I finally upgraded my guitar rig… now with built-in espresso maker!

I’m running a MIDI controller now so I can trigger espresso shots between songs. It’s mapped to CC#127 for maximum extraction.

https://www.findthechords.com/

I’ve played around with it a bit. I hadn’t touched it in about a year, but I tried it again today and it’s honestly improving fast. The sounds feel more realistic now, and the phrasing, timing, and especially the vocals are noticeably better. It’s impressive… and a little unsettling at the same time. I can see how it could be useful, but I also get how it might feel discouraging. I guess this is one of those technologies we’re going to have to figure out how to coexist with.

One thing I tested was whether it could make a backing track in a very specific style. That part was frustrating. I must have tried eight times just to get a version without lead guitar — even though I kept clearly saying “NO GUITAR!” 😄 Eventually I got there, but it took some convincing.

Another limitation is that you don’t get chord charts, so if you wanted to actually use the track seriously, you’d have to transcribe everything yourself.

On the positive side, I generated a couple of tracks that sounded remarkably close to Bonamassa — in a good way. Really strong stuff.

But when I tried getting it to write classic rock or certain blues tracks, it kept drifting into this modern country-rock vocal style. Over and over. That got annoying pretty quickly. It’s not really my thing.

Have you experimented with tools like this? I’d genuinely be interested to hear what you think about it.

https://youtu.be/8mCdRUUUYQ8

Hi Ron, I hope you're doing well despite the precarious conditions you're experiencing due to the monster winter storm.

Hopefully your beautiful guitars aren't freezing.

Best regards,

Birgit

I should have posted this earlier as this offer ends Dec 31st.

https://www.uaudio.com/products/pick-one-free-plug-in

I love being a part of this group as we are very supportive and have a lot of fun.  Plus we all learn something and improve our musicianship.

I love the diverse range.  Everyone has something to offer and I personally get a fresh takeaway from everyones solo. Many thanks to a great group. 😎 

https://youtu.be/6tPF3rNhTMo

Here is an attempt at a solo composition over a BT I found on Youtube.

Im still trying to figure out where the harmonic note at 25 seconds came from.  It seemed to fit so I left it in.

The whole solo took many days to manicure. I felt it really needed a minimalist approach with lots of space and an economical attitude with note selection.

https://youtu.be/PXsVsRy0z04

It has a tempo of 120 BPM, and it features a horn section this time. 

I made the track so it has horns but no guitar for 12 bars, and then horns + guitar for another 12 bars, to make it more dynamic sounding. Birgit wanted no guitars for the first 24 bars so that's how it is now. 

For the recording of solos - everyone set their DAW to the right BPM and we mark the BT into "slots". Then have players choose a slot Hit the record button from the beginning and wait til the allotted time slot appears and then go for it.

Then export the solo ONLY no BT. If they do it correctly its easy to just drop the solo into my DAW and it should be in exactly the right position.

Recording Instructions

• REALLY IMPORTANT - Set your BPM in your DAW before importing the BT

1. Download the booking sheet place your name in a vacant slot. 
   Save it and upload the newer version to the box account.
2. Backing track is in the folder "Download Only Backing Track "
3. Download the BT and import into your DAW.
4. Hit the record button from the beginning and wait til your allotted time slot appears and then go for it. This makes it easy to slot your take into the appropriate spot.
5. When you’re done, mute the backing track and export your solo track only and upload back to Box  folder "upload your solo here" with any effects already applied adding your name AND THE Bar location to the filename. Just bear in mind to record from the very beginning of the track even if your solo doesnt start until the middle as this will make it super easy to blend into the final mix.

• A few things to remember: Export your solo only.  NOT THE BACKING TRACK as a WAV file on PC or as an AIFF if you are on a MAC.  There IS significant degradation in the mp3 file format.