After all, what is digital simulation, in the real world?

After all, what am I simulating? In 1989, the American sound engineer Andrew Bartta created the company Tech 21, creating the now very well known Sansamp pedal in the early 90’s, which introduced a new concept of amplifier modeling, analogically simulating the main equalization characteristics of 3 well-known brands of amplifiers, Fender, Marshall and Mesa-Boogie. [...] read more

Investigating Signal Chain Optimization

Anyone working with amplified and electronic instruments has experienced signal chain issues of one kind or another. With the output of one device routed into another, characteristics of the chain can develop causing a well-known villain in the audio world to appear- noise. In its various manifestations noise can be annoying and difficult to deal [...] read more

Introduction: how important are effects for instruments like the electric guitar and electric bass? Part 1

The sound that comes out of the guitar, electric bass, or any similar electric musical instrument is the end result of many hours of study, dedication, talent, and overcoming. What makes a tone, a sound to be recognized, appreciated, and desired? Perhaps it is jargon purposely imposed by the equipment industry over decades that we [...] read more

Chromatic Spontaneity: Borrowing From Generative Music Systems

The age of automated consumer content is nigh… Technologists propose the possibility of “functional” music, fully synthesized by algorithms that have integrated the silicon combinations of tonality to a standard of perfection. A.I hiveminds crunching our audio pleasure information into infinite automatic arrangements rendered on-demand… But like most glacial inevitables, coming to grips with, and [...] read more

Effect pedals: from analog to digital

Learn the history of effect pedals and see how technology now allows you to obtain the same sounds using virtual pedalboards with digital plugins Over the years, musical instruments have been modified to better meet the sound needs of musicians as well as the musical demands of each era. With technological advancement, new instruments were [...] read more

Amp simulator: is it worth using this feature?

An amplifier simulator pedal, also called “boxed amp”, is basically a drive pedal with sound characteristics and equalizers that reproduce the sound of a complete amplifier, including its preamp, poweramp and cabinet. It can be used like any drive pedal, connected to the input of your amplifier to obtain different sounds of distorted sounds. But [...] read more

Open source audio plugins: how to better use this feature?

Plugins are very useful resources for the work of any musician, music producer or audio engineer. They make it possible to emulate sounds from real instruments, process sounds and even create entirely new sounds. Nowadays you can emulate analog equipment that was previously inaccessible with a high degree of precision, or develop a musical identity [...] read more