Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre Thunderbolt Review

Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre Thunderbolt Review

The Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre is a new range of Thunderbolt Interfaces continuing the 'Red' theme from their other firewire and usb interfaces (Scarlett and Sapphire!) and keeps up the tradition of red!I have been looking for a new interface for sometime now as I was a little unahppy with the Presonus Firestudio soundcard that I had. Now, please don't get me wrong this is a great little soundcard with some great features, plus the preamps don't sound that bad at all. But I personally had a no end of problems with the firewire implementation, and I put a large part of the blame down to Apple. Partly for firstly removing firewire 400 and then 800 connections from their machines and thus the only way to use this was soundcard with a MacBook Pro was via a series of hideous adaptors and connectors!I find this slightly ironic, given how much Apple pride themselves on function and looks as my laptop with a whole bunch of strange connectors and devices hang it off it looks pretty appauling. I should also add, that part of my quest for a new audio interface was because I didn't really like the gain staging on the Presonus. I found it was very hard to get the level controls just right with the level either being too quiet or distorting the source and the sweet spot was difficult to find.

Considerations

My considerations in the quest for a new sound card, first had me looking at the UAD Apollo Duo. Now this really looks like a fantastic device and I love the fact you can use UAD plugins with it and from what I read (and hear on line) the preamps are phenomenal! I was literally about to pull the plug (yes it was in the shopping basket), but I got a bit sidetracked with something out, and when I came back, the Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre had popped up into my radar.With the UAD, I was willing to overlook some of my requirements for more inputs and particular more outputs in favoure of the device due to it's functions and the plug-ins. But, when I read about the Clarett and my ears (eyes!) pricked up. I am a big Focusrite fan, I have had a number of their devices over the years (although lets not talk about the terrible original Saffire firewire soundcard that we had at work.....we managed to blow three of them up, and when we actually got them working they keep crashing! I have put that in the past, I am willing to forgive and forget!).On top of that, I have always really wanted (since working in MI retail in the early 90's and selling a whole bunch of them) the Red and Green series compressors and EQs. So this seems to have a good heritage.Take the next step in your guitar playing

Thunderbolt and Lightning

So what appealed to me?Well, first off, the 4 Mic Preamps, that is pretty cool for my home studio, as with the ADAT in, I can always connect another 8 channels, so that was a tick and a plus point over the UAD (the 4 pre amps inputs, not the ADAT which you can do on both). As much as I could work with 2 mics, I like the option of being able to have four, for example, when recording a vocalist and stereo mic'd acoustic, or for doing some strange multimicing techniques for sound design, which is something I like to do a lot of.So the Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre gives you a few easy options (so that is a tick). The next thing was the AIR option. The Air option models the ISA preamp in analogue domain by adjusting the input characteristics of the Clarett, again is a massive selling point. This does of course compare to the UAD which does something similar with it's preamp modelling on the input stage, and of course you can have a wider variety of preamps with the UAD, but I know the sound of the ISA and  like the sound if the ISA units (so another tick).Next up, two headphone outputs, so this is only a little thing but I wish more units had multiple headphone outputs, as this makes it so much easier in the smaller studio to set up two seperate mixs, and more importantly, working the same room with a performer, being able to hear what you wish and letting them hear what you want, without having to use up your outputs to create separate mixes! Okay, perhaps this is a case of two different ways to do the same thing, but I love the fact that there are two headphone sockets on the front and they have their own independent levels controls which also have easy access.

Focusrite control

Focusrite control is a nice little app bundled with the unit, which enables you to set up your own studio routing, it is a god send and really a necessity these days. Of course it is a requirement with this unit as you can't turn the AIR function on or switch the Inst/Line input for the first two channels without it. But this is a great and clear implementation of routing sets ups and it has a variety of options, which you can save which saves a lot of time if you might have different requirements for routing on different days.This takes me to my next point, I would liked to have had some of the options that the UAD Apollo Twin has, this being the way that there are buttons on the front panel to switch things on and off and to control say switching between Line and Inst. I would have also REALLY liked a Pad switch, a High pass filter and Phase switch on the panel (or EVEN in the software),The way the dials light up is very helpful, the Halo around the control is pretty awesome where green is good, orange oooh you better watch out, red, tooo late! Although a proper meter might be more precise.

Included plugins

With the Focusrite Clarett  range you get two plugins free from the Focurite Red range. So!!!! Whooo!!! Yes I finally own a Red Compressor! Kind of!!!I have to say that these are great additions to the package but in no way comparable to those on offer from UAD (in terms of different plugins that is not quality!). I think I will stick with the EQ's I have already, but the Red 2 Compressor is going to see a lot of use, it has such a smooth and transpartent character, which I remember from the hardware days. I am very happy with that inclusion.GainIn my first recordings I have had a few issues of setting the gain right, I didn't have the same problems with distortion as I did with the Presonus and it's very narrow window of the sweet spot. I just undercooked a couple of test recordings as I felt that I was WAY too far up the dial then where I should be for the sound source I was recording.But, I should have trusted my ears more than my eyes! I guess that is one issue I have with the Clarrett, the fact the input gain goes from 0-10, which isn't very helpful, I would have like it to have a dB scale and actually would have expected it.

Sounds

As always I say this with a caveat, that the SOUND of a unit is a very subjective area!Personally, I really like the sound of the Clarett. It is very transparent, clean and uncoloured. I think if you are looking for some form of 'character' preamp, then you might need to stick one in front of this, or use plugins. Which is fine totally with me!I like the purity of the sound and when you kick in the Air option, you get a very lovely HF crispness to the sound which isn't overly bright but more 'well founded'. I think I will probably leave this on most of the time for all of the brightest of sources. The output as well has a refinded quality to it, it is much more airy and open than my Presonus (as you would expect)I still would have loved many of the features from the UAD Apollo, but it seemed buying into the UAD ecosystem would mean a large investment in new plugins. I have a large collection of Waves plug-ins, which I do like and as I get older (or maybe more mature), I am actually trying to limit my plug in envy and limit myself to a few which I really love (and I kind of already have those!).I was hankering over the UAD EMT 140 plate, which sounds so nice, but then I was pointed in the direction of Valhalla DSP and wow!!!! I am in love with the Plate Plugin, it is fantastic, and it was only $50!!! Everyone should check this one out for sure! (NB. I don't work for the company or have any affiliation, I just appreciate good DSP work!)

Conclusion

[ctt title="Overall I am very happy with the Focusrite Clarett 4Pre" tweet="Focusrite Clarett 4Pre reviewed @lightb4sound http://bit.ly/1LAGi95 #musictech #review" coverup="hF6bf"]All in all, I am very happy with this unit and I am looking forward to doing many many hours of recording with it.....and I have already started on a few projects and I am very happy!Do I still have a crush on the UAD? Yes, but I think I would realistically have to have gone for the larger (and much more expensive) units to meet my needs.Does the Focusrite Clarett 4 Pre do everything I want? Pretty much and it leaves me cash to get a few more esoteric character plugins. I should also add, knowing my studio and the acoustic wherein, the limitations of this space mean that more cash spent on high-end equipment would have been slightly futile, as I dont have the best or most correct acoustic space to fully apprecaite the subtleties of the units and they would only stand to highlight the problems I have with my recording space.SO yes, this is well worth a look.BUT......the biggest bug bear was the lack of a Thunderbolt cable. Please watch my rant video about this. This isn't just a Focurite issue, it seems all manufacturers produdcing Thunderbolt products are doing the same. It is mostly an Apple thing, but if I have to buy a cable anyway, why not just stick one in a charge me for it. I have to pay anyway!No Thunderbolt Cable IncludedOkay, so the 'hippy zen me' rarely goes on a rant, but here is a little rant video I made about something which really bugged me. Why when you buy Thunderbolt products can't the producer supply an included cable. I know that Apple charge a premimun for these bloody cables, and that is Apple through and through. But seriously, include the cable and charge me for it, I am more happy with that, then getting a device and then having to wait another couple of days to use it while I wait for a cable to be delivered. It actually gives me a negative perception of your company. You could buy a whole bunch at cost and just charge me the same thing and bundle it. It is a good marketing thing! Okay rant over!!![gallery ids="4873,4872,4871"]Pros

• Sounds fantastic
• AIR is amazing
• Functionality and
• Very stable
• Low Latency
• Lovely controls
• Looks awesome in RED!

Cons

• Would have liked a few more outs (even two more!)
• No Pad switch, a High pass filter and Phase options, either in software or on panel.
• Don't like the 1-10 input level control, would have preferred dB level
• THUNDERBOLT CABLE NOT INCLUDED!!! (Watch my RANT video here)

Enjoy!PeaceNeil

Groovething's New Video

I am pleased to say that Groovething's new video featuring lots of highlights from out gigs last year has just gone live. The video features lots of music and good times from 2015…and a small amount of jumping...From stadiums to headlining festivals (and everything else in between), 2015 was a great year for us! Here is our latest video with some of the highlights. We are still have some availability for 2016, so if you are looking for a way to make your party, event or wedding a unique and memorable event, then please drop us a line asap.EnjoyPeaceNeil

Line 6 Relay G30 Digital Wireless Review

Line 6 Relay G30 Digital Wireless Review

Here is a video review of the Line 6 Relay Digital Wireless system with all it's pro's and cons'. I have been using this unit for quite some time now and on the whole the experience has been fantastic. I have had no real issues with the unit itself in terms of it's wireless capabilities, but there have been a few other gremlins. Watch the video below for the low down!Take the next step in your guitar playing

Video Review

If you are using this device, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it.EnjoyPeaceNeil

Logic Pro X - Quick Tips - Marquee tool and fast editing

So here is the first in a series of Music Tech tutorials I am going to start doing now after a number of requests from you guys out there (and some of my students!). The first is about how to make Logic X behave a little bit more like Pro Tools or Digital Perfomer when it comes to editing using the much misunderstood and neglected Marquee Tool. Using this tool and changing the way you access it will speed up your editing in now time at all and enable you to do in one click what I know some people out there take about 2-4 to achieve.Let me know of any other aspects of Logic which would help you.EnjoyPeaceNeil

Atomic Amps Amplifire Patches

After posting my video review of the Atomic Amps amplifier, one of the  viewers Spectrumgym asked if I could post the patches which I used in the video. So as promised here they are.I am currently using five patches, these are as followsMy main presets are

• Clean (Fender Deluxe Reverb)
• Meaty Clean with compression (Fender  Bassman)
• Crunch (currently this is thr Rumble aka Dumble amp but I am finding this doesnt cut through well on stage as it is currently set up so need to tweak more)
• Dirty (Freedman HBE)
• The 80’s OTT lead (5051)

You can download these patches by clicking on the link below.Atomic Amps Amplifire PatchesTake the next step in your guitar playingI will upload more patches as I create them and if you have any suggestions, please let me know.EnjoyPeaceNeil

Review : Atomic Amps Amplifire

The time has come to review the Atomic Amps Amplifire and I am not sure where to start! There is SO much to say, but firstly I should start with how we got here, the beginning of the story so to say.....

Why the Amplifire?

I have alluded to this in the video review, but basically at a number of gigs over the Christmas and New Year's period I realised that my stage volume with my beloved Fender '68 Deluxe Reverb was getting a little bit too loud! Particularly, in situations where the stage was quite small. I am a big advocate of keeping stage volumes low and letting the front of house do most of the grunt work, it makes it easier to mix but also is better for those on stage and most importantly helps with the problems of noise induced hearing loss.My setup that I have been using for most of last year was pretty rocking and I was so so happy with it, I just love the sound of the Fender Deluxe amp, I know it sounds a strange thing for a man to say but boy do I love it. Although, having said that, the amp really does work best at it's sweet spot (see this post for details) and whislt I love the amp at quiter levels , I have become addicted to the sweet spot and this is a little bit loud for some gigs and stages.And of course, like all of you out there I also do suffer from G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) and particularly at this time of the year, seasonally induced G.A.S!But, on a serious note, I am also very open to working with new technology and trying to get the best set up I can and always tying to make set up and load out easier and simpler and when I get home making the trip up the stairs as easy as possible. This was the main reason I thought it was time to look at the modelling market again, plus I am just a curious guy!I have had modellers since the first Line 6 Pod, the Johnson J-Station, Digitech RP series and several of the Boss GT series and in their way they were quite good and I really did think that the Boss GT-100 was a pretty fantastic piece of kit (see my review), but with all these things, I found that something was lacking sometime. In the studio they worked well but I could not get them to sit too well on stage and given most of my work is performance based and I have the luxury of being able to record with great amps, then this was a big factor for me.Roll forward to the end of last year (2015) and I had heard and seen a few good things about the Atomic Amps Amplfire online and on various videos,  so I thought I owed it to myself (and my G.A.S.) to give it a try!So I went and tried it out...and well long story short, it was love (yes I have fallen again!)Take the next step in your guitar playingNow I know that I use a lot of superlatives to describe the gear I buy, this is mostly because I put a lot of thought and effort into researching the bits of gear that I buy, and when I buy them and I am generally always happy with what I get (why would I buy something I didn't love!). So, yes I love the Amplifire and here are the reasons why :-

Amplifire sounds

Okay, this is where it all starts and at the end of the day this is probably the most important aspect when considering this unit, if it sounds like pants then there is no point in considering any other aspects of the device. So, and this is in my opinion (for what it is worth), this is probably the best sounding unit I have had the fortune to play through. I have had a go with the AXE-FX and it didn't quite work for me, I am just being honest here, if someone were to give me one, I would gladly take it and use it, but again it is probably some psychological aspect makes me think that the complexity and sound didn't justify the cost (for me).I will certainly say hand on heart that the Amplifire sounds supremely more playable than the other units I have and have owned.So, that to me is it in a nutshell, does this replace the feeling I get when I play through my Cornford or Fender Deluxe? No, it isn't the same, and herein lies a lot of the problem when considering amps verses modellers.A lot of people out there are considering one aspect of the very complex physical and psychoacoustic interation which occurs between a person and a piece of electrical equipment. Cranked amps move your body physically as well as mentally in a different way than something coming out of a completely different speaker and electrical process. There is also a strong psychological connection with your own value systems and how you percieve different pieces of gear. The difficultly with modelling is trying to remain objective about how the tool (never forget an amplifier, whatever kind, is a tool to make your guitar louder and therefore heard!) makes you feel and what it means to you.Remember, many of us grew up hearing that valves were best, or whatever, this then becomes learnt belief and behaviour and then that is a mental process that is hard to become objective about.For me, very simply, at the end of the day, the Atomic Amplifire makes me want to play guitar more, when I fire up some presets I enter the rabbit hole for hours. To me THAT is a the indication of a great piece of gear and that fact above all others (and believe me there are some others too)!One of the reasons (and this is true of the higher end modellers) that this unit sounds much more authentic is the use of and ability to load in Cabinet IR's (impulse responses).  Impulse response is the way a dynamic system reacts to an impulse stimulus (ideal an infinite impulse containing all frequency components), an analogy is to consider if you have a burst of a sound and send it through a system what does the burst of sound look like at the output. The way that the system has changed the burst is the effect that the system has on the original signal. You can then model this behaviour in digital signal processing. Remember, this is the part of the acoustic system which shapes the sounds which we usually hear. Convolution and deconvolution algorithms and DSP are becoming more effecitive in terms of processing power and accuracy this days, which again all contrbutes to an authentic sounding product.I will do a follow up field test review about all the amp models I have been using, but at this early stage I am using a combination of the Fender Deluxe Model, The Fender 59 Bassman, Cornford (Kornford) and Rumble (Dumble) amps. In testing, the Fender Deluxe does sound very similar to the amp I have next to it, it doesn't have the same interaction and feedback (but this is part of the designed circuitry of the amp itself and a product of the whole system). The Amplifire give a great clean tone with the Fender amps and I just love the way this unit breaks up like my Deluxe Reverb amp, it sounds very similar to my Conford, the Plexi sounds great. It is just so much fun trying amps and different cabinet IRs.The amount of control you have over various parameters mean that it is very easy to dial in a sound which works for you (warning you can spend ALOT of time playing with this unit!), I find adjusting Cabinet parameters has the biggest impact on the overall sound and works really, really well in getting some amazing tones.When talking about the sounds it is impossible not to mention the effects. These sound absolutely fantastic, I love the delay and reverb in particular and I would consider this a replacement for my TC Electronic effects (which we all know I love so much!), I would say that clearer labelling of some of the parameters might make it a bit easier for those people out there not au fait with the way some of these effects work. I hope (and wonder) if Atomic will add a few more effects when they update the firmware, perhaps a Fuzz, Rat and a few more modulation effects would be great (but NO way a deal breaker). I think the Screamer boost is simple awesome! Check out the video review to hear how the unit sounds.

External Pedals

The biggest surprise to me is how well the Amplifire amp models respond to using external pedals, that was a big surprise for me. My Xotic Effects SL Drive sounds just as good through the Fender Deluxe Model as it does through my actual Fender Deluxe.I did a whole video on how I have the system set up, and might be a good point of call for those of you who like to know moe about that kind of thing.

Pedal Control

I control the Amplifire via my Tech 21 Midi Moose which gives me the greatest amount of flexibility. I can control banks of 5 presets at a time, and then for each preset have 3 different effects I can use. I currently have these set to Boost, Modulation and Delay. I know there is some talk on forums about wishing there were more footswitches, I do get this if you use it without a midi pedal, but even I wish I could have one more switch for Tap Tempo instead of potentially loosing a pedal and having only two effects per patch, but I do LOVE the fact that this is an option, I can do this and I could just assign a preset to be clean and then next to be boosted.In fact as I type this, I will probably do this!! It might be kind of nice to have an expression pedal attached as well, but something small like the Jim Dunlop Mini Wah style pedal. But I understand this would dramatic change the price point.

Outputs

Another area I love about this unit (Listen up boss!), the range of outputs!! With XLR's!! Yes XLR's for those of us who gig that is a god send, no need for DI boxes or handmade jack to XLR cables. Plus the various options to route the output signals and Cabinet responses through different outputs, so you can have your CAB sim going out to PA and use an actual amp on stage and have the CAB output defeated. That is really good!

Interface

I personally find the editing interface on the Amplifire very intuative to use and I can quickly adjust the parameters I want to. This is made so much easier with the amp style controls on the front panel, making the unit feel like an amp and being able to adjust tone for different venues simply and easily. I really like this!

Software Editor

A software editor is another element which is becoming part of the norm now for most products. The Atomic editor is simple but effective, I am sure there might be some more development with this in the future, but it is functional and makes the task of chaging sounds a little bit easier than on the front panel (plus you can do it sitting down!).I would like to be able to group copy or move banks of patches, rather than one by one, but hey we have an editor, I remember the days when no such thing existed. So I am happy!!Wow, Size is everythingIt's size! It is a lovely size, it fits perfectly on my pedal board and also would fit in any small gig bag with a guitar, this give you plenty of options and you could get away without even taking any thing else to a gig, that is COOL!!!

In use (early field test)

So, I have gigged with this a couple of time now. (see my pedalboard video) and this is the thing for me, the unit sounds great, it makes me actually enjoy my playing without thinking too much about the sound I am making as the unit is very consistant. It makes it so much easier to control the FOH sound and makes my monitoring so much easier as well. The sound on stage is also a lot quieter, which is also a really good thing for many reasons, let alone people's hearing.I feel I have a lot more control over my sound in terms of how it actually sounds and how loud it is. It also sounds AWESOME. A few people have commented on that as well, and that is of course always a good thing. I like the fact I can be in my little guitar zone now with my own monitoring, not worrying that I am spilling guitar across the stage. Everything becomes a little bt more managable. The Amplifire has also simplifed my set up and that is always a good thing, I am not tap dancing pedal changing any more, I can control things through simple single pedal presses and then add effects easily.I do have a few problems with the levels of some patches, but that is always the way, I need a few more gigs to get these dialled in correctly, and actually I think a volume pedal is possily an additon I might wish to consider at the back end of the unit. Although, I am using a boost in the loop, I might have to work on this option a bit more. Obviously, this is partly due to trying to set levels at home (even through a monitor cranked) it is still difficult to judge perceived loudness when not in a band context.

Conclusion

For those of you who read my blog and reviews, you will know I am quite picky about my gear and my sounds. I am affected by sounds, and if a sound isn't working for me it can sometimes cause problems with performance. As you may have gathered I really love this unit, It makes me want to play and play and I actually am sad at the end of the gig that I can't play any more. I know I am going to have a lot more fun with this unit and I can't wait to see how Atomic progress the unit (hopefully with a few firmware upgrades!) plus I am looking forward to expolring a whole host of downloadable presets and Cabinet IR's.Looking for a new amp or modeller? This unit is something to consider pretty seriously!

Pros

• The way it sounds!
• The effects.
• The easy of use.
• It makes you never want to put down the guitar!
• The options when used with a Midi foot switch (this could be a con for some of you)

Con

• None!

Little niggles (if I was pushed)

• The tuner - but this is just me and because I just like the old school Polytune or Boss Tuner style of working.
• Tap Tempo - I know you can use a pedal to set this but then this would only give you two effects per patch instead of three and I need three effects over two. It would be good it you could set the pedal configureation per patch rather than globally ...maybe something for a firmware update?

EnjoyPeaceNeil

Current PedalBoard 2016

It is the new year 2016 and time to reconisder the pedalboard! Not sure why but always seems like a good thing to do at the begining of the year and blog about it. I know how much you guys love to see pictures of pedals boards and read about them. So here firstly is the picture in action.....

Atomic Amps Amplifire Pedalboard

And now the why's and what's that are behind all of this!

Take the next step in your guitar playing

So, up until New Years Eve and the gig I had on that evening, I was supremely happy with my set up. Yes I was a very happy camper! Here is a picture, my setup then featured my trusty and loyal TC Nova System which I have gigged with since for ever, with the new and wonderful Xotic SL Drive (slowly becoming my favourite all time pedal) and The Rothwell F1 Booster, which is a great boost pedal into my Fender 68' Deluxe Reverb (read all about it here) which is simply just an amazing amazing amplifier.

So why even consider change?

Well, I guess we all suffer from G.A.S. from time to time and New Year is a time of year when this particular affliction is very catching!!! Also, because I am still always trying to improve my set up (and ultimately make it simpler and lighter!!....Ligther being the big one for me and my stairs!). But, I have noticed at a lot of smaller gigs recently that my guitar was dominating the on stage sound and was quite loud and turning it down took my amp away from the sweet spot (don't get me wrong it still sounds amazing, but I have grown to love the sweet spot). Given the nature of some of the venues and stages I thought it was perhaps time to give the modelling route a go again, firstly to try and get the on stage volume down, secondly to get a bit more consistency in my sounds and thirdly to make things a little bit easier to set up etc. (the lazy me!)It was at this time that the Atomic Amps Amplifire came into my life, as usual I watched all the videos and I was hooked. But never one to but something off the internet without trying it out first, I went down and tried it out and it was instant love. Please read my full review about the reasons why.So, the Amplifire became the centre piece of my pedalboard and enabled me to get rid of a number of pedals because the onboard effects are fantastic. So this is the signal path.....Line 6 G30 wireless unit goes into my Vox 847 wah pedal, then out of the wah in to the Xotic Effects Sl Drive (I still wanted to keep this on because it sounds so fantastic, and it works really well with the Amplifire!), this then goes into the Amplifire where I have a number of presets. For most gigs there are five presets which cover most bases. With each patch the Amplifire enables you to have 3 effects, I have these set to Boost - Modulation - Delay. I use the Tech 21 Midi Moose to switch between the presets, this gives me a ton of flexibility easily at my feet.My main presets are

• Clean (Fender Deluxe Reverb)
• Meaty Clean with compression (Fender  Bassman)
• Crunch (currently this is thr Rumble aka Dumble amp but I am finding this doesnt cut through well on stage as it is currently set up so need to tweak more)
• Dirty (Freedman HBE)
• The 80's OTT lead (5051)

In the loop I have the Rothwell F1 booster, this is to give the the option to boost the overall level of the preset either for a solo or if the circumstance requires with really affecting the sound of the patch, just making it perceptually louder.

The signal then goes out of the Amplifire into my Electrovoice EV ZLX 12P speaker which is acting as a FRFR monitor (Full Range Flat Response). Another reason being that I can control my own monitoring and keep the sound contained in a single area of the stage, this is then split out into the PA system.So there you have it, I will post a video soon, but that is where we are at in January 2016 pedalboard wise. Why not share your pedalboard below in the comments!Enjoy!PeaceNeil

Happy New Year 2016

So!!! Happy New Year 2016 to everybody out there and all my loyal site visitors, I wish you all the very best for 2016 and hope that it is a good one for you. I hope you are all able to focus on your goals and be as musical or creative as you wish.I am very sorry for the lack of blog posts recently. The New Year didn't start (or end) too well for me, as my father was very ill in the last few weeks before Christmas and then passed away at the beginning of the Year. As I am sure you can all understand, all activities on my site have been put off whilst I dealt with it all. But now I'm back and I will be blogging am more than ever this year as it is a very exciting year creatively.

So what has been happening?

Well, there is actually quite a lot to talk about!Firstly, Groovething a very exciting gig with the on New Year's Eve at Centre Parcs in front of 800+ party people! I'll be posting some more pictures of this soon and there will be some video as well from the night.Secondly,  I've been working with the fantastic Peter Young at Ultra Audio Productions in Nashville, he has been recording the first drum and bass tracks for my new guitar ep which will be coming out this year. I've had the first track back and it sounds great and hopefully I'll be tracking the guitars soon now that things are settling down a bit.Thirdly, I will also be reviewing (and I'm very excited about this) the Atomic Amps Amplifier amp modelling and effects pedal, which is absolutely stunningly fantastic and is going to replace quite a lot my gear I think! So watch this space for the review on that! I will also be reviewing a few other pieces of gear and there should be some video reviews coming very soon as well as answers to a number of your questions out there .Fourthly, I will be continuing to put out the guitar lessons you seem to enjoy,  I've been backed up quite a few lessons for a while now and there should be quite a few new lessons coming.Finally, I'll be making up for this sometime soon to celebrate that as well that my YouTube channel has just over and over half a million views!!! Thank you guys for that!! I will also be bringing you my new Light B4 Sound project that I'm working on my other creative life and I'm very excited about that I'm looking forward to sharing that with you and yes there will be a lot more updates so watch this space!!!Happy 2016EnjoyPeaceNeil

Quick Lick #17 Joe Satriani repeated Em lick

Back to Satch again today, one of Joe Satriani trademark licks,repeated Pentatonic licks but with an Alien twist. Works well all over the neck and in various contexts. Give it a try.I will post the tab here when the video gets 30 likes. :)For 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 thinking https://gumroad.com/l/zCAXyEnjoy!PeaceNeil