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Tight spacing between pedals calls for a tighter cable approach. Gator Cableworks now offers a space-saving option with the launch of Flat Patch Cables, available as part of its Composer Series collection of high-quality audio cables.The Composer Series Flat Patch Cables are built for musicians who demand premium signal integrity and efficient pedalboard management. Each cable features slim, compact connectors that fit into tight spaces and adapt to a variety of challenging pedal layouts, helping reduce clutter and maximize usable surface area on crowded boards.Engineered for high performance, the cables feature 99.99% oxygen-free copper conductors to ensure clear signal transmission. The 24 AWG low capacitance construction helps preserve tone while minimizing interference, and a double-shielding layer delivers a 100% shielding factor to guard against noise and RF disruption.Each cable includes TS male right-angle ¼-inch connectors with nickel-plated housing and 24K gold-plated contact tips, providing optimal conductivity and corrosion resistance for long-term reliability.The Composer Series Flat Patch Cables are available in the following sizes and pack options: 3-inch, 6-inch, 12-inch and 24-inch lengths, as well as 3-packs of 3-inch, 6-inch and 12-inch models. All Cableworks cables are backed by a Limited Lifetime Guarantee. For more information, please visit www.gatorco.com.

Dreams of Gray lean into the sad and introspective with their new EP, A Beginning, out September 5. Check out the lyric video for for “Across the Endless Sea” ahead of the release.
The post Lyric Video Premiere: Dreams of Gray – “Across the Endless Sea” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Continuing to shatter the boundaries of what is possible within the analog time-modulation domain, Mr. Black is proud to announce the all-new Mod.One – Analog Modulator. The Mod.One combines chorus, flanger and “high-band” flanger into a single compact pedal, readily capable of creating each effect independently, and further expanded by its ability to seamlessly morph between these processes on the fly, bridging the gaps between the classic, related modulation sounds, while affording all-new tones and possibilities. Hand built and individually calibrated, the Mod.One also includes Click-Less relay true-bypass, six waveforms and precision tap-tempo, delivering premium analog modulation in a built-to-last compact and handsome package.Key features:• 100% analog signal path • Wide range of LFO speeds • Six waveforms • Tap-Tempo • Click-Less True-Bypass • Powered by “Industry Standard” 9VDC The Mod.One carries a MAP of $249.95 and is handmade, one-at-a-time in Portland, Oregon U.S.A. Available at: www.mrblackpedals.com and retailers worldwide.

Over the past few decades, I’ve devoted much of my lutherie career to understanding musical-grade tonewoods and the instruments that they become. While some builders seem to assess wood instinctively, I’ve always needed real, solid data—something concrete to show how a material behaves and how to best use it. That meant diving deep into the science: analyzing frequency, weight, and stiffness to understand how, and why, these characteristics shape an instrument’s sound.One of the most powerful tools for this kind of work is the FFT (Fast Fourier Transform) analyzer, which lets you track and study anything that vibrates or makes sound. When testing tonewoods or working on guitars, FFT analysis is indispensable. Over the years, I tried a variety of FFT systems, but eventually adopted SpectraPlus by Pioneer Hill Software. It elevated my analysis to a whole new level. Even mobile FFT apps, though a bit quirky at times, have their place. I’ve had one on my phone for over 15 years. They’re a great entry point for players and curious minds alike.In 2024, a major breakthrough occurred: the launch of the Acousonix Sonic Hammer, which I helped develop. This handheld device detects and displays the primary resonant frequencies of almost anything you tap. For tonewoods, it reveals key modal frequencies that help gauge a piece of wood’s acoustic potential. For guitars, it’s both insightful and fun: You can tap the top to measure its resonance, hold it near the soundhole to detect air resonance, or tap the back to read the back plate’s voice. Together, these readings paint a clearer picture of the instrument’s tonal fingerprint.Say you’re comparing two guitars: One feels more “alive,” but you can’t explain why. By sampling each guitar you’ll likely see frequency differences tied to weight, tension, and structural behavior. That kind of information can help guide buying decisions, repair work, or just satisfy your curiosity.Although we originally developed the Sonic Hammer for tonewood analysis, its applications have since expanded. With smart software updates and continued experimentation, we’ve used it to fine-tune banjo heads, drums, archtop guitars, and even ukuleles. Today, it’s being used in studios, repair shops, manufacturing facilities, and by tonewood sawyers to help improve yield, quality control, and efficiency.It’s no surprise that everyday players, collectors, and music shops have embraced the hammer, not just for smarter purchases, but to better understand their instruments, inventories, and collections. Once a guitar’s sonic footprint is captured, you can track it over time. Whether it’s aging, humidity, or environmental shifts, this tool provides a simple way to monitor and preserve an instrument’s acoustic health. In recording studios or on the road, if an instrument is problematic, the hammer helps engineers and guitar techs zero in on where the problem may lie. While broader implications are still unfolding, the technology is already proving both rewarding and, yes, a little disruptive. But in time, this kind of data will likely become standard in the industry. “This handheld device detects and displays the primary resonant frequencies of almost anything you tap.”The Founders Edition focused on detecting primary resonances, but what’s coming next is even more exciting: deeper analysis of voicing, damping, and admittance, plus built-in Bluetooth for integration with more advanced systems. Most importantly, this tool can support something I’ve long believed in: responsible tonewood use. If we want to conserve the world’s most valuable musical materials, we need smarter ways to measure and manage them. I believe the Sonic Hammer can play a meaningful role in that effort.For guitar makers and players, we’re living in a truly exciting era. For years, I said, “This is going to take off,” and every couple of years it felt just around the corner. But during the COVID shutdown, something changed. People had time to explore, to experiment, and the science of acoustics started to catch fire. These are exciting times indeed.For more info, visit acousonix.com.

Living up to its name, “Colossal,” this pickup set has more of everything. Play them softly and they deliver an unmatched airiness to the notes; play them aggressively and they will blow your hair back. These passive pickups are designed to effortlessly respond to soft touch, slap, or aggressive pick attack with ease.As with our game changing Relentless™ pickups, we removed all the hard edges from the metal covers, and added an arch to the top contour, bringing the sensing coils closer to the middle strings. These improvements increase the string balance and overall dynamic range.The Colossal™ pickups are a fully humbucking design and are completely shielded, making them a better choice for both recording and live shows. These pickups can be used with the coils in series, parallel, or split configurations, making multiple sounds easily achievable without the need for digital filters. The Colossal™ Bridge and Neck can easily be combined with active electronics.Using a thick .09375” circuit board baseplate as the foundation, the Colossal™ pickups are simple to install and use our quick connect cable system. The soapbar shaped (EMG40® sized, 37.75mm x 101.25mm) pickups incorporate Neodymium magnets, producing significantly more output and dynamic range than traditional active or passive pickups.To improve the balance when both pickups are used together, we made the bridge position pickup louder than the neck position pickup. When the pickups are blended, you get a better volume match.Colossal™ pickups have a richly detailed mid-range that growls, delivering notes with definition and openness, and they work well with dropped tunings. The highs are present and precise without harshness, and the lows are thunderous and tight, like the footsteps of a giant.Available in Nickel, Gold, or Matte Black finishes.

It’s only September, but the haunting of this year’s spooky season has already begun with Faetooth’s new doomy masterwork.
The post Full Album Stream: Faetooth – “Labyrinthine” appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

From the ashes of Pacific Northwest death dealers Dripping Decay comes Pacific Northwest death dealers Ripping Remains.
The post Track Premiere: Ripping Remains – ‘Rub My Infection On You’ appeared first on Decibel Magazine.

Check out the new album by Sardinian storytellers, Shardana!
The post Album Premiere: Duo-Lingual Epic Storytelling with Shardana’s The Monarch appeared first on Decibel Magazine.