New MP3 Player Offers Variable-Speed Playback, Guitar Effects
Mar 5th, 2007 | By James Lewin | Category: Digital Music, iPods & Portable Media Players 
TASCAM has introduced a new MP3 player specifically designed for musicians, the MP-GT1. The portable audio player features variable-speed playback, guitar effects and pitch-shifting.
MP3s can be played at slower speed without changing the pitch, and sections can be seamlessly looped while practicing tricky passages. Song playback can be pitched up or down to match the tuning of an instrument, and a Guitar Cancel function nukes the recorded guitar part so the musician can play along.
The MP-GT1 includes enough memory for storing over 200 songs, each of which can be slowed down, looped and processed to help you learn new music. A guitar input lets guitarists play along with thick overdrive and multi-effects, including a guitar canceller so you can play along with the Zeppelin.
A rechargeable 9-hour lithium ion battery is built into the unit, and an optional power supply is also available. The MP-GT1 can be loaded and charged via a high-speed USB connector.
Very nice! I was just lamenting on mp3 player non-suitability for musicians:
http://www.amateurmusicians.net/2007/07/06/top-10-reasons-why-i-dont-own-an-mp3-player/
Be curious to hear from others how they use this gadjet (here, or as a comment in the above link). Can acoustic instrumentalists put it to good use?
I purchased this unit and found it very inferior to the CD version. I already owned the CD vocal trainer and it worked very well. I was expecting this one to have the same quality and it does not. I took it back and got a refund.