Getting the right guitar amp for funk is great idea since nothing gets a crowd dancing quite like a funky groove. The key to a good funk guitar sound is a balanced, crisp clean channel with the right EQ. Unlike rock or metal, most funk players want a pretty transparent amp sound. In fact, many […]
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1930s: The first effect came built into Rickenbacker’s Vibrola Spanish Guitar. It used a motorized pulley system to modify pitch, creating the first floating tremolo bridge. 1940s: Guitarists DIY-ed early effects, though most were only possible in the recording studio. Les Paul manipulated reel-to-reel tape to add echo effects. Duane Eddy created a studio reverb/echo […]
Continue reading →Getting a power amp for your unpowered Kemper is a great way to get the most out of it. Most people look for something that’s both affordable and relatively lightweight, so it doesn’t add too much to your load when you travel to gigs. It’s also key to get an amp that provides the right […]
Continue reading →Both arpeggiators and sequencers have been key effects for synth players since the ’70s, and the effects seem quite similar to a casual ear. These effects both let you play established patterns of notes without manually pressing every key. Popularized in genres like disco and prog rock, they’re especially prevalent today in dance and electronic […]
Continue reading →Choosing between the Allen & Heath QU-32 and Behringer X32 can be tricky. Professional mixers are serious pieces of equipment—with an equally serious price tag, especially as you add channels and features. This makes it especially important to do your research and find the right mixer for your needs. As you already know, when you’re […]
Continue reading →The 2×12 and 4×12 cab sizes are both popular options among gigging guitarists, and when you’re ready to start playing gigs, you’ll need to upgrade your bedroom amp to something bigger. But how big should you go? You might assume that a 4×12 cabinet is significantly louder than a 2×12, but this isn’t always the […]
Continue reading →A 4X12 cabinet has the massive output you need to feel like a true rock star when you’re performing on-stage. These big cabs don’t come cheap, though. If you’re a gigging guitarist on a budget, you might wonder whether you can afford that kind of power. Finding affordable 4X12 cabs isn’t easy, but they’re out […]
Continue reading →Getting an EL34 tube for metal makes sense since the EL34 is one of the most popular models in the history of amplification. You’ll find them installed in popular metal amps, especially those made in the UK, like the JCM series from Marshall. EL34 tubes use the same 8-pin base as other common power tube […]
Continue reading →Psychedelic trance, or psytrance, gets its energy and complexity from layering melodies on top of each other, pairing them with up-tempo riffs that are ideal for dancing. While there’s a lot of variety in the genre when it comes to the mood and overall style, one constant is the importance of the synth in creating […]
Continue reading →The fast tempos of black metal put a lot of demands on the drummer—and on the equipment he plays. Most out of the box drum kits are going to need some modifications, most notably the addition of a double bass drum and an array of extra cymbals. Having said that, you can find some kits […]
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