Gear Tips | GC Riffs

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Gear Tips

Practice Tips for Learning an Instrument

When you’re learning a musical instrument, whether you are just starting out or already have some of the basics down, the most critical thing you can do to improve is to learn to practice effectively.

Gear Tips
30 Sep 2019
Vintage Guitar Finds | 1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom

Jack Hetherington, Guitar Center's Director of Used and Vintage, has seen countless rare guitars, but when a single-owner 1958 Gibson Les Paul Custom came through the Hollywood Vintage Room, he had to share. We chatted with Jack about this unique instrument and the process of acquiring vintage guitars.

Gear Tips
09 Jun 2019
Replicating Your Studio Sound on Stage

You’ve spent hours, even days, getting just the right tone. Then, weeks or longer getting your song to sound just how you imagined. But how do you recreate that same studio sound on stage?

Gear Tips
08 May 2019
Accessories to Bring to Your First Live Gig

We've compiled a list of accessories you should bring along to ensure your first gig is smooth, fun and stress free.

Gear Tips
08 May 2019
Vintage Guitar Finds | Mary Kaye Fender Stratocaster & Telecaster

In the 1950s, it was rare to open up a magazine and find a woman playing one of rock and roll’s most coveted instruments. Thanks to pioneering guitarists like Mary Kaye, often referred to as the “First Lady of Rock and Roll,” more women than ever are playing guitar, with artists like Nita Strauss and St. Vincent unveiling their signature models in recent years.

Gear Tips
30 Mar 2019
Vintage Guitar Finds | 1963 Gibson SG Custom Cherry

Every guitar has a story to tell but not often do we get to know it so completely. Our Vintage team recently came across a rare single-owner 1963 Gibson SG Custom with a Cherry finish. We sat down with our Director of Used and Vintage, Jack Hetherington and Vintage Acquisition Manager Nick Conte to get the full details.

Gear Tips
08 Dec 2018
Recording Guitar: Do I Really Need All This Gear?

All that’s required to record guitar is you, your electric guitar (or acoustic/electric), a cable and a computer with some freemium digital recording software. However, amps, mics, external preamps and other gear play a crucial part in crafting a great-sounding record. Let’s break down some reasons to look at these additional tools. Depending on where you are in your journey, we also have some tips for success when recording with a minimal setup.

Gear Tips
18 Apr 2018
Recording Acoustic Guitar: Microphone, DI or Both?

Many like to use both a mic and a DI (direct box) when recording acoustic guitar. However, each can serve a purpose individually as well. It all comes down to the intent. The primary reason to use a mic is to capture the tonal qualities the human ear hears when the instrument is played. On the other hand, a DI converts string vibrations (from the magnets in a pickup) to electrical signals and can have a sound more similar to an electric guitar. Certain types of pickups, like piezos, function more like actual microphones, converting the physical vibrations of the instrument to a voltage, which produces a less “electronic” sound.

Gear Tips
18 Apr 2018
Recording Electric Guitar: Amp, DI or Both?

Similar to acoustic guitar recording, an amp and DI can each play a crucial role in the final result, and recording both (if possible) can provide some cool options. A microphone on your guitar cab or combo's speaker captures the air movement produced by the drivers and introduces your room's tone into the recording—how much room depends on mic type and placement. The electric guitar pickup serves as the electronic sound source emitting from the instrument. Among other things, pickups can boost and/or cut signals coming from the guitar. Pickups come in active and passive configurations and differ greatly in quality, behavior and affordability.

Gear Tips
18 Apr 2018
How To: Scratch DJ Techniques with the Beat Junkies

After getting our hands on the brand new Technics SL-1210GR turntable, we connected with some of the most respected DJs in Hip Hop culture, the Beat Junkies, to give the new decks a spin and help teach us how to scratch, live from their newly built Beat Junkie Institute of Sound.

Gear Tips
20 Mar 2018
Here’s How: Advanced Drum Techniques with Eric Moore

Eric Moore shares his secrets to snare tone, ghost notes, chops, and how to play to a click track.

Gear Tips
06 Sep 2017
10 Pros Share Their Favorite Piece of Gear

From international pros to local legends, find out what they consider at the top of their must-have list.

Gear Tips
14 Aug 2017
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | First Episode 1

Quickstart your creativity with templates

Gear Tips
08 Aug 2017
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | First — Episode 2

Building a Session from Scratch

Gear Tips
08 Aug 2017
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | First — Episode 3

Start Creative a Song

Gear Tips
08 Aug 2017
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | First — Episode 4

Building Tracks and In-App Marketplace

Gear Tips
08 Aug 2017
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | First — Episode 5

Audio Editing

Gear Tips
08 Aug 2017
Get Started Fast with Pro Tools | First — Episode 6

Mixing, Distribution and the Avid Artist Community

Gear Tips
08 Aug 2017
Tone, Range and More with Tosin Abasi

Tosin Abasi talks about how his progressive rock group Animals As Leaders found success without a vocalist.

Gear Tips
28 Jul 2017
Controlling External Hardware With Avid Pro Tools

Greg "Stryke" Chin from Avid dropped by to teach us some tips and tricks

Gear Tips
21 May 2017
Automation and Effects With Avid Pro Tools

Greg "Stryke" Chin from Avid dropped by to teach us some tips and tricks

Gear Tips
21 May 2017

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