Guitar equipment, Part 2/2

2/20/13MUS1472

Brendan Lake

Overview

• Pedals• Cables• Microphones• Things everyone should have

• ONLY SLIDES IN BLUE WILL HAVE INFORMATION ON THE MIDTERM

Electronic Pedals

• Units that alter the signal going from the guitar into the amplifier

Video Demo:• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H43qtMmgeVU

• Overdrive/Distortion: adds distortion/”fuzz” to the sound

• Chorus: Thickens your sound by reproducing the signal slightly off, several times over

• Wah: varies the timbre from muffled to bright, imitating a vocalist widening and closing their mouth

• Digital Delay: creates an echo effect• Loop: allows you to record music and play back in a

repeating loop

Cables• Two main types of connection: XLR and TRS– XLR: microphones (primarily)– TRS: Guitar and speaker cables (both use ¼”)• TRS = Tip/Ring/Sleeve, also used in 3.5mm headphones

Guitar cables vs. Speaker cables

• Both use ¼” TRS, but should not be mixed up

• Guitar cables: connect your guitar to the amplifier, to/from pedals, to/from a mixer

• Speaker cables: from the mixer/power amp outputting into loudspeakers/cabinets (for instance, in a half stack from the head to the cabinet)

Cable mix-ups

• Guitar cables handle very low current signals and are shielded to maintain clarity

• Speaker cables carry power and large currents

• Using a guitar cable where a speaker cable should be can melt some cable components and will pose a risk to your amp

• Using a speaker cable instead of a guitar cable is less harmful, but you’ll get buzzing from the lack of shielding

Microphones

• Terms/things to know– Dynamic Mic: basic microphone, cheaper, good for

low level musical performances and public speaking

– Condenser Mic: fancier, more expensive, more sensitive, quicker response, requires “phantom power” (electricity flowing to/from the mic to assist with signal clarity)

• More terms:– Omnidirectional – collects sound from all

directions– Cardioid – standard uni-directional, collects sound

from one direction (with a little pickup from behind the mic)• Hyper-Cardioid – Tighter areas of sound collection• Super-Cardioid – Tightest area of sound collection

Things every serious guitarist should have

• Capo – to quickly change keys• String winder/cutter – to assist in changing strings• Microfiber cloth and a good guitar polish• Good tuner, preferably a contact-tuner• Metronome (also available online)• Back-up cables (for electric guitarists)• Humidifier (for acoustic guitarists)

• Depending on your preferred style, this list will obviously vary

Questions?