I did a short unboxing video of the fantastic XVIVE U2 Wireless system, with an explanation of how reviews work. Hope you find it interesting.EnjoyPeaceNeil
Hans Zimmer Masterclass Review (and a short rant about education!)
A little while ago, I wrote a blog post entitled "The expectations of education and online learning.”, about my experiences of both taking the Hans Zimmer masterclass and then the online commenting in forums and Facebook from other students. I really felt that there was a big gap between some students expectation of what they would be getting and I think this is reflected by the nature of the modern student and instant gratification.So, I put together video on my thoughts on the Masterclass and Hans’ content, you can simply click the video below and enjoy (there is also a little rant in there as well!) Personally, as you can see in the video. I though this was an excellent course and would certainly sign up to others. I feel it offers excellent value for money and has certainly inspired me (which surely is the main aim of any education?)EnjoyPeaceNeil
Understanding Amp Modelling - REMEMBER It’s the sound of a mic'd amp in a (another!) room!!
I know I am preaching to the converted here, but I feel that this is something that comes up a lot with folks who are thinking of switching to modelling and then don’t ‘get’ what they are hearing. I thought I would do a video explaining all about amp modelling and what you are actually meant to be hearing!! Remember people, it is the sound of a mic’d up amp in a room, which is VERY different that the sound of an am in a room.As I come from a recording back ground, so I have made an assumption here. The sound of a mic’d amp in a room I always consider to be a live room in a studio (or the room next door. :) Yes if you have an amp in the room ‘with you’ and put a mic on it, you are still hearing the sound of the amp. I also agree partially with you about the live situation (again showing my age!) but you would get a mix of the mix signal from the amp and the amp itself but nowadays that has changed somewhat where amps are offstage or in ISO boxes, so yes in that situation the helix represents the same thing.EnjoyPeaceNeil
Thomann Effect Pedal Bag Review for Line 6 Helix LT
So, I just picked up the Thomann Effect Pedal Bag as a soft case for my Helix. I have been looking for something smaller and lighter than my full on Swan Flight flight case for the Helix and this bag kept coming up in discussions online about suitable bags!Will it replace my full on flight case? Well obviously no!Is it a insanely cheap soft case, good enough for most small gigs and given that I am careful with my gear will it be fine? YES YES YESWill it last for ever? NODoes it cost £17? YESThe Helix fits really well, so well I thought I would do a little video review to help anyone thinking or looking for a carry case.Enjoy!PeaceNeil
The SECRETS of how to play guitar in a band
This is a question I often get asked.....what advice would you give for someone wanting to play guitar in a band? Well, I thought it would be a good idea to put all of my tips and advice into a single video. It is never easy starting a band, and it is even harder joining a band when you don’t have too much experience. There are a number of things you can do straight away to ensure that you are successful, both with your band mates and making your band a success.I would also love to hear your advice and guidance as well. Please let your thoughts in the comment box!Top tips and advice on how to be successful when you start playing guitar in a band.EnjoyPeaceNeil
Why I switched from Atomic Amplifire to Line 6 Helix
As so many people have asked, here is a frank on honest discussion on the reasons for my choice, given how many Atomic Amplifire videos I have done. Don’t get me wrong! I love the AA, absolutely love it!! But the Helix works in a way that just fits with the way I work and the way my head works. It probably says more about me than any thing else.This really isn’t about one product being better than the next, this is all about one product working for me and the way that I need to work in my gigging work. If I could have kept both, I really would have. I have a keen eye on Atomic and would love to see what they come up with in the future. Both the Atomic Amplifire and the Line 6 Helix, sound awesome, the work really well and are very robust and fit in to the professional world. It is just that one fits me better....simple. But this is the internet, so things are never as simple as this, so hopefully this will put the record straight!EnjoyPeaceNeil
Harley Benton G112 Vintage Cab Review
I recently did a review of the Harley Benton G112 1 x 12 Vintage Cab which has a Celestion Vintage 30 speaker in it (somehow!)....too good to be true? I think so! This has got to be a loss leader from Thomann, as the price is so good! I did a video for the product, so you can find out all I thought about it!Here are some of the specs
- Equipped with: 12" Celestion Vintage 30
- Power rating: 60 W
- Impedance: 8 Ohm
- Housing material: 18 mm plywood
- Semi-open back
- Carrying handle
- Dimensions (W x thomann H x D): 460 x 470 x 299 mm
- Weight: approx. 14 kg
The fact it has a Vintage 30 in it for me is the number 1 selling point! How did that do that? Plus being plywood instead of MDF at that price point is really interesting. I do think the handle might give out at some point and the Tolex is a bit rubbish, but hey you can easily fix that!! Find out more in the videoLove to hear your thoughts and experiences on the product.EnjoyPeaceNeil
Logic Pro X - Quick Tips - How to Delete Hole (gap) aka Ripple Delete
Mind the gap
A very short Logic Pro quick tip on how to delete a gap or hole (ripple delete) your audio quickly!This is something which I do a fair amount of (mostly when editing the There is another way podcast that I produce every week, but also when working on film dialogue, editing interviews and cutting out selections when I and editing Samples for my sample libraries. I see the question come up quite a lot, but sometimes people aren’t sure of the term to use for this kind of edit. It also has different names in some applications. But think of it as the ripple edit, or delete gap.
Ripple Edit
This isn’t really useful for music production, because you want your audio to stay in the same position because it is in time, but could be useful if cutting out a whole section of a song across multiple tracks.Hope you find it as useful as I do!EnjoyPeaceNeil
Didsbury Arts Festival : Didsbury, a Cultural Soundscape - workshop
Really pleased to announce that I will running a workshop under Light B4 Sound as part of the Didsbury Arts Festival. I have also written 3 special pieces for the festival and will be uploading some of my binaural recordings on the day.DESCRIPTIONDidsbury, a cultural soundscape is an interactive sound walk and workshop on sound art and soundscape by Light Before Sound. The event will explore sound in the local environment, and demonstrate how found sounds can be used as part of the compositional practice.Venue: Didsbury Parsonage Trust (room1)About eventHosted by Dr. Neil Bruce, a sound designer and composer, the workshop will also feature a piece composed specifically for the festival and Neil will go into detail of how sounds were chosen and manipulated into the final piece.Participants will also be taken on a short sound walk to enable them to tune in and explore the soundscape of Didsbury and the festival. The workshop will finish with a Q&A session.For more information, please visit the festival websiteIn preparation I am also offering a festival special offer of 50% off @lightb4sound Senescence Album with the following codeSee you on Sunday 2nd!EnjoyPeaceNeil