A short review of the iRig Pro from IK Multimedia a one-in audio interface for the iPad, or any computer. Featuring Jack input, XLR input (with phantom power) and midi input. Very simple to use, and the unit comes with two different connections, so you can connect it via USB or via Lightning connector (i.e to an iPad or iPhone). Latency is really good when used with the iPad, and the sound quality is really reasonable for such a device!What can I say but this is a fantastic little unit, perfect for the mobile iPad studio, which I why I brought it. Simply now I need my guitar, cable, iRig and my iPad and I have a fantastic little notepad for recording ideas and getting songs down in sketch form. I have also been using it with LoopyHD as a practice tool and for some looping (yet to use it live but it could be done!). I also using with my Laptop when I quickly need to get a guitar part into the computer (for lessons etc), this makes life so much easier and it is SO small!EnjoyPeaceNeil
Visualisation - Guitar Lesson - Improve your guitar playing fast
Visualisation
Here is a guitar lesson on a concept know as 'visualisation', which I feel is something which can help you improve your guitar playing really fast. As a concept, like 'finger positivity' it is a little tricky to explain, in a video and in text, as it is all in the mind. The basic premise requires you to think about and visualise in your minds eye, scale shapes, chord shapes, licks and riffs, and at the same time try and think about how they sound as well. This is an exercise you can do at any time, such as on a bus, or train, and will really help you see your way across the fretboard.There are also a number of aspects to the concept of guitar visualisation, and another one is something which Steve Vai advocates, and this is to do with playing confidence and imaging yourself playing the perfect gig. I discuss this a little bit in the video, but will do another video about this.
The Lesson
So, check out the video, visualise your scales, chords, songs in your minds and you should find that you are maximising your ability to improve on the guitar. So, for more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking ... (Kindle Version )Enjoy!PeaceNeil
Uptown Funk - Boss RC-30 Looping demo
Having some fun with Uptown Funk and my Boss RC30 Loop pedal, the possibilities for soloing fun are endless with this tune. Hopefully you can see the parts which could be used if you want to try and sing along to this too.A guitar lesson on how to play the guitar parts on Uptown funk by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars, can be found here and the tab for this lesson can be found here http://www.spencerbruce.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Uptown-Funk-Basic-Guitar-Parts.pdfEnjoyPeaceNeil
Cornford Roadhouse 50 Head Review
Okay, so a while back I reviewed the Cornford Roadhouse 30 combo that I owned, and to reiterate....I loved it.....but I sold even after all the positive things I said about it.
Why you ask?
Well, the one negative was the weight, the deep cabinet which made it very awkward to carry, and most importantly, I live up four flights of stairs and it is the last thing you want to be lugging up stairs at 3 am in the morning. But, I was pining for it, it sounded amazing, really amazing, so I thought the compromise is to get the head version but then Cornford when out of business and the stocks ran out before I could get one.
Anyway, I kept an eye out for one on the second hand listing sites, and low and behold, one turned up. Initially, I was hoping for the 30 Watt version, but the 50 turned up and I thought that the extra headroom would be worth it.
Note : I have paired the Cornford Roadhouse 50 Head with my Zilla Custom 2 x 12 cab fitted with Celestion Vintage 30's
So here is the review, and to be honest it is very similar to the other review, with a few amendments!
Okay, so yes I really, really do love it, and with the 50 watt version I really have no reservations, no problem with the weight etc, because this amp sounds awesome!
Why?
Because it has one of the most organic sounding overdrives I have ever had the fortune to play. It is one of those sounds you literally feel connected to, the sound coming out of the speakers just makes you smile. The tone has a deep round body to it, which really inspired you to play. The amp is just it is so responsive to your touch and you can so easily coax as note into the most glorious feedback and sustain.
As with the 30 watt, what really surprises me about this amp is how he character and tone of your guitar really jumps out, although with the pickup...it is like you can hear the very wood of the guitar. Also, just like the 30 Watt the amp to me has a vocal like quality.
But it gets better, the EQ section is amazing and very responsive and interactive, you really have so many options as you move the controls around. The cleans sound glassy, but without any ice-pickiness, but this isn't a clean amp, where this amp really shines in in the break-up crunch territory....wow instant ACDC if you like that kind of thing.
The sound is powerful and it really makes those around sit up and take note.....but it gets even better....the secret of this amp is the boost function. BOOOOOM!!
To quote Spinal Tap, it really does give you that push over the edge when you need it, but is a way you couldn't imagine, it adds a kind of velveteen shimmer to the sound and makes you want to play for ever. You can get some great overdrive and distortion sounds out of this amp, not death defying metal, this is a classic rock/blues amp. The tonal changes between a single coil or humbucker guitar are immense but just as they should be.
In the previous review, I said about the 30 Watter 'So why is this not top number one amp ever?'
Well, the reservations about the 30 aren't present in the 50 version, yes it it is kind of only really applicable to the rock/blues fraternity. Yes it does lovely cleans, but not much of it before you get a glorious break up tone, so if you want clean, clean clean, then go back to Fender. If breakup is your thing, then welcome aboard.
The Zilla 2 x 12 open back cabinet seems to fill space gloriously, with real bass meet to the sound, the cabinet and speakers (Celestion V30) work in perfect harmony. Then when you kick in the boost, wow you are like a tone king. The amp also takes pedals really well, I use it in conjunction with a Rothwell Audio F1 Booster, Fulltone Plimsoul and Suhr Riot and this sounded fantastic.
Pros
For Blues/Rock, you would be hard pressed to find a better sounding amp (in this price range!)
It sounds amazing, and when you kick in the boost...wow!
Fantastically crafted and sensitive EQ section which is extremely responsive and well tied together
Cons
It is a bit of a one trick pony (and it pains me to write that), the trick it does it does totally amazingly though
Request
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Neil
Finger Positivity - Guitar Lesson
A short lesson here on a concept I call 'Finger Positivity', a concept which is a little tricky to explain as it is all in the mind, and requires thinking about the notes you are about to play and making your fingers positively connect with the notes you are playing, which is then aimed at maximising your ability to improve on the guitar. So, for more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinking ... (Kindle Version )Enjoy!PeaceNeil
Quick Lick #5 Yngwie Malmsteen Style Lick
Yes it is the turn of the big Swede today, so get your medallions on and leather trousers. This is a Yngwie Malmsteen descending style lick here starting on A on 17th fret E string, works well over an Am Chord progression.Tab : Quick Lick 5 Yngwie Malmsteen style lickFor those of you who lead busy lives and struggle to get guitar practice into your daily schedule, quick licks offers a way of improving your vocabulary and ear in just 10 minutes a day.For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinkingEnjoy!PeaceNeil
Quick Lick #4 Guthrie Govan style lick
This is a Guthrie Govan style lick here starting on Bb on 11th fret B string, works well over an Cm Chord progression.Tab : Quick Lick 4 Guthrie Govan StyleFor those of you who lead busy lives and struggle to get guitar practice into your daily schedule, quick licks offers a way of improving your vocabulary and ear in just 10 minutes a day.For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinkingEnjoy!PeaceNeil
Quick Lick #3 Classic Rock - Metal
This is a metal style lick here starting on C on 8th fret E string, works well over an Am Chord progression.Tab : Quick Lick 3For those of you who lead busy lives and struggle to get guitar practice into your daily schedule, quick licks offers a way of improving your vocabulary and ear in just 10 minutes a day.For more in-depth information on maximising your practice time and finding your own voice on the instrument, check out my book Guitar Creativity - A new way of thinkingEnjoy!PeaceNeil
New recordings
Well, it has been rather a busy month on the recording front and here are a couple of tracks I have recorded guitar on, one is a live version from my duo North and South, of the fantastic All of Me by John Legend,North and South have also been busy writing our own material and perform our new song 'The Road Ahead' in Manchester last night.Groovething have also been busy getting some new recordings completed, and here they are...first up a medley of Aretha Franklin's Respect and Think...and secondly Ain't nobody by Chaka KhanLot's more to come.EnjoyPeaceNeil