Korg Nano Key Fold
The Nano Key Fold is an ingenious MIDI keyboard that folds to the size of a mobile phone, making it an ideal solution where space is limited. It features a silent membrane keybed for a smooth, quiet playing experience, 25 velocity-sensitive keys and an octave shift range from -4 to +4. There are 15 built-in scales and an ‘Easy Scale’ mode, which restricts notes to those within the chosen scale. The Chord mode lets you assign chords to each key, making it easy to create chord progressions. These features make it a beginner-friendly tool. The Split function allows independent control of modes, chords, and scales on the left and right of the keyboard. There is also a sustain button, 15 arpeggiator patterns, and memory for saving settings. Two sliders provide control over pitch and modulation. It is powered via USB and offers USB-C and TRSMIDI connections. The bundled software includes Skoove, for improving keyboard skills.
korg.co.uk/products/nanokey-fold
Price: £110.00
Warm Audio WA-C1
The WA-C1 Chorus Vibrato pedal is based on the Boss CE-1, one of the most iconic analogue chorus pedals. This model was used by guitarists such as John Frusciante of the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Andy Summers of The Police and Johnny Marr of The Smiths. The WA-C1 replicates the shimmering chorus and vibrato effects but adds modern enhancements like separate depth and rate controls for both the chorus and vibrato effects, as well as the ability to switch between mono and stereo outputs. The all-analogue preamp and selectable impedance ensure that the pedal works well with a variety of guitars. The pedal has a pleasing vintage aesthetic and is the right size to fit nicely on a pedalboard. The simple control layout means that students can focus on experimenting with sound, rather than struggling with complex settings. The WA-C1 provides an affordable option for players who want classic chorus tones with more flexibility and control. If you're looking for an affordable pedal and the sound of legendary artists, it's an excellent choice.
warmaudio.com/wa-c1-chorus-vibrato
Price: £189.00
Spark Go
The Spark Go is an ultra-compact 5-watt guitar amp and Bluetooth speaker that fits in the palm of your hand. While it may look like a toy, it delivers impressive sound quality for its size, thanks to its efficient Class D amplifier and wide frequency range that covers most of the guitar's spectrum. With a maximum sound pressure level (SPL) of 82 dB, the Spark Go won't shake the walls but provides enough volume for small spaces. It comes loaded with 33 amps and 43 effects/pedals, offering plenty of versatility for different musical styles. As with many modern bits of gear, it also comes with an app, providing access to over 50,000 tones. The Smart Jam feature is handy, allowing students to practise with real-time accompaniment. The Auto Chords feature uses AI to analyse songs and display the chords. Its rechargeable battery, headphone-out and compact design make it ideal for peripatetic and one-to-one lessons, quiet practice, or small group jam sessions. It also doubles as an audio interface for recording.
uk.positivegrid.com/products/spark-go
Price: £114.00
Filterstep
It can be overwhelming to sift through the vast number of free plugins available, so when one genuinely stands out for being both easy to use and creatively enriching, it's a welcome surprise. This free motion filter plugin from Audio Modern ticks all the boxes. With its wide range of filter effects and the ability to create intricate rhythmic movement, it's an excellent tool for adding sonic variety to compositions, making it a valuable addition to any collection. Step filters are often used in EDM styles. Unlike continuous filters, which smoothly adjust the frequency range, step filters change the cutofffrequency or filter parameters in distinct, measurable steps, creating a rhythmic effect commonly found in sequenced or loop-based genres like dance music. Tracks such as Daft Punk's ‘Around the World’ and Stardust's ‘Music Sounds Better with You’ showcase the creative use of step filters. I found the plugin incredibly straightforward to load and use, and there's a helpful walkthrough video to ensure you make the most of its potential. Available for Windows, Mac & iOS.
audiomodern.com/shop/plugins/filterstep
Price: Free
