Darkadian Studios

http://www.darkadianstudios.com/

The Guitar Matrix

Learning Guitar to Get Laid

EZ Drummer Part Duex

 This the second installment of the EZDrummer "Guide".

We will explore yet another way to create multichannel out and look at parallel compression. Are you ready? here we go...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy!!!

Sweeping Arpeggios

Choice your weapon wisely.

Recording Tutorials

Now showing...vids for your viewing pleasure.

http://guitarmatrix.mooo.com/Getting_Started.wmv
http://guitarmatrix.mooo.com/Bass_Guitar.wmv
http://guitarmatrix.mooo.com/EZ-Backing.wmv
http://guitarmatrix.mooo.com/Drums.wmv
http://guitarmatrix.mooo.com/FX_Send_Render.wmv
http://guitarmatrix.mooo.com/Auto.wmv

Most of the plugins and software in the videos are available via free download.

The volume leveling plugin used in the vids is a resource hog. I recommend using the TLs-3127 equivalent instead.

TLs Volume Leveling (free VST Plugin) - http://hem.bredband.net/tbtaudio/vstplugins/TLs-31 27-LEA_v1-0.zip

How it´s Made Gibson

Part I

OFR Shimming Guide

This is an easy guide to shimming your Original Floyd Rose saddles to get a close match to your fretboard radius. This way you can dial it in very fast to get very close to a perfect match for best action.

Note: Unless your guitar has a 10" non-compound fretboard radius, you will need to shim your floyd saddles if you want good action. This is because the ORIGINAL Floyd bridge radius = 10".

You can buy .2mm shims that fit Floyd saddles on the internet in packs of 6 or 12. Just do a google search. To find out how many .2 mm shims to add to each string saddle, see below (note that the D and G strings get no shim)

Need a Studio?

Check these guys out....

Our dedicated staff of producers, engineers, session players and graphic designers relies heavily and play-off each other’s years of combined talents to reach one common goal, the Artists Vision. Tribe Mark Studio takes an honest approach to recording. Simply stated, we listen to the Artist's and create the plan that will convert the vision sonically, stage the session to compose an environment that will inspire and capture creativity. A recording studio should be an extension of the artist within it.

http://tribemarkstudio.com/

Ibanez Prestige Series

Control it... again

The TranzPort is a beautiful thing. Most of its functions are obvious, but holding down the shift key even provides access to level adjust using the data wheel. It's biggest and coolest benefit is that it's RF 2.4ghz wireless. No line of sight required, and its still 2-way and has the LCD display - Yet even with the backlight on it uses an absurdly small amount of battery juice.

Source : Prime/rob @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

BlackDroïd Guitars

http://www.blackdroidguitars.com

Newest Gibson Signature

Click to enlarge...

Buckethead Signature Les Paul

EZ / SD drums, in ProTools...

The process is really quite simple. And i dont think I'll need screen caps as ProTools is more or less built around this concept in the use of multi-out Virtual Instruments. RTAS doesnt require extra steps - The multichannel plugin routing is just there all the time.

1. From the 'Track' menu select 'New' and create, at bare minimum - 1 Stereo 'instrument' track and 5 Stereo 'Aux input' tracks.

2. On the Instrument tracks Insert A, select EZ or Superior. If your project is set to anything other than 44.1khz - Go make a snack as EZD up-samples everything from its default 44.1khz sample rate. Now that youre full and EZ/Superior is loaded - Change the kit and go make another snack. lol

3. Click the Mixer button. Take note that all the pieces of the kit are routed to stereo pair 1 by default. This is what we must change. The reasons can be many. In EZ its because there is absolutely no access to per-drum dynamics control. In Superior its because, frankly, even though made by Sonalksis - The 'plugins' available to the mixer inside of Superior.... Are all Inferior..... 2.0

Barring the overhead, ambient and room mics - The aim is to route the outputs of all your drums to their own 'Aux In' 'tracks'. This is really a misnomer - Because, using this method - You are actually using the Aux 'tracks' more like busses. Which is exactly what they are. Set the Kick to go to out 2, the Snare top and bottom mics to 3 (if youre really anal and wanna separate 'em just add another aux), Hats to 4, Toms all set to 5 - This way you can manage the individual levels of the various sounds, relative to themselves - Inside of the plugin. And then control the groups overall levels using the Aux tracks we're about to address.

4. Click the Input notch on each Aux tracks IO section and set the tracks input. You'll have 3 options - 'Interface' - 'Bus' and, since we've got our Drum Instrument running - 'Plug In'. Hovering on this menu will reveal the numbered output channels from the plugin. Select the channel pair you want to be routed to that track from the EZ Drummer or Superior Drummer outputs.

5. Sit back and breathe a sigh of relief that you can now control your drum tone with any and every plugin you have available, to get EXACTLY the drum sounds you want. No more settling for almost, or close enough.

---------------

This is a method I stumbled on. Havent read the manuals, rarely do until theres a problem. lol But in theory and reality - This is the most efficient method for routing in ProTools because you arent creating actual audio tracks. Since they are Aux Input tracks, they take up less resources all round including memory, CPU cycles, etc. ad nauseum.

Now..... Go beat on those skins.

What trems fit where?

OK PEOPLE, HERE IT IS, WHAT TREMS FIT WHERE!!



Source : Megatron @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Taylor Guitars Tour

Some interesting facts regarding availability and seasoning of woods, etc.

Ringo Knobs

1. Buy a "RINGO" knob from any provider. Mine are from QParts. They come in chrome/gold/and black (not really black but smoked chrome, like cosmo black).
They come with all kinds of tops in assorted colors.

2. Rubber "O-rings" from Ace Hardware Large: #13 Smaller: #12

3. Snap the #13 into the bottom groove, snap the #12 into the top groove.

4. VIOLA' Your new modern version of the Classic Ibanez "beehive" knobs with rubber inserts. The only differences are these only have 2 rubber inserts & the rubber inserts don't sit as flush as the old "beehive" knobs

The finished knobs look GREAT and work even better, especially for volume swells.
AND, you can buy a supply of the rubber O-rings for replacing cracked dried out rubber inserts. Each rubber O-ring costs about 50 cents.

Source : fretrunr @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Fujigen Factory Tour

Ibanez Guitar Stuff

Ibanez Wiring Diagrams

Ibanez Owner Manuals

Ibanez Online Catalogs

Ibanez Parts Catalog

Fender Factory Tour

Featuring SRV, Jimi Hendrix and others.

Beginners Guide to Scales

OK. Some people wanted a guide on the basics of scales and modes, so here it is. It’s by no means comprehensive, just sticking to the popular modes/scales used by most musicians. Some people who read this may already be familiar with some of the patterns needed to play various scales (pentatonics etc), but don’t really understand how it all works, or simply haven’t read an explanation that makes the theory ‘click’ in your head (no little light bulb of comprehension lighting up). Hopefully, fingers crossed, I’ll explain in a simple way that makes it clearer to you (or maybe not, lol). So here goes....

Source : Ouija @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Chicka-booma-chick!

Control It....

Nothing sucks more than using a software DAW, and being fader-less. A control surface increases productivity and its just a way more effective way to mix.

Unfortunately - Control surfaces are not typically cheap, or even 'affordable'. But $140 can net you the Behringer BCF and give you everything an 003 does, except audio ins and outs and an LCD screen. What it does give you is FULL Mackie HUI functionality via a simple firmaware update. This works on all platforms, and virtually EVERY DAW - Incl. ProTools, Reaper, Logic and DP. Best CS on the market anywhere, and the price is absurd. My unit has never had a moments problem - Excited to have the two new white ones on the way to extend my 'mixer' to 24 faders, needless to say.

Source : rob @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

PRS Factory Tour

Basic Home Recording - Part II

http://www.cockos.com/reaper/

Reaper is great and with ReWire capability - It is in effect compatible with Pro Tools. Among many of its cool features is VST plugin compatibility.

VSTs, unlike RTAS, are an open-platform. There are literally THOUSANDS of free plug ins. Many of which emulate classic hardware. And they do a pretty damn good job of it too.

Take a look at www.kvraudio.com to get started. Search through their database - You need it, they probably have 5 or 6 free plugs that do it. I even use them in PT sometimes with the VST-RTAS Wrapper.

You should also consider where your drums are going to come from. Tedious MIDI sequencing is an option. Though not terribly conducive to the creative process. Drum loops always kinda suck because they are just that, loops. They tend to lock your brain into one creative path. I like to riff over a click track and then play drums over the riffs. KVR has several free drum sampler plugins that are similar to the original dfh Superior.

And of course as Prime mentioned - EZ Drummer is just that - EASY as hell to use and quite affordable. And you can use any GM drum file with it straight away.
Source : Prime/rob @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Guitar Pickup Color Codes

Click to enlarge....

Source : http://www.seymourduncan.com/support/wiring-diagrams/schematics.php?schematic=color_codes

Special thanks to Boogieman @ The Guitar Matrix Forum for posting this link.

XP Recording Optimization

Welcome to the Windows XP, PC Optimization Guide. Here you will find a comprehensive guide to optimization of any Windows XP Machine for use as a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

It is important that you read through this documentation as it covers several crucial optimization steps recommended when setting up your DAW. Because Windows XP is meant for an entire spectrum of users, by default, the user interface is designed to have a nice GUI (Graphical User Interface). Many of these GUI settings are nice to look at, but every visual element comes at a price – CPU resources.

This guide is intended to step you through optimizing your machine in preparation for your new Hardware and Software to gain the most out of your system without experiencing the heavy processor loads of poorly optimized machines.

Source : rob @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

BrOOtalz MuPPet ToneZ \m/

Basic Home Recording - Part I

I'd like to talk about some recording basics. This is not intended to be some great technical guide.... just some basic info about recording at home.

Monitors

The first thing I'd like to talk about are monitors. You will find it difficult to make recordings that sound good using the typical consumer type systems (home stereo, car stereo, boom box, etc.) using standard hi-fi speakers. They are not designed to deliver a flat frequency response. Many enhance certain freq.s which is undesirable in a recording/mixing environment.

If you were to use standard hi-fi speakers you'd find that your mixes sound drastically different when played back on a variety of systems. Additionally, headphones can present many of the same problems. That's not to say headphones don't have a place in the home recording studio...they do. But to use them exclusively would be a mistake. IMO.

What you want to use are near field reference monitors. They are meant to deliver a flat freq. response and are positioned close to the listener. This allows you to monitor the recording with minimal room coloration. Most home studios are far from acoustically ideal rooms. By close monitoring the room dynamics play less of a role.

Both active and passive monitors are available starting at around $200. This is probably your most important initial investment.

Monitors - http://www.sweetwater.com/c405--Active_Monitors


Source : Prime @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Guitar Pickup Guide

There are TONS of factors that will effect your sound before it reaches your speaker which may or may not be desirable. In this guide, I'm going to attempt to explain the major influences in your guitar's sound, and how to choose a pickup that will work with your guitar and rig to make a sound you want.

That being said, there are THREE major influences of your sound, those are:

-The Pickup (duh)
-Your Guitar
-Your Amp and Effects

Of course, there are many minor things that have an effect on your sound, such as strings, picks, the way your play (picking strength etc), and other electronics (pots, piezo, gain boost, etc). But we will stick with the main ones. After we understand these influences, we will analyze how they all act on the signal, and how to make a decision based on these influences.

Source : Megatron @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

BrokenSoul

Source : The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Sacred Disease

Check out the entire album....

BrokenSoul CD

Ibanez Store

New Ibanez Online Store .....https://store.ibanez.com/store/#

Music Player

Added a music player to the blog....

Here is a short clip I threw together real quick using EZ Drummer.

Took a few minutes

The player scans the blog for any music links and adds them to the playlist. 

Ibanez - FGM - S series

Jazz/Fusion Guitarist EXTRAORDINAIRE, Frank Gambale became intrigued with Ibanez when he discovered the S540LTD around 1986. He became an advocate for Ibanez and started to work with them on a custom Signature model. This Signature S premiered in 1991 The Frank Gambale Model or FGM series.
Frank’s Signature S series FGM remained with Ibanez up to 1998. The FGM series went through only four permutations, the FGM100/FGM200 then FGM300 and finally the FGM400 model. Seven short years. By 1999 all that appeared in the Ibanez USA Catalog was a picture of Frank playing one of his FGM400 models. There was no listing nor mention of the FGM series that year.


Source : fretrunr @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Cleaning Pots and Switches

To start off, we need to make sure we are using the correct products. Many folks believe WD-40 or general purpose contact cleaner is all you need. This is not so, In fact some of the “general purpose” contact cleaners can actually destroy an otherwise functional pot that only needed to be cleaned. I use Caig products myself, as do most other techs whether they work on guitars, audio equipment, computers or what ever. The solutions we will discus come in two or three forms:

The 5% spray solutions, DeoxIT, Pro-Gold and FaderLube.



Source : rustyohus @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Sweeping Guide

Greetings! I got one for you folks. I see a gazillion examples of sweeping major and minor triads, but not so many using 7th chords. Here is an example of a D Minor 7 Arpeggio using all 6 strings, beginning with the 5th of the chord on the bottom. The root of this chord here is the D note found on the 5th string, 5th fret, and one octave higher on the 3rd string, 7th fret. I chose this as an example
because it is easy to finger ( one finger covers one fret), and easy to remember.

Special Thanks to Ouija, for his fabulous graphic representations!

RED NOTES ARE PLUCKED. GREEN NOTES ARE HAMMERED ONTO OR PULLED OFF TO.

Source : SlippinG @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Guitar String Tension Charts

All calculations are based on D'Addario nickel wound [NW] and plain steel [PL] strings. Custom sets can be put together using single strings. D'Addario and Ernie Ball are two string manufacturers offering singles.

I put together my own set because I was tired of the sloppy B and low E strings in a regular 9-42 set (a common trend in all standard sets), as well as the sloppy B-string on a 7-string guitar. For the sake of good tone, consistency and feel, electric guitar strings should gradually rise in tension as the diameter increases. To some of us, this is known as an "optimized" or "progressive tension" set. Currently there are no string manufacturers offering optimized sets except for Alex at Zachary Custom Guitars. If you wish to experiment, these charts will hopefully be useful to you.

Source : Dee @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Shielding an Electric Guitar

Take the cavity covers off and we see what you might think is shielding paint in the control cavity but it isn’t. The black paint you see has no electrical conductivity what so ever. It’s just black paint. I suppose this would be a pretty easy mistake to make during the manufacturing process and is probably one of the reasons this guitar buzzes so badly.

Source : rustyohus @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Carvin Guitars Factory Tour

A Guide to Guitar Chords

This a guide explaining how chords work and why knowing this can help you, not only when playing chords, but when sweeping and tapping too. Most beginners learn and memorize chords as finger shapes. That’s OK, to begin with, but will eventually become a major limitation. So a little musical theory will take you a long way. Don’t worry, It’s not hard, and will only take half an hour to pick up. Where possible, I’ll try to use simple terminology like “1 fret”, “2 frets” instead of “Semitone”, “Tone” (or “half step”, “full step” for the American forumites), so as not to confuse you. So no nitpicking from the more experienced forumites please. I’m also going to use a lot of easy to visualize diagrams (hopefully).


Source : Ouija @ The Guitar Matrix - http://guitarmatrix.proboards.com

Ibanez - S Series - MIK vs. MIJ

The first S Series guitars (Saber) had something to prove, as did all Ibanez guitars. Many vewied them as cheap "Jap" guitars (no offence). Ibanez proved them wrong and did quite well making quality instruments for many years after that. At some point, Ibanez rose to become a "respectable" guitar manufacturer... even above average. They continued this for several years. During this time they were starting to get into major mass production. Along with that became a need to minimize production cost etc. (long story short).

As more time passed they needed to start manufacturing guitars at different locations (read costs). They tried manufacturing some of their guitars in Korea and had been fairly successful selling those instruments. Most of them were lower/inexpensive models. After that success they started to add some of their higher end models to the Korean production lines. One thing worth mentioning is that Ibanez does not build their own guitars they contract the work out to manufacturers in different countries....

For your viewing pleasure...

Floating Tremolo Guide

The Floating Tremolo -Basic Info

The purpose of the trem is simple: To raise or lower the pitch of a played note by lengthening or shortening the length of the string the note is played on. It's the same, simple concept as bending and pre-bending a string, but how it achieves this may not be so clear. It takes patience and diligence to master such a sensitive, intricate, and sometimes delicate system.

Truss Rod Adjustment Guide

The images below are exaggerated for Illustration purposes.

Neck Bow

Up-Bow indicates too much relief. The truss rod is too loose.

Back-Bow indicates not enough relief. The truss is too tight.


Relief

Relief can be measured by fretting the E string at the 1st and last fret simultaneously. I use a capo for the 1st fret and my finger for the last fret.

Then take a feeler gauge and measure the distance between the bottom of the E string and the top of the 9th fret.

A typical measurement is .3mm to .5mm at the ninth fret.