Month: April 2013

Guitar Gear iOS

GuitarTone 2—Now with Audiobus support

When I last wrote about GuitarTone by Sonoma Wireworks, they had just released an update that allowed you to create a truly unique tone by using twin amplifier speaker/microphone combinations that generated a true stereo sound. I’d also written about my desire to be able to record the awesome GuitarTone sounds—I didn’t want to write GuitarTone tones—into either StudioTrack or FourTrack. That hasn’t happened yet, but the latest release allows you to connect GuitarTone to Audiobus.

That’ll do! … GuitarTone 2—Now with Audiobus support

Guitars

52 Guitars, week 17—Musicvox Space Cadet 6 string

If I was building a super collection of guitars with something like 52 different models, I’d want to make sure each guitar had something unique to offer. Otherwise I’d go to my guitar den—I’m pretty sure that’s what you’d call a room with 52 guitars in it—and spend all my time trying to work out which guitar was which. That would be time wasted. I should clearly be able to walk into the guitar den—that’s now a thing—and go straight to the guitar I was thinking of playing. Something like this week’s guitar, the Musicvox Space Cadet. I doubt you’d mistake it for another guitar. … 52 Guitars, week 17—Musicvox Space Cadet 6 string

Guitars

52 Guitars, week 16—FGN Expert Elan Dark Evolution

I love black guitars. I also love white guitars. Anything else … Not so much. One of the things I sometimes wonder about though is “should you take fretboards into consideration when talking about guitar colour?”

The guitar I’m adding to my weekly wishlist today—the FGN Expert Elan Dark Evolution has also thought of that it seems. They’ve given people the choice between a maple fretboard for white guitars and rosewood for black guitars. Brilliant! … 52 Guitars, week 16—FGN Expert Elan Dark Evolution

Guitars

52 Guitars, week 15—Gretsch G6128T-DCM Duo Jet

With each new weekly guitar I try to add something a little bit different to the guitar from the week before. In fact I’m trying to make sure all 52 guitars are somehow unique. What’s the point of having a wishlist like this if each guitar doesn’t bring something new to the table. Wow … Imagine the size of the table that holds 52 guitars. It would be Game of Thrones big! Anyhow, this week’s guitar is unique and desirable. The perfect combination. … 52 Guitars, week 15—Gretsch G6128T-DCM Duo Jet

Guitar Gear iOS

AmpKit update adds stereo to more effects pedals

AmpKit by Agile Partners has been updated and it now includes even more stereo effects from their existing pedal range. The D-Delay, Echology, Ensembly, Phase ’72, Phunk Phaser and The Lone Flanger effects pedals now all include stereo awesomeness. Add this impressive new addition to the other recent updates in AmpKit and it’s easy to see how  time can be lost experimenting with the multiple sound effects this amazing app offers. … AmpKit update adds stereo to more effects pedals

Guitar Gear Guitars

Rock Prodigy released for Windows (plus a Fender giveaway)

The Rock Prodigy team who brought us the awesome iOS apps Rock Prodigy, The Offspring: Rock Prodigy and Dave Mustaine: Rock Prodigy, have now released Rock Prodigy for Windows. The new system includes lessons from guitar teachers professionally trained at Musicians Institute. The lessons themselves are broken up into four courses which can be purchased individually or in one of two packages.

Right now though, you can get up to 70% off thanks to the kind folks at Fender. If that’s not enough, you can also enter a draw to win a Fender DG-8S Acoustic Pack. … Rock Prodigy released for Windows (plus a Fender giveaway)

Guitars

52 Guitars, week 14—LTD Snakebyte

The guitarists who have been the most influential to me over the years all have a guitar look they are known for. Eddie Van Halen, John 5, Jimmy Page and my most influential guitarist … James Hetfield. When I discovered Metallica as a teenager (many years ago) I was forced to rethink my approach to guitar playing. Since then I’ve valued a riff higher than any guitar solo. Nothing says metal to me like James Hetfield behind his white Explorer shaped guitar. The LTD Snakebyte is the modern take on that iconic look. … 52 Guitars, week 14—LTD Snakebyte

Steve Case SWIN
Graphic Design

Steve Case’s latest EP—artwork by me

Recently I was given the opportunity to design the artwork (including the disc, jewel case and 16 page booklet) of Steve Case‘s latest EP Somewhere Where I’m Not. I worked to Steve’s creative brief—combine the effect types often seen in apps like Instagram with something more artistic for the cover—and was lucky enough to be able to use some of my favourite iPhone and iPad image enhancing apps in the process. The apps I used were ToonPAINT (for iPhone) and PhotoToaster (for iPad). The ToonPAINT app was used to create the CD and booklet cover image (which you can see in the iTunes store).

Woo hoo! I have designed something you can get through iTunes! … Steve Case’s latest EP—artwork by me