SOLAR GUITARS Announces First Ever Solar Bolt-On Guitars

FREDAGSTIPSET: Jag tänkte idag prata lite om elgitarrer, dessa outtröttliga arbetshästar. Arbetet börjar i vanlig ordning med själva inspelningen och här handlar kort och gott om att få fram önskad karaktär.

Val av gitarr, förstärkare, mikrofoner och mikrofonplacering spelar en avgörande roll för slutresultatet. Detta är mer eller mindre självklart. Anledningen till att jag gång på gång upprepar vikten av själva inspelningen är helt enkelt för att jag är trött på det slitna uttrycket ”det fixar sig i mixen”. Nåja, dagens tips kommer lägga fokus på själva mixandet och inte inspelningen i sig. Här kommer hursomhelst checklistan för mer välljudande elgitarrer som sitter i mixen:
1. Skär bort botten med ett högpassfilter. Allt under 100 Hz är i regel överflödigt på elgitarrer, speciellt om du har en mix med både bas och trummor. Många gånger kan du skära så högt som 200 Hz-300 Hz, men då gäller det att passa sig så att gitarrerna inte låter för tunna. Ett bra tips är att spela upp trummor och bas tillsammans med elgitarrerna och sedan svepa försiktigt med högpassfiltret och lyssna efter när gitarrerna börjar låta tunt, backa då en aning. Likväl behöver du sällan något över 9kHz-10 kHz så här kan du tänka likadant, fast omvänt. Spela då upp gitarrerna tillsammans med andra högfrekventa instrument och backa försiktigt tills de börjar låta dova. Backa sedan tillbaka tills briljansen infinner sig igen.
2. Om elgitarrerna låter pappiga eller burkiga hjälper det ofta att skära någonstans mellan 500-600 Hz. Akta dig dock för Metallica-effekten där allt lågt mellanregister försvinner, om det nu inte är det soundet du vill åt.
3. Mina gyllene frekvenser när det kommer till elgitarrer ligger mellan 1000-1500 Hz. Här sitter den fina hårdheten och karaktären. En lagom bred boost i detta område får vilka plankor som helst att visa framfötterna, utan att låta påträngande och vassa.
4. Gällande panorering är det ofta en god idé att skicka elgitarrerna åt varsitt håll så att du får en bredare ljudbild, speciellt i refrängerna. Om dina gitarrer har ett liknande sound är det också bra att ratta dem olika, så att de får sin egen plats i mixen. Om du höjer den ena elgitarren runt 1500 Hz så kan du sänka den andra i samma frekvensområde och vise versa. Såhär kan du förresten tänka generellt när du mixar.
5. Ett vanligt knep för att få till ett fetare sound är att dubblera gitarrerna. Detta kan absolut fungera, men det finns också en risk för att det då låter stökigt och ofokuserat. Här gäller det att planera och tänka efter. Personligen tycker jag att det är betydligt lättare att få till en aggressiv mix som andas med hjälp av färre gitarrer. Helst inte fler än tre eller fyra stycken som spelar samtidigt.
6. Ju mer distortion, ju mindre kompression. Hårt distade elgitarrer har betydligt mindre dynamik än en lajnad eller stålsträngad gitarr och behöver därför sällan komprimeras särskilt mycket. Om det ändå är så att du känner för att komprimera så kan du utgå från en ratio på mellan 4:1 och 8:1 med långsam attack och snabb release och sikta på att komprimera max 2-3 dB. Ljudet blir då mer levande och inte så ihoptryckt. Detta är naturligtvis bara riktlinjer.
7. Om gitarrerna saknar värme är det området runt 200 Hz du ska boosta. Går du längre ner så konkurrerar du genast med bas och baskagge. Om du däremot boostar för mycket runt 200hz så konkurrerar du dessutom med sång och virvel, så här gäller det att fundera på var värmen ska komma ifrån. Tänk på helheten.
8. Ett vanligt problem är att elgitarrerna låter vassa och står i vägen för sången. Samtidigt behöver de just denna tydlighet för att sticka ut. Vad kan du göra? Jo, jag brukar tänka som så att elgitarrerna får ta plats runt 1000-1500 Hz och från 4000 Hz-8000 Hz. Det brukar därför fungera bra att skära bort en del runt 2000-3000 Hz för att lämna plats åt sången, utan att soundet blir allt för lidande. Testa gärna att jobba med en dynamisk equalizer för just detta ändamål!
9. Reverb? Absolut, men gärna plåtreverb och då inte särskilt långa, i alla fall inte på kompgitarrerna som lätt blir smetiga och otydliga av för långa rum. Även fjäderreverb gör sig utmärkt på elgitarrer, speciellt om du är ute efter vintagekaraktär.
BONUSTIPS:
Soundtoys MicroShift (eller dess lillasyster för den delen) hjälper dig att feta till vilket gitarrljud som helst utan en massa dubbleringar. Bx_refinement från Plugin Alliance eller nya Soothe från oeksound råder lätt bot på skrikiga och jobba frekvenser.
Ställ gärna frågor eller kommentera artikeln i kommentarsfältet nedan, så spinner vi tillsammans vidare på ämnet. Eller om du hellre föredrar att diskutera om mixning i avdelningen "Mixning och mastring" på Studios forum här!

Fredagstipset är en återkommande serie där Studios skribent Jon Rinneby varje fredag delar med sig av tips inom bland annat inspelning och mixning. Här hittar du samtliga fredagstips.

NEW YORK—June 16th, 2020—In a deal that aligns several New York-based brands, D’Angelico Guitars has acquired Supro USA and Pigtronix.

With a shared heritage as reignited legacy brands, D’Angelico Guitars and Supro have collaborated as a guitar and amp pairing in their marketing efforts for years. “We have always had a deep appreciation for Supro’s products and brand,” says D’Angelico Chairman John Ferolito Jr. “When the opportunity to acquire the brand arose, we didn’t think twice.”
“This is going to make all three brands even stronger,” says CEO Brenden Cohen. “I can’t wait for our customers to see what we have in store for them.”
Along with Supro, D’Angelico Guitars has also acquired Pigtronix. Both Supro and Pigtronix were previously owned by Absara Audio, located in Long Island, NY. “All three companies having a home base in New York just amplifies the harmony these brands already share,” says D’Angelico COO Jimmy Lovinggood. “The last few months have been an extremely challenging time for businesses across the country and around the world—New York City especially. We began this acquisition many months before COVID-19, and although this is a challenging time for every industry, we truly believe in these brands and decided to move forward in full confidence.”
Supro was originally founded in Chicago in the 1930s, producing amplifiers that were featured on some of the greatest rock records of all time. It was relaunched in 2013 and has gone on to achieve popular status in the music industry. Pigtronix is a fast-growing industry leader amongst boutique pedal companies, featuring forward-thinking design and concepts.
“The acquisition of Supro and Pigtronix by D’Angelico creates a trifecta,” says Dave Koltai, former co-owner of Supro and Pigtronix. “It’s a perfect fit, and I am thrilled to be able to continue making new gear for musicians around the world.” Koltai will be onboard as Chief Technology Officer, continuing to design and develop both Supro Amps and Pigtronix Pedals, alongside D’Angelico’s Executive Vice President of Product Development, Ryan Kershaw. “This is going to allow us to take everything we do to the next level,” says Kershaw.
Though the acquisition is now complete, the brands will enter a transitional phase, developing a new company structure and revised product plan for 2021. “We could not be more excited for what’s to come,” says Cohen. “This is the company I have been envisioning.”

NASHVILLE, TN (April 17, 2020)... GibsonTV has announced a new guitar giveaway titled the “Epiphone Guitar Giveaway Of The Day World Tour”. Due to the popularity of the new daily Epiphone guitar giveaway show airing Monday-Friday at 3pm CT on GibsonTV, Epiphone has expanded the giveaway to international fans in the following countries: United Kingdom, Mexico, Netherlands and Australia. Starting on Saturday, April 18, tune in to GibsonTV to watch host Mark Agnesi and surprise guests on these special weekend episodes, Here. Expect more countries to be announced soon.
Fans can tune-in each day to win by watching the show on GibsonTV at 3:00pm CT on the following schedule listed by country below:
United Kingdom: Saturday, 18 April (Sponsored by Andertons Music) Mexico: Sunday, 19 April (Sponsored by Rolling Stone Mexico) Netherlands: Saturday, 25 April (Sponsored by Max Guitars) Australia: Sunday, 26 April (Sponsored by Australis, Australia) No purchase necessary to enter or win. For more information, visit:
www.epiphone.com/worldtour. Void where prohibited.
On April 1, GibsonTV announced the launch of a new #HomeMadeMusic show the “Epiphone Guitar Giveaway of The Day” hosted by Mark Agnesi, Director of Brand Experience at Gibson Brands and airing on GibsonTV at 3:00pm CT Monday-Friday. During each episode, Mark handpicks brand-new Epiphone guitars to give away to fans in the U.S. and Canada that tune-in daily GibsonTV; winners are announced on air the next show day. Read more about the “Epiphone Guitar Giveaway of the Day” Here.
“We wanted to create a show for GibsonTV that everyone could look forward to watching everyday while we’re all at home” says Mark Agnesi. "Hopefully, we’ll have some fun while we’re all coming together to fight this virus.”
No purchase necessary to enter or win. Subject to the terms and conditions outlined on Epiphone.com/giveaway. Participant must be legal resident 18 years or older of United States or Canada. Void where prohibited.
Since 1873, Epiphone instruments have set the standard for accessible authenticity. Whether you’re learning your first song in your bedroom, or rocking a stadium stage, Epiphone has always been there, at every stage and for every stage. Epiphone has emerged fresh for 2020 with new guitar collections and new energy. To read more about the Epiphone-For Every Stage collections in 2020, visit:  https://conta.cc/30as7RQ.

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (April 9, 2020) — To support the community during social distancing, Fender continues to offer new users three months of complimentary lessons on Fender Play, the complete online learning app for guitar, bass and ukulele. After bringing these free lessons to everyone three weeks ago and an outpouring of support from over 150 artists like Jimmy Page, H.E.R., Brendon Urie, Ashley McBryde, Tash Sultana and Orville Peck, more than half a million people have signed up to access the app. To further share the power of music, Fender will now offer free lessons to the first 1 million users who sign up for the 3-month Fender Play giveaway.
“We’re blown away by the overwhelming response to our three months of free guitar, bass, and ukulele lessons on Fender Play,” said Fender CEO Andy Mooney. "We started by providing complimentary lessons to the first 100,000, but quickly surpassed that number in just three days.”
“With this new, current reality, it’s clear we need music now more than ever,” Mooney added. “Music has the power to connect us, create a sense of community, and most importantly, lift our spirits. We hope offering Fender Play to even more aspiring players allows them to explore their creativity and make some noise while we’re spending more time inside.”

Fender Play makes it easier than ever to learn how to play with multi-genre, instructor-guided video lessons to assist those embarking on their musical journey. Designed with bite-sized learning in mind, it gives beginners everything they need to get playing songs by their favorite artists in minutes. Research has shown that playing an instrument promotes increased creativity, helps with alleviating stress, and boosts the immune system, among other benefits. Whether people are getting back into guitar after a hiatus, interested in learning a new skill, or trying out guitar for the first time, Fender hopes this giveaway will reinforce the myriad benefits that learning to play has on the mind and body.
Since 1946, Fender helped build the guitar community by empowering individuals to play and create music. This includes supporting artists through initiatives like the Uncancelled Music Festival and the MusiCares® COVID-19 Relief Fund to support musicians and touring personnel in need.  Whether it be dusting off an old guitar, learning a new skill or entertaining tiny hands, the brand hopes opening Fender Play up to 1 million users inspires and encourages even more people to harness the power of playing as the world continues to navigate a new normal.  
To sign up for a free 3 months of Fender Play, interested users can visit fender.com/playthrough to redeem a code and set up their account. Be sure to check ad blockers. Payment information is not required. There are no strings attached – just musiƒc. Once the code is redeemed, students can download the app via Google Play or the App Store and sign into their account. Additionally, Fender Play is available via web/desktop. Post social-distancing, Fender will offer these players a special discount on the app – including 10% off select gear on Fender.com – if they decide to continue their journey on Fender Play for another year.
www.fender.com

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (March 31, 2020)—Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today released the all-new Tom Morello "Soul Power" Stratocaster. Tom Morello collaborated with Fender on his first artist signature Stratocaster which features unique customizations from the original “Soul Power,” like a kill switch that helped shape his radical sound and riffs from the Audioslave era and beyond. Morello takes a creative approach to playing, infusing feedback, unconventional picking and tapping, in addition to heavy guitar effects that all inspired his new signature guitar.  This past year the original “Soul Power” was recently featured at The Metropolitan Museum of Art® and currently resides in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame®. The "Soul Power" Stratocaster is one of the most iconic guitars of the modern rock era and allowed for Tom to create a new sound after his time with Rage Against The Machine. Morello has pushed the boundary of guitar to new limits through his innovative style of playing and heavy metal and punk hybrid riffs.

“This Fender Soul Power signature guitar is made to my exact specifications and is an authentic replica of the instrument that forged my sound in Audioslave,” said Tom Morello. “That was a period of renewed artistic freedom and limitless expression on the guitar for me and Soul Power was the sonic divining rod leading the way. Just as important as getting the specs right however is the charitable/social justice component of my collaboration with Fender. Together we are giving away hundreds of guitars to underprivileged schools and to the Jail Guitar Doors prison rehabilitation program to help unlock creative doors and create better (and louder) futures.”
The Tom Morello "Soul Power" Stratocaster features a bound-top alder slab body, originally a limited run Strat®, a "Deep-C" maple neck with a 9.5"-14" compound radius rosewood fingerboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and matching painted headstock. Tom's unique, powerful sounds - from gentle rhythms to screaming feedback, chaotic stutters and more - inspired every detail of the guitar. From a Kill Switch that creates the “Stutter” effects emulating DJ scratching that he is known for, to a Seymour Duncan® Hot Rails™ bridge humbucker pickup that delivers power and dynamics and a Floyd Rose® Locking Tremolo System that allows for radical Tremolo effects while staying perfectly in tune - this Strat was built to rock.
“We are extremely honored to have worked with Tom on this project and embark on a long-term partnership throughout 2020,” said Justin Norvell, EVP Fender Products. “Tom’s iconic original “Soul Power” guitar sound created a monumental impact on rock at the time and we’re looking forward to players today being able emulate those unique sounds with the Tom Morello "Soul Power" Stratocaster. Collaborations like these continue to keep Fender’s legacy in rock ‘n’ roll alive and inspire the next future rockers of our generation.”
The launch of Morello’s guitar marks the start of his and Fender’s 2020 collaboration in association with the Fender Play Foundation designed to equip, educate and inspire the next generation of players, alongside Tom’s other charitable efforts with Jail Guitar Doors.
Tom Morello "Soul Power" Stratocaster – $1,399.99 is based on the modified Designer Series Strat used during his time in Audioslave and features an alder slab body with binding and a Deep “C"-shape maple neck with 9.5"-14" compound radius rosewood fingerboard and 22 medium-jumbo frets. Other features include: a recessed Floyd Rose® locking tremolo system, Seymour Duncan Hot Rails bridge humbucker, two Fender Noiseless™ pickups in the neck and middle positions, a chrome pickguard, kill-switch toggle, locking tuners, matching painted headcap and iconic "Soul Power" body decal and a black Fender case.