record

Alright, now we're in business. Today, I just picked up a USB audio preamp/interface made by M-Audio. This thing is so cool and the price was right! The name of the device is the MobilePre USB. It only has two channels to plug into, but with the use of software (like my Nero Soundtrax program), there are infinite possibilities. I can really lay as many tracks as the software can handle. Obviously, I'm extremely stoked. A big obstacle to recording has been my truly convoluted process. I had to run the sound from this thing to that thing and it was just so 'effin crazy. Now, all I have to do is plug in this little unit to my pc's USB port and proceed to record when the software's open. I don't even have to bother with my four-track any longer! Good shit, man. Now it's time to get busy! Stay tuned for new tunes.

While I was at our local music store, I took a few guitars for a test drive. I really like my Ibanez, but the Floyd Rose trem kit is an absolute bitch. Well, it has its pro's and con's. Mainly, once the guitar is in tune, it stays magically in tune forever - even with the worst abuse and I do play very hard. As a side note, I primarily play bass and when I play guitar, I have a tendency to use a lot of force since the bass requires a little strength to finger the notes, etc. Anyway, the flip side to this thing is that changing a single string is a total nightmare because the bridge is spring-loaded and there must be a perfect equilibrium between the tension of the strings along with the tension of the spring-loaded bridge. Furthermore, I have to unscrew an anchor block on the bridge to insert the new string and re-screw it back in. Once the new string is bolted in and wrapped around the tuning key, it takes a long time to get it into tune. And as you tune each string, it affects the others so it becomes a case where not only do I have one string to worry about, but all of them. Tuning, over and over until they're all set. It's such a pain in the ass.

OK, so I test drove the B.C. Rich Warlock and the Jackson (Randy Rhodes) Flying-V. I plugged into a Line 6 Spider II 212 combo, which was the closest amp to my own in an effort to match tones to what I'm used to. The Jackson sounded great - real raw tone in my opinion and I loved it. On the other hand, this is not a lap-playing guitar! I already knew this in theory, but I was convinced today when I tried it out. The Warlock was cool too, but the tone wasn't as decent. Also, the Warlock looks a little gimicky (although so does the V yet it's a classic) so I'm not too crazy about that. So in the end, I really dig the V, but I don't think I can handle ALWAYS standing while playing, especially during hours of practicing. It would make a really great live guitar so maybe I'll just hold off on that for a while. Additionally, I could put the perfect pair of EMG pick-up's in this Jackson - ya know - the big fat pick-up's with mad tone, whatever the hell they're called...

Ultimately, I want to find a guitar that's easy to string, solidly built and one that can handle detuning, along with a tremendous amount of abuse. I also have a very limited budget and that's why I was scoping those two out today. Ideally, I'd like a Les Paul, but they are so ridiculously priced. I guess they're worth their weight in gold, but I just don't have those kinds of funds right now. And I know I don't want a replica of any kind of guitar so even the Epiphone knock-off model is not an option. Really though, I'm very happy with the action and tone of my Ibanez so I'm not in any big rush to get a new guitar.

My ability to make and share music is dependant upon having the sufficient equipment, as you can see. Therefore, if you'd like to help support my endeavors, please click the PayPal button on the right and make a donation. Anything would seriously help and I'd be very, very grateful. If you haven't yet heard any of my music, please visit http://infinitegravity.net/music.html for samples of my work.

Finally, I have decided to remove the "art" link from my site. I certainly have my work cut out for me when it comes to doing my music. I simply don't have the time or other resources to take that on right now even with as much as I'd love to. And as I stated in a recent post, adding some of my writings to the site is a minimal proposition; therefore, expect to see some of that soon.

As always, please feel free to leave comments. I just added a site meter, but of all the people who run across this blog, only one or two people have ever left comments. Hey, I'm an average, humble guy and if you've got some decent advice, I'd be glad to have it. Like what I'm doing so far? Please let me know. Getting feedback is invaluable to me and I won't allow my ego to get involved. That's not what I'm about. I'm just trying to make some kick-ass metal. If you notice that I'm mislead about something or dead wrong, call me on it. I have thick skin and can handle criticism. I just ask that it's productive and not some bullshit. Who needs any more of that in this world?!