Guitar Chorus Pedal - Blending the Chorus Effect Into Your Tunes

There are so many sweet effects for you to use with your guitar and the guitar chorus pedal stands among them. With its ability to emulate the sound of multiple guitars from one tone, it can add a whole new sensation to your live show.
But what are some opportune times to actually use this neat effect without taking away from the song? There are going to be better places than others to use this effect. Here are a few suggestions:
Stand out in the middle of a guitar solo.
You know that it's your time to shine when it comes down to you wailing above the rest during a powerful guitar solo. Try your guitar chorus pedal the next time you blaze the frets and you can leave a better impression.
Use it to boost your lead parts in a heavy rhythm section.
Sometimes an intricate rhythm section that consists of constant strumming can drown out a weak lead riff. With some chorus on your guitar you'll be able to cut through more of the bass and middle ranges to be heard over the top easier.
Add more bulk to a rhythm section.
A guitar chorus pedal is mainly used to create the illusion of multiple instruments playing in sync with each other. If you want to give more bulk and power to a rhythm section, flip on your effect and suddenly you'll have other tones backing you up.
Now, not everything that you attempt with an effects pedal is going to be beautiful music to your ears. It's very easy to do too much and potentially wreck a song. Check out these tips to check your intentions with the effect.
Think about your purpose.
If the only reason you can find to use your guitar chorus pedal is "just because" then you probably shouldn't. Always have a purpose to use your effects, because they can create really awesome drama when used in moderation.
Always serve the song.
Using the chorus effect too much can run the risk of ruining a song. You'll know deep down if a part of your guitar tune has too much going on and you really shouldn't attempt to fit anything else in.
You can't be in the spotlight the entire time in a full band.
As much as we all wish we were the center of attention 100% of the time when we're playing with a band, we can't be. Check your ego at the door so you're not putting attention on yourself with an effect that isn't necessary.
A guitar chorus pedal can add some really neat and new dimensions to your playing, but you have to make sure your intentions are pure and what's best for the piece. As long as you stay true to the tune, you should be in good shape.

Guitar Blues And Rock Rhythms

Guitar blues and rock rhythms. Most forms of modern music are rooted in the blues genre of music. In fact the evolution from blues to rock is very relevant to the music played by modern guitar players.
In essence, broadly speaking any music played in 4/4 time based around simple chord progressions can be considered to have evolved around the blues method of playing.
When one begins to play modern chords and riffs it will become very obvious that there is an overlap where, country music, folk, rock, and jazz is concerned.
To explain simply, a slow blues is played by sounding the chord on the first beat of the bar. This sound is allowed to ring out momentarily, then repeated on the second beat.
The sound can be either dampened or cut off sharply so that the accent of the melody is heard.
When doing this, listen closely and you will hear how this method creates the tempo and the rhythm required for the particular piece of music.
Then the third and fourth beats repeat the first movement so that a back beat is the resulting tone.
This system of playing will clearly show the relevance to what I was saying about how close to blues all modern music is.
If a guitar player who seriously wants to learn crossover progressions in the genre of modern music, then it is important to understand how certain "riffs" sound.
Most common blues "riffs" are based on an alternating pattern played on dampened strings. What ever the tempo, this pattern forms the basis of the "shuffle" feel.
The shuffle beat produces the pick up effect of bass lines striking just before, and on each beat.
It should be remembered that a basic progression of riff, or chord action can be varied in many ways, and can often be used, for example, to vary the number of beats on each pair of notes, by playing each string individually, and or including the note on the fifth fret of the higher string and so on defining the rhythm of the music.
In a small blues band containing a drummer and a bass player, the simplest rhythm guitar patterns are based on one or two chords per bar, or on a steady repetition of a bass string riff.
This riff is usually played with down strokes, heavily dampened, and in time with the bass, and drum.
Obviously there is much, much more involved with guitar blues, and rock rhythms, which the serious guitarist would want to learn, but the above information will give an insight as to what one can do to improve their guitar playing.
If you do not understand some of the terminology used to explain certain parts of this synopsis on blues and rock rhythms, then please click on the link below and find out more.

The Different Methods of Tuning a Guitar

There are several methods people use when tuning a guitar. The most popular one yet is the standard method where the strings are tuned consecutively from the thickest to the thinnest. Other simpler approaches are the electronic and online tuners. Here is a look at each common tuner for guitar and how to go about it.
Tuning by Ear
That is probably the most common method, when the player goes from the thickest string (the lowest one) to the thinnest (the higher) or vice versa, sounding the strings one by one and tuning. The exactness of the tuning depends on the expertise and ear of the tuner.
Using a keyboard or a piano
A piano is able to maintain its set tune for a long time, and as such is always a good source of reference when looking for a source for tuning your guitar. Here, six keys on the keyboard are used as the tuner for guitar, whereby each key tunes each of the strings on the guitar. This method does, however, require a near-by piano and some basic knowledge of its notes.
Using Octaves
This approach may require some time and work, but it is as good a tuner for guitar as any other is. Here is how to go about it. Tune the open first string to note E. you can use any approach to do this. After that is successfully done, open the second string and tune it to an octave below the B played on the seventh fret of the first string. Next, open the third string and tune to an octave above the eighth fret of the second string. The other three strings should all be tuned following the same procedure. At the end of it all, all the strings on the guitar save the third should have an interval of an Octave between the seventh fret of the string below and the open string.
Online Tuner
Talk about finding virtually anything on the internet, there is an online tuner for guitar. Generally, an online guitar tuner does a great work, but this too will depend on the developer, an online tuner from a competent developer start with tuning all the strings to approximately the right tension. Later, several passes are made on each of the strings, making the scale of the tension better each time. All this is necessary because when you tune one of the guitar's strings, the others to change in tension, making it almost important to tune it perfectly and correctly. Online guitar tuners are made for all kinds of guitars, and have the convenience of being able to carry them to any place using your Smartphone as apps.
The Electronic Tuner
Here, an electronic device is used to measure the frequency of each string on the guitar. The device then tunes the strings until the readings from the strings conform to the required frequency. It can be used to tune an electric or even acoustic guitar with a pickup. It is a very easy, quick, and a sure way of tuning your guitar. Furthermore, you are able to learn more about tuning as you go on observing how the device works.
Clip-on Electronic Tuner
Tuning with an electronic tuner that clips-on to your guitar is the easiest and surest way to go. The digital tuner will either clip-on to the guitar itself, or it can be connected to the guitar by a clip-on pickup cable. With the clip-on pickup the tuner will sense the sound on the guitar and display on its screen the note of this sound, or the deviation of this sound from the note you are supposed to have. Guided by the screen you will know how to tune your guitar easily.
Surety when tuning a guitar
While some people prefer to tune their guitars with reference to their senses, the results may not be as fine as those achieved by using surer means may. At the end of the day, this process takes a lot of your precious time and effort, without the guarantee of perfection. For perfection, it is better to use an effective tuner for guitar

Things to Consider While Choosing Portable Air Compressor

Air tools are among the most efficient and easy to use devices which can be utilized for a wide range of purposes. However, a portable air compressor is quite essential to use these tools. Air compressors can be bought in different capacities and sizes. There are large compressors which can be moved around easily. These compressor units are powered by electricity, gas or diesel. It includes different horse powers and rating. There are small and efficient tools which can be used to inflate small air tools such as staplers and nailers.
As there are a huge range of air compressor tools made available, it is essential to consider few important facts before choosing the right one from the stores.
Individual Requirements: Before choosing to buy these compressors from online or offline stores, consider the requirement. Large compressors are essential to power large air tools and vice-versa. Most of these equipments can be rented from various stores too. Consider the air requirement of the tools before renting an appropriate compressor.
Power Source: Another important factor to consider is the power source of the compressor. There are direct driven and belt driven pumps which are used for light and heavy uses. So consider the type of usage to choose the type of pumps in these compressor devices. There are fuel driven pumps and electrical pumps which differ in features and uses. The fuel driven pumps can be used every where and it is quite durable. However, it can be quite inconvenient to use in small areas as it tends to produce an offensive odor. Electric units are preferred due to this reason but it is less portable. It can be used only near the electrical outlets.
Size: Portable air compressors also vary according to the type of storage tanks. There are small storage tanks in the shape of pancakes. These tanks have the compressors and the motor fixed to it. These tanks are ideal for operating nail guns. It is one of the most widely used storage tanks in compressors as it is light in weight and easy to carry around. Other varieties of storage tanks include the long and narrow tanks stacked together.
Models: While buying or renting air compressors, it is also important to consider the model of the compressors as there are a huge range of models made available quite easily these days in many of the online stores.
There are many benefits of renting or buying these air compressors. The portable varieties can be carried around quite easily for different applications. It can be taken to the backyard, garden and kitchen. Some of these devices have in-built air flow meters which can be used to measure the amount or air in the storage tanks.
These portable devices have increased the productivity of various industries which use air powered tools for work purposes. Most of the heavy industries have benefited from the use of these devices. A large variety of portable air compressors can be bought from online stores at various price rates.

Electric Guitar Effects Pedals and the Use of a Noise Gate

In your electric guitar effects pedals chain, if you have an amp that is working properly, you have good cables, good tubes in your amplifier (that are in decent working order), a serviceable guitar and you are still experiencing hums and hisses then the device you need will be some sort of noise gate. This relatively simple device is actually rather simple as this short article will illustrate:
Firstly you will need to understand what the main differences are from the available popular noise gate products. When I was looking around for this information I managed to collate a fair bit about these products which I hope you will find useful should you wish to explore this method of reducing or eliminating unwanted noise:
The first thing I discovered was that a noise gate is effectively something that is set up and then left. Easy enough, even for me, but there are some other important factors to understand that are relevant such as how and why the hisses and hums are made in the first place.
Hisses and hums often come from poorly made or put together components on your guitar, such as badly soldered joints, poorly wound or badly shielded pickups, or just the fact that single coils are used. To make the whole set up quieter start with these points. Then make sure that there is an adequate grounding on all the electrical connections and that the solder joints are smooth and shiny. It is likely that one of these things will be affecting the sound.
The next point would be the electric guitar effects pedal chain itself which will bring together circuits built by numerous different manufacturers. Each effect will have its own traits, but the creators should have ensured that their pedal is as good as it can be in terms of circuitry and build quality. However, remember that using boosting devices or anything designed to increase volume in the effects chain will amplify any sound being made - good or bad. This is the reason any compressor pedal should be placed at the beginning of the chain as the pure nature of this effect amplifies any noise from any other sources (like your guitar). It stands to reason that if you minimise the sources in front then you are guaranteed to have less hiss and hum.
It is highly likely that your amplifier was not built to perfection. This is particularly the case if you use a tube amplifier as they tend to introduce hum and hiss into the mix from things like microphone noise or just general wear. Apparently, not many guitar players look at the connections from the amplifier to the speaker terminals in their cabinets and there can be a poor connection in the vast majority of cases commonly caused by the spade connector. Nowadays, those in the 'know' solder their speaker terminals to make sure they get a stable connection and thus reducing the hum and hiss of the amplifier.
All the connecting cables really matter. That means all the cables, not just the lead from the guitar. All should be as high a quality as you can possibly get. Much of the time if the cables are substandard it will also be tone that suffers along with the hum and hiss problems.
Reduction of hiss and hum using a noise gate begs the question of where the device should go in the electric guitar effects pedals chain. I suppose the obvious place is as the last link so it can deal with everything that has gone before, but has the sound degraded so badly by that point? There are arguments that it should be at the first link to deal with the prime 'noisemaker', the guitar. The truth is that the position of the noise gate in the chain depends on what equipment is being used and an understanding of all the issues outlined above, and like everything in music your own personal preference.

How to Use a Guitar Tuner

A guitar tuner is an amazing help to guitarists of all stages of expertise. Every guitarist should learn how to use a tuner early in his career. They are small and compact and will come to your aid when your ear is too tired and emotional to tune your guitar with any accuracy. For many of us, tuning the guitar is more difficult than playing it, and a lot of time is wasted at gigs and during lessons trying to tune up by ear.
The notes on the open strings of your instrument are E A D G B E. Guitar tuners come in several different forms and make the work of tuning easier to varying degrees.
Although a guitar player tuning his axe by ear might look cool, the fact is that nobody's ear is as good as a decent electronic tuner. You could forget all about trying to train your ear altogether and just make sure your tuner goes everywhere that you and your guitar go.
An electronic tuner tells the guitarist if the note he is playing on each open string of his instrument is at the correct frequency. Electronic guitar tuning gizmos can vary greatly in price but the most expensive is not necessarily the best. Some tuners are just LEDs you can carry on stage with you if you are worried about your instrument's capacity to stay in tune, and some are sophisticated enough to be able to tune many different instruments.
There are many guitar tuning programs available online that simply sound the notes that correspond to the open strings of the guitar and the player has to use his ear to match his instrument to the sound of the tuner.
There are also tuners that are available as free downloads from the internet. Some of these have several different displays to help you tune up accurately, and some allow you to tune to various alternate tunings. Learning how to use a guitar tuner of this type would be a good move for any learner guitarist.
Low priced guitar tuners that you can buy at music stores use a similar method but the difference is that they usually also have a needle that will tell you how close your tuning is. There are some slightly more expensive guitar tuners that do a similar job but have a better quality display. Sometimes on a dark stage, that is important.
You could also get yourself a gadget for tuning guitars that clips onto your instrument and "feels" the vibrations coming through when the open strings are being played. Although it is not possible for us to hear the comparison with this kind of tuner, the result is a little better than with your basic LED display and getting to know how to use this kind of guitar tuner is a little easier.

How to Replace the AC Compressor on a GMC 1500 B

I recently swapped the AC compressor on my 1995 GMC K1500 Suburban. The compressor and procedure are the same for many other Chevy and GMC trucks including the 2500 and 3500.
Replacing the AC compressor on a GM 350 engine is not nearly as hard as it looks. The compressor is held to the engine by an aluminum cradle. The cradle does not have to be removed to replace the compressor. There are simply three bolts that hold the compressor to the cradle that have to be removed.
Note that this procedure only covers the physical swap of the compressor, not he associated tasks related to servicing the AC system after a compressor failure.
Begin by removing the freon from the system. If you want to have it reclaimed, take it to a shop that does this.
Remove the two electrical connections to the compressor.
Next remove the freon lines form the back of the compressor. The manifold is held in place by a single bolt. Mine was 15 MM.
Use a pry bar to move the belt tensioner and slide the belt off. I found the easiest pulley to get the belt off of was the smooth idler below the compressor.
With the freon lines out of the way, the bolts are much easier to access. There are nuts on the back and the bolt heads are held in place by a boss on the front. Mine were 9/16".
With the nuts removed the bolts can be pushed out the front. However, it appears that they will not clear the clutch. However, there is a flat cut on each bolt. Rotate the flat to be next to the clutch and the bolts will slide out. A pry bar can be used to get just a little extra clearance if the bolt does not slide past easily.
On mine, one bolt also interfered with the fan shroud. I found that by removing the bolts that hold the shroud to the front header, the shroud could be moved enough to get the bolt out.
With the bolts all out, the compressor simply lifts out of the cradle.
With the compressor out, I had to swap a pressure switch that did not come with my replacement compressor. This switch is held in place with a snap ring.
Before attempting to slide the new compressor back into the cradle, take time to tap the bolt hole inserts all the way to the back of the cradle. This will make inserting the new compressor much easier. They will press back into the proper place when the nuts are tightened.
Slide the bolts back in by again aligning the flat spot on each bolt with the clutch and slide it in. Place the nuts on each bolt and tighten.
Reconnect the electrical connections to the compressor.
Secure the fan shroud.
Make sure the belt is routed correctly and use a pry bar to move the tensioner and slip the belt back in place.
Add the proper amount of oil and reattach the freon lines to the compressor.
You can now have the system serviced and the freon replaced.

The Ups & Downs of Multi-Effects Guitar Pedals

Have you ever seen those guys on stage with a million or so effects pedals laid out at their feet? Patch cables slithering like a bed of snakes through a maze of distortions, delays, choruses, flanges, wah's, envelope filters, octave dividers, EQ's, tuners, and the list goes on.
How do they make sense of all those stomp boxes? How long does it take just to plug them in before a gig? Can you really use all of them in the course of a night? Heck, they even make large, football field size, pedal boards so you can attach a cornucopia of pedals with Velcro, and power them all from one source. Do you really need all those sounds?
Okay, I have to confess, there was a time, years ago, that I was a "stomp box" junkie and bought every new fangled pedal that came out. Yes, I had a pedal board. And yes, the rest of the band was set up and ready for sound check before I had all those pedals hooked up and tweaked!
Then came the digital age and everything changed. Legions of engineers designed pedals with a plethora of effects built into a compact package. Suddenly the need to acquire a multitude of various stomp boxes was eliminated.
Even so, many guitarists still prefer the use of analog stomp boxes over their digital counterpart. Talk to ten different guitar players and you'll get ten different answers as to the merits of one over the other.
Here are some of the ups and downs of multi-effects guitar processors.
Ups
1. Variety - Multi-effects processors have a ton of cool effects built into one unit. The tonal possibilities are almost limitless. In fact, most will have more sounds available than most of us will ever use!
2. Portability - Gone are the days of needing to carry a slew of stomp boxes. Just take one unit out, plug it in, and start playing.
3. Affordability - Although some multi-effects pedals can get pricey, when compared to the cost of purchasing an equal number of stomp boxes to produce the same sounds, they are usually a bargain.
Downs
1. Sound Quality - Many purists would argue that you just can't get the sound out of a digital pedal that you can a stand alone analog stomp box. The truth is though, that great strides have been made in the quality of digital pedals, and some players say they can't hear the difference.
2. Complexity - With many multi-effects processors there is a bit of a learning curve - with some it can pretty steep. The flip side is that most will come with factory pre-sets that will get you up and running quickly, and sometimes those are all you'll ever need.
3. Reliability - Many multi-effects processors will hold up over the long haul, but some can be a little flimsy. Also, if the unit breaks, you are completely shut down. With stomp boxes, if one pedal breaks, just pull it out and keep using the others.
Over the years, I have spent a small fortune on stomp boxes, but now most of them are in a closet. This is not a product endorsement, but when I discovered the Boss ME-50 multi-effects pedal, I thought I died and went to heaven. It's an extremely user friendly pedal with just the main few effects that you really "need" to pull off a gig. They sound great and are durable for stage use. Perfect for an old "road dog" like me.
Regardless of which direction you go, take the time to consider the differences between analog stomp boxes and digital multi-effects units before making the investment. Visit your local music store and try some out in advance - your tone, and your wallet, will thank you!

The Top 3 Effects Pedals (Almost) Every Guitarist Needs

When setting up your guitar pedal board, you are more than likely to spend hours and hours in the shop trying to decide which pedals you need in order to pull an awesome sound with your guitar/amp combination.
As tempting as it is to buy every pedal in the shop, you will most likely only be able to afford a few pedals when starting out.
So to help, here is a list of the top 3 pedals every guitarist needs.

1. Tuner: A tuner is the most important pedal in my opinion. If you aren't playing in tune, than it's going to sound bad full stop. One of my favourite tuners is a bright Korg LED style tuner. A really simple tuner that is really easy to see when you look down at your board. There is nothing worse than no being able to read the tuner when it's dark on stage.
2. Overdrive Pedal: I once heard a guitarist say, "A good overdrive pedal is like a favorite pair of old jeans." This is true in so many ways. A good overdrive pedal should be a staple part of the guitarists tone. Classic examples of this pedal include the Ibanez Tube Screamer and the Electro-Harmonix Big Muff. A few more modern effects pedals incorporate valves, but usually these still run at voltages that are too low for the valve, resulting in a "starved plate" configuration that generates harsh and buzzy distortion. Distortion pedals usually also provide signal gain, which can be used to drive the input stage of the pre-amplifier harder, resulting in further distortion and, in some cases, higher volume.
3. Delay Pedal: A delay takes a sound and repeats it back without altering its tone or pitch, like an echo. You can alter the time between each repetition, measured in thousandths of a second, or milliseconds. Available in Analogue or Digital. The most obvious example is The Edge of U2, whose classic guitar parts couldn't have been written without a delay pedal.

In summary, there is no right or wrong when choosing guitar pedals. One of my favourite aspects of the music industry, is that someone is always trying something new and breaking the 'traditional' rules. That being said, with these 3 pedals you should be able to pull most good sounds with the right amp/guitar combination.

The Daily Guitar aims to provide news, updates and inspiration for guitarists of all levels. Whether you are just starting out, or your a seasoned pro, this website exists for you.

Ingersoll Rand Air Compressor Parts Provide Unmatched Value

Even the best air compressors need to undergo minor repairs and overhauls once in a few months. This is important in order to maintain the peak performance of your compressors and to keep process efficiencies at the desired levels. Procuring these parts from the right source is paramount and by partnering with a reputable distributor, you can be assured of being supplied the very best replacement parts. If you own an Ingersoll Rand, then you would need to make use of Ingersoll Rand air compressor parts. This respected name brand manufactures high quality parts that will outlast other comparable parts available on the market.
In fact, even if you don't own an Ingersoll Rand (IR), you can benefit from the use of original IR parts that can fit into other OEM brand compressors.
Finding a distributor that keeps a ready inventory of Ingersoll Rand air compressor parts and lubricants for your non-IR compressors is half the battle won.
These original parts can be seamlessly installed in compressors manufactured by name brands such as Atlas Copco, Quincy, Gardner Denver, Sullair, CompAir and many others. When selecting parts, be careful to specify the exact technology that drives your compressors. The various technologies include: rotary screw compressor, rotary vane compressor, reciprocating compressor, and centrifugal compressor.
Here are some other benefits of opting for Ingersoll Rand air compressor parts:

• Proven performance: These parts are known to withstand harsh working environments without a drop in efficiency levels. The after-sales service of such parts is also better than industry standards.


• No compromise on quality: All the parts under the IR brand name are known for their impeccable quality. From regular parts to performance parts, every component is manufactured in keeping with the highest industry codes. The parts manufactured for compatible use with other name brands are also subjected to a number of test to ensure that these parts operate in perfect harmony with other compressor makes. In short, you can buy parts that will seamlessly integrate with other name brands.


• One-stop source: If you own multiple brands of air compressors, you don't need to visit suppliers of each of these brands. Contacting a supplier that carries air compressor parts will suffice. The parts come with a warranty, making your part procurement process even more hassle-free. And, it is also possible to avail extended warranties if you so wish.

So, no matter which name brand features on your compressor, you can opt for Ingersoll Rand air compressor parts as a single solution. Several leading distributors that have an online presence can be contacted for this purpose.

Choosing A Guitar or Bass Tuner

If you've got a guitar then there's no ifs or buts, it's got to be in tune - and it needs to be tuned regularly. The choices are few. You either tune it by ear using a pitch pipe or some other pitch reference, or you buy an electronic guitar tuner. These can be pretty inexpensive devices so affordability isn't usually an issue. Deciding which one on the other hand, is. The truth is, most of the cheap ones do a good job. All you really need to know are some of the limitations and differences between them. Let's start with the most common, the typical tuner.
The Typical Guitar Tuner
These are the most common tuners of all. Portable / compact is a term often used to describe them but they don't have a specific name type. What I refer to as a typical guitar tuner is the little stand alone ones with a needle or digital display, including a built in mic and a line in jack. Something like the Korg GA-30 would be a good example. The main thing about these tuners is the option of using the built in mic or plugging the guitar straight into it.
They are simple to use but many of them do have a common problem. When using the built in mic they aren't always as accurate or reliable as plugging the guitar in directly. This is actually the most common complaint with guitar tuners. They work fine on the high strings but on the Low E and sometimes the low A string, they can have trouble detecting the pitch properly. If you look at the reviews you will find this same complaint with many makes and model of guitar tuner. Unfortunately it's a matter of you get what you pay for, although even some expensive ones can have this problem. So what do you do?
The experienced guitarist has been aware of this glitch for many years and in all honesty it isn't much of a problem. A lot of tuners with this problem work just fine when you plug the guitar in directly to the tuner. This issue happens mostly with the built in mic and one way around it is to try experimenting with the placement, bring the tuner closer to the sound hole or trying it further along the neck sometimes works. The easiest and most reliable way around it is to simply tune the guitar using a fretted note or a harmonic. So in other words, tune the open E string at the fifth fret and tune the string to an A instead. If that doesn't work then try tuning to an E at the twelfth fret or use the harmonic. Problem solved!
Clip On Tuners
Clip on tuners are a bit more than just cool looking gadgets. You see these little things clipped on to the headstock of an acoustic guitar. There's actually a reason you might want one of these over the compact tuner. They work by picking up vibration in the guitar neck. Why would that matter? Because it means you can tune an acoustic guitar in a noisy environment. If you've ever been in a band then you already know it's impossible to shut up the drummer and bass player! This is what makes the clip on so useful. Plus let's face it, they look cool!
Stage Tuners
The stage tuner is pretty much what it says, it's for using on stage. The main difference with these is they are built tougher and should have a bright fairly large display so that you can still use it on a dimly lit stage. Also because most guitar / bass players play standing, with the tuner sitting on the floor you need to be able to see the display easily without bending down. The stage tuner has one other very important difference. They can be muted. The foot pedal isn't just an on off switch. When pedal is pressed and the tuner turned on, it mutes the output so that you can tune your guitar without driving the audience or other band members mad. Most of them have the option to work in mute or bypass mode, often with a choice of two output jacks. Just choose your favourite mode, silence or annoy all!
Bass Tuners
Most guitar tuners will claim to tune both bass and guitar. The truth is, you can tune pretty much any instrument with any tuner. The drawback only lies in it's ability to detect lower pitches, obviously making this a bigger problem for bass players than guitarists. Just like mentioned above, this can always be gotten around by tuning the harmonic, fifth or twelfth fret. This might be a bit more annoying for a bass guitar because slight discrepancies in intonation are more noticeable on a bass. If you are fairly experienced then this isn't likely to be much of a problem but it does make more sense to buy a more expensive tuner with a good reputation for tuning a bass.
Chromatic Tuners
Lastly a word on chromatic tuners. Not all guitar tuners are chromatic. It might not matter to you if you are a beginner but in all honesty, all tuners should be chromatic. If you are desperate for simplicity and want the tuner to tell you the note names relating to the string you are tuning then the non chromatic might not be a terrible choice. For anything else, you should avoid them. There are two things that cannot be done on a standard non chromatic guitar tuner. You cannot check intonation and you can't easily use it to tune the guitar to a non standard tuning. This mostly applies to cheap guitar tuners. The more expensive chromatic tuners give you the option to use in guitar mode or chromatic. Failing that, buy a chromatic tuner and just learn what the notes are on the guitar!

Boss Guitar Tuner Pedal

I've always been a bit of an effects head when it came to my guitar set-up but there's one pedal that I couldn't do without: my BOSS TU-2 chromatic tuner.
So you'll understand how excited I was when the my new BOSS TU-3 arrive in the mail today. I'd like to run down the specs for any other tech- and gear-nerds out there:
* The 21-segment LED meter with brightness control -- there is also a High-Brightness mode that enhances meter visibility for outdoor settings, cutting through the harshest of outdoor glares and allowing the user to see the LED display even under direct light.
* The 'Accu-Pitch Sign' function provides a visual verification for the user when the tuning is complete.
* The Chromatic and Guitar/Bass mode allows the user to tune up by the string number, now with the added support for 7-string guitars and 6-string basses.
* Flat tuning is supported with something very handy indeed called the 'Guitar Flat' mode. Essentially, this little number allows the user to utilize flat tunings or 'drop tunings' for up to six semitones below standard pitch. Whoa!
* As per usual, along with the bypass mode, the BOSS TU-3 Tuner will automatically mute whenever the tuner is stomped on. No one wants to hear you tune up through the stage PA!
* And finally, this pedal supplies power for up to 7 other BOSS compact effect pedals. Sweet action for all us noise makers out there.
There's a reason why the Boss TU-2 is the world's most popular stage tuner: simple, durable, tank-tough technology. Now, with the heir to the TU-2's throne on the market, the BOSS TU-3, there is no doubt in my mind that this successor will rightfully take its place as the new industry standard for on-stage bass and guitar tuners.

Keyboard and Guitar Amplifier - A Beginner's Guide

Learning to play a musical instrument can be an extremely rewarding experience and can bring you years of satisfaction. Even though many people start learning to play an instrument when they are young, there is absolutely no age restriction. There are numerous professional musicians who hadn't even picked one up till they were much older. There is a wide variety of options when it comes to musical instruments, and each has its own unique characteristic and sounds.
The guitar and the keyboard are two of the most popular musical instruments in the world. After you have learned the basics, you will move on to more advanced things; one of them being the proper use of an amplifier.
Amplifiers are used to strengthen the sound produced by a particular instrument. This is particularly useful for professional musicians who work as composers or are part of a band since it helps bring out a specific tune. There is a wide variety of keyboard and guitar amplifiers available in the market and each of them has their own specific functions. For example, some amplifiers are suited for heavy metal music while others may be more suited to softer tunes.
As a beginner, you must be very confused when it comes to picking the right one for you. Here are some tips to help you pick out one that will be ideal for you, till you are skilled enough to move on to better models.
It is always a good idea to go for the most basic amp that you can get. That way, you won't be confused by the myriad of knobs and keys, and will be able to concentrate on exactly what you want. If you are buying the instrument and the amp together, this will help you save money, which you can then use to get a better guitar or keyboard. Apart from basic controls such as volume, bass and treble, look for other options such as gain control and reverb. As you figure out what sort of sound you are looking for, you can get a better model later on. You can also add additional effects using various pieces of software.
Look for keyboard and guitar amplifiers which have at least two inputs. Two inputs allow you to add another instrument instead of using just one. Most small amps have this feature. For a bit more money, you can get a model which has separate channels for both the inputs. This will allow you to independently control the volume and other effects. With two inputs, you can easily have jam sessions with a friend. Select a keyboard and guitar amplifier that is small enough for you to carry to different places without much effort.
While buying your first keyboard and guitar amplifier, it is best to avoid thinking about resale value. There are a number of factors you need to consider while buying a professional-grade amp and you can only get there by practicing on smaller models. Also remember to do proper research in order to ensure that the model you are buying is of good quality.

What to Look for When Shopping for a Portable Air Compressor

The first thing you must do is write down every one of the tools that are going to be operated together. Next, you will need to work out the compressed air consumption frequency and the volume of compressed air the tools will pull from the compressor storage tank. If this all sounds very confusing please don't stress it is all revealed within this article.
Locating the perfect air compressor which will deal with the sort of jobs that you will be undertaking is often quite a tricky process. Having said that, with some standard information with respect to the way air compressors work, the terminology employed in the compressor market along with the difference between the sorts of compressors, it starts to get a whole lot easier to choose the top compressor for ones particular requirements.

Technological terms:
Being Familiar With all of the compressor technical terminology is critical when making your compressor purchase decision. Despite the fact that the quantity of compressor types is often overwhelming, selecting the right unit can be made easy by asking a few essential questions.

Performance Ratings:
Matching an air tool or tools Standard cubic feet per minute and PSI demands to an air compressors output capacity is vital. Standard cubic feet per minute or SCFM is the rate of how much air the compressor can produce in just a minute. All tools which are powered by using a compressor come with a SCFM value; this value will point out the air supply that is compulsory for optimum operation of the tool. Therefore, check the standard cubic feet per minute at 90 psi when matching your air compressor SCFM ratings.

Normal standard cubic feet per minute consumption
Air Filter Cleaner: 3
Air Hammer, light: 4
Air Hammer, heavy: 22
Air Hoist, 1000 lb: 5
Air Motor - 0.5 hp: 6 - 10
Air Motor - 1 hp: 12 - 15
The standard cubic feet per minute consumption of air tools can vary from tool to tool, several tools only have to use 1 or 2 SCFM whilst others will need 10 - 14 standard cubic feet per minute.
If you think there is the possibility that you'll operate multiple tools at the same time, then it is evident that you're going to really want way more power. In such a case, determine the lowest SCFM rate for your compressor by adding together the cumulative SCFM specifications for the equipment you will be operating simultaneously. To give a bit of a buffer to the calculations you will need to add an additional fifty percent on to the final number.
Air tool 1 = 2.0 SCFM + Air tool 2 = 1.0 SCFM add these together and the total is 3.0 SCFM, add the 50% buffer and we have a total of 4.5 SCFM (standard Cubic Feet Per Minute), and as a result you would be trying to locate a compressor with an SCFM rating of over 4.5 SCFM.
The smallest SCFM compressor rating can be determined by adding together the SCFM ratings of any compressed air tools which will be used at the same time. In the case when a single air tool is to be operated alone then you must go with the SCFM of the highest rated air tool.

Power:
Electric operated compressors commonly are powered by a typical 110-120V power supply. Although, air compressors that have a motor unit of more than 2 HP may have to have a 220-240V power supply. If you plan to work with your air compressor in a workshop, garage or any other confined place, you need an electric powered compressor.
Petrol operated air compressors do not rely upon electrical energy so therefore they are truly mobile. Though, there are numerous negatives with the gas powered compressors. The most important disadvantage is the fact that the petrol driven air compressors produce harmful gases and as such shouldn't be run inside or even in any kind of confined work area. One another downside of these compressors is they need much more repairs and maintenance than their electric run counterparts.

Decibel Levels of a typical compressor:
Sound output is an important factor when purchasing an air compressor. Air compressors come with a sound levels listing within the makers specifications and if you are generally operating the device inside the house or in a small workshop you might want to decide upon a quiet machine instead of risking damage to your hearing by using a deafening air compressor. So you should find out the noise level before buying.

Fulltone Effects Pedals - An Introduction

These days, it seems like so-called "boutique" effects pedal manufacturers are a dime a dozen.  Not too long ago, however, handmade effects pedals were few and far between, until Mike Fuller founded Fulltone Custom Effects.  A former studio musician and one-time award winning blues guitarist, Mike Fuller almost single-handedly started the high-end pedal business and still offers a variety of pedals at a price that undercuts the competition. Despite the company's success, Fulltone still makes every pedal by hand they all bear the signature of their founder.
The company's flagship product is still the Fulldrive, which even in its current manifestation (the Fulldrive 2 Mosfet) still owes its basic feel to the hot-rodded TS808 sounds that Fulltone popularized years ago. Since that time, however, Fulltone has added a variety of distortion and overdrive colors to their pedal-palette. Both the OCD and GT-500 take the company's product line in exciting new directions.
Rather than offering fanciful "pedals of the week," Fulltone offers pedals that focus on classic rock and blues tones, such as the Deja-Vibe, the Supa-Trem, and the Ultimate Octave. The Fulltone Clyde Wah graces the pedalboards of studio musicians and performing professionals from California to New York. Recently, Fulltone has also begun manufacturing a modern alternative to the time-honored Echoplex tape echo with numerous contemporary upgrades (quiet motors, handwired, stereo outs, nickel plated stainless steel parts).
All Fulltone pedals share the same high commitment to quality and customer service.  All pedals contain true bypass switching courtesy of Fulltone's own 3PDT quality bypass switching. Overengineered to stand the rigors of the studio and the road, Fulltone effects pedals are the very definition of American craftsmanship.
From David Grissom to Eric Johnson, guitar professionals again and again choose Fulltone for their sound-sculpting needs.

Features Of A Quality Portable Air Compressor

Portable air compressors are being used everywhere to drive pneumatic tools and to inflate certain objects like vehicle tires, air bags and so on. These compressors find use in industries as well as in domestic sectors as well.
When it comes to using an air compressor, the first thing that needs to be considered is the requirement. If you just wish to inflate air bags, portable swimming pools or your vehicle tires at home, then choosing a low powered air compressor is advised; but, for heavy uses and running a lot of pneumatic tools you will require a heavier and more powerful portable air compressor in order for it to be effective. There are many features of a quality portable air compressor which need to be considered before purchasing one for your use.
Motor Type
The air compressor runs on a motor which can take power from one of the many available sources. Some of the common motors include gas-powered motors, diesel-powered motors and electric-powered motors. Based on your location of work and availability of fuels, you can go for the motor type that suits you best. For indoor uses where power supply is easily available it is advised to purchase an electric-powered motor; but, if you need to carry your compressor to the open areas where finding an electric source is not easy, then you can go for a diesel or gas-powered motor. The choice of fuel also depends on the cost of the fuel in your area. Try to always purchase the cheapest and most convenient fuel for your portable air compressor.
Power
Power is the most important feature of the portable air compressor. You need to select a model that can handle the amount of work you want to do with it or you will find it running short of air before the job is complete. The efficiency of a compressor is directly proportional to its power, and for heavier tasks, it is always recommended to use powerful compressors. You need to accurately determine the work load and in accordance with that workload, choose your machine. For household uses and small pneumatic machines, you can purchase a low powered device which will do what is necessary and also save on fuel. On the other hand, if you require the compressor for some commercial or industrial use, then you will need to buy a powerful model which can handle the heavy workload. Using the wrong device can lead to accidents and machine failures which will result in losses for you.
Thus, before you go for a portable compressor it is highly recommended that you properly assess your needs and then decide on the motor type and power that is required by you. Taking expert advice before actually buying a portable air compressor would be a good idea. Choosing the wrong type of compressor will eventually lead to losses. To save yourself from unnecessary hassle and to avoid a waste of money, these features of a portable sir compressor should always be decided upon before going out in the market to make a purchase.