Planet Waves Dual Action Capo + Tuner

Planet Waves NS Dual Action Capo & Tuner

Spring is the time that we think about playing out more at jams, gigs and music festivals. Folk festivals are some of my favorites for informal performing.  I like the New Jersey Folk Festival for that reason.  I can remember people in the audience bringing their instruments to play along with us up on stage.  Now THAT is audience participation!  So anything that helps make bringing an instrument along easier is going to get my attention.

The PW Capos fit my Martin Guitar necks perfectly.

Planet Waves NS Dual Action Capo...

PW NS Dual Action Capo

When the original Planet Waves Dual Action Capo first came out, I loved it. It is sturdy, easy to adjust, (I could actually take it off and move it on the fly) and stays put. The adjustable spring allows for the perfect fit and the curved back seems to fit my Martin necks perfectly.

PLUS Tuner
My womanly hands are small but I have no problem clamping and unclasping the Dual Action Capo.  So when the upgrade arrived, I had no problem switching over.  The mechanism is the same only now you have a little tuner on the end!  The tuner is very accurate and easy to activate. The only downside is that it doesn't display the actual note. I've used it mostly to tweak a properly tuned guitar using a pedal tuner like their Tru-Strobe.  Once your guitar is tuned to the proper notes, you just need a little fine tuning so seeing the note you are playing is not as important at that point.

Planet Waves Tru-Strobe Pedal Tuner should be your starting point for accurate baseline tuning

NS Capo Tuner

Planet Waves NS Dual Action Capo - Tuner  
One of the things that I like about this combo capo & tuner is somewhat obvious.  You don't have to bring two guitar accessories as you have both the capo and tuner in one.
What is cool is that you can offer it to someone whose tuner is failing and they always say. "Wow, your capo has a tuner on it too?"  You look like the genius in the room and your playing buddy gets their instrument tuned.
Here are the specs on this tuner straight from the Planet Waves website:

NS Capo Tuner The NS Capo Tuner combines the widely acclaimed NS Dual Action Capo with a Planet Waves precision chromatic tuner. the first of its kind, the NS Capo tuner provides accurate tuning at any fret or when clipped on the headstock of your acoustic or electric guitar. the patented compound action of the dual action capo reduces the force necessary to open and close the capo. it also eliminates side pulling the strings out of tune, a common issue with standard trigger-type capos. lightweight, accurate and easy to use, simply adjust the micrometer tension knob just enough to eliminate string buzzing and enjoy repeatable in-tune performance at every fret. Designed to fit standard 6- and 12-string guitars. The upper lights indicate sharp conditions in the same manner as the lower lights indicate flat conditions. Tuner will automatically power off after 4 minutes. Designed for acoustic and electric guitars with radiused fretboards Intergraded Single hand operation tuner and Micrometer tension adjustment assures buzz-free in-tune performance at any fret Single hand Aircraft grade aluminum construction Aircraft grade aluminum construction Designed for 6- and most 12-string guitars Planet Waves NS Series capos are the result of an ongoing collaboration between famed product designer Ned Steinberger, Jim D'Addario and Planet Waves. PW Headstock Tuner I mostly use the tiny PW Headstock Tuner these days because it shows the the musical note and it is small enough that I can leave it on the headstock and put the guitar in the case.  It sort of lives on the headstock now and I haven't noticed any scratches or discoloration as a result. However I still bring along the NS Capo Tuner to gigs to use and to have in case one of my band-mates tuner fails or gets left at home.  This goes for myself as well!!!  It's good to have a backup plan and having a dual action capo / tuner like this on board is just good policy.

My Karaoke Machine allows me to change keys for my vocal track keys which I then capo up the neck of the guitar.

The Singing Machine Pedestal Karaoke System

The latest pedestal Singing Machine delivered to my studio in time for the holidays!

As soon as fall hits, I look forward to spending more time in the studio, working on my vocal tracks and doing some recording.  Last month was my birthday so my wish was to get a new Karaoke System.  I reviewed my first Singing Machine in 2009.  That was the iSM 1010 which was purchased at Sam's Club. I loved that thing and we did use it for lots of studio sessions and holiday parties.  The only problem is that after a while, (about 2 years) the CDG player stopped working properly.  The music and mic would cut out. Maybe it was due to the fact that I didn't have it plugged into a power surge strip like my other musical electronics.  Whatever the case, it no longer worked properly and there is only a 90 warranty on it.  Customer service was of no real help and I've seen similar complaints about this company's karaoke products/service online.

Surge Protection
So before plugging this new unit in, I purchased a surge protector and so far so good but I will keep you posted on what happens. Even with a surge protector, I unplug all of my electronics during a lightening storm.  Since I owned the previous model, I can tell you a bit about the differences & similarities between the two.  First the similarities:

Both have very good sounding twin tower speakers with tweeters 
Both have both a plug in and a remote mic
Both have random play, program, repeat track features
Both allow you to dock your iPhone, iPod, etc. to stream music
Both have a 7 inch full color screen, (it will also play videos from your iPhone, iPod like a television screen)
Both have a FM Radio and AUX settings
Both are built somewhat thin plastic parts

The new iSM1028XI Singing Machine

The unit is made in China and suitable for home use, not professional KJ work although we had many parties with it.  The Singing Machine is made of lightweight plastic and simply not sturdy enough for heavy use or taking on the road.

The Differences:
The newer model Singing Machine, iSM 1028XI does not have a built in video camera as did the previous model. It was poor quality anyway so unless you really enjoy seeing yourself singing on the 7 inch screen, you could do with out it.
I will say that the quality of the microphones has improved but the only vocal effect is still echo which can be turned up to +4.  There is a key control allowing you to raise or lower the pitch of the song by four increments. You have to open the CD player door manually, (the previous model had a button) and there are a few more controls to adjust the brightness and color quality of the screen.

The Take Away

I prefer sending lead vocals through a studio mic

The Singing Machine is what it is.  You can read other reviews on the web telling how these machines broke right after the 90 warranty was up.  I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt however as I have had other electronics that weren't surge protected get fried after the terrible lightening storms we so often have in the north east.

I like having the graphics and lyrics right there for studio practice but prefer to use the Singing Machine for the music and back up vocals while using Audio-Technica studio mics for the lead.  The lead vocals are sent through my Voice Tone Create and Roland Stage Amp stack.  If I am playing guitar, I plug into my guitar amp (Tech21 NYC) so the result is a full surround sound with the different parts beings picked up by the various mics and coming through multiple amps.

I also like to just sit on a stool and sing through the Singing Machine with the headphones on. This really gives you an intense vocal workout and with the iPod docking feature, I'm able to access many more Karaoke songs via YouTube.  I've gotten so much enjoyment from this karaoke system that I took a chance and replaced it but as mentioned before, took extra precautions and invested in surge protection.  Take it out for home birthday, Christmas and New Year's Eve parties and you have an instant ice breaker.  Karaoke is VERY popular and having two microphones included with this unit allow for duets and harmonizing.  Think about getting a Karaoke machine for your home for the upcoming holiday season. 

Fall is studio-time!

Rockin' the New Year!

My Singing Machine Studio Karaoke System iSM 1010 has a wireless mic, full color 7 inch screen and iPod docking feature. Tower speakers are amazing for playing my CD's too! This is a serious party maker. Christmas Carols, Hymns, Rock, Bluegrass...the Singing Machine can handle it.

A Very Merry Christmas and a Rockin' New Year to All!