So I have just got my hands on a Korg Monologue! I have been wanting something to add analogue synthesis to my tracks for a while (after selling all my analogue synths a while back....FOOOL!) and this combined with the volca series really matched the bill! So I thought I would do a quick unboxing video followed by a first impression video straight out of the box!This is not a full review, but literally my FIRST impressions on taking out of the box!!!Hope you enjoyPeaceNeilUnboxingFirst Impressions
Hercules GS525B Guitar Stand Review
SO I succumb to all the things I have heard about the Hercules GS525B Guitar Stand Review and gone out an brought one! I was really impressed, so I thought I would do a quick overview of my initial impressions after opening the Hercules GS525B Guitar Stand.You can also get the expansion pack here EnjoyPeaceNeil
Line 6 Helix LT : First impressions
I have just picked up the Helix LT and I think it is amazing. So much so, I did a little video! Love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.PeaceNeil
The expectations of education and online learning.
Recently, I have been overseeing and taking part in a few online courses (both paid for and free), as well of course as my own online youtube videos and lesson content. I am surprised by a number of students reaction to the teaching and more importantly, their expectation of what they are supposed to get from a class, tutorial, workshop or lecture. The notes below are a reflection on the criticism towards the Hans Zimmer Masterclass series.As a university lecturer this notion of 'not getting much' from tuition is becoming a regular occurrence in the education sphere. I put it down to a younger generation learning with newer pedagogical methodologies where learning is instant and targeted to what you need to know NOW and very much a how to do what you need right now, rather than a more holistic approach to learning and understanding your area of specialism.I also find a slight misunderstanding by students in the terminology used traditionally, such as tutorial, workshop, lecture and masterclass. I think that many students (or people who signed up for the HZ Masterclass) were expecting a workshop or tutorial on ‘How to score a oscar winning soundtrack' with accompanying step-by-step guide on the 10 steps you need to take from switching on your DAW.Further Learning (i.e not school) is about asking questions, the learning is about being given ideas or concept which you can then study further and investigate yourself with the assistance of your tutor. I guess (and I could go on about this for ever), in the corpora-education results focused world we now live, education is about making sure stats look good to ensure the steady flow of cash.In a masterclass class (!), the student should (I feel) expect to listen and be inspired by the PROCESS that the Masterclass expert has This should not be a tutorial in techqniue but an overview, with room for case studies, tips and tricks as well as experiences (which I feel HZ did). I think many were expecting him to fire up Cubase and show them how to write a melody, orchestrate it and receive an Oscar.I do feel that perhaps it might have been nice to have seen him approach an unseen cue and talk about that but I feel for the money that there have been enough suggestions and comment from Hans to help develop my work, inspire me to work more and some useful tips on how to be more effective.What are your thoughts on this? What do you expect from a class, lecture, or masterclass?PeaceNeil
Choosing gear - How would you choose your gear if you didn’t have the internet?
How would you choose your gear if you didn’t have the internet?
Just imaging for a moment that there were no interviews, no magazines, no hundreds and thousands of user reviews, no online reviews (you know the kind that I do a lot of!). Are you imagining that?? I hope so, please go with me on this one!Firstly, please understand that I'm NOT shooting down the reviewers or the reviews, they serve a purpose and they are doing a great job. It is just that I'm trying to throw out an idea of what would you do if none of this information existed? How would you choose something?
Well, I think it would go a little something like this....
You walk into a guitar shop, you have no idea what any of the pedals are, brands, types, components, you have no idea! So, how would you go about choosing something?Well, perhaps you go and look something that you are visually attracted to, nothing wrong with that. what would you then do?Well, you probably plug it in, turn the knobs, see (hear!) what happened, and I’m pretty sure you would be drawn to something if you liked how it sounds. I am going out on a limb here, but you probably wouldn't care about anything else.We get so side-tracked by other people's opinions, XYZ does this, it sounds better than this, etc, but if you didn't know any of this information, if you haven't heard the voices of the internet or magazines telling you all this, you would probably pick a product primarily on how it sounds, and how it looks, and that is something we forget about quite a lot.I am a big advocate now of just plugging into something and seeing how it sounds. Asking.....does that sound appeal to me? Can I change all the knobs? what does it do? Really getting under the surface of the piece of equipment and finding out what the hell it can do, and how it sounds, and if I like that sound. does that sound work for me? does that sound make me want to play guitar?The little nugget of advice I'm giving here is, that sometimes when you're looking for something, go into a guitar shop, forget the internet for the time being, as awesome as it is, but go in to that guitar shop, go in blind. Get the shop assistant to plug in a whole bunch of pedals that you can't see, and see which one sounds good for you. does it do what you want it to do? Does it make the sound in your head come to life? Does it achieve the sound that you are looking for?We are brainwashed at the moment into thinking XYZ says this, XYZ says that, some guy I've never met before (including me) says this is a great pedal, and it sounds better than this pedal because whatever, and it costs more therefore it must be better, does it really?Of course there are a whole bunch of other factors to factor in, there are some useful things about reviews, if you have a great pedal but it's in a case made of flimsy plastic and you step on it and it breaks, that's not a good thing, and it's probably worth noting that, but in terms of sound and what sound is and how personal it is to someone, if you like the sound of a metal zone pedal then buy one and make it work for you.If you hate the sound of a metal zone pedal, don't buy one, buy a soul food or Andy Timmons Angry Charlie, or something like that, but whatever it is you buy, make sure it works for you and not for some other guy on the internet who says it's a great thing and it works for them.PeaceNeil
Worldizing - breathing life into digital sounds and your music
Worldizing is a sound design term conceived by the great Walter Murch, but it is not limited to sound design, it can be used in your compositions. An easy and effective way to breathe life in your to digital sounds, to make them more organic. Give life to that plug in synth sound, fatten up those drums or guitar parts!Give it a try!!!For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking http://spencerbruce.com/guitar-creati...…Follow me onTwitter http://twitter.com/lightb4soundFacebook https://www.facebook.com/SpencerBruce...Instragram https://instagram.com/lightb4sound/LinkedIn http://uk.linkedin.com/in/neilbrucePeace
NAMM 2017 Rumours
So it is that time of year again!! Doesn't come around so quickly there days?? The NAMM show in January 2017. is a time to start thinking and dreaming of what might be coming out in this year. It seems like quite a few companies like Korg, Supro and various pedal companies (to name the two that I have seen) have done pre-release press releases, so we already know what is coming. A bit of a shame, as I love the excitement.....but I a very excited about the Korg Gadget getting a desktop version!! Amazing!So what am I hoping for this year? Well, I think I am going to be disappointed (as always it would seem), but one can dream. TC Electronic (now part of Music group i.e Behringer) seem to only be concentrating on single stomp boxes now, which is a real shame. My other wish is for Spectrsonics to update Stylus RMX, but given keyscape only just came out I doubt that they will. NAMM used to be big for them, but they seem to have gone very quite of late.Like most years, (if you have read any of my blog previously), really I am only looking for a couple of companies to do a couple of things (which are actually pretty much the same from year to year!!!), so I am guessing there must be a gap in the market, and one thing in particular, the TC Electronic Nova System is right up there. Given by just how popular my review and videos on the unit are, it would seem I am not alone. So for the fifth year running, this is what I am hoping for.But, otherwise here are my NAMM 2017 wishes1) (This is the big one!) A new Nova System from TC Electronic. Well to be honest, I love the Nova System, I have been gigging mine for over five years now, but there are a few omissions and small things that would make it totally perfect. These are, a filter section (Autowah, envelope filter perhaps, I would have these over the pitch if I had to), and improved tuner (insert a polytune please!!!) and perhaps another way to access patch v presets. I would also love for it to be Toneprintable, how incredible would it be to be able to download Toneprints to the Nova System. Oh okay maybe one more, to make it the most perfect object of all time, perhaps adding in a few basic amp models (Fender, Marshall, Vox perhaps?), so that it could be used direct into a PA or as a basic modeller. That would make it perfection!! Particular on the last point that the TC Halicon Voice Channel can do this, and Tech 21 have introduced this concept with the FlyRig, it would be perfect. But sadly I don't think it is coming.2)Love to see an update to the Ibanez RG Prestige range, perhaps a natural finish guitar??3)Spectrasonics?? Where are you???????….maybe some new libraries for Stylus RMX? and how about the next generation of awesome software that we know you are capable of!!4)Logic 11? 2013 was the year of Logic X, I am very cautious with Apple at the moment and their (what feels to me) move away from supporting the creatives that carried them through the bad times. They are a phone company now and not a computer company, evidenced by their latest update to the Mac Mini, a total backward step IMHO.5) I also use Digital Performer 9 a fair amount and whilst it is great for audio and film stuff, I still prefer Logic for straight composition and song writing, probably because of the ability to work with looped regions. Maybe this will come to DP one day?6) A decent Marshall amp (we can dream!)7) Atomic Amplifire - actually you guys totally rock! I am loving my amplifier so maybe I don't need a replacement for the Nova System now. I am sure if you have something new it will blow us away!I would be very interested to hear what you are waiting for/hoping for.Maybe I'll get my book there next year ;)
A lifetime of guitar knowledge for only £6.95Take the next step with your playing...
Or Kindle version....
So what is on your list?
PeaceNeil
3 ways to study effectively online
Yes!! The internet has changed the way we learn! I have changed everything, but with so much information out there, how do you go about LEARNING EFFECTIVELY from online sources? Watch the video to find out the 3 ways to effective online learning!So I have created this video for you guys and hopefully it answers ALL the questions!!An introduction to a new creativity and guitar lesson series I am going to be doing. The idea is that I will play devil's advocate on a number of issues that we all may hear about or know about. This is my opinion on the topic and I will also try and question that opinion as well.The main thing is asking the question, and seeing how I would answer and how you would answer, There is no right or wrong, and we all may learn something. Some of the topics might be controversial, some might wind you up a little bit, but please be part of the conversation and let's see where this goes.For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking PeaceNeil
8 ways playing rhythm guitar with help your lead playing! FACT
The Rhythm Revelation!
It was a revelation! Thanks to my amazing guitar teacher at Berklee, Mike Williams, when he said,MW: "What to you spend 98% of your time doing during a gig?”My answer, “Playing rhythm guitar?"YES, that is the one. In band or session situation, you are judged and employed for your rhythm skills and then (if you are lucky) for 16 bars you’ll get to wail! But do not fret (no pun intended!), playing all this rhythm stuff and practicing it actually has a massive by product…you WILL improve you lead playing, without even trying!!Yes, Yes it is true and I have put together a video detailing the 8 ways YOU WILL IMPROVE by practising rhythm!!
The 8 ways you’ll improve your lead playing
In the video I discuss in-depth the following 8 ways that practicing and playing rhythm will make you become a much, much better lead player. It is a fact! Check it out.
- Timing
- Chord knowledge - Start to learn more chords, and therefore more arpeggios and sweet notes
- Finger Independence
- Fretboard Knowledge
- Ear Training
- Playing for friend….confidence building
- Dynamic Solo ideas
- Fusing Rhythm and Lead, Hendrix’s legacy in a nutshell
EnjoyPeaceNeil