That Guitar Lover

In this episode we discuss what value the DAW brings to the individual musician and then discuss some of the better options for both Windows and Macintosh platforms.

In this episode, I talk about the idea of playing simply for better skill development and precision

In this episode I explore the benefits of having an acoustic pickup in an electric guitar.

Hi folks, sorry for the delay this time but I'm here with you now to talk about the value proposition of a MIDI keyboard, even for those of us who are not keyboard competent.

In this episode I discuss the construction, operation and some options for desk and pedal board suitable drum style delays

In this episode, I explore why most all musicians will benefit from carrying a DI box in the instrument case. Please support me on Patreon via the links provided.Also please note that in the episode I talk about condenser microphones. All condenser microphones should have power of some kind, but even then, their output can be quite low. More critical, and left out by my error are dynamic microphones used in sound hole pickups as well as many voice microphones such as the Shure SM7 family that I mention. Most dynamics are very low output and you need to crank the input to get a decent level. Use a DI box as close to the mic as possible for the best possible signal.

Hey folks. This is an interesting question, and in today's world of plugin overload, it's worth asking. Let's talk about it.

Hello everyone. In this episode, I want to discuss the two primary channels for connecting musicians with the ability to purchase instruments and gear. The industry is presently in a serious downturn, and how we choose to buy is going to impact us personally in the future.

Welcome to the episode where this time we discuss keeping strings clean and whether string cleaners are all that they are cracked up to be.

In this episode, I look into a specific member question into what to plug his modeller into for reasonable sound, without using headphones.

We take a short trip into the somewhat esoteric world of the oil can delay. They sound awesome and current products deliver the sound without the oil leaks

Hey folks. In this episode I explain why the sample tones in my reviews are only going to be made using one of my two favourite profiler units. No, I'm not getting rid of my amps, but limited time and no compromise in tone has made this decision easy. Have a listen to learn why this works.

In this episode I look into answering the question, “what's the right amp for me” While this question is critical to beginners, we may ask it as we move through our musical journey. Make a monthly donation to support the channel by clicking this link.

Hello folks. In this episode I want to talk about going through the process of selecting the speaker cabinet design that suits your needs and wants best. Will it be a combo, or a separate head and cab? L:et's talk about that. Please support my hard work by becoming a monthly donor via Patreon by clicking this link.

You can get a great guitar and save a bundle by shopping smart for a used instrument. In my collection, I have a lot of used guitars and because I shopped carefully, all of them are 100% keepers. In fact the only guitars that I have sold or traded were bought new, and I grew to discover they weren't a fit for me. Used can be a very smart decision.

Hey there. When the music industry goes into its annual slump starting early January that lasts until March or so, the Internet, forums, magazines and the tubes all fill to the brim with speculative fiction and utter BS. Which is the best amp is one of those. Time to set that crap on fire and burn it down.

Happy 2025. In this episode I talk about the advantage of coated strings and my favourite readily available strings, the industry leading D'Addario XS family. If you like my work, please become a monthly supporter on Patreon by clicking the link on the main page at thatguitarlover.com

Hey listeners! In this episode I talk about the design and evolution of the Leslie speaker system and how that incredible effect is now available for guitar and bass. Please support my work by becoming a donor on Patreon.

I contend that you cannot get a more effective, more powerful in terms of function and more usable practice amplifier system than the Positive Grid Spark 2. This episode is not sponsored by anyone and I wasn't bought off. I really believe this so have a listen and let me explain why. Help keep the channel running by becoming a supporter on Patreon.

Our use cases for amplifiers has changed over the last fifty years. What we had to have then, may be irrelevant today. In this episode I invite listeners to consider where they will be going on the subject of amplifiers and if willing to share with the audience by sending in a comment. If you get value from what I do here, please sign up to make a monthly donation on Patreon. Your support keeps the microphones and the computers working.

The Looper pedal is one of the most useful tools to a guitarist or bassist. When one is practicing alone or writing a song, the ability to construct passages or solos over a backing sound is very powerful and very important. While powerful backing tracks are available on the Internet, some free, some at cost, a looper doesn't require that there be any gear involved other than you, your instrument, your looper and your ability to hear yourself, either through an amp or some device that feeds your sound to a pair of headphones.

Hi folks, in this episode I talk about three kinds of switchers that most of us could make use of. To support my work, please go to https://thatguitarlover.com and click the link to support me on Patreon.

In this episode I share my experience in getting more tonal range out of the pickups that are already in the instrument. Changing pickups can be fun, but perhaps there is a simpler and less expensive option. If you enjoy my work, please become a supporter on Patreon. Your small monthly donation is used to keep this channel up and running.

In this episode I explore the root causes of noise from our electric instruments and provide suggestions on how to reduce and kill it. Please support the channel by becoming a support on Patreon.

Hello listeners. In this episode I want to explore the value propositions of the tone controls, starting with the ones in your instrument, moving to a pedal style equalizer, the tone stack in your amplifier and EQ plugins in your DAW. And if you aren't recording, we will consider the tone stack in the PA or sound board. Sound fair?If you listen to these episodes, please consider becoming a Patron on Patreon and supporting the channel with a regular monthly donation.

Hello all. In this episode I discuss the value proposition of bass preamplifiers with speaker simulations that come in a pedal sized box. I touch on the capabilities of these devices in general and then drill down into the three that I recommend, the EBS Microbass 3, the Tech21 NYC DI-2112 and the Ampeg SGT-DI. Please become a Patron on Patreon. Your small monthly donation makes a big difference to me.

I've recently been approached by some folks who have found that the output level from dynamic microphones that they have bought are very low and that to get a decent signal level requires almost cranking the mic preamp in the interface or on the stage mixer to the maximum. They want to know why, and here I will explain what to do to solve the problem. To support my work, please sign up to be a Patron on Patreon. Your small monthly donation of support is sincerely appreciated.

Welcome to the episode. I want to dive into reverb this episode. What is it, what are the different types, how do we achieve it and what do you look for in choosing the reverb option that is right for you?

This is a pretty common topic, so I did my research and you may find what I learned surprising. Please become a Patron on Patreon to support my work.

In this episode I explore the different types of modulation effects that we find in pedals for live play and for recording and in plugins to use in the studio. Please become a patron on Patreon to support my work. Your small monthly donation matters a great deal.

About a year ago, I did an episode on Impulse Response systems. Time has passed, they have become even more prevalent and a lack of clear information has created a fog of confusion around IRs, Amp Sims and pedals that do both to directly feed a PA without any actual guitar or bass amplifiers involved. So that's what this episode is all about.

The use of a great delay expands your soundscape and helps you as a musician tell your story. In this episode I go through the four primary delay types to provide some core knowledge that might help you find the delay that fits your needs best. Please support my work by becoming a Patron on Patreon. Your small monthly donation makes a big difference to me.

As guitarists we are (most of us) always happy to spend time in a real guitar shop, looking around, and perhaps having a play on a guitar that strikes our fancy. Yet, when I ask players who have decided to own multiple guitars, I rarely hear of a baritone guitar. Twelve different Strats, for sure, or a number of different six string acoustics. Maybe the odd mandolin, or a 12 string, but baritones are rarer. Why is that? In this episode, let's spend some time on the subject of the wonderful baritone guitar.

I have to admit that I get tired of the endless spew of BS that I hear thrown around at high velocity by people with strong opinions who are also unemcumbered by facts. Asking the right questions will result in a buyer getting the best instrument for his or her needs, but not asking the right questions can result in a customer who ends up not playing. This time, I want to provide a bit of insight into what might make a short scale electric bass the best choice for you. If you like what I do here, please become a patron on Patreon.

Welcome! In this episode I talk about what I call the China Syndrome, the widely found delusion that guitars made in China or other parts of Asia are inherently garbage. Please support the channel by becoming a Patreon member.

Hello folks. In this episode, I am joined by Will Bertram and we discuss the viability of modellers and profilers as amplifier and cabinet alternatives and when using them as such makes sense.

Welcome! In this episode we close out our recent home recording series with the topic of plugins to be used in your DAW. There are myriad different plugin deliverables and tons of options. So I try to clarify things to make your recording and production lives easier and also save you money. Please become a supporter on Patreon. Your small monthly donation makes a big difference here.

We continue the series on equipment and tools for home recording. In this episode I discuss studio monitors and headphones for studio use. If you like what I do, please become a sponsor of the channel on Patreon.

Hello everyone. This is the third episode in our series on recording your yourself or your band. This time we dive into microphones, where to start and what are good options. Please support the channel by becoming a donor on Patreon. Your support makes a serious difference.

Greetings! In this episode I cover the next piece in the home / band recording pantheon, that of the interface between your instruments and microphones and the computer. I'm keeping the price options low, because the options are great and so is the quality.

In this episode, I propose consideration of Universal Audio's LUNA as your Digital Audio Workstation. When there are so many good ones, why LUNA? Have a listen and you might be convinced to give it a try.

Hello listeners. In this episode, I am joined by Drake Metcalf, a fine young gentleman who is both a working musician and sales professional with Cosmo Music in Richmond Hill, Ontario. We talk about the value proposition of playing your instrument live with other musicians, in a jam, in a band or at a gig. Please support the channel by becoming a supporter on Patreon

This episode, I am joined by my friend Mark Collins and we discuss the considerations in choosing your next acoustic guitar. The guidance is oriented for folks starting out, but is applicable to players at all levels.

This episode is a thought exercise. I've been exposed to incredibly fast players who leave me tired, and more emotive players who use the space between the notes for magic. Please have a listen and see if you align to this idea. Please do sign up to support the channel on Patreon. Your monthly donation makes a big difference here.

Hey listeners. This episode is a bit of a rant, so fair warning. The statement that one can use AI to make useful music is a lie. Real music is created by humans, not by machines copying the work of humans. You make your own decision whether to agree or disagree. But do have a listen.

This past weekend, I had the pleasure to help a young player and his parents purchase his next guitar. it was a great experience for me, and the young man was very happy as well. Have a listen to the story. If you are currently not supporting the channel on Patreon, please consider doing so by clicking this link. Your monthly donation makes a big difference here. Thank you to all our current Patreon members.

This is a very common question that I get. The answer is yes. Or no. Listen to the episode to find out why. If you are currently not supporting the channel on Patreon, please consider doing so by clicking this link. Your monthly donation makes a big difference here. Thank you to all our current Patreon members.

In this episode I dive into the emerging trend to have a single amp in a single pedal and to use it without another amplifier, instead going direct to the PA, to FRFR speakers or to a recording interface

When playing instruments that have high impedance outputs and needing long cable runs, we suffer signal loss. A DI box converts that high impedance, unbalanced signal to a low impedance, balanced signal that supports longer cable runs and provides significant noise and interference reduction. If you play live through a distant PA, acoustic amp or to a recording interface, an inexpensive DI box can be a game changing thing,

If you are recording your own music, or for your band or your friends, you have already figured out that the mastering component is a very important process. It's also a skill developed over time and with practice, but having a good place to start that is SIMPLE is always a benefit because you can hear what is happening, see the settings, play with them and learn by doing what each does. In this episode I talk about a great tool to get great sounding recordings quickly while learning the craft of mastering. Introducing the tc electronic Master X HD.Please become a member on Patreon to support this channel. Your small monthly donation makes a big difference!

Hello folks. In this episode I explore the considerations that go into defining the best acoustic pedal board for you. Have a listen and feel free to send in comments or questions. Please become a channel member and support me on Patreon.