THR Amps From Yamaha Win Prestigious Design Award

BUENA PARK, Calif. —Yamaha's thoroughly unique THR amplifiers sound great, but they also look so good and function so well that they have been awarded a prestigious red dot award: product design 2012. Submissions, 4,515 in all, came from 58 countries. Dating to 1955, the award is judged by internationally renowned design experts who undertake critical, hands-on examinations of each product. Criteria for selection included the degree of innovation, functionality, ergonomics, durability and self-explanatory quality. All winning products will be showcased at the red dot design museum in Essen, Germany beginning July 3, 2012.

The THR10 and THR5 represent a completely new category of never-before seen guitar amps. The first hi-fi stereo units to feature realistic guitar multi-effects and classic amp modeling, they also function as an exceptional guitar recording interface. Though compact, they pack a lot of power when plugging in an electric guitar, acoustic guitar or bass.

Most guitarists have a stage rig and a smaller practice amp, but the THR rigs provide a third alternative – an attractive amp with a multitude of capabilities that fits on a coffee table or desk and provides great sound for the times when a guitarist isn't on stage. Fully portable, the battery powered THR amps feature Yamaha's exclusive Virtual Circuit Modeling (VCM) effects, including professional sounding reverb, and realistic tube-like amp response. It also includes an input for an mp3 player and a USB direct input.

"If I had the THR growing up, I would never have left my house," said Dennis Webster, marketing manager, Yamaha Guitars. "To have that incredible stereo sound with Yamaha's VCM is a game changer for the personal amplifier business. The THR line-up of personal amplifiers combines the best of all worlds; sound, functionality, portability."

The THR represents a new category of guitar amplifier that comes bundled with Cubase AI6 Digital Audio Workstation and offers near-zero latency computer recording. And, when connected to a computer, it serves as a great-sounding monitor. The hi-fi stereo playback seamlessly blends with the guitar output so that it sounds like the guitarist is part of the band.

"This is the first amp of its kind and it performs so many functions extremely well," said Armando Vega, product manager, Yamaha Guitars. "The THR offers tremendous value and combines the pedigree of Yamaha electronics with well-respected musical audio innovations to create a game-changing product."

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, Yamaha Guitars, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; visit http://4wrd.it/yamahaguitars.