It’s not essential to be a fan of Rush’s music to admire the intricate simultaneous operations executed by the Canadian progressive trio (RIP Neil Peart) during their live shows, where they flawlessly replicated their studio recordings. An indispensable element of bassist/vocalist Geddy Lee’s technique was the Moog Taurus, a vintage monophonic synthesizer activated by a full octave of organ-style foot pedals positioned beneath his array of synthesizers. Eventually, he transitioned this setup to a MIDI-controlled computer running Ableton.
More recent, heavy ensembles such as Brutus and Russian Circles have sustained this heritage. Russian Circles, specifically, made use of a classic Taurus until their trailer was pillaged by a group of individuals in 2021. Brian Cook, the bassist of the instrumental metal three-piece, has since been reunited with his cherished Taurus; however, during the interim, he deployed a Keith McMillen Instruments 12 Step alongside a Moog Minotaur Model to emulate the distinctive squelching, booming low-end he’s recognized for producing while simultaneously playing a baritone guitar with his hands.
The 12 Step 2 enhances the original design with five-pin DIN input and output capabilities, alongside expanded expressive options for each of its dozen pedals, which are configured like an octave on a musical keyboard. Both the pressure exerted and the tilt of each pedal can be assigned to distinct Continuous Controllers (CCs), enabling parameters such as filter, attack, and resonance to be fine-tuned as you depress each footpad. The accompanying computer-based editor is intuitive, and each pedal has the capacity to transmit chords with up to five notes, providing a fuller sound with minimal complex footwork. You will require your own module to produce sounds from the MIDI messages conveyed by each pedal, but the USB output can be directed to a phone, tablet, or laptop for straightforward management of synth plugins on almost any device you own. The 12 Step 2 is lightweight, resilient, and slender, making it simple to position on top of your guitar effects before securing them in a road case for secure transit. This convenience is not afforded by a Moog Taurus or the Roland PK-6, which stands 3 inches high and weighs 10 pounds, in stark contrast to the 12 Step 2, which is merely 1 inch high and weighs a scant 1.25 pounds.
{content}
Source:{feed_title}