The Tube Screamer from Ibanez might be the most popular and influential of any effects pedal ever released for the guitar. While it’s most famously associated with bluesy rock guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughan, it’s been used to great effect by players in every genre, from country to metal and everything in between. Even beyond the […]
Continue reading →Some people call it the “Whammy Bar,” others call it “Tremolo,” and some even call it (wrongly) “Floyd Rose.” We’re actually talking about the “Vibrato” handle bar system – a neat little guitar accessory used to shift the action back and worth. (Note – don’t confuse tremolo bars with tremolo systems. The former is just […]
Continue reading →So what’s a Plexi style amp? Basically, the term “Plexi” refers to the “Plexiglass” guitar amps made by Marshall back in the ’60s and ’70s. Even though most people nowadays call it so, the “Plexiglass” material originally bore the name of “Perspex” – a form of acrylic plastic developed in England and later introduced to […]
Continue reading →Which wins in a battle of Ableton vs FL Studio is one of the most contentious debates in the broad community of DAW users. There’s no question both of them are powerful pieces of software that can great expand your music making capabilities. The fact that both of them are so thorough in terms of […]
Continue reading →A double bass pedal might seem like a novelty to some players, but if you play in a faster style like heavy metal, it’s a downright necessity. A double bass pedal lets you play those hard-driving kick drum lines that give harder genres so much energy and makes it a lot easier to pull off […]
Continue reading →So why get new guitar speakers? Well, upgrading the speakers in your amp is a great way to breathe new life into an old system. If your old speakers were worn out, you might be shocked by the tone difference from a replacement. Even if the old ones were serviceable, though, changing them can be […]
Continue reading →So why get a floor tom mic? Well, the basic mic setup for a drum kit consists of a matched pair of dynamic mics positioned overhead, often with individual mics for the kick drum and snare. While this is sufficient to capture the groove and overall sonic picture, the low mid-range sound of the floor […]
Continue reading →So why get a drum mic? Well, percussion can be a tricky thing to mic, especially if you want to do it on the cheap. To capture a full, realistic drum sound you need all the frequencies, from the lowest rumble to high, shimmering harmonics. The sharp articulations and high dynamics can damage more sensitive […]
Continue reading →So why get a blues amp? Simple: whatever genre of music you play, your amp will have a huge role in getting the right tone. An amp that’s perfect for a metal player might not be quite right for someone in a funk group, and vice versa. With the blues, you don’t need an amp […]
Continue reading →So why get a guitar cabinet? Well, adding an extension cabinet to your rig is a great way to expand your sound without having to invest in a larger amp. It’s certainly the most cost-effective option for players on a budget. Guitar cabinets have benefits over a larger amp beyond your wallet too. They’re a […]
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