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GMC Forum _ Gabriel Leopardi _ Subbedchris's Thread

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 2 2015, 05:55 PM

Hi Chris! Welcome to our thread for Gab's Army. Here I will help you to design guitar plans and routines based on your guitar goals and musical tastes. We have been talking via PM and we both agree that there are two main goals to achieve:

- Polish and improve technique.
- Develop your creativity and improvisation skills.


TECHNIQUE

On the technique side, we will start with a routine that covers two techniques: Alternate Picking and Legato.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/

note: you can change these lesson by others that are more suitable for your current level if you don't feel comfortable. Just let me know and we can choose together.


IMPROVISATION

About improvisation, let's follow the order of my course even knowing that you already have some previous knowldge. We will start with MAjor scale. Replay the video chat in which I explained Week#1, learn the different positions and exercises. Link http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42832&view=findpost&p=694411.

To complement this work, choose a GMC lesson that includes licks using major scale that you like, learn the lesson, learn each lick, practice it over the backing, and then, create variations of the licks, and combine them with some of your own phrases and licks. Record your improvisations with variations of the licks and some other licks and ideas and share it here.





Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 2 2015, 10:04 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 2 2015, 04:55 PM) *
Hi Chris! Welcome to our thread for Gab's Army. Here I will help you to design guitar plans and routines based on your guitar goals and musical tastes. We have been talking via PM and we both agree that there are two main goals to achieve:

- Polish and improve technique.
- Develop your creativity and improvisation skills.


TECHNIQUE

On the technique side, we will start with a routine that covers two techniques: Alternate Picking and Legato.

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-2/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Bens-Land-Of-Legato/

note: you can change these lesson by others that are more suitable for your current level if you don't feel comfortable. Just let me know and we can choose together.


IMPROVISATION

About improvisation, let's follow the order of my course even knowing that you already have some previous knowldge. We will start with MAjor scale. Replay the video chat in which I explained Week#1, learn the different positions and exercises. Link http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42832&view=findpost&p=694411.

To complement this work, choose a GMC lesson that includes licks using major scale that you like, learn the lesson, learn each lick, practice it over the backing, and then, create variations of the licks, and combine them with some of your own phrases and licks. Record your improvisations with variations of the licks and some other licks and ideas and share it here.



Hello Gab!!

I'm going to see all of these in the next few days!!

About the GMC lesson that includes major scale,I think I could go with my top favorite ---> http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Instrumental-Rock-With-Melody-II/

Though it's one of my favorites I haven't learned it yet because I don't have a whammy bar! But I think I could give it a try even without it biggrin.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 3 2015, 02:12 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Mar 2 2015, 06:04 PM) *
Hello Gab!!

I'm going to see all of these in the next few days!!

About the GMC lesson that includes major scale,I think I could go with my top favorite ---> http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Instrumental-Rock-With-Melody-II/

Though it's one of my favorites I haven't learned it yet because I don't have a whammy bar! But I think I could give it a try even without it biggrin.gif



Great choice! Yes, don't worry about whammy bar, we will focus on licks to develop your phrasing. Let's go for this one. smile.gif

Please keep me updated of your progress.

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 5 2015, 06:40 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 3 2015, 01:12 PM) *
Great choice! Yes, don't worry about whammy bar, we will focus on licks to develop your phrasing. Let's go for this one. smile.gif

Please keep me updated of your progress.



I recorded the lesson and saw week's #1 notes!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sG_iven68gM&feature=youtu.be

Going to record the rest now!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 6 2015, 02:09 PM

Killer work with this lesson! It would be a a great workout to now start creating variations of this solo and combine it with your phrasing. Take some time to play along with the backing and trying to make this licks of your own.

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 9 2015, 07:27 PM

Here is the alternate workout

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5ct6xU0bRo&feature=youtu.be



There are some mistakes because I haven't recorded more than once. I just posted it for you to see my technique. I think I could go for a little faster lesson than this!




As far as legato lesson is concerned I have some issues. The reason I stopped electric guitar 1,5 year ago and strived for acoustic guitar is my tone. I have such a terrible tone! The thing is I have so SO little sustain! That means I can't hold a long note without picking the string. This is very bad for my legato or for letting long notes ring. And this lesson has legato in which you pick the string after 1,5-2 seconds,time where the sound starts fading. Even with full distortion I have this problem. I don't know what's the fault. Either the guitar or the soundcard,both are very cheap. Anyway,I'll give it a try though,you will notice it.

I'll prepare the impro part too!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2015, 03:56 PM

Hi mate! Your take on the alternate workout is brilliant! Great job! There is nothing to fix on this lesson, we can more for a trickier lesson now. Please check the archive and let me know if you find something that you like at a higher level, if not I have some suggestions. wink.gif

That issue with sustain is weird. The first thing that comes to mind is that you are using a "noise gate" that is set with a high threshold. Is this possible? What set up are you using for your sound?

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 10 2015, 04:17 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 10 2015, 02:56 PM) *
Hi mate! Your take on the alternate workout is brilliant! Great job! There is nothing to fix on this lesson, we can more for a trickier lesson now. Please check the archive and let me know if you find something that you like at a higher level, if not I have some suggestions. wink.gif

That issue with sustain is weird. The first thing that comes to mind is that you are using a "noise gate" that is set with a high threshold. Is this possible? What set up are you using for your sound?


I just saw this lesson! http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Alternate-Picking-Workout-1/

Maaan, I really suck at alternate picking biggrin.gif I can't get past the triplets let alone the sixteenth notes! tongue.gif This should get the next 2-3 months of my life! I'm gonna try this! Question...I think pick matters for speed right? This is the one I generally use..



Should I change it?




About the setup,yes you are right...



That's the setup I use for almost all lessons.I have lots of threshold cause there's lot of noise. But if I lower gain or distortion and threshold,it is the same thing :\

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 10 2015, 05:25 PM

I think that the lesson is a bit tricky in the last section so I think that it would be good to go for another lesson first. Maybe one of these:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-workout/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking-thirds/


The pick thickness is not bad but I prefer thicker ones for shredding to be able to achieve a more consistent picking. I think that 1.00 or even 1.5 mm can work. This also depends on the strings gauge that you are using. From my opinion the thicker your strings are the thinner should be the pick choice. If you use 0.12 or 0.13, I think that you current pick is ok but if you use thinner strings like 010, I would go for a thicker pick.


About your tone. It's not normal to have that noise. It should be a problem with your guitar pick ups, input or cable. Have you checked using another guitar?


Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 10 2015, 05:56 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 10 2015, 04:25 PM) *
I think that the lesson is a bit tricky in the last section so I think that it would be good to go for another lesson first. Maybe one of these:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-workout/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-picking-thirds/


The pick thickness is not bad but I prefer thicker ones for shredding to be able to achieve a more consistent picking. I think that 1.00 or even 1.5 mm can work. This also depends on the strings gauge that you are using. From my opinion the thicker your strings are the thinner should be the pick choice. If you use 0.12 or 0.13, I think that you current pick is ok but if you use thinner strings like 010, I would go for a thicker pick.


About your tone. It's not normal to have that noise. It should be a problem with your guitar pick ups, input or cable. Have you checked using another guitar?


I'm quite familiar with the second lesson from the past,I'll probably do a refresh and record it tomorrow!


Isn't it quite normal to have unwanted noise when you have distortion? I'll try to experiment though with what you said by putting a lot less threshold and different settings on the Amp Sim and Screamer! Haven't tried another guitar sadly..I have to ask a friend nowadays to come over.

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 11 2015, 03:42 AM

Yeahh,tone is a really big problem for me. I'm tired of this,can't get a decent sound. Tried to play around with threshold and gain settings and accidentally deleted my old setup. It wasn't much better,but still better than this...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQDTwODv4-U&feature=youtu.be

Messed up a little on sync too! tongue.gif

Anyway,have to get some new equipment when the time comes...gonna attempt the second alternate picking lesson now!


Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 11 2015, 02:10 PM

Hi Chris! Great job with this new alternate picking lesson! Your technique is consistent at this tempo so we can continue with this journey.

What about this lesson?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-workout/


Also, I was wondering what about your improvisations? Have you tried anything over the backing from the lesson you've worked? If not, I was thinking that you could use the backing of a lesson in Major key and record some improvisations to let me check it and give feedback to help you to master major scale and then be able to continue with the improvisation course.

This lesson has a cool backing: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/b-major-intermediate-solo/

What do you think?



And about the tone, trust me that this is not normal, there must be a problem with a cable, jack or pick up, it's not related with settings. You should try to find out the issue since it's not nice to have that amount of noise.

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 11 2015, 05:42 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 11 2015, 01:10 PM) *
Hi Chris! Great job with this new alternate picking lesson! Your technique is consistent at this tempo so we can continue with this journey.

What about this lesson?

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/alternate-workout/


Also, I was wondering what about your improvisations? Have you tried anything over the backing from the lesson you've worked? If not, I was thinking that you could use the backing of a lesson in Major key and record some improvisations to let me check it and give feedback to help you to master major scale and then be able to continue with the improvisation course.

This lesson has a cool backing: http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guitar/b-major-intermediate-solo/

What do you think?



And about the tone, trust me that this is not normal, there must be a problem with a cable, jack or pick up, it's not related with settings. You should try to find out the issue since it's not nice to have that amount of noise.




Yeah,that was the lesson I was going to start,it seems a little more challenging than the previous one,will be great practice!


That's a very slow backing track..it's very nice but I think I'm gonna mess it up because longer notes are fading as I have already told you tongue.gif I'm gonna give it a try though.

Can you define what you mean by noise? You mean the noise I mentioned when I have lower threshold? Or you can actually hear that noise in the above takes?


And like you said,there actually should be something wrong. Four days ago,I was playing around with tone and found something really great which reminded me of Mark Knopfler. That's when I decided I should learn and record the Mark Knopfler lesson. I think the tone I had in that take was great and received good feedback even if it was different to Muris's sound. I saved it but the next day,the tone of that setting was nothing like the day before sad.gif It was so harsh and noisy.


I could take the guitar for repair but I'm thinking of this...can this guitar get a great sound? I'ts a really cheap 250$ Epiphone through a 80$ Marshall MG10 amp and through a 120$ POD Farm Studio UX1 soundcard. Maybe it's time to get money for new equipment? Or should I give 50-70$ for a repair at a guitar store? And if I am to buy something new...what should I buy? :\ Guitar? Amp? Sound card? A guitar or effect pedal? I'm so confused...I was thinking to start electric guitar again having in mind that I can improve and be able to play a lot better when I can actually afford new equipment. But it's so painful,because I play around with tone and end up to something as bad EVERYDAY. I don't think I'll stop electric guitar again but if I had a more professional tone everything would be easier and even more importantly,100x times more exciting and fun smile.gif

Sorry for that long post,had a lot in mind and wanted to share

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 12 2015, 02:24 PM

Well, I don't hear noise in your videos but I imagine that it's there because of the sustain and noise gate issue that you are having. Before you do some kind of investment, I think that it would be good to try your guitar without the amp, just connected to you computer and using some virtual amps. Please check the audio part of this video:




and also take a look at this thread:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=52512


Download those plug ins and try them. I feel that connecting your guitar to the amp, then to the pod can be part of the problem so let's keep if simple and let me know what happens.

Any question?

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 13 2015, 08:15 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 12 2015, 01:24 PM) *
Well, I don't hear noise in your videos but I imagine that it's there because of the sustain and noise gate issue that you are having. Before you do some kind of investment, I think that it would be good to try your guitar without the amp, just connected to you computer and using some virtual amps. Please check the audio part of this video:




and also take a look at this thread:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=52512


Download those plug ins and try them. I feel that connecting your guitar to the amp, then to the pod can be part of the problem so let's keep if simple and let me know what happens.

Any question?



Ok cool I got it to work... I don't know yet if it sounds better than POD Farm but I have some problems to solve before I try some tones.


1)I hear the sound on my headphones a little later than I play it.Like 0.2 seconds later. I really have to fix that before I proceed with the tones.

2)When I record something with reverb using Amplitube (any plugin actually) and Reaper,the reverb goes on when I stop the track tongue.gif It's kinda funny,I play what I recorded and when I stop it,the sound goes on! I haven't seen delay yet but I guess it might be the same,dunno why's that happening.



The video you have posted on that other thread describe as an example two plugins.These plugins (Kefir and Legion) dont have reverb,delay,noise gate or these kind of settings right? I'ts expected that I use more plugins to have these effects?




EDIT:Now I actually think both of these problems are result of Amplitube...there's no delay with the rest of the plugins and no reverb after recording....

EDIT2:Daaamn,I really don't know about the delay on the headphones biggrin.gif I think there is on all of the plugins but I'not sure either tongue.gif Gonna search it more

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 14 2015, 05:04 PM

Hi mate, great to know that you are trying to solve this issues. The Poulin and Kefir are only for the guitar tone, the first one is for the amp head and the second the cabinet. If you want more effects you have to use other plug ins. There are full suites like Amplitube... you said that you are currently using Amplitube? Why don't you try using only this one without Marshall?

About the delay that appears, are you talking about latency or delay effect?


Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 14 2015, 08:20 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 14 2015, 04:04 PM) *
Hi mate, great to know that you are trying to solve this issues. The Poulin and Kefir are only for the guitar tone, the first one is for the amp head and the second the cabinet. If you want more effects you have to use other plug ins. There are full suites like Amplitube... you said that you are currently using Amplitube? Why don't you try using only this one without Marshall?

About the delay that appears, are you talking about latency or delay effect?


I'm still using the POD Farm because I haven't solved the ''latency'' issue.Yeah,it's latency not delay,I just hear what I play after a very little while,which is very annoying so I can't search for any tones. I didn't also get what you meant by ''Why don't you try using only this one without Marshall?''!


Actually,your advice helped me improve my tone with POD Farm. What I did before was to have Drive,Gain and Threshold settings by Noise Gate,Screamer and amp at very high levels (almost max). I have now lowered them all and notice that I have the same distortion and much better sustain and dynamics (much better muting too). It could be even better probably,it seems I don't know how to adjust all these settings. Also,I dont use EQ at all because I don't know how sad.gif It could make my tone better right? Anyway,if I solve the latency issue I will try searching tones on the plugins.



About the lesson ''Alternate Workout'' it's the most difficult lesson I have tried till now. For me at least. I can only make it to 100 bpm and barely 110. It will be a long time when I reach 130. Have to practice this more!!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 15 2015, 06:58 PM

Ah ok, so you mean latency. I don't think that your tone is bad, it needs the sustain tweak and maybe some little EQ adjustment to sound warmer but it's close to be really enjoyable. It's weird that you are having latency but my question is, have you tried Asio4all driver?


Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 16 2015, 01:40 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 15 2015, 05:58 PM) *
Ah ok, so you mean latency. I don't think that your tone is bad, it needs the sustain tweak and maybe some little EQ adjustment to sound warmer but it's close to be really enjoyable. It's weird that you are having latency but my question is, have you tried Asio4all driver?



I spent sooo much time into this and got nothing :\ It seems I was using Asio UX1 driver,which is for the soundcard I use.You see,I dont have any speakers and can't afford some at the moment,so the way I get my sound is through the soundcard and the amp. So amp is my speakers. That means when I choose Asio4all driver at Reaper I can't use the soundcard's driver so I can't hear anything.And I didn't got it to work either :\ What I could do,is go to the settings of the Asio UX1 driver and try some buffer and latency adjustments to see if I can solve it. Problem is the computer crashes all day and I get the blue screen almost all time tongue.gif I haven't managed tochange the latency settings on the Asio UX1 driver so far but I keep trying.


I lost so much time on this though and I'm not really good with computers and programming sad.gif Could we try to improve my tone through the POD Farm somehow for now? I feel like the tone is getting better smile.gif Can I somehow learn how to use EQ?



I don't know what these settings even do. Anyway,you know better what I could try next..

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2015, 03:25 PM

Hi Chris. Well latency settings require that you set your buffering to 128 or maybe 256 to avoid latency. However, this requires more use of your CPU so if your cpu is not powerful enough, you have those crashes that you said.

Could you please share with me a print screen with the settings used on that amp, and also the tube screamer and record a short audio with both a lick and a riff playing with all effect off (reverb and delay)?

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 16 2015, 03:29 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 16 2015, 02:25 PM) *
Hi Chris. Well latency settings require that you set your buffering to 128 or maybe 256 to avoid latency. However, this requires more use of your CPU so if your cpu is not powerful enough, you have those crashes that you said.

Could you please share with me a print screen with the settings used on that amp, and also the tube screamer and record a short audio with both a lick and a riff playing with all effect off (reverb and delay)?


You mean the POD Farm,not the plugins right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 16 2015, 03:31 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Mar 16 2015, 11:29 AM) *
You mean the POD Farm,not the plugins right?


yes!

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 17 2015, 01:08 AM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 16 2015, 02:31 PM) *
yes!


Here are the settings of screamer,noise gate and amp. I usually play both rhythm and solo sections with this



Screamer



Noise Gate



Amp




I sometimes turn up the drive of the screamer some more! Guess I should have done it in this video for the solo..anyway,it's the rhythm and solo of Piotr's lesson I did before.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCam3lxRDV4&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 17 2015, 02:07 PM

Hi Chris, thanks for the images and video.

From what I can hear, your tone is lacking bass and has too much treble. So maybe I first teak could be to turn the bass in the amp to 8 and treble to 5/6 and see how it responds.

Marshall amps usually lack some bass frequencies. JCM800 is the fatter one but sometimes it's not very well emulated with plug ins so maybe using any amp that emulates Soldano could give you a warmer sound with more sustain. So try it if there is one. You should check how pod calls "Soldano" emulation.

I like using tube screamer for soloing but not to much for rock and hard rock rhythms, so maybe you could have a rhythm tone without it and a solo tone with it.

Finally, please try setting the noise gate threshold lower since I think that the notes are being killed too quickly.

Could you please share a new audio with this ideas applied?




Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 18 2015, 06:35 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 17 2015, 01:07 PM) *
Hi Chris, thanks for the images and video.

From what I can hear, your tone is lacking bass and has too much treble. So maybe I first teak could be to turn the bass in the amp to 8 and treble to 5/6 and see how it responds.

Marshall amps usually lack some bass frequencies. JCM800 is the fatter one but sometimes it's not very well emulated with plug ins so maybe using any amp that emulates Soldano could give you a warmer sound with more sustain. So try it if there is one. You should check how pod calls "Soldano" emulation.

I like using tube screamer for soloing but not to much for rock and hard rock rhythms, so maybe you could have a rhythm tone without it and a solo tone with it.

Finally, please try setting the noise gate threshold lower since I think that the notes are being killed too quickly.

Could you please share a new audio with this ideas applied?


Wow,you're totally right.This amp simulator seems so much better...over these 3 years,I have tried every one of them,dunno why didn't saw the difference. Here are the settings and a video. I played a long sustained note at the beginning.

Noise Gate



Screamer



Amp



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXsJjRam83g&feature=youtu.be


About the Impro part. What if it is Minor and not Major? I'll study Minor scale a bit and record an audio track on the collab thread and the same one with video here. How about it?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 19 2015, 02:43 PM

Awesome improvement!! The new tone is warmed and has much more sustain than the previous one! Remember that even being virtual emulators, each amp tries to copy the original thing so the vibe should be there.

Minor? If you feel more inspired with minor, go for it!

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 19 2015, 10:08 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 19 2015, 01:43 PM) *
Awesome improvement!! The new tone is warmed and has much more sustain than the previous one! Remember that even being virtual emulators, each amp tries to copy the original thing so the vibe should be there.

Minor? If you feel more inspired with minor, go for it!



I have many questions pertaining sound though. I need to know what I'm doing before I just turn knobs here and there tongue.gif For example,I don't know what presence is....or I can't tell the difference between drive and gain on distortion pedal? Aren't both distortions? Does one give me more dynamics if I lower and increase it? How about EQ and Compressor? I know what EQ does but I don't know how to use it...and compressor? I've searched it on the net and it still confuses me. Does it make all frequencies come to the same level? And why does it have a gain knob? Sorry for all this tongue.gif If you can provide me with answers or link/links for this kind of information it would be great smile.gif


I liked the tone on the video I posted above but forgot something..when I play over a backing track on Reaper to record,the volume of the backing track is much higher if I dont increase the volume of the amp on 10 (maximum). The volume of the video I posted was 5! So when I did increase the volume of the Soldano at 10,it seems everything changed.Volume,dynamics,distortion,noise.It didn't matter if I lowered the sound from the soundcard,it was like I had a different tone.Not necessarily a bad one,but it was more aggressive. Does the volume of the amp matter? I know for a fact that it's best to have the volume of the guitar at maximum,but don't know about amp volume. I'm thinking of keeping amp volume at 5,lower backing track volume at reaper and when I finish recording,increase master volume to reach acceptable levels. Is this a good idea?


Ok,now I'm thinking to continue prioritizing tone and then the rest:

-Tone
-Technique
-Improvisation/Phrasing

First two are the core of the third. So I'm thinking about this lesson --->http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/slow_rock_solo/

I'll take my time with this and try not to rush things as I do with the other lessons. Playwise,it's kinda easy but it will make me focus a lot on my tone and dynamics.What do you think? Sorry for the long post... smile.gif


EDIT: One more thing. It feels that Emir's guitar has little sustain.It's so beautiful though that his long notes are fading like that smile.gif What do you think about this? It was intentional right?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 20 2015, 06:41 PM

Hi Cris! Those are many interesting questions! I'll try to go for the simple explanations but I'll also share links in case you want to go deeper with some of the more complex concepts.

"For example,I don't know what presence is....or I can't tell the difference between drive and gain on distortion pedal? Aren't both distortions? Does one give me more dynamics if I lower and increase it? How about EQ and Compressor? I know what EQ does but I don't know how to use it...and compressor? I've searched it on the net and it still confuses me. Does it make all frequencies come to the same level? And why does it have a gain knob? Sorry for all this tongue.gif If you can provide me with answers or link/links for this kind of information it would be great "

Presence is an EQ control that affects a determinate frequency range. When you increase presence, you boost the upper mid range frequencies of your tone. (from 4khz to 6 khz). The effect is that your guitar will sound more "present" in the mix. So if you feel that your guitar needs a tweak to appear on the mix, to make it sound closer, this is the parameter that you need to boost.

Gain and drive, let's clarify this! Gain is related to the input volume of your preamp, and means how much signal the preamp receives. Drive is another way to call this same thing and it used because when you increase the gain to high levels you start to have a "driven" sound. I think that you shouldn't find them together but if you find them together you should check the piece of gear manual to see why they are including both. I suspect that in the case of having both, one sets the input level while the other adds overdrive.

EQ let's you shape the frequencies balance of your sound. There are many kinds of equalizer: parametric, graphic, para-graphic, digital, analog, tube, solid state. The most simple that you'll find on guitar is one that has Bass, Mid, Treble and Presence. These are basic parameters that let's you manipulate the level of different ranges of frequencies. You'll find lots of tutorials about this and there is not an only truth about this, since EQ is also based on style and taste. So I recommend you to experiment, and try to emulate tones that you like or hear in your mind. Check this video with some tips: https://youtu.be/BAJHNKroqL4

And if you are curious: https://youtu.be/zl684tupzpk

Compressors are advanced stuff but they basically make the tracks processed has less dynamic range. This means that the difference in volume between the louder and the higher parts of your signal is decreased. The result is frequently a overage softer audio signal and that's why it usually includes an output level, in order to compensate it and make it sound louder. The result that you get when you compensate is is a louder take with less dynamic range. More about compressors http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42688








"I liked the tone on the video I posted above but forgot something..when I play over a backing track on Reaper to record,the volume of the backing track is much higher if I dont increase the volume of the amp on 10 (maximum). The volume of the video I posted was 5! So when I did increase the volume of the Soldano at 10,it seems everything changed.Volume,dynamics,distortion,noise.It didn't matter if I lowered the sound from the soundcard,it was like I had a different tone.Not necessarily a bad one,but it was more aggressive. Does the volume of the amp matter? I know for a fact that it's best to have the volume of the guitar at maximum,but don't know about amp volume. I'm thinking of keeping amp volume at 5,lower backing track volume at reaper and when I finish recording,increase master volume to reach acceptable levels. Is this a good idea?"

I don't understand exactly the problem that you have since I think that you should be able to just set the backing track with a softer level with Reaper and maybe set the master level of the Reaper project higher. But the master volume shouldn't affect the overall sound in digital emulation unless it also reproduces how you are killing your cabinet, something that would happen in the real world.

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 20 2015, 07:20 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 20 2015, 05:41 PM) *
Hi Cris! Those are many interesting questions! I'll try to go for the simple explanations but I'll also share links in case you want to go deeper with some of the more complex concepts.

"For example,I don't know what presence is....or I can't tell the difference between drive and gain on distortion pedal? Aren't both distortions? Does one give me more dynamics if I lower and increase it? How about EQ and Compressor? I know what EQ does but I don't know how to use it...and compressor? I've searched it on the net and it still confuses me. Does it make all frequencies come to the same level? And why does it have a gain knob? Sorry for all this tongue.gif If you can provide me with answers or link/links for this kind of information it would be great "

Presence is an EQ control that affects a determinate frequency range. When you increase presence, you boost the upper mid range frequencies of your tone. (from 4khz to 6 khz). The effect is that your guitar will sound more "present" in the mix. So if you feel that your guitar needs a tweak to appear on the mix, to make it sound closer, this is the parameter that you need to boost.

Gain and drive, let's clarify this! Gain is related to the input volume of your preamp, and means how much signal the preamp receives. Drive is another way to call this same thing and it used because when you increase the gain to high levels you start to have a "driven" sound. I think that you shouldn't find them together but if you find them together you should check the piece of gear manual to see why they are including both. I suspect that in the case of having both, one sets the input level while the other adds overdrive.

EQ let's you shape the frequencies balance of your sound. There are many kinds of equalizer: parametric, graphic, para-graphic, digital, analog, tube, solid state. The most simple that you'll find on guitar is one that has Bass, Mid, Treble and Presence. These are basic parameters that let's you manipulate the level of different ranges of frequencies. You'll find lots of tutorials about this and there is not an only truth about this, since EQ is also based on style and taste. So I recommend you to experiment, and try to emulate tones that you like or hear in your mind. Check this video with some tips: https://youtu.be/BAJHNKroqL4

And if you are curious: https://youtu.be/zl684tupzpk

Compressors are advanced stuff but they basically make the tracks processed has less dynamic range. This means that the difference in volume between the louder and the higher parts of your signal is decreased. The result is frequently a overage softer audio signal and that's why it usually includes an output level, in order to compensate it and make it sound louder. The result that you get when you compensate is is a louder take with less dynamic range. More about compressors http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/guitar_forum/index.php?showtopic=42688








"I liked the tone on the video I posted above but forgot something..when I play over a backing track on Reaper to record,the volume of the backing track is much higher if I dont increase the volume of the amp on 10 (maximum). The volume of the video I posted was 5! So when I did increase the volume of the Soldano at 10,it seems everything changed.Volume,dynamics,distortion,noise.It didn't matter if I lowered the sound from the soundcard,it was like I had a different tone.Not necessarily a bad one,but it was more aggressive. Does the volume of the amp matter? I know for a fact that it's best to have the volume of the guitar at maximum,but don't know about amp volume. I'm thinking of keeping amp volume at 5,lower backing track volume at reaper and when I finish recording,increase master volume to reach acceptable levels. Is this a good idea?"

I don't understand exactly the problem that you have since I think that you should be able to just set the backing track with a softer level with Reaper and maybe set the master level of the Reaper project higher. But the master volume shouldn't affect the overall sound in digital emulation unless it also reproduces how you are killing your cabinet, something that would happen in the real world.



Wow,your answer is so awesome! Much useful information,thanks!!! biggrin.gif

About the lesson I told you (Slow Rock Solo) what do you think? Would it be good to try it so I can improve tone and dynamics?

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 21 2015, 02:19 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Mar 20 2015, 03:20 PM) *
Wow,your answer is so awesome! Much useful information,thanks!!! biggrin.gif

About the lesson I told you (Slow Rock Solo) what do you think? Would it be good to try it so I can improve tone and dynamics?



Sure! It's a very cool lesson! Go for it.

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 21 2015, 11:49 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 21 2015, 01:19 PM) *
Sure! It's a very cool lesson! Go for it.


Ok did it,posted on REC too...made some improvements on tone I think though still have room for more...this one doesn't have distortion!I'm gonna organize tones a little more now and not have one for every occasion tongue.gif

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFopKbQP04

I'm gonna study Minor scale a little bit and try record something over collab's backing track

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 23 2015, 03:02 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Mar 21 2015, 07:49 PM) *
Ok did it,posted on REC too...made some improvements on tone I think though still have room for more...this one doesn't have distortion!I'm gonna organize tones a little more now and not have one for every occasion tongue.gif

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFopKbQP04

I'm gonna study Minor scale a little bit and try record something over collab's backing track



Hi Chris, great job with this lesson! Your playing is great as always and the only thing that doesn't convince me is the EQ of you tone. You said that you aren't using distortion... do you mean noise gate?

I'd try adding more bass and mids and lowering trble and presence to make your tone deeper. The original lesson is not a warm tone but it lacks some high frequencies that make your tone too "edgy". (http://vashivisuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/audio-for-video-2.jpg)

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 23 2015, 03:43 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 23 2015, 02:02 PM) *
Hi Chris, great job with this lesson! Your playing is great as always and the only thing that doesn't convince me is the EQ of you tone. You said that you aren't using distortion... do you mean noise gate?

I'd try adding more bass and mids and lowering trble and presence to make your tone deeper. The original lesson is not a warm tone but it lacks some high frequencies that make your tone too "edgy". (http://vashivisuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/audio-for-video-2.jpg)


I always use noise gate biggrin.gif I didnt use Screamer for this lesson ,only amp and noise gate! (reverb and delay too). Now that I see it,i might have overdid it with gain.I could have lowered Gain and Threshold and increased some low frequencies..I hardly understand your link! It's for EQ right? I didn't use EQ,only eq settings from the amp. I should study Equalizer and filters,Darius instructed me so as well

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 23 2015, 04:08 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Mar 23 2015, 11:43 AM) *
I always use noise gate biggrin.gif I didnt use Screamer for this lesson ,only amp and noise gate! (reverb and delay too). Now that I see it,i might have overdid it with gain.I could have lowered Gain and Threshold and increased some low frequencies..I hardly understand your link! It's for EQ right? I didn't use EQ,only eq settings from the amp. I should study Equalizer and filters,Darius instructed me so as well


Ah now I see! So you didn't use overdrive (tube screamer). I shared that jpg just to share with you how the different frequency ranges are divided and described. Just to be sure that you understand what I mean by "Edgy", "Chrunchy" or "Warm".

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 23 2015, 04:46 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 23 2015, 03:08 PM) *
Ah now I see! So you didn't use overdrive (tube screamer). I shared that jpg just to share with you how the different frequency ranges are divided and described. Just to be sure that you understand what I mean by "Edgy", "Chrunchy" or "Warm".


You think I should have used it for this lesson? I thought it made the tone a lot more aggressive than it should be!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 24 2015, 04:48 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Mar 23 2015, 12:46 PM) *
You think I should have used it for this lesson? I thought it made the tone a lot more aggressive than it should be!


no, I think that it's ok to avoid using it for this one.

Posted by: SubbedChris Mar 29 2015, 06:10 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 24 2015, 03:48 PM) *
no, I think that it's ok to avoid using it for this one.


Sorry Gab for not posting something in a while...but it will probably be a long time when I will. I'm going to my parents for some days and I don't have PC there...I'll try to post something from my friend's but that's just a probability...! So see ya soon! tongue.gif

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi Mar 29 2015, 06:30 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ Mar 29 2015, 02:10 PM) *
Sorry Gab for not posting something in a while...but it will probably be a long time when I will. I'm going to my parents for some days and I don't have PC there...I'll try to post something from my friend's but that's just a probability...! So see ya soon! tongue.gif


Ok Cris, thanks for the update, Have a great time there! wink.gif

Posted by: SubbedChris May 7 2015, 03:02 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ Mar 29 2015, 05:30 PM) *
Ok Cris, thanks for the update, Have a great time there! wink.gif


I'm back! Wow,I just noticed it's been one month since our last post meaning my last time practicing seriously! That's bad sad.gif

So , it seems I'm not quite capable mastering tone,technique and improvisation at once. I'm learning bouzouki now too (greek instrument) so I have to choose one! It has to be ------->ImPrOViSatiON<--------- biggrin.gif

I'm in a band now and most songs we play (if not all) are in minor,so I say we start with minor scale!!! What do you say??



Reminder:I don't know lots of theoretical stuff tongue.gif I know scales but it seems difficult to implement theory on the fretboard at this stage!

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 7 2015, 03:31 PM

Ok! This sounds good for me. In order to know where we are right now, the first task is to choose a minor backing track, record an improvisation and post it here.

I recommend you to use the backing of one of these two lessons, but if you have other idea, you're welcome:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Steve-Lukather-Modern-Style/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/melodic_hard_rock_soloing_in_a_minor/

Posted by: SubbedChris May 8 2015, 04:30 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 7 2015, 02:31 PM) *
Ok! This sounds good for me. In order to know where we are right now, the first task is to choose a minor backing track, record an improvisation and post it here.

I recommend you to use the backing of one of these two lessons, but if you have other idea, you're welcome:

http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/Steve-Lukather-Modern-Style/
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/ls/melodic_hard_rock_soloing_in_a_minor/



Here it is smile.gif

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BixlxA04L-Q&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 9 2015, 04:06 PM

Nice ideas happening there. I can hear that your note choices is tasty over the backing which is not a small thing. There are some things lacking on your solo that can be learnt by listening and playing some of the licks from the original lesson.

- Melodic motive: If you listen to the original lesson, you will notice that the whole thing is connected, there is a leit motive that evolves there. The use of call response, and the fact of a main idea that evolves is lacking on your solo.

- Breathing: The use of silence between phrases lets phrasing breath. Your solo is also lacking this.

- Shorter phrases: I feel that your phrases has too many notes and sometimes sound like exercises, don't you feel it?

The next step is learning the original lesson, analyzing how the licks are related, how silence is used, and how the whole thing evolves. Write down "concepts" or "ideas" that you get from analyzing and learning this solo. Then, create a new solo trying to apply this concepts.


Posted by: SubbedChris May 9 2015, 07:08 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 9 2015, 03:06 PM) *
Nice ideas happening there. I can hear that your note choices is tasty over the backing which is not a small thing. There are some things lacking on your solo that can be learnt by listening and playing some of the licks from the original lesson.

- Melodic motive: If you listen to the original lesson, you will notice that the whole thing is connected, there is a leit motive that evolves there. The use of call response, and the fact of a main idea that evolves is lacking on your solo.

- Breathing: The use of silence between phrases lets phrasing breath. Your solo is also lacking this.

- Shorter phrases: I feel that your phrases has too many notes and sometimes sound like exercises, don't you feel it?

The next step is learning the original lesson, analyzing how the licks are related, how silence is used, and how the whole thing evolves. Write down "concepts" or "ideas" that you get from analyzing and learning this solo. Then, create a new solo trying to apply this concepts.


So next thing is making a solo over the same backing track applying all the above? Yeah,you're totally right about the silence,I can feel it..

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 10 2015, 08:49 PM

QUOTE (SubbedChris @ May 9 2015, 03:08 PM) *
So next thing is making a solo over the same backing track applying all the above? Yeah,you're totally right about the silence,I can feel it..


Yes, a new solo applying concepts that you could learn from the solo recorded on the original lesson.


Posted by: SubbedChris May 14 2015, 07:42 PM

QUOTE (Gabriel Leopardi @ May 10 2015, 07:49 PM) *
Yes, a new solo applying concepts that you could learn from the solo recorded on the original lesson.


Kinda working on it! Meanwhile,I tried covering this solo! What's your feedback on it?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bPoOp_NAzI&feature=youtu.be

Posted by: Gabriel Leopardi May 15 2015, 04:32 PM

Hi Chris, it sounds really good! Your groove and bending are very good on this one. I heard it twice to think on what things and I think that you could experiment with:

- A cleaner tone that allows you to have more dynamics while playing.
- Using less "nervous" vibrato. I mean that you should let the note sound and then make the vibrato grow gradually.

These are two small details but that could add something extra to your current solo.

Good job!


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