When you watch a band perform, the guitarists almost always use picks, but the bass guitarist might be using a finger plucking technique. This can leave beginners with questions! Can you use a pick on a bass guitar? Is it better to use a pick or is this not the “proper” way to play? You…
Today I am attempting to answer another question which I frequently get asked via email. Frequent readers of the blog will know that I say a key part of any home studio is a good audio interface. But is this the same as an external soundcard? Yes, an audio interface IS an external soundcard that…
Getting a quality recording of a bass guitar can be more of a challenge than a lot of other instruments. Are you wondering the best ways to record? Should you mic a bass amp, or use another method of recording? I’ve recorded bass guitars in pretty much every method you can imagine, and share more…
Do you have an electronic drum kit and no drum amp? Want to use your bass amp so you can jam? In short, the answer is yes, you can safely use a bass amp to amplify an electronic drum kit, as long as you control the volume. While it’s not the ideal piece of equipment…
You’ve bought yourself a pair of monitor speakers (studio monitors) and when you try to connect them to your computer you see that everyone seems to say you need to also buy an audio interface. But is this true? You do not need an audio interface to connect your monitor speakers to a laptop or…
Let’s be honest, replacing guitar strings is a pain! Taking them all out, buying new strings, attaching them and then nervously playing for a while hoping that one doesn’t snap straight away. For this reason, we want our guitar strings to last for as long as possible in a good, playable condition. Rusty stings is…
Perhaps one of the most important but often overlooked items in a guitar player’s kit is the guitar pick. This tiny pieces of equipment come in all shapes and a variety of materials, but seriously; how long do guitar picks last? And is there one that’s better than others? Well because picks come in a…
Preamps are a topic that gets raised quite a lot in music recording circles. When there’s so much muddy water about the subject of pre-amps, it’s hard to make the right decision. That’s why I want to answer the question of ‘do preamps really sound different?’ And if so why? Preamps will all sound different…
When recording audio with a microphone, you sometimes end up with an annoying popping sound in the background. A pop filter is one recommended way to prevent these popping sounds, but is it necessary with a Blue Yeti microphone? Yes, regardless of what brand of microphone you are using, you should try to use a…
You might have been practicing some heavy riffs on your tube amp. But what happens when your tube amp loses volume a day before your next gig? I think your amp might be trying to tell you something. But relax, I’ll talk you through it. If you’ve never had this problem before there’s no need…