH DUHD WKH Ë&#x2039;UP ZDV unable to afford current rental costs, which it would have been forced to pay had it stayed put.

Speaking to MI Pro, Sax.co.uk director, Phill Straker, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are sad to be leaving Denmark Street, but ours is the only shop to be demolished as part of the Crossrail development and the alternatives offered were smaller and far more expensive, so I do worry about the long term future of Denmark St. I keep hearing that the landlords want to retain the music dealers but I fear that in the long-term market forces will prevail and rents will be beyond the reach of the MI industry.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a fabulous development that will attract thousands of shoppers and that will make surrounding properties more desirable and even more expensive. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Recognising that our competition is not the music

The new London superstore will be occupied by Sax.co.uk, All Flutes Plus and brass specialist Phil Parker shop down the road but Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive computer, gaming, fashion and bike superstores, we

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our competition is not the music shop down the road but Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impressive computer, gaming, fashion and bike superstores.â&#x20AC;? wanted to offer brass and woodwind buyers a similar retail experience.â&#x20AC;?

Having weighed up his options, 6WUDNHU EHOLHYHV WKDW WKH Ë&#x2039;UP KDV found an ideal new home. â&#x20AC;&#x153;After an extensive search we found a huge ex-furniture showroom less than a mile from where we are now but at almost 10,000 sq.ft it was just far too big. I contacted two other leading retailers who could each compliment the othersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; business .â&#x20AC;?

The other two brands in question are All Flutes Plus and Phil Parkerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s.

7KH IRUPHU ZLOO EH RSHQLQJ D Ë&#x152;XWH and clarinet showroom called The Vibe, while the latter is relocating from its current Marylebone

showroom in Crawford St. Phil Parker, was recently acquired by WT Music, which owns Buckinghamshire-based Prozone Music. Commenting on the move, WT Music coordinator, Tom Watson, said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The chance to take Phil Parker into this luxurious centre is one we jumped at. Customers will experience the same stock and expert staff but in a larger, more comfortable environment.â&#x20AC;?

The companies will remain independent, but will share the centreâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s facilities, including 11 sound proof studios, seven practice rooms, lounge area and workshops.

FIVE SECOND FACTS

The magic numbers in MI that caught our eye this month...

3

Peavey has launched three new amp models in the ReValver Amp Store

45 MiPro176 Retail Cover_final.indd 43

30

UK group The Travelling Band had ÂŁ30Kâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of gear stolen last month

10

Roland is offering extended warranty on a selection of its digital pianos, effective immediately

2

$FRXVWLF $PSOLË&#x2030;FDWLRQ has introduced two new acoustic ampsthe A40 and the A1000

15/12/2014 20:37

24 MiPro165_v2_Layout 1 29/01/2014 16:01 Page 1

3212 NR Music Week print ad V4 PRINT indd 1

19/11/2013 12:03

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RETAIL ANALYSIS

Roland announces ten-year warranty on HP and LX series digital pianos 7KH FRPSDQ\ KDV VLJQLË&#x2030; FDQWO\ H[SDQGHG ZDUUDQW\ OHQJWK DFURVV VHOHFW GLJLWDO SLDQR UDQJHV ZLWK LPPHGLDWH HIIHFW ROLAND HAS announced a substantial increase in the length of warranty cover provided on select models across its roster of digital pianos.

All current models and colour variations in the HP/HPi and LX series of digital pianos will now come with ten-year warranty protecting against failure from faulty manufacture. The new warranty is effective immediately and backdated to the beginning of the year.

Sean Montgomery, Rolandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s European product manager for pianos, explained why it makes sense to offer an extended warranty period: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot can happen in a decade. You could go from being a complete beginner to an accomplished pianist in that

time. Or if you bought for your children, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll want to make sure your chosen piano will keep them playing for many years to come.

with you every step of the way â&#x20AC;&#x201C; today, tomorrow and for years to come.â&#x20AC;?

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatever musical path you choose, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reassuring to know that your Roland digital piano will be with you every step of the way - today, tomorrow and for years to come.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Whatever musical path you choose, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reassuring to know that your Roland digital piano will be

In order to activate the warranty, new owners need to register their piano with Roland UK, providing

the serial number and name of the retailer from which it was bought. Once registered, the tenyear warranty cover will begin automatically.

Existing owners can also take advantage of the upgraded warranty, as the cover is offered retrospectively on pianos sold on or after January 1st 2014.

The Roland pianos within the ten year warranty programme are as follows: â&#x20AC;˘ HP-504 (rosewood and contemporary black) â&#x20AC;˘ HP-506 (rosewood, contemporary black and polished ebony) â&#x20AC;˘ HP-508 (rosewood, contemporary black and polished ebony) â&#x20AC;˘ HPi-50e (rosewood) â&#x20AC;˘ LX-15e (polished white and polished ebony)

THE

SECRET DEALER

The perils of selling â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;customer not presentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; goods via credit cardâ&#x20AC;Ś IT ALL STARTED with some large JBL speakers that we were selling for a customer.

The phone rang and a guy calling himself Chris wanted to buy them over the phone, stating that he would be paying with a credit card and that he would organise collection.

All went smoothly. The payment of ÂŁ400 was made and the speakers were subsequently taken.

A couple of days later he phoned back again, this time about four Wharfedale speakers that we also had in stock. He again paid ÂŁ500 via credit card for them and had them collected.

Another day goes by and he calls again to order a VSHFLË&#x2039; F SRZHU DPSOLË&#x2039; HU microphones and cables, totalling roughly ÂŁ1,200.

We asked him politely

47 MiPro176 Retail_Secret Dealer_final.indd 1

what all these purchases were for, as he was spending a fair bit of money on PA gear. He said that it was

â&#x20AC;&#x153;If we have to pay back the money that was originally paid, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll hurt us badly.

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been told by other victims this will likely be the case.â&#x20AC;? for a church that he was involved in, and we left it at that.

The fourth time he called we took another ÂŁ1,100 for speakers, but held them back while we did a little research.

It seems that our good customer was committing

serious fraud by using the details of other peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s credit cards. He would have the goods delivered to the addresses linked with the card account, then at the last minute pay the courier to drop off the goods at a different but nearby address.

We had a call from a guy from another guitar shop who had the same guy pull the same stroke on him for ÂŁ5,000. All the details matched.

If we have to pay back the money that was originally paid, it will hurt us badly.

We have been informed by the other victims that this will most probably be the case, yet there seems to be absolutely no protection for sellers at all.

This is why I am bringing this matter to light; to warn you of selling â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;customer not

Credit and debit card payments can come with a sting in the tail. presentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; goods via debit/ credit card.

If you want to process a transaction where the customer wishes to pay via the phone, get them to pay

you via PayPal as a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Giftâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; payment.

It seems that either this way or cash are the only safe ways to trade these days.

15/12/2014 20:42

FREEHOLD PROPERTY

INVESTMENT £220,000 o.n.o.

SHOP WITH SELF CONTAINED FLAT OVER IN BUSY TOWN CENTRE PEDESTRIAN PRECINCT. THE SHOP IS FULLY FITTED WITH ‘TEGOMETAL’ AND ‘STRING SWING’ SLATWALL SYSTEMS. WRITE TO:

Swade Music, 3 Roman Square, Sittingbourne ME10 4BJ or email: swade@breathe.com

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MIPRO 49

RETAIL PROFILE

Meet the Guitar Village team

Guitar Village, Farnham While some bricks and mortar dealerships have struggled to cope in todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s market, Guitar Village has managed not only to keep its head above water but also grow its business. Ronnie Dungan paid owner Derek Eyre-Walker a YLVLW IRU D WRXU RI WKH VWRUH DQG WR Ë&#x2030; QG RXW KRZ WKH EXVLQHVV KDV FRQWLQXHG WR JR IURP VWUHQJWK WR VWUHQJWKȨ GUITAR VILLAGE, winner of this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s MIA award for Best Presented Independent Retailer, actually started life not in the UK, but in Frankston, Australia in 1977 instead.

Owner Derek EyreWalker moved back to the UK in 1987 after playing in multiple bands and started Guitar Village in Farnham, Surrey. He opened a tiny rented shop with just 26 guitars in the mid-to-highend price bracket.

He takes up the story: â&#x20AC;&#x153;A couple of years later I purchased two 16th Century cottages across the road from the original shop. The buildings were full of character and the ideal foundation to build on. In 2006 I purchased the adjoining Wealden house, which after a dendrochronology test dates all the way back to 1467, one of the oldest buildings in Farnham.

The buildings were all sympathetically restored with exposed beams, Ë&#x152; RRUERDUGV DQG JUHDW SHULRG features creating a very

49 MiPro176 Retail Profile_final.indd 53

homey ambience for our customers. Guitar Village now comprises of some 5,000 square feet allowing us to have 15 different unique display rooms.â&#x20AC;?

The shop has ten fulltime members of staff; all of which are enthusiastic guitar players with a wealth of knowledge behind them. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The local competition is very healthy and buoyant,â&#x20AC;? adds Eyre-Walker, â&#x20AC;&#x153;with a few nice shops around.

Farnham is an old market town with many picturesque surrounding villages with an honest countryside feel yet within an hour from London. People come from far and wide for the shopping experience of not only visiting an extremely unique, charming, ancient and homely building but also for the vast array of over 1,200 mid-to-high-end guitars we have here. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our stock ranges from brand new instruments, second hand guitars, very rare and collectible vintage items and very limited runs.

We have dealt with major guitar brands for decades,

like Gibson, Fender, PRS, Martin, Taylor and Lowden to name a few. We also deal with household names on a daily basis, which keeps us on our toes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Most recently, we have sold guitars to a number RI KLJK SURË&#x2039; OH DUWLVWV including the likes of Kings of Leon, Stereophonics and Noel Gallagher. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We also give in-depth support to sustain and grow the live music/teaching scene.â&#x20AC;?

Testament to the effort the team put into the presentation and experience of the store (hence the award), EyreWalker feels the business is forging ahead, with the online offering further augmenting sales. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Business is going from strength to strength, due to our relentless stocking and adding to an already vast range of guitars. Our

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Business is going from strength to strength due to our relentless stocking and adding to an already vast range of guitars.â&#x20AC;?

Address: Guitar Village, 80-82 West Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7EN Telephone: 01252 726821

online presence means that we are shipping globally on a daily basis. We only close four days a year, which gives the guitar player every opportunity to buy what they need, whether it is a set of strings or a Custom Shop Gibson Les Paul. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Customer service is extremely important to us and we do our utmost in order to ensure 100 per cent customer satisfaction. â&#x20AC;&#x153;All of this helps us to succeed in our quest to be the Holy Grail of traditional specialist guitar shops, for which we were recently awarded the MIA award, and we are very proud of it.â&#x20AC;?

As is often the key with any business, enthusiasm for the products is the secret to the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued progress, EyreWalker concludes. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We feel that the most important ingredient is having a passion for all things guitar, attention to detail and being driven to help customers get exactly what they are after by putting in the effort and going the extra mile.â&#x20AC;?

16/12/2014 12:44

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

50 MIPRO

MYSTERY SHOPPER

STELLAR STREET

REVISITED Our man of mystery presents part two of his report on London’s Denmark Street…

Musicroom A DIFFERENT experience to other stores on Denmark Street, Musicroom is a large chain that boasts stores right across the UK. As such, upon entering the store, it was immediately noticeable that this was the case. It was very open and light with the products presented in a methodical manner. The sheer range of the sheet music collection was impressive, with a range of genres available for musicians of all

abilities, all laid out and categorised in a manner that made browsing a straightforward experience. I also took note of the range of instruments they had on offer; there was a comparatively limited selection of guitars compared to what I found in other specialist stores on the street.

However, there were other products, such as pianos and keyboards among other items on display, demonstrating that Musicroom caters

to a variety of customers.

As with a number of locations on Denmark Street, I was offered help almost as soon as I entered the shop.

Upon hearing my budget, the member of staff was quick to show the price ranges of the guitars that they had on offer in store and was happy to point out that there may be more choice in other shops. Despite this, he demonstrated a great deal of knowledge and was able to show me a variety of brands, proving to be extremely helpful on my search.

RATING

4/5

A pleasant location to shop with a wide variety of products. All in all, a good place to visit for musicians of all standards.

Hanks Guitar Shop A SMALL UXVWLF VKRS ˊDQNLQJ WKH Bar Club alongside Macaris, Hanks is another specialist, independent guitar store. Despite having a comparitively small shop window to display stock compared to other stores in the area, it is able to show off a number of items to attract passers by into the shop. Though not the largest location, it is still able to play host to a range of products.

Unfortunately, this leads to a slightly cluttered feel in parts of the store.

Despite this, the staff made the experience a pleasant one.

The enthusiasm and knowledge demonstrated made the whole process incredibly straightforward

50 51 MiPro176 Mystery Shopper_final.indd 1

and they seemed to want to help me ˉQG H[DFWO\ ZKDW , ZDV ORRNLQJ IRU rather than seeking to push more expensive items on me. Eventually pointing me at a Fender CD-60, I was then told about some of the offers that Hanks offers alongside any guitar purchase, such as a reduction in the price of a protective guitar case and tuning aids, for example.

RATING

3/5

While small and a little dark and cluttered, the staff made this store both welcoming and interesting.

15/12/2014 12:43

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MIPRO 51

MYSTERY SHOPPER

Westside MI A NEAT and professional establishment, Westside MI immediately struck me as a place that would draw in guitar players of all ages and abilities. On the JURXQG Ë&#x160;RRU LW FRQWDLQV D VHOHFWLRQ of acoustic guitars, which was what I was looking for, along with an impressive collection of straps among RWHU DFFHVVRULHV 7KH EDVHPHQW Ë&#x160;RRU contains a dedicated bass room, as

Relentless A RELATIVELY new store, this shop represents a partnership between Red Dog Music and the energy drink brand Relentless. Upon entering the shop, it was clear to see that there was a distinct theme of music performance, with the walls covered in images of performers and products, as well as the offer of free samples of relentless.

Mainly specialising in the more â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;techyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; side of the music industry, Relentless stocks a number of smaller keyboards, as well

as an assortment of studio and DJ equipment. The store is also intended to play host to live events and workshops, as well as exclusive Relentless themed products, such as Relentless branded guitars.

I found the staff there incredibly helpful, quick to point out that, at the time that I visited, there would be a greater selection of products at the Red Dog store located on Bromwell Road in London. However, in store, they had a system that allowed me to browse a wider range of products online. All in all, the staff made my visit an enjoyable one.

RATING

4/5

An interesting and unique experience. The store caters for a great many needs and makes up for any stock based limitations via the in-store online ordering system.

well as a selection of electric options among other things.

The staff were quick to help and took me straight to the acoustic guitar range to show me a number of options, sticking strictly to my budget. They never once tried to push any products outside my range on me and were enthusiastic about what they had on offer, showing a range of brands. Looking at a couple of Francisco Domingo models, they then went on to explain the

difference between the different materials used in the making of the guitars, as well as the different Ë&#x2030;QLVKHV DQG KRZ WKH\ FDQ OHDG WR variations in price. I left the store with contact details, as well as the models I had looked at written down for me to make a return visit easier, as well as a greater understanding of the brands I looked at over the course of my visit.

RATING

5/5

A great shop for guitarists new and old; well laid out and chock full of stock. The knowledgeable and informative staff makes browsing an easy and pleasant experience. $UHDV RQ WKH VKRS Ë&#x160;RRU IRU WHVWLQJ instruments gives a relaxed vibe.

CONCLUSION

Londonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Denmark Street remains a hotbed of MI retail activity.

50 51 MiPro176 Mystery Shopper_final.indd 2

THE SECOND part of my trip to Denmark Street proved just DV H[FLWLQJ DV WKH Ë&#x2030;UVW $V \RXČ G expect from such an iconic MI retail location, each store had its own identity and a great deal of character. A high standard across the board.

The highlight would have to be Westside MI. Outside of my comfort zone musically, they were able to bring even a novice like me up to speed and provide information on everything I was looking for and even I was able to tell the store boasted

impressive products.

However, while the helpful nature of the Westside MI staff did stand out, it seems to be a common feature in the stores on Denmark Street. In their own way, each store has staff that knows their trade well and are more than happy to share their knowledge with customers in a polite and helpful manner, sometimes even going that step further and giving demonstrations to non-players.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth noting that on my visit to Relentless I fear I missed

out on a number of the unique features that the store offers, due to the time that I visited, making it harder to look past the comparative lack of stock on offer. However, I will certainly be keeping an eye out for any future events and launches that will be hosted there with interest.

In summary, whether a novice or an experienced musician, I recommend paying Denmark Street a visit. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a pleasant experience, even if you only intend to browse and not make a purchase on the day.

15/12/2014 12:44

LAPTOP MUSIC STICK A real innovation in the digital instrument field

“Cool”

China Music Shanghai 2014

Interest at Frankfurt Musikmesse 2014

“Hot”

pre-Frankfurt Musikmesse 2015 Playing music with a joystick means active control of a laptop. The computer is then at your hand to play songs, a range of tunes and melodic lines with different levels of ability of the instrumentalist.

Software Based on Max/Msp the new software makes the most of the highly developed Joystick F.L.Y 5 by Madcatz, converted to do very complex manipulation in the traditional and modern musical field. All you can do with the traditional instruments and much more is lying in your hand and arm. It requires the same physical and mental effort-but at the beginning it can be learnt more easily and always stays in tune.

What you can do: The three elements build a unit and make up the “instrument” This is a new way to play physically (two axes, turning moving the levers and pressing a lot of functional buttons).

It is for children, disabled people, musicians and elderly people.

Now everybody can play an instrument.

Compatibility: The software is for Mac (preferable) or Windows.

There are different models model1 is the standard, just sine waves model2 is similar, but enhanced to play all four main waves : sine, triangle,square, saw with changeable parameters of the correspondent wave shapes. model3 can play all midi devices. model4 is a program to play live sample processing

Joystick and software can be bought at amazon.co.uk indiviually or both together for £49 from

www.forumliverpool.net forum_ad_v1.indd 1

email: rinaldofux@mac.com

12/12/2014 14:11

GEAR MIPRO 53

new

JANUARY 2015 ::: 0, - 352 &2 8.

PAGE 54

LANEY has built upon its product offering with the QHZ ,57 ; H[SDQVLRQ FDE

COMMENT

DANIEL GUMBLE, (',725

Making a living

PAGE 55 FOCUSRITEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S Scarlett Solo Studio Pack is aimed at those new to recording in the studio

PAGE 54 ICONIC SOUND has created WKH ZRUOGČ V Ë&#x2030;UVW optical analogue jack-to-jack instrument cable

53 MiPro176 New Gear Comment_final.indd 53

LAST MONTH GuitarGuitar set a new precedent for WKH PDUNHW E\ EHFRPLQJ WKH Ë&#x2030;UVW 0, UHWDLOHU LQ WKH 8. to adopt the Living Wage scheme â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a governmentbacked initiative that is aimed providing greater security for workers earning the minimum wage.

The scheme sees employers pay staff the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;living wageâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as opposed to the minimum wage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the PLQLPXP ZDJH RI e SHU KRXU LQ WKH 8. ZLOO EH increased to ÂŁ7.85 per hour (or ÂŁ9.15 in London)

by GuitarGuitar under the policy, although it is ultimately up to the employer as to whether they pay the full living wage or something in between.

Of course, there are some that might balk at the suggestion of paying their staff above the minimum ZDJH LQ WLPHV RI UHFHVVLRQ EXW , ZRXOG VXJJHVW WKDW those are among the industryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more shortsighted businesses.

Anyone who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the value of a more PRWLYDWHG DQG PRVW LPSRUWDQWO\ PRUH Ë&#x2030;QDQFLDOO\ secure work force could well suffer as a result.

Aside from the fact that pretty much anyone earning minimum wage will be on the lookout for better pay elsewhere, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s likely that those who are taking home minimum pay will feel demotivated and under appreciated.

We are fortunate to be part of an industry in which the SHUVRQQHO LV IRU WKH PRVW SDUW Ë&#x2030;HUFHO\ SDVVLRQDWH 8QOLNH VR PDQ\ RWKHU UHWDLO VHFWRUV RXUV LV RQH in which those working behind the tills may well harbour long-term goals within that business. How many other high street businesses can say that?

Furthermore, it is with these people that the future RI VR PDQ\ 0, EXVLQHVVHV OLHV 1RZ PRUH WKDQ HYHU LW is vital that high street stores offer the absolute best when it comes to customer support and an optimum in-store experience; something thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highly unlikely if the staff inside feel under-valued or are constantly on the lookout for a wage that will actually put food on the table. +RSHIXOO\ PRUH 0, UHWDLOHUV ZLOO IROORZ LQ GuitarGuitarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps and get involved with the Living Wage scheme over the coming weeks and PRQWKV ,Č G ZDJHU WKDW SUHWW\ PXFK DOO ZRXOG EHQHË&#x2030;W as a result.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t see the value of a more motivated workforce are surely a little short-sighted.â&#x20AC;?

16/12/2014 14:42

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

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JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

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5. Focusrite 6FDUOHWW 6ROR 6WXGLR 3DFN RRP: £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http://www.focusrite.com/

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8

15/12/2014 12:20

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

56 MIPRO

A MONTH IN THE WORLD OF MI

BACKLINE

Yamaha teams up with Disney to spread some musical Christmas cheer, our all-new Musical History Tour kicks off with JHSâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Gav Coulson and we have more from our MIRTAS apprenticesâ&#x20AC;Ś

Yamaha hosts Frozen sing-alongs IN THE RUN - UP to Christmas, Yamaha joined forces with The Walt Disney Company to host a number of Frozen sing-along sessions across the UK. Hitting over 15 retail locations up and down the country, young people were encouraged to have a go at performing the Frozen hit song â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Let it Goâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; on a specially created Frozen piano. Yamahaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Richard Ashby said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We are thrilled to have teamed up with The Walt Disney Company to encourage new music makers, already we have seen thousands of children and, equally importantly their parents. Our key message of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Having A Goâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; is having a huge impact, and this tour experience provides powerful evidence that most people would love to get involved in making music provided the pathway is fun and exciting.â&#x20AC;?

WE COULD ORDER IT INâ&#x20AC;Ś

THE VEGETABLE ORCHESTRA

Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get caught out by that enquiry for something really specialist...

NOT REALLY a single instrument but an actual orchestra. Be on the lookout, however, for anyone who fancies becoming a new member.

Known in Europe as Das erste Wiener GemĂźseorchester or The First Vienna Vegetable Orchestra, the orchestra is an Austrian one-of-a-kind musical group performing on instruments made up entirely of fresh vegetables.

The Vegetable Orchestra was founded in 1998, and

56 57 MiPro176 Backline_final.indd 56

consists of 11 musicians, a sound engineer, a video artist and, of course, a cook. Based in Vienna, the Vegetable Orchestra plays concerts in Europe and Asia, even playing in large philharmonic orchestra halls. Instead of guitars and drums, the orchestra plays Cuke-o-phones, radishPDULPEDV FDUURW Ë&#x160; XWHV pumpkin basses, leek violins, and other freshly made instruments.

The orchestra blows carved-out carrots, taps

turnips, claps with eggplant cymbals, twangs on rhubarb Ë&#x2030; EUHV DQG UXVWOHV SDUVOH\ and greens, all in the creation of an experimental sound. There are no musical boundaries for the Vegetable Orchestra. The most diverse music styles fuse here - contemporary music, beat-oriented House tracks, experimental Electronic, Free Jazz, Noise, Dub, Clicksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Cuts - the scope of the ensemble expands consistently, determined only by their creativity.

16/12/2014 16:26

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

>> SEND US STUFF

MIPRO 57

THIS STUFF DOESNâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T come out of thin air, you know. We make most of it up, to be honest.

But we would like our lovely readers to get involved. Email: dgumble@nbmedia.com

THE APPRENTICES Adam Tarleton, Intasound Music, Leicestershire

Roll up, roll up to discover the musical chops of those in and around the industry.

Dodgy experiments in jazz/punk fusion? %ULHI Ë&#x160; LUWDWLRQV ZLWK WKH RXWHU UHDFKHV RI the chart? Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re all out thereâ&#x20AC;Ś experience within the store. I would like to stay on at Intasound to pursue a career in the music industry upon the completion of my apprenticeship.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am 19 years old and from Whitwick, Leicestershire.

I have completed my Ë&#x2030; UVW \HDU RI WKH 0,57$6 Apprenticeship scheme at Intasound in Leicester, and have recently been approved to progress into a secondary year of study.

How did you come to be working at Intasound?

Working in the music industry is something I have always wanted to do.

I have studied music and music technology for years through school as well as during any spare time. This resulted in me achieving DQ $ JUDGH LQ *&6( PXVLF and later two A-Levels in Music and Music Technology during sixth form at Ashby 6FKRRO $IWHU FKRRVLQJ QRW to apply for University, I was advised to take a look at an apprenticeships website.

Funnily enough, Intasound wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t originally advertised, but after uploading my CV I received an email telling me my application had been sent to them. I got the call two months later, had a short but successful interview, and started the following Monday.

56 57 MiPro176 Backline_final.indd 57

What do you most enjoy about your placement?

The most enjoyable aspect of the apprenticeship is GHË&#x2030; QLWHO\ WKH IULHQGO\ atmosphere. Intasound is a family run business founded

by Malcolm Wright, which has now been passed down to his two sons, Alex and Lloyd. In my view they treat all staff (including myself) as family.

What have been some of your challenges along the way?

As every other member of staff at Intasound knows how to provide great customer service with extensive product knowledge, I would say that my hardest challenge has been to ensure that I meet this high standard. As I had no previous customer service experience before starting the apprenticeship, I knew this would be tough to achieve, but I was determined to prove myself to the team. Throughout the past year, I feel I have progressed consistently and successfully, now making me a valuable employee.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Working in the music industry is something I have always wanted to do and Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve tailored my studies towards this.â&#x20AC;?

What have been your greatest achievements while on the programme? &RPSOHWLQJ P\ Ë&#x2030; UVW \HDU with a pass has been my greatest achievement so far.

This process has kick started me into my career within the music industry.

What do you hope to gain from the apprenticeship?

I have already gained a considerable amount of knowledge and skills in the musical retail environment, particularly in relation to products, repairs and customer service.

I hope to progress these skills and further expand my knowledge of all products that I am selling. In order to do this, I need to gain more

Would you recommend this apprenticeship to others? , ZRXOG GHË&#x2030; QLWHO\ recommend the scheme to anyone who is interested in a career within music retail.

I have gained a considerable amount of knowledge and skills that can be effectively used within the workplace. I feel WKDW WKH TXDOLË&#x2030; FDWLRQV DUH more than worth the hard work.

GAV COULSON, JHS PRODUCT SPECIALIST What do you play?

Mainly guitar, but I also play bass, sing (allegedly) and some keyboards.

Any good?

Ha ha, every musician hates to be asked that question - say yes and your a big headed pr*ck, say no and get dismissed out of hand. Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m RXWVWDQGLQJ LQ P\ Ë&#x2030; HOG and thats where they found me!

Preferred musical style?

Like all sorts of stuff but I guess Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll go with the old faithful â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Are you gigging right now?

Yep, in my own band, the imaginatively titled Gav Coulson Group, a classic rock band called Doghouse, and also with a bunch of guys called 6ZHDU %R[ What bands have you been in?

Nothing famous - but I have played everything from country to reggae to classic rock â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; roll.

Have you ever troubled the charts at all?

Ha, no. Was signed for a short time and have contributed to a few CD releases.

I have been lucky enough to be asked to play on the latest release from Paul Brettâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 6DJH DQG DOVR ZLWK Humberside-based singer/ songwriter Carrie Martin and her new CD What If this year.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Being able to demo our various brands kind of validated the years of practicing.â&#x20AC;?

What has been your greatest success?

Doing the job I do now ZLWK -+6 LW NLQG RI validated the years of practicing to be recognised as competent enough to demo our various guitar, amp and effects brands.

Best/biggest gig ever played?

6W *HRUJHV +DOO LQ Bradford supporting 6PRNLH LQ WKH Č&#x; V ZRXOG have been the biggest GHPRLQJ LQ 6KDQJKDL ZDV a real eye-opener as you get mobbed. But I have a great little venue in my KRPHWRZQ RI :DNHË&#x2030; HOG called the Bull and Fairhouse and we always have a cracking gig there.

16/12/2014 15:55

JANUARY 2015 WWW.MI - PRO.CO.UK

58 MIPRO

FORWARD FEATURES

UPCOMING The features you need to look out for in the February and March issues of MI Pro

FEATURES LIST

Also on the way...

March 2015 PIANOS/KEYBOARDS Our Retail Essentials feature focuses on the piano and keyboard market.

MI PIONEERS: BOB MOOG ONCE AGAIN we celebrate the work of one of the musical instrument LQGXVWU\ȠV PRVW LQˊXHQWLDO LQGLYLGXDOV This month, we focus on synthesizer pioneer Bob Moog.

MI PRO RETAIL ESSENTIALS: ELECTRIC GUITARS FEBRUARY’S MI PRO Retail Essentials section shines a spotlight on the electric guitar market, featuring everything from established classics to brand new lines.

For more information and to get involved with this special feature, please contact Karma Bertelsen on kbertelsen@nbmedia.com or 020 7226 7246.

SPECIAL FOCUS: DRUMS AND PERCUSSION We speak with some of the market’s foremost retailers, EUDQGV DQG VXSSOLHUV WR ˉQG RXW KRZ WKH VHFWRU LV IDULQJ

The international monthly magazine for music instrument professionals and everyone in the MI business MI Pro has a monthly circulation of well over 6,000. It is distributed in the UK and internationally to MI retailers, industry professionals and carefully selected pro audio executives and resellers.

Editor at Large Ronnie Dungan

Head of Design and Production Kelly Sambridge

Editor Daniel Gumble

Production Executive Elizabeth Parker

Account Manager Karma Bertelsen

Publisher Darrell Carter

rdungan@nbmedia.com

dgumble@nbmedia.com

kbertelsen@nbmedia.com

ksambridge@nbmedia.com

eparker@nbmedia.com

dcarter@nbmedia.com

Copyright © 2014 NewBay Media Printed by Pensord, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, NP12 2YA

58 MIPro176 Forward Features_final.indd 58

Marketing & Circulation Curwood CMS

mipro.subscriptions@c-cms.com

SUBSCRIPTIONS UK: £50 Europe: £60 Rest of World: £90 Enquiries: mipro.subscriptions@c-cms.com Telephone: 01580 883 848 Charges cover 12 issues MI PRO is published 12 times a year

MIPRO is a member of the PPA © NewBay Media 2014 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher.

The contents of MiPro are subject to reproduction in information storage and retrieval systems. Printed by Pensord, Tram Road, Pontllanfraith, NP12 2YA

ISSN 1750-4198 Enquiries to: MI Pro, NewBay Media, Saxon House 6a St. Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1JA. Tel: 01992 535646 (Editorial) Tel: 01992 535647 (Advertising) Fax: 01992 535648

15/12/2014 12:36

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12/12/2014 15:17

Happy New Year

& Thank You for all your support

We are delighted to have been honoured again in the MIA Awards:

Best Supplier 2014 (Large Category) Best Acoustic Guitar 2014 (Faith Guitars FNCEMG) Best Export Initiative 2014 (Faith Guitars) Lifetime Achievement - (Bruce Perrin) MIA Awards Happy New Year 2014-5 MIPro.indd 1

12/8/2014 5:03:43 PM