NEW PRODUCTS

FEATURED PRODUCT

INSTRUMENT CASE

Cast in a new light

Gewa’s new case puts instrument makers’ feedback into practice

The new Air Luthier case, available for violin, viola and cello from German case manufacturer Gewa, marks the company’s first official partnership with instrument makers. ‘Luthiers have lots of musicians telling them what they like in cases, so we used this feedback to develop the product,’ says Jan Linda, marketing manager for the brand.

The cases are part of Gewa’s Air range and combine existing technologies with new developments. The suspension system, first used in the Air cello case and now available for the viola case, comprises two adjustable foam pads placed around the instrument’s neck and lower body. A patented, mechanically adjustable foam pad that wraps around the neck in the violin and viola cases can be moved back and forth, to fit even oversized instruments. ‘The combination of the adjustable neck pad and suspension system simultaneously gives protection and accommodates several instrument sizes,’ Linda says.

The case’s outer shell, which is made of insulating Thermoplast, comprises two layers separated by foam to protect its contents from impacts. The interior is made from a lightweight, environmentally friendly, Oeko-Tex-certified fabric that consists of cotton, lyocell and bamboo viscose. Available in shaped and oblong formats, the violin cases weigh 1.8kg and 2.2kg respectively, while the viola case weighs 2.16kg and cello case 4.1kg. They fit half- to full-size violins, 13-to-17- inch violas and three-quarter-to-full-size cellos. The cello case also has stabilising feet, a detachable and adjustable back cushion and music pocket, and an interior elastic strap that wraps around and supports the scroll.

Gewa Air Luthier case from €499–€1,199 email info@gewamusic.comweb www.gewamusic.com

MICROPHONE KIT

LISTEN UP

This USB studio kit from CAD Audio comprises a tripod stand, mounting clip, USB cable, windscreen and a side-addressing microphone with a highsensitivity condenser capsule designed to record articulate audio. It also has a headphone socket, allowing users to monitor the sound being recorded.

CAD Audio USB microphone kit with headphone monitor starting at $39 email info@cadaudio.comweb www .cadaudio.com

TUNER

PITCH PERFECT

D’Addario’s micro tuner, originally designed to clip on to a violin, is now available with a viola mount. A small screen on the device displays coloured lines to indicate whether a note being played is flat or sharp. The pitch can be set to between 410 and 480Hz, and the tuner can be rotated 360 degrees.

D’Addario viola micro tuner £30.90 email via bit.ly/3sM5SA2web www.daddario.com