I recently got a couple new toys for my arsenal of cool sound making tools. The first is the MPC1000. After loading all of my favorite samples in it (and creating new instruments – vocal, wurly 5ths, acoustic guitar, direct rat pedal guitar, etc.) I have come to realize how powerful and quick it is to have a dedicated device for sampling. And it syncs flawlessly with Pro Tools and/or the 2″ tape deck via midi beat clock!

The second piece is a custom. low watt, amplifier built locally by Twang n’ Tweed.

Here’s what the builder/designer had to say about the amp:

“The enclosure was originally a 1940′s laboratory volt meter type contraption. The circuit uses a directly heated cathode rectifier, cathode biased output tube, 12AU7 preamp tube, and a nice NOS choke filter for good voltage regulation.The input transformer is from a vintage 1950′s Alamo amp. The output tranny is one of many I have lying around and after much testing and comparison I coupled it with a no-name 50′s alnico speaker that made a good tonal partner. NOS vintage caps and other various parts add up to a sweet little monster amp. None of them are ever exactly the same parts build so they are all unique. I didn’t test the output wattage, but must be 5-7 watts.”