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The kalimba, or mbira, is a very simple instrument which can be easily tuned. Models vary in complexity and tone, but the two BrandNewNoise versions are easy for anyone to start playing immediately reguardless of musical knowledge. 

The tines (or keys) on kalimbas are generally made of spring spring steel. To change the pitch you can slide these pieces back or fowards under the square bar holding them in place. You must first loosen the bar, starting with turning the two screws about a 1/4 to a 1/2 turn. You can then easily move the keys with your fingers (I wear a thimble for extra leverage).

The BrandNewNoise Zoots and Hubble both come tuned to notes in the key of C major. 

If you wish to purchase an additional set of keys, you can follow the video for how create a chromatic scale. 

BrandNewNoise kalimbas have been used on recordings by Death Cab for Cutie, The Lego Movie soundtrack by Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo, and more. 

I got an email a few months back from a buddy telling me to check out the latest issue of Tape Op Magazine. Tape Op, the brainchild of Larry Crane, has long been one of the music industries best resources for long format interviews with engineers, musicians and those involved in making great records. Tape Op is, well, a big deal for us audio nerds.

So there it was, Krankie, the BrandNewNoise mechanical music box, pictured behind the prolific artist King Britt in his Philadelphia studio along with Moog synths and more.

The interview is well worth your time and I encourage you to check out King's work if you aren't familiar. Honored to know that BrandNewNoise is being used by King.

A harmonica, record, playback, pitch control, and repeat loop switch all combined into one awesome lo-fi audio recorder. Welcome to the BrandNewNoise family, Zippy! 

We have had a ton of request for a BrandNewNoise harmonica instrument over the years and finally are making it reality. For more info click here!

Raised Ranch  sent me an email earlier this week  using Space Oddity in his Beatles Lofi. The video showcases Space Oddity for a pitched controlled vocal sample, Rowland SP-404 sampler, and the Moog GrandMother to create the bass line.

Here is the original Beatles' Mother Nature's Son.

Rowland SP 404 has been discontinued but for the specs click here.

For an in-depth look at the Moog GrandMother check out MoogMusic.com

The multi-instrumentalist and singer David Pajo, also known as Papa M, was recently spotted on Instagram covering Bob Dylan's Nobody 'Cept You with his Player One on hand.

Pajo's work is a regular sound here at BrandNewNoise so I was honored to see a Player One in his hands. From Slint, Tortoise to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, his work has never been confined to a genre. Check out the performance on Instagram here

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDP6_9oDfPa/

Australian folktronica singer-songwriter Gordi recently performed Miley Cyrus' Wrecking Ball on the program Like A Version. Throughout her performance she uses the BrandNewNoise Player One. 

Sophie Payten, known professionally as Gordi, recently performed at the Sydney Opera House and released her new album Our Two Skins. Payten spent the previous 8 years in the medical field as junior doctor before turning her full attention to her music. 

Watch the interview with Gordi on why she chose Miley Cyrus to cover on Like A Version and the instruments, including BrandNewNoise's Player One and a farm tool, she used for the performance.

We are proud to see Loopy Lou listed by Wirecutter as one of the "17 Best Father's Day Gifts." 

Gregory Han writes,

The greatest gift we can offer the fathers in our lives is our time. A distant second is a thoughtful sentiment or token that recognizes the unique connection between the giver and the recipient. With that in mind, we’ve selected our favorite Father’s Day gifts (chosen from Wirecutter guides and small retailers across the country) that will show your heartfelt affection for your dad—and that can be used and loved for years to come.

To see the full article click here.

Chuck D, founding member of Public Enemy, posted a video on Twitter featuring BrandNewNoise's Loopy Lou audio recorder! The rapper, producer, activist and author is hailed as one of the top hip-hop lyricists of all time. 

His tweet features Loopy Lou sitting above the famed Public Enemy logo with music from their 1987 track Miuzi Weighs A Ton.

Full Twitter post can be found here.

Hi everyone! I will keep this light and brief as possible. 

BrandNewNoise is still shipping out. I will be updating this post as we take it day by day. I will be here shipping through end of each day, 5pm CST and plan on shipping until there changes in service.

Many of you are sending gifts to those in quarantine, so I ask you place your orders asap to avoid any interruption.

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Thanks for the love and support. 

I send love, light and creativity to you all.

Richard Upchurch