Balancing the intonation across the entire guitar is critical to getting a professional sound. Your open chords might sound fine and nicely in tune, but when you go to solo on the high notes you find something is not sounding right. This is because the actual string length needs to be adjusted.
Especially on new guitars you should always check the intonation since it's not always right straight from the factory. In order to do a test, first tune your open strings as precisely as you can with a digital tuner. Next, play each string at the 12th fret being careful not to bend the string or put undo pressure on it.
Check each string on the tuner as you play the 12th fret (octave). If the note is perfectly in tune when fretted at the 12th fret, you are done for that string. If the note at the 12th fret is sharp you have to move the saddle down or away from the pickups, and vice versa.
On a typical electric guitar with a "floating" tremolo system, you have a screw that holds the saddle to the bridge. First you want to gently release the tension on the saddle until it's moveable. With your other
hand, push the saddle forward or back depending on whether the note is sharp or flat. I use a hex key for pushing gently on the saddle. Just use your finger if you don't want to scratch it.
The only way to find correct position for the saddle is trial and error. Tighten the saddle back up in the new position and check The open string and the fretted octave again. If they match perfectly you are done with that string. If not, you have to keep fine tuning each string until they are perfectly in tune.
Another thing to note is once you adjust the string length on one string, that will slightly alter the other strings on a floating tremolo bar. So double or triple check every string again just in case they went off.
Check again every six months to a year to see if the string length needs adjusting. Besides this, normal tuning is just fine to keep your guitar soulding great.
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Awesome Guitar
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Cubase 6 Review
Hello readers, In keeping with the theory that every guitarist wants to sound great, it's important that we obtain the right tools for the job. What you need is to break away from being dependent on the local recording studios and be able to make real professional quality recordings in your own home.
What I recommend is a recording platform that allows midi and audio to be seamlessly integrated with complete control over the sound environment. In this case, Cubase 6 is my software of choice.
The software is very easy to install, however, they do require a USB device be plugged in at all times for authenticity. I recommend have a dedicated computer just for your studio so you will easily have a free USB port.
The "device setup" is where you will go in and select the correct sound card or sound device for both audio and midi recording. Also critical is the VST connections area where you assign the sends.
I can't emphasize enough the importance of using midi instruments to support your creative musical environment. I use a lot of midi drums but even for live drums it is great to be synced exactly to a click track. In my opinion playing a song just a few bpm's to fast or slow can absolutely ruin the feel.
Stay tuned to hear about how I integrate the midi instruments with the richest high quality samples that sound as good as the real thing and of course, get the ultimate guitar sound!
.
What I recommend is a recording platform that allows midi and audio to be seamlessly integrated with complete control over the sound environment. In this case, Cubase 6 is my software of choice.
The software is very easy to install, however, they do require a USB device be plugged in at all times for authenticity. I recommend have a dedicated computer just for your studio so you will easily have a free USB port.
The "device setup" is where you will go in and select the correct sound card or sound device for both audio and midi recording. Also critical is the VST connections area where you assign the sends.
I can't emphasize enough the importance of using midi instruments to support your creative musical environment. I use a lot of midi drums but even for live drums it is great to be synced exactly to a click track. In my opinion playing a song just a few bpm's to fast or slow can absolutely ruin the feel.
Stay tuned to hear about how I integrate the midi instruments with the richest high quality samples that sound as good as the real thing and of course, get the ultimate guitar sound!
.
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Recording Tips
Just wanted to break from the music theory aspect and talk about tips for recording your own music at home. Besides playing live, one of the greatest sources of enjoyment for any musician is the ability to capture your greatest moments to preserve for all time.
With today's technology, there are so many great tools at incredibly affordable prices. For only a few hundred dollars, you can essentially have tens of thousands of dollars worth of instruments at your fingertips. The average person can capture a pro-sound that rivals Warner Bros. from the comfort of their own living room.
There are mainly four essential parts to your ideal home studio: Computer, Sound Card, Recording Software and Sound Software (Samples other wise known as Plug-Ins). Take your time and do the research on which is right for you. Hopefully this advice will give you a good head start.
1) Computer - You really want to go ahead and plan on spending around $1000 U.S. for a really fast computer with all the latest features.
2) Sound Card - Go ahead and get the highest sampling rate you can find. The Sound card will make the biggest difference in your sound of anything else.
3) Recording Software - There are many great packages to choose from like Cubase, and Pro Tools. Check out the features to see which is better for your situation.
4) Sound Software - I recommend getting a package with as many sounds as possible like the Komplete series. For a few hundred bucks, you get thousands of dollars of free instruments through virtual samples.
.
With today's technology, there are so many great tools at incredibly affordable prices. For only a few hundred dollars, you can essentially have tens of thousands of dollars worth of instruments at your fingertips. The average person can capture a pro-sound that rivals Warner Bros. from the comfort of their own living room.
There are mainly four essential parts to your ideal home studio: Computer, Sound Card, Recording Software and Sound Software (Samples other wise known as Plug-Ins). Take your time and do the research on which is right for you. Hopefully this advice will give you a good head start.
1) Computer - You really want to go ahead and plan on spending around $1000 U.S. for a really fast computer with all the latest features.
2) Sound Card - Go ahead and get the highest sampling rate you can find. The Sound card will make the biggest difference in your sound of anything else.
3) Recording Software - There are many great packages to choose from like Cubase, and Pro Tools. Check out the features to see which is better for your situation.
4) Sound Software - I recommend getting a package with as many sounds as possible like the Komplete series. For a few hundred bucks, you get thousands of dollars of free instruments through virtual samples.
.
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