With the Tascam GB-10 guitar / bass trainer / recorder or the LR-10 instrumental trainer / recorder on hand, you can learn how to play some of your favorite songs at your own speed.

Like the company's CD and MP3 trainers and recorders, the new GB-10 and LR-10 trainers slow down and loop MP3 files without changing their pitch, in turn providing you with a more leisurely way to learn songs and licks than the usual way (listening again and again to a riff go by at 120 BPM).

These new models feature CD-quality recording with overdub to build up an arrangement, along with an SD card slot that includes a 2 GB card, and a new tabletop design.

The GB-10 has effects such as amp modeling, delay, and reverb; a chromatic tuner and metronome; and a 1/4-inch guitar input for silent practicing using headphones. You can adjust the balance of your instrument to play along with the music, stay in tune and time with the onboard tuner and metronome, and use the GB-10 hands-free via the footswitch input.

Tascam's LR-10 is designed for strings, wind players, keyboardists, vocalists, or any other musician; you can use the unit to loop and transcribe your music, record lessons, or capture new song ideas. The LR-10 offers a built-in microphone and speaker for recording and playback and like the GB-10, it includes a tuner and metronome.

Features common to both the GB-10 and LR-10 include the following:

• Instrument trainer / recorder
• Records 16-bit, 44.1 kHz WAV files
• Plays back 16- or 24-bit WAV files or MP3 files
• SD / SDHC card media slot with included 2 GB card
• Overdub recording allows sound-on-sound build up of an arrangement
• Loop playback using dedicated buttons
• Variable Speed Audition speeds up or slows down playback without changing the pitch
• Chromatic tuner and metronome
• USB 2.0 jack for high-speed music transfer
• Dedicated keys and large LCD display for easy operation
• New angled desktop design
• Includes 2 GB SD card, AA batteries, and USB cable

Only the GB-10 includes a 1/4" guitar and bass input and the effects, and only the LR-10 features a stereo microphone and internal speaker. Aside from those differences, the two trainers are very much alike.

The new Tascam GB-10 and LR-10 will be available in stores this month. For more information, please visit Tascam's Web site at tascam.com.