In 2025, Japanese Neo Soul guitarist Toshiki Soejima embarks on an in-depth, year-long collaboration with Donner. This journey, spanning from a China tour to masterclasses in Southeast Asia and culminating on stage in Tokyo, transcends mere musical exchange. It is a practical exploration of "creative freedom"—where instruments cease to be barriers to expression, allowing music to naturally find its path.
Year-Long Collaboration, Across Asia
Toshiki's partnership with Donner transcends geographical and situational boundaries, showcasing the multifaceted reality of the modern musician through live performances and educational interactions:
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April: A multi-city tour across China marked the debut of the HUSH-X Pro as his live performance instrument. He also participated in music sharing sessions hosted by DONNER LIVE.
(Caption: Toshiki Soejima during the 2025 Beijing tour)
(Caption: Toshiki Soejima at DONNER LIVE @ Shenzhen Tsutaya Bookstore)
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September: An immersive series of masterclasses across four Southeast Asian cities, featuring dynamic improvisational sessions with local musicians.
(Caption: Toshiki Soejima at the Southeast Asia Masterclass Tour, Thailand)
(Caption: Toshiki Soejima at the Southeast Asia Masterclass Tour, Malaysia)
(Caption: Toshiki Soejima at the Southeast Asia Masterclass Tour, Philippines)
(Caption: Toshiki Soejima at the Southeast Asia Masterclass Tour, Vietnam) -
Tokyo Finale: The journey concluded with a full band performance in Tokyo, marking both an ending and the beginning of a new chapter of inspiration.
"True musical collaboration means the instrument understands the musician's needs, not the other way around," Toshiki remarked in an interview, describing his synergy with Donner.
Letting Musicians Focus on the Music Itself
For many music enthusiasts, equipment can often pose an invisible "threshold" on the creative path. The HUSH-X Pro is designed precisely to remove these distractions and refocus energy on pure expression.
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Minimalist Operation, Maximum Focus:
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Its all-in-one design integrates rich built-in tones and effects, eliminating the hassle of switching between multiple devices.
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Supports silent practice with headphones and direct OTG recording, allowing you to capture inspiration instantly.
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Weighing just 2.5kg with carry-on compliant dimensions, it offers true "grab-and-go" creative freedom.
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Built for the Modern Stage:
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Delivers professional-grade sound output for live performances without complex wiring.
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Features a slim C-shaped neck and balanced body for exceptional comfort during long playing sessions.
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"It allows me to forget about the 'gear' and focus solely on the emotion I want to convey in the moment," Toshiki shared. "I keep it near the TV, and I can just pick it up and play during breaks while playing with my child—its lightness makes practice happen naturally."
Toshiki's Tone Secrets
As a detail-oriented performer, Toshiki has a keen demand for tone. The HUSH-X Pro's pristine core sound and flexible effects system provide him with ample creative space.
He revealed his tone secrets during live demonstrations:
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Reverb: Prefers Plate reverb with a longer decay time to create a sense of space.
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Delay: Uses Tape delay with the Mix set around 7, allowing echoes to subtly linger.
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Overdrive: Adds a TS-style overdrive, controlling dynamics through playing intensity.
"Even without any effects, the guitar's inherent tone is pleasing enough," Toshiki emphasized. "But the built-in effects let me quickly experiment with different styles, from Neo Soul to Jazz and Rock."
Freedom is the Essence of Music
For Toshiki, collaborating with Donner is more than just using a product; it's participating in a dialogue about the "evolution of instruments." When technology recedes into the background and expression comes to the forefront, music creation becomes a truly pure endeavor.
Whether for practice at home or performances on international stages, the philosophy behind the HUSH-X Pro remains constant:
"A good tool adds no burden, only possibility."