Annoucement: ZAVALAZ
I’m excited to tell you that ZAVALAZ, the band I am in with Cedric, Greg Rogove and Dan Elkan, was just announced via our new website, Facebook page, Instagram, Tumblr, MySpace and Twitter. Most importantly, we’re hitting the road in June so I hope to see you ALL out at the shows. More dates are [...]
The 12 Days of PedalsAndEffects: Win Gear Each Day for 12 Days Dec 14-25
Happy holidays from everyone here at PedalsAndEffects. It’s been a great first year for my website, and I wanted to find a way to thank you, the readers and fans, who keep me inspired each and every day, and the site going strong. One thing I’ve learned is that so many of you are [...]
Fuzz Wars, Round 2: Jonathan Hischke’s Reviews his Favorite Fuzz Pedals
The second installment of Pedals And Effects‘ First Annual Fuzz Wars features Jonathan Hischke’s (Broken Bells, Dot Hacker) current favorites. He really loves fuzz pedals as much as I do and his choices definitely fit his bass style. Fuzz pedals that get really crazy with filtering and over the top fuzz are ones he tends [...]
First Annual Fuzz Wars, Round 1: Fuzz Pedals x 4 [review]
The world of fuzz pedals continues to grow, thanks to boutique builders and large manufacturers competing for our dollars and hoping their product becomes the industry standard. Some companies are motivated by selling as many of their great pedals as possible, while many smaller designers simply want to make interesting fuzz pedals to give musicians [...]
First Annual Fuzz-Off
Coming this week to Pedals And Effects: our first annual “Fuzz Off!” Jonathan Hischke (Broken Bells) and I will go head to head with some of our favorite fuzz pedals and blow some speakers. Feel free to tell us what your favorite fuzz pedal is in the comments section of this post, and maybe we [...]
WTF LOUD BUTTON Distortion/Low Frequency Oscillator Review
I have to admit I get very excited every time I see the UPS, FedEx, or USPS come rolling up my street, because it usually means there will be a new bass pedal coming for PedalsAndEffects! Take, for instance, the other day, when I heard the familiar “thud” of a box being dropped on my [...]
Bass Players: Direct Box vs Microphone
Music production is evolving at lightning speed, and, as a bassist, I ask myself all the time if technology is helping or compromising me as a musician. When I first started professionally in the mid 80′s, records, like Racer X’s Street Lethal, were still being released on vinyl. Shortly thereafter, CDs were the norm; now [...]
Fairfield Circuitry vs Yamaha Circuit Bent [review]
How to manipulate the sound of your instrument using effects- Fairfield Circuitry’s Randy’s Revenge Ring Modulator
Pigtronix Mothership Analog Synthesizer
The Mothership Analog Synthesizer has seen some serious time on my pedalboards. I used it the last time The Mars Volta played Australia’s traveling summer festival, Big Day Out, when Muse was the headliner. Their crew asked me how I was getting the synth sounds that had the big low end. I’ll share with you [...]