Ovation Announces iDea Guitar With Built-In MP3 Recorder
We don’t usually “do guitars”, but we do report on innovation, so when Ovation dropped the iDea, we had to let you in on it. Plus, several of us are kind of partial to the Ovation brand since Bob Marley rocked an Ovation during acoustic performances, but we digress.
The iDea is basically an Ovation guitar with a built-in MP3 recorder/player. This is pretty much a “no brainer” concept, but the company claims that it’s the first of its kind. The digital recorder is part of the on-board preamp, and Ovation claims the patented technology makes possible a list of features never before available on any guitar — acoustic or electric.
Specs:
» BODY: Mid-Depth Cutaway
» TOP: Spruce
» TOP FINISH: Satin Platinum
» BRACING: Modified X
» SOUND HOLES: iDea Elliptical
» NECK: Eastern Mahogany
» NECK FINISH: Satin Platinum
» PEGHEAD FINISH: Gloss Black
» FINGERBOARD: Dark Rosewood
» WIDTH AT NUT: 1-11/16” (17.5mm)
» STRING PITCH AT NUT: 1-3/8” (9.5mm)
» PITCH AT BRIDGE: 2-1/8” (54mm)
» F/B INLAYS: 12th fret ‘i’
» F/B BINDING: Black
» SCALE LENGTH: 25” (635mm)
» BRIDGE: Dark Rosewood
» TUNERS: Black Ovation
» PREAMP: Ovation iDea OPi-1
» PICKUP: Ovation Original; Black Saddles
With the iDea, players who write on guitar will have an instantly accessible high-quality digital recorder with them wherever they go. The simple and direct recording control makes it easy to record entire songs or fragments, even vocals and commentary.
The iDea can record from the guitar alone, simultaneously from the guitar and built-in microphone, and from an auxiliary input. Any audio signal fed into the auxiliary input is converted to an MP3 file and stored in the iDea memory.
The iDea is also a learning tool, with audio lessons pre-installed in the memory. Additional lessons from an iDea educational partner, WorkshopLive.com, will be available via download. Guitarists who enjoy jamming will find a tireless band mate in the iDea. Several “Jam Tracks” are pre-installed in the instrument, and others are available online.
Downloading files from a computer or the Internet is easy via USB. Files in the iDea can be moved, renamed, deleted and rearranged right on the computer desktop. Mixes from recording software, rhythm tracks, even songs the player wants to learn can be downloaded and played either through the guitar output or headphones.
More information on the Ovation iDea Guitar.
