The Future Impact V4 and V4 VIP are already incredibly versatile bass synth pedals –designed for players rather than programmers. The V4.5 upgrade offers even greater value while retaining the same simplicity of operation. Some of the new features include:

•  99 DX7 FM song-ready presets have been added to the existing 99 Virtual Analogue presets library

•  Setlist Mode to easily program a performance list without a computer

•  Zero Latency has been added as a third mode to the existing Speed and Accuracy modes

The FM library draws heavily from iconic ‘80s and ‘90s recordings made with the Yamaha DX7 bass: “Take on Me,” “Smooth Criminal,” “Take My Breath Away,” “Broken Wings,” and many more. There are also funky bass, smooth bass, double bass, Stratocaster emulation, and a selection of classic DX7 sounds —church organ, tubular bells, pan pipe, and harmonica, to name a few. 

You can also explore the tens of thousands of other FM patches out in the world and upload them using the 4.5 Editor software for Windows or Mac. The only caveat is to not to get too lost down that rabbit trail! 

While fully loaded with presets galore, you can still add and edit your own so you’re not locked into someone else’s palette choices.

In addition to producing synthesizer sounds such as basses, leads, and pads, the Future Impact can also function as an octaver, chorus, flanger, phaser, distortion, envelope filter, traditional wah-wah, tremolo, reverb, etc. Plus, there’s a built-in tuner. With so much functionality, you can potentially replace an entire pedalboard of dedicated single-effect pedals. 

The Future Impact is brought to you by Andras Szalay, the original designer of the legendary Akai Deep Impact pedal. It is the world’s fastest and most reliable tracking platform for professionals and hobbyists alike.

For full details, head over here: www.panda-audio.com/future-impact-v4-vip

For an overview and sound samples:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLJSdy3Wf8c

Exclusive U.S. distribution by Tech 21 USA, Inc. 

MESA/Boogie unveils the new Subway®+ Bass DI Preamp II, a compact, full-featured follow-up to its highly acclaimed first-generation Subway bass preamp pedals. Consolidating the strengths of the original two preamp models into a single, streamlined unit, the Subway+ Bass DI Preamp II adds smart refinements that give bassists all the tone-shaping tools they need to capture the sound, feel, and response that have made the Subway Series market leaders in premium bass tone. The new Subway+ Bass DI Preamp II is now available worldwide at authorized MESA/Boogie dealers, at Gibson Garage locations, and at www.mesaboogie.com.

Building on the foundation laid by the celebrated Subway® D 800™, Subway® D 800+, and Subway® D350 preamps, the new model delivers world-class?class MESA bass tone in a format that is approximately 40% smaller than the previous Subway+ design. The result is a road-ready, studio-savvy preamp that’s equally at home on a tight pedalboard, a desktop, or riding along as a micro-sized gig-bag solution.

Designed for power without complexity, the Subway+ Bass DI Preamp II features an extended-range JFET preamp that plays beautifully with both active and passive instruments, plus an Input Mute footswitch for silent tuning. A Deep switch adds roundness and low-end weight, while a Bright switch lends bite and top-end sparkle. MESA’s award-winning variable Hi-Pass Filter (30 Hz–150 Hz) removes headroom, robbing subsonic content so players can precisely tune their low end to the musical style, ensemble, or venue.

Independent Gain, Boost (footswitchable with dedicated level control), and Master Volume controls unlock a wide palette—from warm, rounded cleans to mix-ready drive. The Variable Voicing control sweeps the overall character from a flatter, modern response to a more vintage-inspired contour by intelligently adjusting multiple frequency regions with a single knob. For deeper sculpting, a fully active 4-band Baxandall EQ provides ±12 dB of Bass, Low Mid, High Mid, and Treble, with sweepable Low-Mid (150 Hz–1.8 kHz) and High-Mid (300 Hz–5 kHz) frequency controls for surgical precision.

Flexible connectivity makes the Subway+ Bass DI Preamp II a natural fit for practice, stage, and studio. Aux In and Headphone Out allow players to blend a media source with their bass for quiet, on-the-go rehearsal. The Preamp Output supports ¼” (6.35 mm) TS unbalanced or ¼” (6.35 mm) TRS fully balanced connections and delivers ample level to drive any pro audio power amp. A mic-level balanced XLR DI with Pre/Post EQ and Ground Lift routes iconic MESA tone directly to front-of-house, monitors, or recording interfaces with ease.

With its ideal mix of compact size—just 2.25” (57 mm) H × 6” (152 mm) W × 4.25” (108 mm) D—light weight, 9–18 VDC (either polarity) power flexibility, and stellar tonal control, the Subway+ Bass DI Preamp II is a powerful solution for silent or live practice, studio sessions, and touring. Whether feeding PA and/or backline in small to midsize venues or standing by as a trusted emergency rig, it brings unmistakable MESA authority to any bass setup.

Trace Elliot® debuts the new Transformer DI. Designed for all musical instrument applications, using a new proprietary transformer design, the DI converts between balanced and unbalanced signals at a perfect 1-to-1 ratio with audiophile quality and total transparency. With a frequency response between 14Hz and 80kHz, this unit is essential for five-string bassists, other drop-tuned instruments, and artists wanting the sound of their instruments uncolored by the PA interface. The new transformer DI is now available worldwide via online and local retailers.

A transformer DI (direct-interface) box is a 100% passive impedance conversion device that converts unbalanced signals into balanced signals for direct connection to mixing consoles and recording devices. The Trace Elliot Transformer DI sets itself apart from active DI boxes by providing a pristine signal path that will never suffer clipping or distortion between the source and the balanced input. Furthermore, it outperforms other passive DI boxes by its ability to do so far beyond the range of human hearing. By balancing the signal, the transformer DI reduces noise and interference while keeping signal integrity. Its durable die-cast enclosure and high-quality parts provide steady signal performance for both live and studio environments.

With individual ¼” and XLR jacks for both inputs and outputs, and a recessed GROUND LIFT button, this unit is an essential must-have for any professional musician or audio engineer.

For more information, please visit www.traceelliot.com

Retail: $229.99 USD

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announced the launch of the Vintera III Series, the next evolution of its acclaimed vintage-inspired lineup. Reimagined from the ground up, the highly anticipated range delivers meticulously crafted instruments that capture the defining sounds, aesthetics and feel of the early, mid and late ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.

Designed for players seeking true vintage character, the Vintera III series introduces an all-new philosophy: a targeted focus on iconic moments in Fender history. This “greatest hits” approach highlights some of the most celebrated specifications from the company’s golden eras, giving musicians access to some of the most revered tones ever produced.

This refined direction marks a significant evolution from previous Vintera collections – while earlier generations drew broadly from generations of production, the Vintera III Series narrows its focus to distinct, era-defining designs, allowing Fender to achieve a new level of historical accuracy and authenticity. Every instrument in the range reflects painstaking attention to detail – from period-correct aesthetics and colours, to carefully recreated neck construction and pickups – faithfully capturing the look, feel and sonic character of legendary vintage Fender models.

“With the Vintera III Series, we set out to capture the defining moments that shaped Fender’s legacy,” said Max Gutnik, Chief Product Officer at Fender. “Rather than broadly representing entire decades, we focused on the most iconic specifications that players continue to seek out today. By zeroing in on these historic designs – from era-correct pickups and neck profiles to period-accurate aesthetics – we’re giving today’s musicians an authentic connection to the instruments that helped define modern music.”

To ensure era-accurate tone, Fender’s engineers revisited the company’s original archives, developing vintage-style pickups matched to each period. Players will experience the warm, rounded character of Alnico II and the punch and clarity of Alnico V designs.

The Vintera III Series also faithfully recreates Fender’s historic neck profiles, from the substantial V and D shapes of the mid and late ’50s to the comfortable medium C profiles of the early ’60s and the slimmer C shapes that defined the late ’60s and early ’70s. Each model is completed with era-specific headstocks, decals, fingerboard inlays, stamps and finishes, delivering an instrument that feels as authentic as it sounds.

With Vintera III, Fender brings the spirit of its most influential eras to a new generation of players – offering a lineup that celebrates the instruments, tones and innovations that helped shape modern music.

Models include: 

• Vintera® III Late ‘50s Stratocaster® 
• Limited Edition Vintera® III Late ‘50s Stratocaster®
• Vintera® III Early ‘60s Stratocaster® 
• Vintera® III Late ‘60s Stratocaster® 
• Limited Edition Vintera® III Early ‘60s Custom Telecaster®
• Vintera® III Late ‘50s Telecaster® 
• Vintera® III Mid ‘60s Telecaster® 
• Vintera® III Mid ‘60s Jazzmaster®
• Vintera® III Mid ‘60s Jaguar® 
• Vintera® III Mid ‘60s Mustang® 
• Vintera® III Early ‘60s Jazz Bass®
• Vintera® III Early ‘70s Jazz Bass®
• Vintera® III Late ‘60s Precision Bass® 
• Vintera® III Early ‘60s Bass VI

For more information, visit fender.com

EBS Professional Bass Equipment is proud to announce Hyperactive Audiotechnik GmbH as its new exclusive distributor in Germany and Austria, effective March 1, 2026.

Germany is the largest domestic market for musical equipment in Europe, and is significant to EBS. Partnering with Hyperactive will strengthen the brand’s presence and make EBS products more accessible to bass players in both Germany and Austria.

“We are confident that Hyperactive is the perfect partner for EBS,” says Bo Engberg, CEO of EBS. “Their deep market knowledge and commitment to high-quality brands will allow us to maintain the high level of customer support EBS is known for, while growing in the direction we want.”

EBS’s reputation for delivering musically transparent sound that respects the character of the bass is solid. EBS products are designed to let the personalities of both the bass player and their instrument shine, while offering powerful, tone-shaping tools to set the stage for different genres.

In recent years, EBS has also expanded beyond the traditional bass market with innovative, space-saving pedalboard accessories, most notably the original flat patch cables, widely used by both bassists and guitarists worldwide.

Hyperactive has extensive experience distributing premium music equipment brands. Their network, industry expertise, and shared vision for long-term growth make this partnership a natural fit.

“We are proud to welcome EBS to our brand portfolio. With our strong dealer network and clear brand strategy, we look forward to further developing EBS in Germany and Austria and increasing the brand’s visibility in both markets”, says Marc von Garnier, CEO of Hyperactive.

EBS expresses its gratitude to its former distributor, Sky Music Distribution, and looks forward to beginning this next chapter with Hyperactive Audiotechnik GmbH to deliver uncompromising bass tone, innovative design, and reliable performance to musicians all over Germany and Austria.

Find out more:

hyperactive.de
ebssweden.com