Music is the universal language
“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” - Luke 2:14
General Interest
RhPf Electronics Mosrawr review – a noise-bringer that’s designed for post-rock and shoegaze
CHF149/€159/$179, rhpfelectronics.com
Some people believe guitar pedals sound better when they’re pink. Some believe they sound better when they have dinosaurs on them. These theories require further research, but if they’re both right then things are looking seriously good for the RhPf Electronics Mosrawr.
Vibrantly pink and fiercely dinosaury, this compact fuzz box is handmade in the cauldron of rock’n’roll that is Basel, Switzerland. It’s an original circuit, designed in collaboration with Loopy Demos, and claims to be the ultimate summoner of mids-focused rage.
Image: Richard Purvis
RhPf Electronics Mosrawr – what is it?
According to RhPf, this MOSFET-powered pedal “delivers dense walls of fuzz” and “speaks the language of shoegaze, noise rock and post-rock”. This tells us two things: firstly, that it’s not just another Fuzz Face or Big Muff clone; and secondly, that it’s been designed to work with other pedals for creating layered textures of immersive noise.
RhPf is a fairly new operation and this is the first of its pedals I’ve tried. The others in the range look very nice too, but the graphic design by Sketchy Pedals has given the Mosrawr a distinct lift… that is, as long as you’re OK with cartoony artwork and candy-store colours. You won’t want to look at it too long while hungover.
Image: Richard Purvis
RhPf Electronics Mosrawr – what does it sound like?
The first challenge is to get a handle on the controls. They seem simple enough – basically gain, level, bass, middle and treble – but the way they work is not always predictable. For a start, it never gets very bassy even with ‘low’ at maximum, and it never gets very dark, even with ‘hi’ at minimum. The good news is, it sounds glorious with everything set to halfway so that’s a safe place to start.
Used on its own as a simple fuzz, the Mosrawr lives up to the second part of its name (in the sense of both ‘raw’ and ‘roar’) with the force of a hungry Jurassic carnivore ripping the bars off your protective cage. In EQ terms it’s something like a Tone Bender, but high gain and a pronounced lack of headroom give it an edge of splatty delinquency, almost like an extra-gnarly octave fuzz.
RhPf says this pedal can go from sticky velcro tones to something much more smooth and open; in practice it doesn’t get very far along that road, but that’s no tragedy as a million other fuzzes cover that stuff already. What you can do is manipulate the controls to accentuate the features that are already present: the biting treble, the lower-midrange grunt, the soaring sustain.
For the real test, though, this lonely dinosaur needs to find some friends. My live pedalboard includes a phaser, a flanger, a Leslie simulator and two delays (one of them set to reverse mode), and the power that’s unleashed when they all join forces with the Mosrawr is really quite spectacular. It sounds enormous, just as you’d expect, but also has a midrange focus that keeps it commandingly present in a band mix. If you think fuzzy soundscapes have to be soft and washy, this pedal might make you think again.
Image: Richard Purvis
RhPf Electronics Mosrawr – should I buy it?
First things first: if you’re a classic rock or blues player looking for velvety fuzz textures, please turn back, you’re lost. But for those of a more shoegazey disposition, things get a little more complicated.
The Mosrawr will be too boisterous for some tastes, even within the parameters of alternative rock – it is a great textural tool, but the textures in question are more gravel than silk. Where it will find a place – at least, where it certainly deserves to find one – is on the pedalboards of noise-scapers with attitude.
Image: Richard Purvis
RhPf Electronics Mosrawr alternatives
The Fender Shields Blender ($346.99/£235) is a multi-layered distortion unit with My Bloody Valentine pedigree; or if you want to get your whole wall of noise from one box, try the combined fuzz and reverb of the Keeley Loomer ($299/£315). Just need to make wild noise? It doesn’t come any wilder than the Ritual Devices Grimalkin Fuzz (£195).
The post RhPf Electronics Mosrawr review – a noise-bringer that’s designed for post-rock and shoegaze appeared first on Guitar.com | All Things Guitar.
Dunable - Minotaur DE, Will Putney Signature Cyclops & Yeti 7-String | NAMM 2026
John Bohlinger chats with Sacha Dunable about the new Minotaur DE, available in iterations with EMG 81/85 pickups and with passive Cthulhu pickups. Also showcased: the Will Putney signature Cyclops with built-in Electro-Harmonix Pitch Fork pedal and single EMG 81, plus new custom shop seven-string models across all Dunable platforms with in-house pickups and Hipshot hardware.
Minotaur DE
- SCALE LENGTH: 25.5"
- NECK PROFILE: 1.65" nut width, .81" thick at 1st, .89" at 12th, Medium "C" profile
- ORIENTATION: right handed
- NECK: mahogany | ebony | white binding | pearloid bock inlay
- NUT: Graphtech Tusq
- FRETS: jumbo nickel silver
- SIDE DOTS: luminlay
- VOLUME CONTROLS: one volume
- TONE CONTROLS: one tone
- HARDWARE COLOR: black
- FINGERBOARD INLAY: pearloid block
- BODY: mahogany
- BODY TOP WOOD: none
- BRIDGE PICKUP: EMG 81
- NECK PICKUP: EMG 85
- TUNING KEYS: locking
- BRIDGE: tune o matic and stop tail
- FINISH TOP COAT: matte
- FINISH COLOR: black
- CASE: padded Dunable gig bag
- manufactured in South Korea
Dunlop - MXR EVH Modern High Gain Pedal, and More! | NAMM2026
Dunlop's Bryan Kehoe takes us on a tour of some fantastic new gear, including the MXR EVH Modern High Gain pedal developed with Eddie Van Halen, featuring input/output boost, smart noise gate, and bass shift switch. Also on the docket: the Way Huge Jumbo Fuzz Swollen Pickle XXX with silicon/LED clipping switch and high-output volume and the limited-edition Iron Maiden Killers Cry Baby.
EVH Modern High Gain
Unleash the full force of your rig with the MXR EVH Modern High Gain Pedal. Designed in direct collaboration with Eddie Van Halen in 2015, this powerhouse of a device delivers EVH High Gain tone in raw, uncompromised and crushing form. It’s searing, it’s intense, and it’s razor sharp.
Silvertone 1446 Semi-Hollow | NAMM 2026
Silvertone's Rick Taylor takes us through the new 1446 Semi-Hollow, updating the 1962 classic with center-block construction, set neck, modern neck profile, and era-specific mini-humbuckers reverse-engineered from original Gibson P13 pickups with Alnico 5s. Available with Bigsby or trapeze tailpiece, the pickups are also offered as a standalone matched set.
1466
Silvertone has reintroduced the iconic 1446 semi-hollow electric – one of the most recognizable guitar models in rock history.
Played by legendary artists Chris Isaak, Elvis Costello, Hubert Sumlin and more, the Silvertone 1446 is now, for the first time in decades, that sound - and that guitar - can be yours.
Originally sold through the Sears catalog from 1961 to 1967, the Silvertone 1446 holds a special place in electric-guitar history. Over the last 60 years it has become one of the most sought-after models among recording artists and collectors.
Now, Silvertone proudly reintroduces the 1446 - meticulously recreated with modern performance features while honoring every detail that made the original a legend.
Last Call: Creativity Is Gardening, Not Architecture
You know that feeling of deep shame when you’re playing guitar and you realize that you’re just repeating patterns you’ve played hundreds of times? I’m pretty sure that’s happened to everybody … except maybe Jeff Beck. In Eric Clapton’s 2007 book, Clapton: The Autobiography, E.C. wrote: “Jeff Beck once said to me, ‘Try to play something you’ve never played before.’ And that really stuck with me.”
So how do we do that? How do we break out of ruts, not just on the fretboard, but in life? How do we live more creatively—or at least more interestingly?
Creativity isn’t about waiting for a lightning bolt of inspiration. It’s about showing up consistently and doing the work. It’s a skill anyone can cultivate through deliberate practice and curiosity. After six decades of trial and error (plus a quick dip into some actual research), here’s my distilled guide to getting better at it:
- Curate Your Inputs Creativity feeds on diverse raw material. Read outside your wheelhouse—novels, science, history, whatever. Watch films from different cultures, listen to genres you’d normally skip, wander through museums. Travel if you can; if not, explore a new neighborhood. The broader your influences, the more unexpected connections you’ll make. Lately, I’ve been working my way through all 349 tracks the Nat King Cole Trio recorded for Capitol between 1943 and 1951. It’s reshaping how I hear everything.
- Practice Regularly Creativity is a muscle—use it or lose it. Carve out time for deliberate creative play: journaling, sketching, brainstorming. Try morning pages (three stream-of-consciousness pages, first thing) or random prompts. Consistency breeds fluency. That’s why I started this column 15 years ago—to force myself to create outside of music. Every month it’s like handing in a term paper. It’s torture, but it’s good for me.
- Embrace Constraints Limits breed ingenuity. I once watched Jared James Nichols play a three-note phrase 10 different ways, and each one got more interesting. A creative player can make the most vanilla song interesting by thinking outside the box. There are no boring songs—just boring players.
- Practice Divergent Thinking Train yourself to generate options. List 20 ways to use a brick, or 10 different endings to a story. Don’t edit early; quantity eventually yields quality.
- Take Breaks and Incubate Step away. The best ideas often arrive when you’re not chasing them. Mine come when I’m mowing my lawn, riding my bike, or taking a shower. Your subconscious keeps working while you’re off the clock.
- Collaborate and Cross-Pollinate Do things outside of your wheelhouse. In Japan, big companies practice jinji idō—regular personnel rotation across departments. An accountant might move to production, then sales. It builds empathy, kills boredom, and sparks fresh perspectives. Borrow that idea in your own life: jam with musicians from different scenes, trade ideas with non-musicians.
- Embrace Failure and Experiment Risk looking dumb. Every missed note or bad idea is data. Edison didn’t fail 1,000 times; he discovered 1,000 ways how not to make a light bulb.
- Cultivate Curiosity Stay in a permanent state of “What if?” and “Why?” Keep a notebook for stray thoughts and questions.
- Optimize Your Environment Surround yourself with stimuli that spark you—art on the walls, plants, good light. Declutter the rest. Find the spaces where your brain hums.
- Shift Your Mindset Drop the “I’m not creative” story. Everyone is; some just haven’t found their medium yet. Confidence is half the battle.
- You Must Be Present to Win Mindfulness isn’t an empty hippie cliché—it’s the price of admission. Get off your screen and pay attention to what’s happening.
“Aimless curiosity will take you places meticulous planning never could.”
Quick Boosters
- Meditate daily, even for five minutes.
- Play like a kid—puzzles, improv, anything without a goal.
- Learn something completely new (pottery, coding, tango).
- Take care of yourself. Get sleep, eat real food, and move your body. A foggy brain can’t create.
In a world where AI will soon handle most of the “building,” human creativity will be our most valuable currency. Creativity is gardening, not architecture. You don’t force it into rigid blueprints. You plant seeds, give them light and water, nudge them gently, and let them grow in their own wild direction. Aimless curiosity will take you places meticulous planning never could.
So remember: Stay curious, and keep experimenting. And the next time you pick up your guitar, try playing something you’ve never played before.
Gibson - The Wild and Wonderful World of ES Guitars! NAMM 2026
Gibson's Dinesh Lekhraj walks us through the brand's new ES-335 models offering '50s and '60s options—the '50s featuring a chunky neck profile, dot inlays, and Alnico 3 pickups, and the '60s with a slimmer taper, block inlays, and hotter T-Type pickups. We also check out cool Custom Shop ES-330 reissues in '59 and '62 specs, with dog-ear P-90s, trapeze bridges, and full-hollow construction. Also new: the Victory offset, now available with longer 24 3/4" scale, 24 frets, ebony fretboard, and Floyd Rose (or fixed bridge), with baritone and seven-string versions coming soon.
Gibson Century Collection and Epiphone Futura Series | NAMM 2026
We met up with Gibson's VP of Product, Mat Koehler, to check out the new Century Collection, celebrating 100 years of flat-top guitars with three 12-fret body styles (L-00, J-45, J-185) featuring featherweight construction, thin satin nitrocellulose lacquer, Gibson's 24¾" scale length, and Art Deco tweed cases. On the Epiphone side, a lineup of new models headlined by the Futura series, boasting color-shifting finishes, hot pickups, and stainless steel frets.
Blackstar BEAM Mini & ID:X Floor Modeler | NAMM 2026
Chris Kies heads to Blackstar to take in a demo of the Beam Mini, a USB-C rechargeable desktop amp with 18 hours of battery life and a companion app featuring amp models, effects, IR speaker simulation, YouTube integration for practice, and upcoming neural amp model support via Tone 3000 with access to over 200,000 captures. Also new: the ID:X Floor series modelers with 18 voices, over 35 effects, all parameters controllable on-unit, and the Artist FR active FRFR cabinets in 50-watt and 100-watt versions.
Beam MINI
Blackstar announces the BEAM MINI, a compact desktop amplifier designed for electric, bass and acoustic guitar players seeking high-quality tone, portability and intuitive control. Previewing at NAMM 2026 and launching worldwide on 24 March 2026, BEAM MINI combines Blackstar’s decades of amp design expertise with advanced component-level digital modelling, powerful DSP and a sealed, acoustically tuned cabinet to deliver immersive sound in a small, portable format suitable for home, studio and on-the-go use.
Vox - AC30 Hand-Wired Head and Cabinet & More | NAMM 2026
Vox came fully stocked to NAMM '26. During our visit we checked out the new hand-wired AC30 head and 2x12 cabinet with Celestion Alnico Blues, plus the Treble Booster and Fuzz pedals featuring silicon transistors voiced for AC30s. Also new: the VT20X and VT40X Valvetronix amps celebrating the series' 25th anniversary with circuit-level modeling, deeper 12AX7 tube integration, Class A/AB switching, and (very cool) vintage-style Classic Blue grille cloth.
AC30
Few amplifiers have shaped music history like the VOX AC30. With the AC30 Hand-Wired, that legacy lives on – reborn with painstaking attention to vintage accuracy and updated with modern refinements that make it stage- and studio-ready.
This is more than a reissue. It's a complete reconstruction of a vintage legend – hand-wired and fine-tuned to bring the '60s sound back to life. Featuring hand-wired circuitry, custom transformers, and vintage-accurate cabinet construction, this amplifier aligns classic British tone with modern necessities including bypass-able master volume, a transparent effects loop, and custom-voiced spring reverb.
Now, the unmistakable sound of a vintage VOX is finally within reach. Built for vintage enthusiasts, aficionados, and modern players alike. The AC30 Hand-Wired delivers the unmistakable voice of VOX!
Boss GX-1 Guitar Effects Processor | NAMM 2026
We met up with Boss' Matt Knight to dive deep into the GX-1, an ultra-portable multi-effects unit with intuitive one-touch controls, 23 amps, and 140 effects featuring Gear Suite for saving individual effect presets within your patches. The unit includes built-in Bluetooth for app connectivity with librarian and session player, looper, stereo outs, USB-C audio interface, IR import capability, and battery power for up to six hours of use.
GX-1
- Ultra-portable amp/effects processor for guitar with premium BOSS sound and features
- Authentic tube amplifier tone and touch response with AIRD technology
- Straightforward operation with a color display and intuitive effect category buttons
- Exceptional audio quality with 24-bit AD and 32-bit DA conversion, 32-bit floating-point processing, and 48 kHz sampling rate
- Explore 23 amplifier types and over 140 BOSS effects
- Eight simultaneous effect blocks plus volume pedal and noise suppression
- Gear Suite feature allows you to quickly configure each amp and effect with the turn of a knob
- Includes 99 ready-to-play preset memories and 99 user memories for storing custom sounds
- Three footswitches and an expression pedal with toe switch, all freely assignable
- Play along with songs from your mobile device via onboard Bluetooth®
- Record and play tracks in music production software on a computer or mobile device* via a USB-C®
- BOSS Tone Studio for GX-1 app (macOS/Windows/iOS/Android) with powerful practice features and sound-editing tools
- Download and share Livesets on BOSS Tone Exchange
- Support for loading WAV speaker IRs
- Jack for expanded control with up to two footswitches or an expression pedal
- Tap into wireless foot control with the FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch and EV-1-WL Wireless Expression Pedal
- Versatile power options: three AA batteries, AC adaptor, or USB (computer bus power or mobile battery)
- Compact, lightweight design fits easily in the pocket of a guitar case or bag
Boss GX-1 Guitar Effects Processor | NAMM 2026
We met up with Boss' Matt Knight to dive deep into the GX-1, an ultra-portable multi-effects unit with intuitive one-touch controls, 23 amps, and 140 effects featuring Gear Suite for saving individual effect presets within your patches. The unit includes built-in Bluetooth for app connectivity with librarian and session player, looper, stereo outs, USB-C audio interface, IR import capability, and battery power for up to six hours of use.
GX-1
- Ultra-portable amp/effects processor for guitar with premium BOSS sound and features
- Authentic tube amplifier tone and touch response with AIRD technology
- Straightforward operation with a color display and intuitive effect category buttons
- Exceptional audio quality with 24-bit AD and 32-bit DA conversion, 32-bit floating-point processing, and 48 kHz sampling rate
- Explore 23 amplifier types and over 140 BOSS effects
- Eight simultaneous effect blocks plus volume pedal and noise suppression
- Gear Suite feature allows you to quickly configure each amp and effect with the turn of a knob
- Includes 99 ready-to-play preset memories and 99 user memories for storing custom sounds
- Three footswitches and an expression pedal with toe switch, all freely assignable
- Play along with songs from your mobile device via onboard Bluetooth®
- Record and play tracks in music production software on a computer or mobile device* via a USB-C®
- BOSS Tone Studio for GX-1 app (macOS/Windows/iOS/Android) with powerful practice features and sound-editing tools
- Download and share Livesets on BOSS Tone Exchange
- Support for loading WAV speaker IRs
- Jack for expanded control with up to two footswitches or an expression pedal
- Tap into wireless foot control with the FS-1-WL Wireless Footswitch and EV-1-WL Wireless Expression Pedal
- Versatile power options: three AA batteries, AC adaptor, or USB (computer bus power or mobile battery)
- Compact, lightweight design fits easily in the pocket of a guitar case or bag
Cort Space G6MS & G6TTR Demos | NAMM 2026
A pair of headless wonders bring the rock and thunder for under a grand.
G6MS & G6TTR
A headless guitar with multi-scale precision — optimized for ergonomic feel, low-end clarity, and effortless reach across all 24 frets.
Boss CUBE Street Mini | NAMM 2026
The CUBE Street Mini is a 10-watt 2.1 portable PA system with a 5-inch speaker and two tweeters, featuring dual channels, Bluetooth audio, individual effects per channel, multiple guitar voicings, and onboard tuner. The rechargeable battery provides seven hours of use, and the unit includes headphone/recording output with emulated speaker, kickback stand, and mic stand mount for versatile positioning.
CUBE Street Mini
CUBE Street Mini builds on the trusted CUBE Street legacy, delivering exceptional sound quality and features in an ultra-compact PA for cafés, small-scale events, and personal studios. It’s packed with class-leading tools to elevate solo and duo performances, including dual channels, built-in effects, Bluetooth® audio, and a rechargeable battery with long runtime. With the portable and powerful CUBE Street Mini by your side, you’re ready to make an impact anytime and anywhere.
Cream Guitars | NAMM 2026
Cream Guitars returned to the NAMM floor with a collection of unique body shapes and eye-popping finishes, including the groundbreaking DaVinci, which boasts a low-energy E Ink Prism 3 electronic display with 64 programmable segments in seven colors, controlled via a Bluetooth app for custom color schemes and changing patterns. Company founder Luis Ortiz also walked us through the company's heated neck technology, which uses lithium battery power and graphite insulation to keep players' hands warm without affecting intonation.
Davinci
Choose between 3 voices:
Single coil, traditional humbucker, and high-output humbucker, featuring a custom system developed with Fishman pickups.
Hardware- Chrome Hardware
- Ratio Graphtech locking tuners
- Graphtech nut tusq XL
- Jumbo frets
- GHS #10-46 strings
- Stainless steel screws
- Cream Bridge
- CTS Push/pull 500k pots
- Fishman Fluence
- Fishman Fluence
- Switchcraft input
- Sony 3-way switch
- Roasted Maple Techwood
- Rosewood frets
- Block inlays
- Extra Jumbo Frets
- Scale 25.5
- Ratio 12
- Low energy consumption non-light emitting display
- Custom made Voltage guitar display design 64 individual segments
- Programmable custom color schemes and changing patterns
- Control and program your guitar through the app by
- connecting your phone or device to the guitar via Bluetooth
- 7 available colors: white, black, yellow, orange, blue, red and green
- It features a low-power, non-emissive E Ink Prism™ 3 display.
Two-Rock Studio Overdrive | NAMM 2026
Two-Rock's Eli Lester walks us through the Studio Overdrive, a compact 35-watt amp with two 6L6s featuring cascading gain stages, independent master controls, component-to-component front-end layout, Tone Stack Bypass EQ, and tube-buffered effects loop—shipping in a new lightweight open-back pine 1x12 cabinet. Guitarist Corey Congilio is on hand to crank it up for a demo.
Studio Overdrive
The Studio Overdrive is a compact Two-Rock platform designed for players who want immediacy, control, and expressive gain in a more focused format.
Built around a fast, responsive power section, the Studio Overdrive delivers a wide dynamic range that remains articulate at lower volumes while still feeling authoritative and dimensional. The clean channel is open and immediate, with a firm low end and clear top that tracks pick attack and guitar volume with ease.
The cascading overdrive channel is tuned for clarity and definition, allowing individual notes to remain distinct as gain increases. A newly designed Tone Stack Bypass EQ introduces an alternate voicing that tightens the response and brings the midrange forward, offering a more direct, connected character for lead work.
Divided by 13 BW 1969 Butch Walker Signature Amp Demo | NAMM 2026
The super producer, Marvelous 3 leader, and newest member of Train details his single-channel slugger, which uses both EL84 (cathode bias ) and 6L6 (fixed bias) tubes that can be engaged separately or together. A six-position input gain selector revamps the front end of the amp, changing feel and response rather than just adding gain.The amp is paired with a Divided by 13 2x12F cabinet, loaded with the new Divided by 13 454 speaker, a 40-watt Celestion Greenback built in Celestion’s UK factory.
BW 1969 Butch Walker Signature
The BW 1969 was designed around a simple but uncommon idea: two complete power sections, each with its own voice, built to run independently or together. Developed in close collaboration with Butch Walker, the BW 1969 reflects a working musician’s reality. It moves easily between sounds without losing its identity. An amplifier that responds to decisions and translates them directly to the speaker and the artist.
At its core, the BW 1969 features two independent tube power supplies, each fully realized and intentionally different. A pair of EL84s running cathode bias delivers speed, harmonic complexity, and immediacy at 18 watts, while a pair of 6L6s in fixed bias adds authority, control, and low-end stability at 45 watts. Each power section can be used on its own or combined, delivering a total output of 63 watts when run together. When blended, the amp retains the harmonic detail and responsiveness of the EL84s while gaining the weight and firmness of the 6L6 power section. The result is not compromise. It is interaction.
Guitar Fretboards and Fret Saws, a new Substack Post
D’Addario Expands XS Series with XS Bass Strings
D’Addario expands its XS coated strings line with XS Bass Strings, bringing the XS series and its advanced coating technology to bass for the first time. Designed to deliver maximum string life and an ultra-smooth playing feel.
D’Addario announces the launch of XS Bass, incorporating the world's most advanced film coating technology into a dedicated line for bassists. This expansion follows the success of the XS guitar line, applying the same film-coating construction to nickel-plated steel bass strings.
Enhanced Durability and Core Construction
Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string options, XS Bass strings feature D’Addario’s proprietary NY Steel core, designed to deliver exceptional break strength and outstanding tuning stability. A re-formulated nickel-plated steel (NPS) wrap wire enhances output and harmonic richness, for a clear, responsive tone across a wide range of playing styles.
The Next Evolution in Bass Strings
"When we decided to release XS Bass, the vision was to design the world's best film-coated round wound bass string, following the same philosophy that brought XS Guitar strings to life. We are confident we have achieved just that.”
- Jim D’Addario, Founder
Key Features
- Longest-Lasting Bass Strings: Ultra-thin XS film wrap resists corrosion and contaminants for maximum string life.
- Smooth, Fast Feel: Coated design delivers ultra smooth feel for enhanced speed and comfort when playing.
- NY Steel Core: Provides exceptional break strength and reliable tuning stability.
- Enhanced Tone & Output: Re-formulated wrap wire enhances output and harmonic detail.
- Multiple Configurations: Available in 4-, 5-, and 6-string options in the most popular gauges across six new SKUs.
Availability & Price
- XS Bass strings are available now through daddario.com and authorized D’Addario dealers worldwide
- Street price: Starting at $49.99
- Watch the full demo: ddar.io/xsbass-demo
- For more information, visit: ddar.io/xsbass-pr
Neural DSP Unveils Quad Cortex mini
Neural DSP today announced Quad Cortex mini, a new ultra-compact, all-in-one guitar and bass rig that delivers the full sound, processing power, and Neural Capture technology of the flagship Quad Cortex in a significantly smaller footprint. Quad Cortex mini is on display for the first time this week at the 2026 NAMM Show at Booth #5243.
Designed for live performance, studio recording, practice, songwriting, and compact touring setups, Quad Cortex mini delivers a complete guitar and bass rig that’s more than 50% smaller than the Quad Cortex, without the traditional trade-offs of compact hardware.
“Since the introduction of Quad Cortex in 2020, our goal has been to define the standard for what an all-in-one digital rig can be,” said Douglas Castro, CEO and Co-Founder of Neural DSP. “We set out to combine machine-learning-based modeling, studio-grade audio quality, and a fast, performance-focused workflow in a single unit. With Quad Cortex mini, we’ve carried that same philosophy forward, preserving the processing architecture and Neural Capture technology that allow us to create ultra-accurate digital replicas of amplifiers, cabinets, drive pedals, fuzzes, and compressors, now in a more compact form without compromise.”
Measuring just 22.8 x 11.8 x 6.5 cm (8.9” x 4.6” x 2.5”) and weighing 1.5 kg (3.3 lbs), Quad Cortex mini is designed to integrate naturally into pedalboards, compact racks, fly rigs, and desktop studios. Interaction is centered around the combination of the 7” touchscreen display and four stainless steel rotary footswitches, providing precise, tactile control underfoot and at the fingertips in both live and studio environments.
Despite its reduced size, Quad Cortex mini offers an intuitive and powerful control experience, including:
●Neural Capture V1 & V2 support for capturing amps, cabs, drives, fuzzes, and compressors
●Extensive library of 90+ amps, 100+ effects, 1000+ IRs, and 2000+ Captures
●Free access to thousands of community Captures via Cortex Cloud
●Focus system for fast, hands-on parameter control using the rotary footswitches
●Pages system for extended footswitch control without increasing the hardware footprint
●Preset, Scene, Stomp, and Hybrid modes for flexible workflows
●Gig View for clear, performance-focused stage control
●16-channel USB-C audio interface (8 inputs / 8 outputs)
●Plugin compatibility with supported Neural DSP plugins
●Cortex Control desktop app for full device management, editing, backups, and organization
Quad Cortex mini also introduces a locking power connector for secure live operation and offers comprehensive I/O, including an instrument/microphone combo input with phantom power, balanced XLR outputs, stereo send/return via TRS, MIDI over TRS and USB-C, and a headphone output for silent practice. The flexible I/O makes Quad Cortex mini suitable for pedalboards, compact desks, rack systems, and redundant touring rigs.
It integrates fully with the Quad Cortex ecosystem, allowing Presets and complete system backups to move freely between Quad Cortex mini and Quad Cortex. This makes it easy to share sounds across devices, maintain consistent rigs, or deploy multiple units for backups without rebuilding or reconfiguring anything.
CorOS 4.0.0 – Expanded Creative Tools for the Cortex Ecosystem
Quad Cortex mini also launches alongside CorOS 4.0.0, a major update that adds new devices and utilities to the platform, including:
●Nordic Concert Hall – a spacious, cinematic hall-style reverb
●Blossom – a swelling reverb that builds after the initial note for expressive passages
●Studio Plate 70 – a smooth, vintage plate reverb tailored for musical decay and mix integration
●Phase Doctor – a utility for aligning signals in stereo rigs and multi-amp setups
CorOS 4.0.0 includes full support for Quad Cortex mini and is available across the ecosystem at launch.
“Quad Cortex mini represents our belief that size shouldn’t dictate what a professional rig is capable of,” concludes Francisco Cresp, Neural DSP Co-Founder and CPO. “It carries forward the same sound quality, the same processing depth, and the same creative control that define Quad Cortex, while opening up new possibilities for how and where that level of performance can be used. The goal was to ensure that whether a player is in the studio, on stage, or on the road, they can rely on the same technology, the same results, and the same level of trust in their rig, regardless of form factor.”
Quad Cortex mini is available today for €1299. To learn more about Quad Cortex mini, click here, or visit Booth #5243 at the 2026 NAMM Show.
Neural DSP Quad Cortex Mini Modeling and Effects Processor, Sweetwater Exclusive
Blackstar Introduces BEAM MINI
A New Compact Desktop Amp Designed for Portable, Immersive Play.
Blackstar announces the BEAM MINI, a compact desktop amplifier designed for electric, bass and acoustic guitar players seeking high-quality tone, portability and intuitive control. Previewing at NAMM 2026 and launching worldwide on 24 March 2026, BEAM MINI combines Blackstar’s decades of amp design expertise with advanced component-level digital modelling, powerful DSP and a sealed, acoustically tuned cabinet to deliver immersive sound in a small, portable format suitable for home, studio and on-the-go use.
Designed to remove barriers between players and inspiration, BEAM MINI delivers best-in-class guitar tone alongside high-quality Bluetooth audio playback. Despite its compact size, the amp features two 60mm full-range drivers, two passive bass radiators and Blackstar’s Super Wide Stereo technology, creating an expansive, room-filling sound that belies its dimensions. Developed in collaboration with one of the UK’s leading acoustics experts, the sealed cabinet is engineered to provide accurate, articulate guitar tones and exceptional music playback.
At the core of BEAM MINI is advanced component-level modelling, delivering the dynamic response and feel associated with traditional tube amplifiers. The amp features twelve component-level electric guitar amp models, including six Blackstar designs and six Ampton recreations of iconic amplifiers, alongside three bass amps, two acoustic voices, an acoustic simulator and Blackstar’s patented ISF control. Each model has been meticulously voiced by Blackstar’s UK engineering team to deliver authentic tone and responsiveness.
Control is designed to be immediate and intuitive. Players can shape their sound directly on the unit using the SpeedDial and Light Beam Display, offering instant visual feedback without navigating menus. Deeper editing and expanded creative options are available through the Beam app, which provides access to a growing library of professional-grade amp, cabinet, microphone and pedal models, as well as thousands of user- and artist-generated patches.
BEAM MINI also incorporates XpressFX, allowing players to adjust the intensity of multiple effects simultaneously with a single movement of the SpeedDial. A studio-quality headset microphone input with built-in reverb enables recording vocals and guitar together, making the amp suitable for songwriting, streaming and content creation. Blackstar’s IR-driven CabRig technology provides speaker and microphone simulation designed to recreate the immediacy and feel of a real amplifier in the room, offering flexibility for live, studio and practice applications.
Built for portability, BEAM MINI features an IP66 dust-tight and weatherproof design and offers over 18 hours of playtime on a single charge. Through the Beam app, users can access official artist patches from a growing roster of players, share their own tones with the global community and explore backing tracks and video lessons designed to support practice and learning.
Designed as a complete, compact desktop solution for practice, songwriting, recording or casual play, BEAM MINI is intended to deliver uncompromising tone wherever inspiration strikes. For more information about BEAM MINI and Blackstar’s full product range, visit www.blackstaramps.com.
Street Price: $299.99 USD
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