http://www.sourceaudio.net/site.php/blog/ Expressive Guitar Effects en salesinfo@sourceaudio.net Copyright 2010 2010-03-06T19:17:44+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/this-too-shall-pass-ok-go/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/this-too-shall-pass-ok-go/#When:18:17:44Z Have you seen the new video clip for the catchy tune "This Too Shall Pass"?   Here it is, so look no further! A feast for the eyes and ears, and it ends with a real "bang"! We are used to OK Go engaging and funny making videos, and keeping in the spirit of the famous "Here It Goes Again", you won't want to look away for a moment on this new one for fear of missing a second of action.   On tour supporting the new album "Of the Blue Colour of the Sky", we know that Damian will be using his Source Audio pedals to help bring their studio sounds to life on stage.     Artist / Heroes 2010-03-06T18:17:44+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/earl-slick-plays-through-the-soundblox-multiwave-distortion/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/earl-slick-plays-through-the-soundblox-multiwave-distortion/#When:19:08:04Z It’s a good day here at Source Audio, our pal Earl Slick just delivered a pair of killer instrumental tracks featuring the Soundblox Multiwave Distortion. Each tune is piled high with the signature guitar playing that earned Earl his lofty position in the world of experimental hard rock guitar.  It is really quite astounding how many mammoth records this guy has appeared on over the past 30 years. Originally hired by David Bowie in 1974 to take over guitar duties on the Diamond Dogs tour (listen to how well he handles Bowie’s material on the Live David album, recorded during that tour), Earl went on to record with Bowie on the Young Americans and Station to Station records. It was on these classic albums that David rebuilt his sound after pulling the plug on Ziggy Stardust  (the glam rock persona that made him famous). Great guitar playing and the success of the two albums inspired John Lennon to acquire the skills of Earl Slick for his incredible 1980 come back LP, Double Fantasy. The list of great artist he’s performed with stretches around the block, Earl has had no problem playing with artists as diverse as Ian Hunter of Mott the Hoople, Robert Smith of The Cure and David Coverdale of Deep Purple and Whitesnake. Hell, he even appeared on Leo Sayer’s disco classic, “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”—how’s that for a broad skill set? And of course, in 1983 Earl exploded on his own material in the power trio, Phantom, Rocker and Slick with Jim Phantom and Lee Rocker, the rhythm section of the Stray Cats.  The tracks he gave us are demos for an upcoming delta blues inspired record. One of the tracks is a twisted version of the Mississippi Fred McDowell song, “Red Cross Store”. The plan, as Earl puts it, is to start with the blues music he loves and “fuck with it”.  In the down and dirty tradition of the blues, the Pro Tools rig is being put on the shelf, opting instead for a good old fashioned 16 track tape machine—a bold choice, but one Earl expects will yield some fresh results.  These days many studio musicians have forgotten what it is to play a song from beginning to end—digital recording offers the ease of fixing mistakes with the slide of a mouse. Not so with tape, but what is lost in post performance control is gained in spontaneity and atmosphere.  It should be interesting, because Earl has selected an awesome group of musicians to support him in his “cut it live” approach. Among others he’ll be joined by members of Bowie’s touring band: Gerry Leonard on guitar, Sterling Campbell on drums and Gail Ann Dorsey on bass.  On vocals we’ll hear Earl’s old friend and man of mystery, Johnny Fear.  We certainly appreciate Earl’s time and generosity in giving us a sneak peak at his new material. Each tune features several guitar tracks through the Soundblox Multiwave Distortion. Check out how he combines the multi-band octave setting (effect type 13 or 14, he wasn’t sure which) with a flanger on “Stomp”. Earl described his approach to this track as “playing the gate”.  He really digs the Multiwave’s quick snapping noise gate and how it seamlessly shuts without compromising the signal. It’s easy to hear what he’s talking about, listen how each explosive blast of fuzz and flange is bookended by eerie and exclamatory silence—that’s the noise gate. Thanks Earl, we may just steal that tip from you for our website’s “Techniques” page.  Understanding how the masters use our pedals never gets old and we look forward to plenty of great music and sound discoveries from Earl Slick in the future. Listen to Earl's sound clips. Artist / Heroes 2010-03-04T19:08:04+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/media-and-technology-for-bands/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/media-and-technology-for-bands/#When:02:25:19Z Not only does technology influence how we create music, record music and experience music, it also has a great influence in how we sell, or otherwise make our music "visible" to the world. Here's a nice article from the Los Angeles Times addressing many of these new rules of the road, for all bands. Flea from the Chili Peppers is quoted in the article, saying that the old ways of landing a record deal have gone by the wayside. Internet exposure, Google searches, corporate sponsorship along with constant touring, social media and web exposure is the key for new rock bands to be heard - and rock bands have a much harder time getting exposure than pop divas or country singers. I know that I keep up with Source Audio's continually growing artist list by becoming fans on their Facebook page, friends on Myspace pages, and signing for email newsletters on their websites. I am constantly becoming informed about all the news of Galactic, Soulive, the Allman Brothers, Bela Fleck, Porcupine Tree, etc., without having to do a thing. Make things easy for your fans! One band featured in the article even changed their name, due to the confusion that might be encountered by new fans, as a band with a similar name exists in Europe - and they would both show up in the same Google searches. Type your band's name in Google and see who is getting YOUR exposure. News 2010-02-22T02:25:19+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/more-hot-hand-wah-filter-with-keyboards/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/more-hot-hand-wah-filter-with-keyboards/#When:01:22:09Z I am so happy to see and hear people trying new things!   It's about the only way I know to come up with something new.   Here's what I found on Youtube today: Superb work, my friend. With the sensitivity tirned higher, you would not even have to do exaggerated hand movements with the wireless ring. And the liquid-like wah sounds great combined with the percussive and bell-like electric piano! Tips and Tricks 2010-02-12T01:22:09+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/finding-music-in-the-noise-of-namm/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/finding-music-in-the-noise-of-namm/#When:19:29:49Z My first NAMM.  Every time I shared that fun little fact with anyone mingling around Anaheim this past January, I was treated to the same unsettling wry grin.   I’m going to kick this thing off with a fantastically obvious statement.  There are many, many faces to the music industry.  At this point in my life, I’ve experienced full immersion into three of them.  As a music student in Boston, I submerged myself in the disciplined but sterile academic side by day and the inspired but naive indie band side by night.  Since joining the business world with Source Audio, and more specifically, since being dropped into the chaos of NAMM, I’m getting to know the sleek but artificial products & accessories side.   At NAMM, the words are technique and image.  Slap bass, shred guitar, tapping insanity, expensive sunglasses and camera phones.  As a player in the midst of it all, I asked myself, how does anyone stand out in this?  As I looked around, I saw that the way most people chose was to play faster or harder and louder.  My reaction?  Can’t do it.  That’s not me.  I don’t want to do that.  I like the nuances of music, the way it can reach into my humanity and explain something I just can’t put into words.  If that emotion I’m trying to explain involves slap, I’ll play slap.  If it involves speed, I’ll play speed.  It works from the inside out.  Technique should follow me, not the other way around.   Yet, by the second day, after hours spent standing at the Source Audio booth with my bass in my hands and noise coming at me from every angle, something changed.  I felt tiny.  I can’t pin down the reason why.  Maybe it was the fact that I had mind-bending slap bassists on either side of me playing non-stop.  Maybe it was the occasional run-ins with my childhood heroes.  Maybe I too just needed to find a way to rise above the constant cacophony and lavish displays of…I don’t know what…and be heard.  I suspended my faux-mature musical ideology and slapped my brains out, flew up and down my scales as quickly as my aching fingers could go.  All I could think about was how I wished I had practiced just a bit more.  My mind went back to school…   Pat Pattison, a stellar songwriting teacher of mine, referred to class as The Gym.  “What are you going to do,” he would ask, “when you’ve just released your debut album of music that you’ve been writing for the last ten years of your life and now you have three months to write the follow-up?”  Pray you’ve worked all the right muscles into shape, that’s what.  At NAMM those muscles were all in my hands and you better believe I was praying for them to speed up.   At the end of that day, I felt like I was eighty.  My joints throbbed; I couldn’t hear a thing and I just wanted to lay down and watch Hard Copy. With glazed eyes, I dragged my feet back to my hotel room at the Hilton, breathing in that musky Disneyland air on my way.  Ain’t no rest for the wicked though, right?  Not at NAMM, that’s for sure.   An hour later, I descended the escalators to meet the rest of the Source Audio guys in the Hilton Lobby bar, now flanked with stages.  “Your first NAMM!”  Wry grins.  I can’t blame them.  I must have looked like a cat that just came out of  the dryer.  With drinks in hand, we turned to the stage and set our eyes on the action in front of us.  The band was tearing it up.  Notes were coming out of everywhere.  At one point, I’m pretty sure the guitarist started playing with his toes.  That’s not true, but it might as well be.  I looked around at the people milling around and I saw what looked like a sea of apathy surrounding the few dedicated friends and fans huddled in front of the stage.  The music wasn’t holding anyone.  Noise.  This was a real musical setting, a performance on stage in a bar, and that technical approach fell flat.  They were selling themselves as hard as they could.  The music was a pitch and no one was buying.  There was no substance.       When I woke up the next morning and headed back out to the convention room floor with my ears ringing from the night before, I thought about what I saw and I realized then why I’m at Source Audio.  These music effects are not supporting flashy technical playing or solely catering to an image.  Rather than providing slippery string sprays or thinner guitar necks or cheap sounds in loud packaging, Source Audio is creating effects that expand and even inspire a musician’s ability to express him or herself.    Sure, the Hot Hand could be downplayed as a gimmicky device, but in reality, it adds an entirely new dimension of manipulation to any instrument’s sound.  It allows a musician to open and close the timbre of the sounds they are producing with a wave of their hand or even within the strum of their guitar line.  Our new bass pedal, the Multiwave Bass Distortion, is a remarkably customizable effect yet it still maintains the fundamental strength of the instrument: low end.  In essence, it is a pedal that can help bassists hold it down stronger and funkier or step up and sing on top with thickness.  The Multiwave makes the experience of being the foundation of a band more rewarding.   When I stepped back onto our modest Source Audio stage, I changed my approach.  I worked with the effects.  I let them speak.  I left the slap bass and speed playing behind and worked for the groove.  That simple change in attitude made for a great day.  At one point, I brought my pedal board over to another booth for a blues jam with three organ players.  All of these dudes were just there to play.  I remember thinking to myself, “Now this is what I came here for”.    NAMM is a business convention.  The real music is out there, but it’s not trying to rise above the noise.  Now, when I think back to all of those different faces of the music industry I’ve looked into, I see the same thing.  I’ve been a student who thought music was about conquering other players.  I’ve been a band member who needed to be the coolest person in the room.  At NAMM, I was a marketer looking to sell.  At Source Audio, I’m the lucky kid who gets to play with sweet pedals in front of the Internet.   The beauty of the work on all sides of our industry is that everyone wants to be here.  The ugliness of our work is that we don’t always have something to offer, but we still try to stay.  What I stay for are the moments that happen in between the give and take of our relationship with the music.  Give practice, give innovation, give messages.  Take attention, take money, take credit.  The blues jam captured the essence of what I’m here for.  No give and take, just music.  The Source Audio pitchman in me had his pedals, but they were not on display.  Instead, they were there to expand my musical presence and to help me to enjoy myself.  In those few minutes that we were creating, the clatter of NAMM disappeared and my thoughts descended into silence.  We gave nothing and we took nothing.  We just played music.     Here’s the video: Music Reviews 2010-02-05T19:29:49+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/websites-for-new-music-videos-and-news/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/websites-for-new-music-videos-and-news/#When:04:04:45Z I can imagine that most of you are too much like me. We all spend too much time online. And, since we are going to be online much of the time, one must know - where should we go to see/hear some new music? Well, I have a few favorites that I will share today. I like the British magazine Blender. They have some great articles on the best/worst bands/songs/albums of all time - that will not only give you some new music to listen to, but you will end up laughing like a hyena while you're at it. Here's a great entry they did on some of the most bizarre "mashups" that could ever be done. Now don't laugh because I only recently realized what a "mashup" really is - but laugh because these are really great! And, one must assume that the creators of these odd juxtopositions of different songs (and genres, as well) are some oddballs at home, like us, who are fearless in their experiments with music, and will combine things that seem to have no apparent connection. Doesn't this define "progressive" in a way? Another favorite site are the NPR music blogs. I heard a new band today on this site, The Cribs, and also read that the infamous Johnny Marr had joined the band. I also like the LA Times music blogs - many of the topics are a bit more mainstream, but there's plenty worth reading and some nice video clips to boot. Here's an excellent article on how bands can get more fans through social media sites. Music Reviews 2010-02-05T04:04:45+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/ya-ka-may-by-galactic/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/ya-ka-may-by-galactic/#When:00:52:21Z Here's a great article which features Galactic saxophone player and producer/engineer Ben Ellman, and producer/mixing engineer Chuck Brody discussing the inner workings of their newest releast, Ya-Ka-May. They also have some clips on their Myspace page that delves into this new and vibrant release. Guitarist Jeff Gaines has used out Hot Hand Wah for years, and we're huge fans of their addictive grooves and modern-day Motown meets 'Nawlins soul.   One thing that I find interesting in how they will have their drummer, Stanton Moore, play live drums in the studio with the band, and then after the bits are chopped into loops, he'll come back in and play over what has been assembled. Also, the band discusses how they went a bit outside and beyond their previous work with some "out there" remixes.   One thing is for sure - no matter how "outside" their remixes get, it's always going to drip with feel and funk!   Artist / Heroes 2010-01-28T00:52:21+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/billy-sheehan-visits-the-source-audio-booth-at-namm/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/billy-sheehan-visits-the-source-audio-booth-at-namm/#When:18:27:54Z All of us on the Source Audio crew had a great time this year at the NAMM Convention in Anaheim.  We met and jammed with all kinds of interesting and talented people. One encounter that really sticks out in my head is Billy Sheehan’s unexpected visit to the booth.  We were situated right across the aisle from Rotosound where guys like Duff McKagan, Warren DeMartini and Carlos Cavazo greeted fans and signed autographs—it was fun. Eventually Billy arrived for his session and as soon as he finished he made a beeline for the Source Audio booth to check out the new products. It turns out he bought a Soundblox Multiwave Distortion last year and loves it. Shit Billy, if we knew you wanted to try one, we would have given it to you.  I mean this is Billy Sheehan, the man played with Talas, David Lee Roth, Mr. Big and was voted “Best Rock Bass Player” five times by the readers of Guitar Player Magazine—he’s a monster in the bass world, an all around nice guy, and we’re proud to say he uses our pedals. Billy checks out the Soundblox Pro Multiwave Bass Distortion What a career—I’ll never forget the first time I heard “Yankee Rose” from David Lee Roth’s Eat ‘em and Smile record. At the time I was still dealing with the disappointment of Van Halen’s first post Diamond Dave record—seemingly overnight they went from being one of the greatest, most innovative and entertaining groups of the decade to a band that would have sounded right at home next to Kenny Loggins on the Top Gun Soundtrack. But the always exciting David Lee Roth took a different approach, he hired a killer band that featured our man Billy Sheehan and the legendary Steve Vai. Together they pumped out tunes that easily shared the stage with Van Halen classics like “Runnin’ With the Devil”, “Everybody Wants Some” and “Unchained”—high voltage rock and roll that pulled from a massively wide range of influences like James Brown, Frank Sinatra, and Led Zeppelin. The musicianship on the record is unbelievable, check out the simultaneous guitar and bass run at the end of “Shy Boy” (a song originally recorded by Billy’s band Talas), it’s a devastating combination of musical beauty and technical precision.   While he played around with our new Soundblox Pro Multiwave Bass Distortion, Billy explained his setup and how he currently uses the Soundblox Multiwave.  He has a customized Yamaha bass with dual output jacks that run to separate amps. One jack is linked to a DiMarzio Model One pickup positioned at the neck—this is where he gets his super low-end. The other jack receives a signal from a DiMarzio Will Power pickup positioned at the center—this is how gets his high end and note definition. Running the Will Power signal through the Multiwave creates pa rallel distorted and low-end signals that don’t interfere with one another.  We explained that the Pro Multiwave Bass Distortion, with its separate clean and distortion mix knobs, runs on a similar principle. It’s always great to sit down and share ideas with somebody who’s dedicated his life to the bass guitar and the sounds it produces—it looks like we’re on the same page with many aspects of bass distortion. Check out this video of Billy describing his set up. He gets to the topic at 2 minutes 12 seconds.  That’s it for today, take care everybody. Jeff Artist / Heroes 2010-01-25T18:27:54+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/ultra-music-festival/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/ultra-music-festival/#When:03:05:52Z Just because it's not Summer does not mean that festivals (and we mean GREAT festivals) are not out there waiting to blow your mind! Just check out the line up for the Ultra Music Festival coming March 26 and 27 in Miami. Our own Disco Biscuits will be joined by Deadmou5, Groove Armada, the Crystal Method, and many others. Here's a link to the website with a review from MSNBC on the last show. One thing cool about these artists and this festival is that electronica, trance and it's various offshoots will be featured. And if anyone ever tells you that all such music is cold, robotic and mechanical, just bring them along and see how they change. One thing we've always loved about the Disco Biscuits is how they incorporate the trance/groove thang with a traditional rock band approach - proving once again that you can't stop a true fusion of disparate musical genres. And listen to "I Remember" by Deadmou5 and tell me that that tune is not expertly arranged and composed. I wonder what musical styles are yet to be combined? News 2010-01-19T03:05:52+00:00 http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/jam-cruise-2010/ http://www.sourceaudio.net/blog/post/jam-cruise-2010/#When:18:20:14Z Now this has got to be the best way to get the new year off with a bang: Jam Cruise 8, January 3 - 8, 2010. Who said that you have to be Frank and Estelle Costanza from Seinfeld to go on a cruise - now this is the kind of cruise we're talking about! Leaving from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and travelling to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, I simply can't imagine a better time.   Just check the artists and bands that are playing. As you will note, a number of Source Audio endorsees are on that most impressive list: STS9, Galactic, Ohmphrey, and Eric Krasno.   You be treated to fantastic music amidst the world's most beautiful surroundings, and please read this selection from the jam Cruise website with further explains the unique aspects of the setting for all music lovers:   Most Jam Cruise Artists, in addition to performing two shows, can be seen sharing in the revelry and social camaraderie where the line between artist and fan is not only blurred, but is essentially nonexistent. In order to bring you as many bands as possible, a few of our artists will only be performing one show as noted at the bottom of the page. Additional opportunities to see all Jam Cruise musicians perform happens unannounced in our most popular venue, The Jam Room. The Jam Room is a loose atmosphere where musicians joyously collaborate into the wee hours and fans witness unique musical conversations that are otherwise unparalleled. This is, of course, only one example of what makes Jam Cruise a truly remarkable and unforgettable journey through international waters, where time and space literally cease to exist.    Check out these cool activities in store for all of you on board:   Funkn' Formal Fashion Show Fashion on your Funk goggles and get ready for the first JC Fashion Show! The funkiest-dressed cruisers will be specially invited to strut their stuff down the runway, with JC artist judges and commentary. It could be you! Thu 11:30pm-12:00am | Solar Stage Jam Cruise Game Show The original Jam Cruise Game Show debuts! A jazzed up mix of TV’s greatest and home favorites such as Cranium, all topped off with JC’s own funkiness stuffed into one BIG live game show. Throw Lotus and Toubab in the mix and we’ve got ourselves a hysterical party! Mon 5-6pm | Teatro Carlo Felice Jam Cruise Wedding Get married (unofficially) on Jam Cruise 8. Keeping the tradition alive, come join all our Jam Cruise newlyweds in a pool deck ceremony led by the legendary, George Porter, Jr. Wed 8:15-8:30pm | Hot Tubs Pickin’ Party w/Perspectives 6-strings and banjos and mandos, oh my! Bring ‘em if you’ve got ‘em because this pickin’ party with perspectives will quickly evolve into your participation. Hosted by Railroad Earth and Hot Buttered Rum. Wed 5-6pm | Zebra Bar Rock Star Karaoke The classic annual event where cruisers proclaim their own singing fame! Led by Maestro Nat Keefe (HBR), the Rock Star Karaoke Orchestra - made up of a menagerie of Jam Cruise artists – backs as you take the stage. Drop your name in the hat for a chance to be a star! Tue 5-7pm | Teatro Carlo Felice Bingo Jeff Coffin and Trombone Shorty funkify this classic. Prizes include music festival tickets with all proceeds benefiting Jam Cruise Greening. Thu 1-1:45pm | Teatro Carlo Felice Toubab Limbo Jack be limbo. Jack be quick. Jack go under limbo stick. Having fun yet? Yes I am. Toubab do the limbo jam. Tue 4:30-5pm | Solar Stage Ping Pong Tournament Think you are the king of the Ping Pong circuit on your deck? Why don’t you test your skills against other cruisers and once Junior Olympic Ping Pong Champion Josh Phillips and his challenger Adam Deitch for the First Come, First SERVE HardBat Ping Pong tournament! Tue 5-6:30pm | S32 Disco Repeat Offender Party If you’ve been on Jam Cruise four or more years, this party’s for you. Mon 8-9pm | Pigalle Lounge Artist / Heroes 2010-01-01T18:20:14+00:00