music box

New trend in learning music through ebooks

2014-03-14T02:42:00.000-07:00

It's totally easy and free now to learn music especially in this day and age where internet is accessible and available everywhere. YouTube, Google and Facebook among others created a very nice venue for student and music teachers. During my time, it's very difficult to access, learn and visualize music. No MTV, no FM station, no tabs.... totally nothing apart from what cassette you bought or shared to you. Today, you got online radio, you got videos on YouTube and no more cassette only iTunes, iPod, tablets, iPad, android and a lot more electronic devices.

With that said, to those who are semi traditional like me there's still something for us like Kindle, or ebooks where you can read through your electronic devices some books about music. That's why I made this article here because I came across some easy to learn ebook on music i.e. learning the guitar or piano.

Here are some of the titles and available online which is a PDF format meaning you'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, laptop, tablet, iPhone, android, iPad, etc. I suppose Kindle already got it because it's an ebook-ready device or it's got an eReader.

1. Master the guitar in 7 days

2. Playing piano (beginners guide to playing the piano)

3. Learn to play piano

4. Teach yourself how to play the guitar overnight

5. Learn 2 play the guitar

6. Learn the guitar (beginners guide to playing the guitar)

7. How to play the guitar like a pro

And last but not the least.... my favourite and top ebook to learn guitar/music is

8. Guitar chords and scales

This one for me is an all year round ebook on guitar and from beginners to advanced guitar players this ebook is really helpful. I enjoyed reading this and having this book as reference as well as practise guide.

How to produce your own song

2013-10-19T11:28:00.002-07:00

First is to write your material or plan out if you have a song in mind. Nowadays, you can book in a recording studio and present your idea about your song and they will help you each step of the way but of course with a certain cost. What I mean by that is, the studio can help you arrange your song, find a singer if you don't have one, if you're an instrumentalist like myself... they can give you a drummer, a keyboardist, a bassist, a guitarist, etc. if you need one. It's really handy now to make music.

Having said that, when you all ready know what to do with your song/composition then it's time to record. You have again two choices, either record in the studio or use a laptop just like myself. I initially used my netbook using EnergyXT then now progress to macbook using Garageband.

Let's say for example, like myself, I recorded it via Garageband. After my finished product, like my song Astral Projection, I sent it to Untapped Talent recording studio in southampton for mastering. And, Matt did a good job. Im quite happy with how Matt worked on my song. In case, you wanted your song/composition mixed, the studio can do that for a cleaner and more balanced output.

After your song was already mixed and mastered, it's time now to choose which digital distribution company you're going. For me, there are three companies I've already tried and that is Reverbnation, TuneCore and CDbaby. All of which are good and all have pros and cons. Choose what suits your needs. Read reviews on these three guys. However, at the moment, I am quite happy with CDbaby.

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/astral-projection/id718762037?i=718762313

While you're undecided yet which digital distribution you're going, it's perfect timing for you to update or make an artist profile/bio and that includes profile picture. You will need these once you got your distribution company, because you'll be registering and will be filling in your data plus your song/album data. So, by now you have to have title for your song and title of your album. You also need to have an album art cover. Song details as well as album details. Artists that you like or got similar genre of music. Yes, you need to tell them what sort of genre your music or yourself as an artist belongs to.

Don't forget also to read what are the requirements of the digital distribution company in terms of album artwork, audio format, etc. You'll need all these.

When all is ready, then it's time to sign up to your chosen company i.e. CDbaby and put in all the data that you have prepared and submit your artwork and audio. If all goes well and is approved, then just wait for the launching of your album or song. Meanwhile, start promoting your material via posters, social network (facebook), make a music video (youtube), submit to online radio (CDbaby will email you on this), make blogs about your song or better yet just submit it to CDbaby's blog and lastly, gigs. Promote and sell your song during gigs.

Online Streaming Guitar Backing Tracks

2012-08-23T23:39:00.001-07:00

Do you want backing tracks for free? Then the solution is visit Guitar BackTrack, your online streaming solution for your favourite guitar backing tracks and it’s free. Here are some of the best backing tracks that you will enjoy.

Jimi Hendrix backing tracks, B.B. King’s, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Black Sabbath, Queen, Gary Moore, Joe Satriani, SteveVai, Van Halen, Santana and many more. Even up to not-so-new ones like Audioslave backing tracks, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Oasis, famous Metallica, Guns n Roses and Bon Jovi.

The title Guitar BackTrack was made because it sounds like Guitar Back Pack, meaning you can carry it wherever and whenever you want. Back Packs are portable just like the concept of Guitar BackTrack where you can access anywhere from your house with your laptop and with the new trend WiFi and 3G its more portable. You can even go to an internet shop and plug in you earphones and right there and then you can Jam. The ideas are endless and you get to enjoy and practise or rehearse your lead or improvise something out of it.

The purpose of Guitar BackTrack is to improve your skills albeit listening, timing, improvisation, phrasing and even memorising your part or lead.

The future for Guitar BackTrack is also to include tracks not only for guitarists but also for vocalists, drummers, bassists and keyboardists to jam along. So keep tuning in and will keep on updating the site. Cheers and Rock On!

Roland cube street review

2012-06-14T05:05:00.005-07:00

I just recently bought a Roland cube street and here's my thought on this multi purpose portable lightweight PA and guitar amp in one box. I have read and compared and really scrutinised from the net all about this amp so I would assume that most of you are familiar with the amp's features. When I finally decided to buy one apart from I got the budget for this amp, I am really fully decided to get it. Went to a shop in Southampton called Guitar Store to buy the item and at first the staff did not give time of asking me if I needed something or one of them could have just greeted are you all right? Or even the courtesy of saying we are a bit occupied at the moment but will attend to you shortly. The other thing was when I said I am interested in buying the amp they gave me the price which is £240, way up From Their online price which is £229. So I Said Ive checked it from website online and its £229 and they gave me that price. Anyway so much for the sourgraping I bought it straight away and left the store.

Today I had a test run and it was really good. All of the features were excellent from being lightweight and portable to battery operated which means I can use it wherever from one corner to another and not thinking of any socket or extension lead and not to mention that the battery can stay up to 15 hours where my gig only last for 2 hours. The volume is rather loud for the space or room that I'm playing. Also the effects and the sound quality is rather excellent. I like using the JC and sometimes uses the acoustic effects. It is also very handy to have a builtin tuner. The reverb and the delay are decent. Chorus, flanger and phaser are also lovely apart from the tremolo, which to me is not that impressive. Te downside was the vocals. Only have bass and treble for tone adjustment plus can't give more bass to the mic but well compensated with the reverb. Also the mp3 input uses a baby jack or the 3.5 mm jack, however, I prefer RCA. Plus a separate volume control and EQ would be nice. A line out or an extension speaker output would be a good add on. For the most part I am really happy with the Roland cube street.

LP Aspire Cajon review

2012-05-28T14:55:00.001-07:00

LP stands for Latin Percussion for those who wants to know. I bought this new instrument called Cajon or back home in the Philippines specifically my hometown Roxas City, Capiz.... People calls this as Beat Box because it's like a box and you can create a beat out of it.

LP Aspire is well made and has got a nice finish in terms of colour, texture and polish. The sound quality is fairly decent especially for its price and category. I did get a chance to play and compare the sound of the LP Aspire in Guitar Central Southampton. Thanks to the guys there most especially Gary. It was a big help from you guys to letting me play with the Cajon, compare and decide which one to buy.

There were two LP Aspire there that I tried one was £99, sounds more on the treble side and then the £119 which I got was more on the bass side. This one is what I needed as we will be playing with just Acoustic and no bassist so with more bass sound coming from the Cajon, it would rather blend and balance our instruments.

I have tried as well putting a microphone inside, I am using Shure C606 and it didn't sound great but using a mic stand and positioning it about an inch away from the sound hole of the Cajon and it delivers the sound I want.

All in all, the LP Aspire is worth buying especially with a tight budget, this Cajon won't disappoint you.

Free karaoke downloads

2012-04-03T03:19:00.001-07:00

Visit the link below to get your affiliate tools:
http://www.50blues.com/affiliatesa.htm

If you want to convert your laptop into a karaoke singing machine kindly visit my other BLOG and enjoy free downloads from Winamp to MP3+G plugins and also downloadbles backing tracks and CDGs.

Just visit my other site by clicking this link. Online Backing Tracks and enjoy downloading MP3s and CDGs.

All in one mixer for solo performers or DJ Behringer Xenyx 1002FX

2012-02-04T15:00:00.002-08:00

I bought this Behringer Xenyx 1002FX on ebay and it was a total bargain. Comes in with the original box, manual, power supply and functioning rather well. Really 100% clean and seems like brand new. Anyways so much for that. I bought this because I needed a mixer that got a builtin FX for my mini PA, which is ION centre stage because it doesn't have any FX on mic input. This is a big help also when I am performing with just guitar, mic and backing tracks via laptop, this Xenyx 1002FX is just the answer to it. It really serves the purpose.

Also it is worth mentioning that I also got a home recording studio and doing some experimental stuff and this one is a big contribution in terms of FX and mixing my recording plus additional inputs. Also when I plugged in my guitar, the sound that's coming out is very warm, clean and just nice..... only to find out that Behringer mic preamps are designed and comparable to stand-alone Boutique Amplifier, which is very nice with guitar.

Lastly, for aspiring DJ like myself, this Behringer Xenyx is perfect because not only it is small just the size of a netbook..... well, I am using a netbook case actually for this Xenyx 1002, meaning it is so portable and it can fit in your backpack along side with your laptop or netbook plus the inputs and outputs you needed are all there. No problem with the FX because you got builtin FX from simple reverb to delays and chorus, phaser and flanger. You can even monitor your sound via headphone with an independent volume control.

Thanks ebay for this total bargain that I bought. This is trully a value for money experience for me.

Generic Expression Pedal converted to a Wah Wah pedal.

2012-02-03T15:21:00.001-08:00

My Digitech RP55 got a Whammy and Wah option with foot pedal switch input, so I decided to buy a generic expression pedal and try to use it as a wah wah pedal for my Digitech RP55 multi effects processor. Good news/Bad news, it works but not quite as it should be. There is sort of a polarity issue because the way the pedal function is the exact opposite of how it is intended to be if it was a proper wah pedal. When you try to release meaning moving your foot upward, that’s where the wah goes on and then when you press your foot forward or down then it goes off so instead of pressing your foot downward to create the wah effect your doing the reverse.

Solutions: First, I tried reversing the polarity by inverting the jack’s wire. Nothing happened it was still the same. Then, I found this sort of rotor inside and it came to my mind what if I reverse the polarity here but the question is which wire is it going to be coz there are three wires. I just tried my luck and messed the wirings. I did it, I managed to reverse the polarity. I have the desired effect now for a proper wah.

Lesson learned. It’s better to buy the right one even though it is a bit expensive than the cheap ones and it doesn’t work properly and improvise or mess about the settings of wiring because what if it didn’t work at all or even if it did work, I can’t sell this one anymore or even the warranty because I already opened the pedal. Buy the right stuff even though it goes with a price.

stomp box or multi effects processor?

2012-02-02T14:23:00.001-08:00

There's always a battle between individual stomp box guitar effects or the multi effects processor in terms of sound quality, price, durability, etc. When I started playing in a band, I use to borrow effects because first of all I can't afford one and second it's very rare in my province (Capiz) in the Philippines to buy guitar gear or accessories such as stomp boxes. I was using a Boss Distortion during those years and just that one single pedal until my good mate Louie asked his parents to buy him an electric guitar with effects pedal and that's where I came across the Boss Super Overdrive and Ibanez Flanger. I love these two pedals in terms of their sound quality as well as durability coz until now they are all right apart from the Ibanez Flanger which my Mate said he couldn't find it so may be the lucky borrower who didn't return it became the new owner now. Also I have tried a couple more stomp boxes like the DOD Metal Maniac which is a good supplementary effects to any distortion pedal to give more sustain, gain and crunch. For me the two Boss best and versatile pedal are the Hypermetal and Metal Zone. If you want a clean lead, with nice sustain, you'll go for these two pedals. Either of the two will give you the versatility you need albeit rock, funk, jazz, almost anything meaning if you are in a show band most probably you will be needing either of these pedals.

So much for the stomp boxes coz there are a lot of them like the famous Tube Screamer, Stereo Chorus, Auto Wah, Compressor, Phaser, etc. etc. then there came the multi effects pedal. After collecting all these stomp boxes, you'll be surprised they put it in just one digitally assembled gadget. So the first difference among the two would be Analog versus Digital. A lot would say analog is the best. I won't argue, yes analogue is the best because it all started with analogue anyways, however, there are now alot of very good digital effects pedals in the market. It was just that when it started, the transition from analogue to digital wasn't that great yet. Like for example, I kind of use my mate Ritchie Hoo's Zoom 1010 before and I kind of like the sound of it during solitary practise with mini amp or earphones coz it was so versatile and everything's in there already from reverb, modulation to dist/drive to noise gate, compression and delay. Some of the presets are very good as well and you can customize it to your liking. Also Korg's Toneworks is such an amazing effects pedal far more better than ZOOM. Have tried AX1500 and it's really awesome much better than the newer AX3000.

Right now I own a Digitech RP55, and as they say this is a small pedal with such a great punch. I bought this one two years ago coz I needed an effects pedal badly because I joined a band here in England and I need to buy my own gear. So, after buying my very first owned electric guitar coz again I use to borrow back home and have not owned a single electric guitar before, I needed to pair this with an effects pedal. The dilemma of either buying a single pedal or the multi effects having in mind cost and quality. If I were to buy single stomp boxes then I should collect minimum of three to create the sound I like, which is a bit of a bluesy, rocky and jazzy sound, I need to have overdrive, flanger, reverb/delay. But if I were to buy a multi effects, then almost all of the effects I needed should be there. Then having to consider cost, it is more expensive to buy stomp boxes and collect all three rather than buy a cheap multieffects, which I got right now the Digitech RP55. Indeed, I am very satisfied with what I got at the moment, this Digitech RP55 the sound is just brilliant from metal to reggae to clean sounds to funky and jazz.

Digitech RP55

2012-02-01T16:27:00.001-08:00

Digitech RP55 Modeling Guitar Processor

Such a great multi effects processor. It is small that it can even fit in a gig bag and the good news about this one is that it can run with 6 AA batteries and can last for 15 hours with continuous usage. This one already got a drum machine so you can jam by yourself, practise your guitar phrasing and timing with this drum machine or you can perform all by yourself like a one man band. 40 user presets and another 40 factory presets which are:

1) Stacked                                                                  21) Bad Dog
2) Recto Delay                                                            22) Steely Phase
3) Clean Chorus                                                          23) Rhythm Crunch
4) Octave Drive                                                          24) Metal Scoop
5) Classic Blackface                                                    25) Slap Rhythm
6) Crunchy Phase                                                        26) 20 Fathoms
7) Fuzz Church                                                           27) Electro-Sitar
8) Grindy Detune                                                        28) Smooth Drive
9) Big Boutique                                                          29) Fuzz Boy
10) Acoustic Chorus                                                  30) Surfin'
11) Sustainium                                                            31) Clean Flange
12) Rotary Blues                                                        32) Thickerer
13) Wahtch It                                                             33) Pedal Steel
14) Power Flange                                                       34) Short Stack
15) Campfire Tremolo                                                35) Dirt Combo
16) Detune Tube                                                         36) Triplet Chunk
17) Whammy Time                                                      37) Roto Jazz
18) Mr. Guts                                                               38) Acoustic 5ths
19) Ottowah                                                               39) Yaya Sure
20) Volume Swell                                                        40) Octavian

Effects: Pickup Simulator, Wah, Compressor, Amp Models, Acoustic Guitar Simulator, 3 band EQ, Noise Gate, Cabinet Modelling, Chorus, Flange, Phaser, Tremolo, Panner, Vibrato, Rotary Speaker, Auto Ya, Envelope Filter, Pitch Shift, Detune, Whammy, Delay and Reverb.

Amp Model Equivalent Sound:
b - Blackface = Fender Twin
o - Boutique = Matchless
r - Rectifier = Mesa Boogie
H - Hot Rod = Hot Rodded Marshall
t - Tweed = Fender Tweed
C - British Combo = Vox
c - Clean Tube = Tube Amp
S - British Stack = Marshall JCM800
U - Crunchy Tube = Marshall Master
G - High Gain = Marshall JCM900
F - Vintage Fuzz = Arbiter Fuzz Face

how important USB audio interface is in home recording?

2012-02-01T15:14:00.001-08:00

This gadget is super versatile, lightweight, portable, all-in-one, heaven sent...... etc. etc. all the nice things I could think of. The famous Native Instrument's Guitar Rig Session I/O. After I failed with the USB guitar lead, I bought the right one the perfect one and was also lucky to buy a bundle set to start my planned home recording using laptop.

Opened the box, and these were the content of santa's gift to me last 2009 xmas.... the Guitar Rig Session I/O. Included inside are the hardware itself, the USB lead, CD installer for Guitar Session plus bonus Guitar Rig 4, Pop Drums and KORE player and especially added software Cubase LE4, which until now I haven't used coz apart from I don't know how to use it, this one is sort of a demo version so there's nothing much in it but just a taste of what is Cubase.

Key Features: The hardware got 2 mono line/mic inputs with two separate volume control which also can be customized as stereo for left and right channels plus a line/instrument switch or commonly known now as Hi-Z or Low-Z button. Monitor/earphone output with independent volume control and balance knob for L/R or 1/2 channel. Optional 48V Phantom power for mic input, the switch or button is located at the back of the hardware. Stereo output, left and right channel also located at the back.

I have installed all the softwares but as I've said the Cubase LE4 didn't work for me. Guitar Rig 4 is awesome couldn't say much but try and buy and explore, sound quality is as good as it gets. Real amp sound as well as effects. Kore Player, I don't have the controller for this one but I got a MIDI keyboard and have tried this one, excellent. Again sound quality is superb. Pop Drums, also great but not impressive, I can say helpful for what I needed at the moment. Native Instrument...... Well done.

USB guitar lead

2012-01-31T15:23:00.000-08:00

Out of the blues, I found again this USB guitar lead that I bought a couple of years ago where I was planning to record some guitar tracks on my laptop, and also thinking I can save some money because this gear is far more cheaper than other USB link or audio interface but I was wrong..... this one doesn't work or if ever it works, the sound is super delayed and there's nothing much you can do apart from adjusting your instrument's volume or tone knob. They are right in saying it is a Plug n Play because the computer instantly recognise the hardware and install it automatically in your laptop but then after it's installed and says Device is Ready to use, you plug in your guitar and then what? Nothing. Totally nothing because you won't even know what software to use although they mentioned Audacity and this one's free but it doesn't work the way it should be. Latency is unbearable and you don't have monitors not even earphone input for this one because the ones in the laptop won't work with USB devices unless there's a separate soundcard or audio interface.

In conclusion, not all cheap products or gear can save you money. I don't know if it's just me or how I installed or used this thing but it didn't work on what it should as I expected it to be.

MIDI keyboard

2012-01-26T15:22:00.000-08:00

This is a followup to my previous blog about Evolution MK249C2, which I bought from Carboot Sale. I was really lucky to buy this cheap keyboard. It was a bit of a gamble because there was no way to test it when I bought it so it was like buying what the seller was trying to tell you.

To cut the chase, in my previous blog regarding this MIDI keyboard Evolution MK249C2, I mentioned I was using Mixcraft, however, right now I am using EnergyXT as my software to write and record songs. This is a very light, portable but versatile all-in-one recording software.

To give you an example of my song, here's my latest song titled 1 2 5 using the Evolution MK249C2 and EnergyXT plugged into Guitar Rig Session I/O as my USB audio interface to my HP mini Netbook.

Guitar Gig Bag

2012-01-03T02:39:00.000-08:00

My old cheap gig bag had its time last Dec 2011 and I needed to replace it urgently as we have an upcoming gig. Good thing there's Guitar Central in Southampton near Bargate just beside Maplin. You can google map it if you're not familiar of the place. Again as I've said before friendly atmosphere and all willing to help.

I tried and look around for a gig bag just a quick replacement and Guitar Central got a lot to choose from. Mind you, just be careful coz there are bass gig bag, guitar gig bag and electric guitar gig bag so it is better to ask assistance. I was also tempted to buy a hardcase one but apart from short of budget I just needed a replacement for my softcase gigbag.

The one I bought was a good one. It has two pockets, one at the top where you can put your strap and/or guitar lead then a bigger one where you can put a multi-effects processor i.e. Digitech RP55. Also you can put in some songbook or any music magazines, chord charts, DVD lessons, etc. in this big pocket. Also apart from the back straps there is also a sort of handle at the side so you can easily carry your guitar when it becomes a little heavy on your back. It is also worth mentioning that the padding for this gigbag is far better than the one I got where there's hardly no padding at all to protect or cushion the guitar. Lastly, I got an extra Behringer sticker from my K450FX and put it on this new gigbag and it made a difference. I am now looking for more stickers to add some colour or art to this gigbag.

Thanks again Guitar Central...... BIG HELP. Cheers guys!

Guitar Central post Boxing Day

2012-01-03T01:39:00.000-08:00

I went to Southampton post Boxing Day because I was working long day during boxing day. I went straight to Guitar Central and have a look what's on sale and it was a total BARGAIN. I was drooling from guitar amps to effects pedal and most especially the electric guitars. ESP, Dean, Washburn and one of my favorite brand, Gretsch. There was a guy playing this semi-hollow Gretsch and I was with my son that time in his pushchair, I was really amazed by the sound of the guitar. It was plugged in a Randall guitar amp stack, I am not sure but it looks like a tube amp.

The Randall KH-15, a Kirk Hammett's signature practise amp was on super sale and by the way, Kirk Hammett was born to a Filipino mother and an Irish American father, so technically Kirk is half Filipino. Kirk is an avid ESP guitar user and was using Mesa/Boogie before he made his move to Randall Amplifiers.

There are junior electric guitar as well that was on sale, guitar books and DVDs, lessons and other music materials were on sale. Have a go guys and try to visit Guitar Central if you got the chance or time. Dimebag's guitar is waiting for you guys there. R.I.P.

Here's their facebook link: https://www.facebook.com/guitarcentralsouthampton

Portable PA system 45W Behringer K450FX

2011-11-24T03:53:00.001-08:00

I bought this item roughly about two years time and I made the right decision., this amp/mixer have never failed me in times of need. I normally use this as PA system during parties like birthdays, during my wedding reception and other small venue events. Loud enough even when use outdoors. This is a multi-purpose amplifier/mixer with built-in effects like chorus, flange, reverb, delay, etc. I have tried using a Yamaha PSR 350 and tried using the effects especially reverb and it sounds brilliant. Also have experimented with flange and chorus and still I was impressed, made a difference to the PSR350. Also the mic inputs are excellent, three ¼-inch input with 1 shared XLR, all with independent volume and effects control. 5 band EQ with feedback detection button. 1 sub out, 1 line out, 1 RCA input for laptop/mp3 line in which I normally use during parties or for backing tracks.

This amp is also very good with acoustic guitar, however, not so convincing with electric guitars because I can’t help but compare it with Fender, Marshall, Peavey, Hohner amongst others that I’ve tried using and this Behringer K450FX is way below the line. Also the other thing, this amp is a bit heavy, manageable to carry but you can feel that there’s really weight which is an indication that the speaker is of good quality. So, if you’re looking for a portable PA system which is multipurpose and got a lot of mic/line inputs and sounds decent with some expansions like Sub Out and Line Out. This one is definitely the answer.

Batang M

2011-10-21T05:18:00.000-07:00

Prelude to HYP (Hungry Young Poets). We were invited to do a frontact to a new band. This was composed of Barbie Almabis on Vox and guitar, Ricci Gurango on bass, Im not sure if the drummer was Franklin Benitez or someone else and a lead guitarist that I didn't catch his name, really sorry because during the setup it was only Barbie and Ricci who came near us and help us. Ricci even offered his Bass effects and Bass amp but not his Bass guitar with fretless fretboard, too precious hehehe. Nevertheless, it was a Fiesta in Culasi Roxas City and as Frozbyte we played cover songs like, Sama-sama by Alamid, I need you here and Na Naman by Color It Red, Im not sure if we sang Line to Heaven and Will I Survive by Introvoys.

Blue Barbies, a freshmen, newbie all female band of Roxas did their first gig and they played Bizarre Love Triangle by Frente and Cranberries' Ode To My Family and Free To Decide.

Barbie's band doesn't have a name that time and they said they call themselves temporarily as Batang M and during that time there's a movie I think, which was Batang X. I can remember they covered Who Will Save Your Soul and If It Makes You Happy, Supermodel by Jill Sobule and a lot more by Alanis and Cranberries.

Bodega Concert

2011-10-20T04:13:00.000-07:00

To the Roxas City Musicians and Rockers, does the word Bodega Concert ring a bell? Well, to me it's a YES. Although, I can't remember all the details but I would think this was what happened.

Barbie Almalbis and other Musicians/relatives of hers organized an event which was held in a Bodega or Warehouse and this was like an indoor woodstock concert. A lot of the bands played, which again I couldn't remember each one of them but we played there as Frozbyte and then I think Barbie's band was called Chaotic Silverfish if Im not mistaken that time.

The venue was all right, however, the sound system wasn't that good or impressive maybe because it was indoor or maybe it's just that we were the first band to play and the sound tech/operator was still getting a grip of the equipments i.e. mixers, amps, etc.... Anyways, the gig was successful though because the bands played all well in their own right.

The highlight was Barbie's band and as usual spot on, they nailed it. Barbie even played conga in one of their songs, her trademark was playing the harmonica while playing the guitar and then their bassist that time was Ryan Tiu and one of the greatest drummer Roxas City has, Jet Lozada.... who did a 20-minute drum solo, Im kidding but around that time frame coz it feels like it was quite a long long time.

The event was covered by a local cable network, ALTO cable, which normally when there's concerts and events they're the ones who covers the show. Hope, ALTO still got a copy of those good old memories.

The Youth Concert

2011-10-18T15:08:00.000-07:00

We (Frozbyte) were invited again to be part of the Front Act for the band called The Youth by our good mate Christian Blanco, lead singer of Gremlinz. We're listed as the first act, there was a typhoon that time so the weather wasn't that good. We thought there's only few people coming for the gig and when we started playing nobody's around coz apart from we were the first act, it was already getting late and the crowd outside the Civic Center was still hesitant to come in. So, we setup our stuff and started playing our first song, Shine by Collective Soul, and I was the one singing that time hehehe, and the crowd just suddenly started running towards the stage out of nowhere. We were very pleased coz we thought, mmmmmmmmm we're famous. I also sang Lightning Crashes by Live and then few more songs by Louie Bargas, which as far as I can remember Louie sang Lakas Tama by Siakol and then Dolores Bayot apart from doing the backing vocals sang Na Naman by Color It Red and I would guess Zombie by Cranberries, Im really sure.

Then Gremlinz played some songs as well, if I'm not mistaken... Lenny Kravitz' Are You Gonna Go My Way, Metallica's Enter Sandman and Laklak by Teeth. The crowd starts to buildup and suddenly from backstage..... Barbie Almalbis arrived and asked me if she can borrow a drummer and a bassist. Then, I immediately answered, I do play drums and Barbie said, yeah you do so we just need a bassist and I answered Jingle Hoo, our lead guitarist can do the bass and she replied cool. So, we sort of had a meeting backstage about the song she wanted to play. Barbie said to us, "Im sure you know this song and this is quite simple, you'll know it when I start playing... let's just jam this one." Barbie was pertaining to Alanis Morissette's song, Hand in my pocket. The lyrics were written on her left arm so that while playing the guitar she can sort of glance at it. We made it, we played trio and impromptu. Now, coming back to the crowd where my other bandmates were, they said "you two are a cheat and crook" Barbie asked for a drummer and bassist but we both grabbed the chance. Anyways, that was sort of our second encounter with the Famous Barbie Almalbis.

Here goes The Youth. They started playing and Mosh Pit's ready. The crowd went wild. From slam dancing to stage diving. My neck really hurts the following morning due to headbangin and my whole body aches as well because of slam dance and what we call Push-Push. You just push your mate or anyone and then before you know it even yourself is being pushed by somebody and ended up bumping to anybody that's being pushed. The Youth sang there famous hits like Multo sa paningin (Multong Bakla), Mukha Ng Pera and Basura and a lot more. Also there was an incident happened backstage before they start playing. Dodong Cruz's long hair was nearly caught in a big fan because the airconditioning backstage couldn't cope with the heat and their bassist Robert Javier tried to stop the fan and sort of injured his hand but then the show must go on. That was the coolest gig I've ever attended. The Youth was known for creating riotous concerts and indeed that concert in Roxas City Civic Center can be considered as riot, it was good though.

By: Vincent Ryan Borres

Guitar Central Experience

2011-10-06T15:58:00.000-07:00

We went to Southampton a couple of days ago just to unwind and spend time with the family. We come across a new music store and it's called Guitar Central. This is located just next to Maplin when you're headed towards Bargate on your left hand side. We went inside the shop look around and check out the place, the ambience is quite nice and has a friendly atmosphere. It was also a good timing because I am planning to buy a guitar amp and this is the right place to go.

I have checked some of the amps there and saw Kirk Hammett's signature series Randall KH-15 and it caught my attention. It looks cool but I haven't tried it or heard the sound of it, although I find the price affordable. Also the guy there recommended to me a Hiwatt amp which looks decent and affordable as well. Me and my brother wanted to have a Cajon (wooden percussion box) so I was trying my luck if they got one. At the moment they don't have but they've attended to us very well. They even took our contact info as well as giving us their card to get in touch once they got the item.

I have seen some good stuff there like Dean Dimebag's guitar. It is rather huge, really massive for me, quite a big guitar for my height and size but Im drooling because it is really beautiful. Also I have seen effects pedals, stompboxes and multieffects. I am a fan of Digitech. I own an RP55, which I am currently using and back home my mate lend me his RP300. I have used Boss Distortion, Super Overdrive, Chorus, Hyper Metal and Metal Zone. There are stompboxes there which are the real deal, however, you need to collect at least 3 of them or more to get and balance your tone i.e. Chorus or Flanger for modulation, Distortion or Overdrive for Crunch then Reverb or Delay for ambience and then compressor, wah, etc. if need be which will accumulate prices. I find that the prices of the instruments and other items are quite all right.

The last stop was a Yamaha electronic drumkit that was on a mini stage. While we were stuck in front of this drumkit, a member of the staff approach us and said do you want to try? Well, my nephew, who's turning 6 this month was really keen on drums and I let him play the drums. They were amazed to see my nephew playing the drums. Although, Marco has not had any formal lessons, he knows how to play drums because I used to own a Music Studio back home in the Philippines called Sepra Music Studio and Marco used to come and watch myself or some bands practising. It was a lovely experience for us to visit Guitar Central. I hope we can come back there pretty soon and explore more of what's in store.

Frozbyte Evolution

2011-09-23T12:54:00.001-07:00

The group was founded during our high school years when we joined a song writing contest. I formed the group. I taught most of the band members from drums, guitars and bass. I played the keyboards that time. Our name was Music Legacy and we won first place during the song writing contest. Our drums was an improvised drumset… whilst the rest of the instruments were just borrowed except from my keyboards. Original members were Louie on guitar, Dolores on bass, John2x on drums, Anelyn on vocals and I was the keyboardist. It was a blessing in disguise that we shared our talent and skills. Anelyn got a very good voice, Louie got a gene poll of musicians from singing to playing guitar, John2x got a strong arm that can hit drums as loud as Sepultura, Dolores got a family of musicians from the late Dad who’s a guitarist, a brother who’s bassist and another brother who is a drummer…. So, now you’ve guess where we’ve borrowed most of our instruments when we first started. Hehehe.

We’ve been invited to play in school activities and even during student programs outside our school, like Science Camp, school campaigns and programs. Then, we added a male vocalist, Ven Ian, a balladeer. We were invited during JS Prom and we’re playing ballad OPMs like Ariel Rivera, Gary V. and even Folk and Country music like “Perhaps Love and Aubrey”.
Suddenly, Philippine Local Bands became famous like Introvoys, which Louie our guitarist started singing and that change our group and our genre of music. Louie became our vocalist and his first song was Will I Survive by Introvoys. And then, we continued that kind of genre because the crowd started loving this new hype. We then performed Line to heaven by Introvoys, Next in line by After Image and bands like Alamid, Teeth, The Youth, Siakol, Yano, Rivermaya and the band that influenced us most, the Eraserheads.
Gigs then continued from battle of the bands, prom night, SK victory party, a different serenade during pageant, intermission during seminars and even had our own Concert at school, two in a row. Then, later, we got a regular schedule in a pub during Saturday night at Mariano’s Grill and Restaurant and that’s our ultimate goal that time.

By: VRB

Frozbyte

2011-09-23T12:53:00.001-07:00

My band back home in the Philippines was and is Frozbyte. Most of us are nurses and that’s why members keep changing and adding up coz after we graduated we work abroad. Louie, a nurse and is our lead singer is now in New York. John2x, a nurse, our drummer is now in Florida. Dolores, accountant, former bassist that became our first female lead singer is in Capiz. Jingle, a marketing graduate is our famous lead guitarist that sounded like Steve Vai and is now in Manila. Shane, electrical communications engineer, is our bassist who can play like Flea and even sounds like Flea. He loves RHCP and RATM and is now in Capiz.

We had two additional vocals when our former vocalist went abroad and Dolores got married. They are Ruby and Rommelle. Ruby, a nurse is now in the Middle East while Rommelle is a nautical graduate who concentrated more on his band and is doing well in the Philippines as a singer, guitarist and keyboardist. As for me, I’m a nurse myself who still loves music, plays the guitar, keyboard, drums and a little bit of this and that. Lastly, a special member of the group named Blue does the research for our songs and is also our critic in our performance and sound.

By: VRB

Boss Super Overdrive

2011-09-23T12:52:00.001-07:00

How this yellow stomp box became my favourite? During our early years in the band, my mate Louie went on a vacation in New York and there he purchased a Fender Precision Bass, which rather sound crispy. He also bought two guitar effects with it and a hardcase for the bass, which is bulky and quite heavy as well. The effects pedal were Boss Super Overdrive and Ibanez Flanger. I am not into modulation effects during that time so I won’t be detailing more on the Flanger but instead the Super Overdrive.
I was learning Blues, Old school rock like Deep Purple’s Smoke on the water and Highway star, and this band called Eraserhead, which is known as the Beatles of the Philippines. This is when I learn to love the Super Overdrive. Less gain but more punch. When doing lead or solos, it is really standout.
My settings are’ Level at 12 o’clock, Tone at 1 or 2 o’clock and Drive @ 9 o’clock. This always works in either rhythm or lead depending on the guitar volume you’re giving or switching pickups from single coil to humbuckers.
I also use Super Overdrive to boost my distortion pedal during lead. Also when I am playing a clean tone and during lead, I will give it a good stomp and that’s it a well-delivered solo, neat and clean. Until now I still love the sound and feel of this Yellow Monster thing called Boss Super Overdrive.

By: VRB

Boss Distortion pt2

2011-09-23T12:51:00.002-07:00

I remembered during the 90s era when we did a front act to a Philippine local band called “Yano” where I only had one guitar effects and it’s the famous orange stomp box Boss Distortion.
During that time, my band was Frozbyte and we are newbie in the world of Rock/Alternative. We performed three cover songs that gig; Selling the drama by Live, Today by Smashing Pumpkins and Long Hair by another Philippine local group called The Weedd.
My set up that night was a borrowed Sunburst Lyon strat by Washburn which I always use or borrow from Louie the man, Boss distortion with settings of Tone at 12 o’clock, Level at 10 o’clock and Dist all the way up. Then the amp that I used was a cabinet amp 4x4 but I couldn’t recall the brand and it was really loud and powerful that I can feel the air behind me everytime I strum or do powerchords.
Boss distortion did not fail me and until now I can vividly remember my experience during that gig. This little orange stomp box is my hero and a legend, a truly old school rock gadget.

By: VRB

Boss Distortion pt1

2011-09-23T12:51:00.000-07:00

First Battle of the band that I joined was in “Hideout” and this was way back mid 90s in Roxas City, Capiz, Philippines.

I was not the original member of the group, I just jam with them. I don’t have my gear that time. What happened was, while they were rehearsing, I joined them and they were impressed on how I play the guitar. So, they invited me to join the group as sessionist guitarist. We played “Black and Yellow Led Better” by Pearl Jam, and one original composition titled “Empty Bottle”, which sounds like a combination of Pearl Jam and STP. I forgot the name of our band but it was founded by 4 young talented lads namely; Lenny, Lief John, Dinno Santi and Oliver.

The most interesting part that night was I don’t have an effects pedal. Good thing my mate “Badong” got a cousin who happens to be joining the Battle of the bands and guess who it was, Barbie Almalbis. We approached her to borrow a guitar effects and she’s very pretty and lend me “The Boss Distortion”. That’s when this orange stomp box became famous.
By the way, we were second that night and we’re branded as Pearl Jam of Capiz. Barbie Almalbis’ band rank 1^st that night; and she’s Brilliant, from lead vocals to lead guitar. She sang “Love Will Keep Us Alive, Ode To My Family and Zombie”, not quite sure about the last one.

By: VRB