MusicRadar - Tuition

8 great entry-level recording apps

Ben Rogerson — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:27:00 +0000

Entering into the world of computer-based recording is neither as expensive or as difficult as it used to be. Today's entry-level DAWs (digital audio workstations) are not only more powerful than previous generations, they're also far easier to use. Here's MusicRadar's guide to the best of them.

VIDEO: The Answer teach you how to jam

Total Guitar (The Answer/Chris Bird) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:26:00 +0000

When Total Guitar joined The Answer recently at a pre-gig jam session, we watched them write a song before our very eyes.

A high level of musicianship is key here, but simple communication skills are also vital. While they might not sound like 'skills' exactly, maintaining eye contact and nodding at your bandmates to let them know your screaming solo is about to end will help keep you together.

It's communication like this that will help guarantee you a productive jam session and a good vibe onstage – as well as helping you find the best time and space to improvise.

Three-chord riffing

The riff from The Answer's improvised song is made up of three simple chords: E5, D5 and A5. This shows that great riffs don't necessarily require massive technical ability.

Guitarist Paul Mahon and bassist Micky Waters quickly came up with their riff by adding two or three extra notes to these basic chord shapes. Check out the tab in Example 1 and you'll be able to see how Paul uses the basic E, D and A chord shapes to produce his riff.

A key part of the creative process in jam sessions is developing your riffs into new parts – this helps your song evolve. A simple approach is to repeat your initial idea in a new key (transposing into a new key), but this usually sounds quite repetitive.

Instead, try to create a textural change by altering the rhythm, introducing new chords, adding an effect or even playing a solo. After their initial riff, Paul and Micky improvised two new powerchord sections, as shown in Examples 2 and 3. Finally, Paul makes up a solo on the spot. You'll probably find that most of your jam sessions will include solos like this, and while they're great fun, they're not all that productive.

When you're rehearsing an improvised solo section, stop and listen carefully to the rest of the band – it's important that your solos sound good with the backing. You can even use the notes from the chords in your solo.

Page two: tab and chord charts

Page three: Total Guitar's top 5 jamming tips

(3 pages; go to page: 2 3)

How to make a track in FL Studio 9

Computer Music — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:40:00 +0000

10 best bass guitars under £300

MusicRadar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:39:00 +0000

Thanks to Ask MusicRadar, the power of your axe-buying knowledge and following the search to find, name and honour the best acoustic and electric guitars under £300, we've finally uncovered the best budget basses your money can buy.

This is a gallery of the top 10 as chosen by you. All cost under £300 and are well worthy of your consideration, but we do have one overall winner… so scroll through to reveal the very best. First up: Vintage EST96.

10 kitbag essentials for drumming in comfort

Rhythm Magazine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:01:00 +0000

A drummer's kitbag: Water? Check. Bright red shorts? Check. © Lawrence Manning/Corbis

10 kitbag essentials for drummers focuses on the tools and spare parts you'll need to keep your drum kit in shape. But what about the humble stick-wielders themselves? Courtesy of our friends at Rhythm Magazine, here are the 10 items no gigging sticksman should be without…

10 kitbag essentials

1. A change of clothes

One or two changes of shirts/vests for when you come off stage soaking wet.

2. Plastic bags

To stash your soaking gear after the gig. Sounds a bit arbitrary, we know, but locking away that smelly cocktail of smoke, beer and sweat saves an unsavoury drive home!

3. Portable fan

Even better, prevent the sweat in the first place! Take your own personal portable floor fan with a very, very long extension lead.

4. More gaffer tape

Again, a roll of gaffer tape. It truly has a thousand uses, most of them useful for music.

5. H2O

Plain water close to hand but where you can't knock it over. Investigate the many companies who are selling stand mountable drink holders or simply attach a bicycle style bottle-holder to a stand.

Next page: light, time and ear plugs!

(2 pages; go to page: 2)

Free music software round-up: Week 32

Ben Rogerson — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:40:00 +0000

We have another varied list of effects and instruments for you this week - in the latter category, there's a drum sampler and a virtual organ.

New vibrato, amp and filter plug-ins are on the agenda too, and there's also something for anyone who's running short on inspiration.

If you've got a new free music software release, make sure you let us know about it by emailing musicradar.pressreleases@futurenet.com with all the details.

Subsun Wobbles

Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU Download

The name of this simple plug-in alludes to the fact that it's a vibrato effect. The shape, depth and speed parameters are adjustable, and there's also a wet/dry knob. The author admits that Wobbles hasn't been widely tested (in fact, the AU version is currently offline after problems were reported), but says he'll update it with additional features if the demand is there.

Les Blattes Splatte

Platform/format: PC/VST Download

Les Blattes doesn't make too many bold claims about Splatte - merely that it's a "simple and straightforward" 12-slot drum sample player. A set of sounds comes included to get you started, but you can import your own 16- and 24-bit WAV files. Controls are basic, though handily, there are eight stereo outputs.

Mokafix Audio No Amp!

Platform/format: PC/VST Download

Based on a "famous hardware stompbox" (we're guessing a model by Sansamp), this virtual pedal offers you three amp tones, three "mods" and three cabs, which equates to a total of 27 possible configurations. There are various controls, and each parameter supports MIDI learn.

(2 pages; go to page: 2)

8 compact MIDI keyboards that go great with a laptop

Ben Rogerson — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

5 best artist signature snare drums

Rhythm Magazine — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:30:00 +0000

Not all drum companies offer signature snare drums, although the trend is on the up and it does seem an obvious ploy. Along with the ride cymbal, the snare drum is usually the most recognisable part of a drummer's sound and adopting your hero's snare should at least give you a leg-up towards mastering their signature beat.

Picky artists

It's quite a big commitment for a company to invest in a radical signature snare design, so it's perhaps not surprising that only the bigger companies - like Pearl, Yamaha and Tama - have a wide selection. Some designs are pretty far out - they probably wouldn't have been thought of had they not been specified by the picky artist in question. Of course, this is how it should be, and shows just how personal the snare drum is compared to the rest of the drum kit.

In other instances, a signature snare may simply be a tweaked version of a standard model, which you could buy more cheaply without the name (Neil Peart's 30th anniversary DW Edge, for example).

Talent

Remember, though, that it's not just the instrument itself that gives your drumming hero their particular signature sound. It has just as much to do with the way they hit their snares, tune them, and what head combination they use. Not to mention the considerable talent and ability they bring to it…

Next page: 5 best artist signature snare drums

Paul Gilbert on trying new pentatonic positions

Total Guitar (Paul Gilbert/Steve Allsworth) — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:33:00 +0000

This exercise is designed to help you break out of playing the same old A minor pentatonic scale at the 5th fret. Yes, it sounds great and it's easy to play but, as Paul explains, "after you've played it for a long time you'll start to sound like everybody else who uses the scale!"

The scale pattern Paul bases his lick on is still the A minor pentatonic scale, but it's played in a different position. Check out Example 1 on the next page if you're unfamiliar with the scale.

Playing scales in new positions like this is the perfect way to inject fresh ideas into your playing because you'll find new note combinations and fingerings that are difficult to play in other positions.

Paul uses his fingers instead of a pick for a percussive feel, but you can apply these ideas to normal plectrum picking as well. Bear in mind that the large string skips are best suited to alternating your thumb (p) and index finger (i).

Next page: tab for the video examples

(2 pages; go to page: 2)

Free music software round-up: Week 31

Ben Rogerson — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

It won't surprise you to learn that there's a new synth for you to download this week, and there's a second instrument in the shape of a virtual Mellotron. Those who are more experimental in nature can satisfy themselves with a virtual circuit-bending solution.

Effects, meanwhile, are covered by a filter and a compressor.

If you've got a new free music software release, make sure you let us know about it by emailing musicradar.pressreleases@futurenet.com with all the details.

Brainwork bx_cleansweep

Platform/format: PC, Mac/VST, AU, RTAS Download

Featuring the fabulously named Anti Crush Technology, this freebie from Brainworx is a high-pass/low-pass filter that its creators say should be the first plug-in in every mix channel. "This way you can filter out any unwanted hi-end and lo-end, and the result is a clean and tight mix," says the developer.

7Air Productions DepthCharge

Platform/format: PC/VST Download

Designed specifically for tracking (but also said to be useful in the master bus chain), this compressor has analogue-style VU meters and, most importantly, a dimpled metal background. Its creator says it'll deal with most material comfortably, but that it's particularly adept when handling drums, guitar and vocals.

(2 pages; go to page: 2)

Unison string bending for beginners

Total Guitar (Chris Bird) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:26:00 +0000

Unison string bends are commonly used in classic rock and blues guitar.

In music theory parlance, 'unison' refers to two examples of exactly the same note being played at the same time. So, when you're playing a unison bend, one of the two unison notes will be created with a string bend.

As you bend the string the pitch of the note you're playing gets gradually higher, and this is a good way to add variety and colour to your lead playing. The trickiest part with unison bends is playing a second example of the note you're bending up to. The key is to use the right fingering.

For our example below you'll need to use your first finger on the higher string. This finger needs to stay steady, without moving in sympathy with your second and third fingers as they bend the lower string.

Next page: tab for the video example

(2 pages; go to page: 2)

How to make a filthy electro sound in Reason 4

Computer Music — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:08:00 +0000

Create your own Boys Noize, Justice and SebastiAn-style sound