Two recent demos of a new model, Mojave Sidewinder HG. HG standing for high gain. The trick is to create a rich enough sound to make a single coil bridge position pickup on a Fender Srtat sound rich with 3rd order harmonics and not allow the 2nd order to get dominant. Distortion or square wave distortion raise the bass side of the waveform to equal out what would otherwise be a heavily slanted waveform where the leading edge (treble) becomes stronger. Using a Pentode with a very high gain characteristic will naturally create this result without using EQ. This particular guitar amp has two volume controls, each having a gain stage voiced with different emphasis. The Bass channel reaches way down and creates a very strong low frequency gain by passing lots of low end. The treble volume starts at the low mid point and continues up. To help clear things up we put a mid cut in the bright channel which gives more room for the bass side and prevents the two from overlapping in the low mid area allowing for a better energy distribution. Result, a normally very thin and bright guitar sound is enhanced without creating front end distortion, rather creating high gain in the 3rd order harmonic area which in turn feeds the pentode power tube and output transformer yielding remarkably rich, smooth and sweat tones. A single coil guitar players dream. No more false pedal dependent solid state distortion which favors 2nd ordered harmonics on a whole but does not give a super clean un distorted gain without distortion to creat the 3rd order harmonics. This is a lesson in device driven sound. Vacuum Tubes can create this unique result on a whole due to the construction and thermonic driven electron flow. Recorded at 96K 24 Bit, bounced down to 44.1 16 bit mp3. More space in the sound in my book. [url]http://mojaveampworks.com/audio/Sleepdemo.mp3[/url] [url]http://mojaveampworks.com/audio/IATW.mp3[/url] [url]http://mojaveampworks.com/audio/swhg1.mp3[/url] One last detail worth mentioning. None of these guitar tones had a channel EQ pulled up. What you hear is what the microphones yielded. Victor Mason Mojave Ampworks LLC.

Nice demos Victor!

Hi Victor, Yes, sounds like you've achieved what you set out to do! Very warm, and a lot of presence. Nice work. I have a question about the drum tracks, if you don't mind; just for the edification of my novice ears. What type of set up was involved in creating the drum sounds? What type of room, mics, mic placement, etc? To me it sounded like the first two samples had very similar set ups, but the third was different - I very much liked the third - maybe also a different drummer? Sounded like different mic-ing as well. Not sure, though, that's why I'm hoping you'll excuse me for asking. Listening for that kind of stuff is new to me, so I'd appreciate any response at all. Thanks, Adam

I use Superior Drummer 2.2.3 which is software. The third was recorded by Blues Saraceno who played his own parts on an eKit not sure which sample software he uses. He uses pro tools but I use Logic

Ah, thanks Victor. I have to laugh because I thought that they were drummers playing live in a room! At least I was half right on the last one. I took a look at Superior Drummer 2.2.3. Great stuff. So, if I may, on the first two examples, with Superior Drummer, did you play it in ToonTrack and then export it to Logic? What type of plug-ins did you use to get the room sound, or were those just native samples from Superior Drummer? Thanks, Adam

I'm pretty sure those are the New York Lost Studios Libraries. I used Massive Ludwig on Sleepwalk recorded up at Allair Studios which is now closed but the room was incredable. I used a different kit for the second demo, Pop Rock from Avatar studios maybe? Would have to look it up. All the drums are ecentually real. That is the natural room they recorded in and they pre mix the set so it's pretty smokin out the gate. You're not going to beat Toontrack on Rock drums or for that matter, they are really the easist drummsoftware plug in I've seen. I played those drums and I used some midi from the libraries as well so it's both. RMX I think is more hip hop/ modern pop plus techno etc. Superior was suggested to me by my friend Steve Ouimette who recorded and preformed all of the cover trax or his own music for the last 7 or more Guitar Hero video games. He's now doing Another and he has not had to hire a drummer because Superior is so excellent. Those are real drums but they fetch the best producers in the business and use top drummers to create those libraries. The GUI is very easy to use ie: EZ Drummer. Check it out, it really is pretty incredible. Even if you perform on a drum kit your own drums or an eKit or use sensors to create the midi, your able to select drum kits from the best studios all over the world. Basicly they brought the hardest and most expensive part of recording down to you in a software plug that enables you to use a studio and drummer with engineer and producer that are drum specialist in you session.

Here two very good examples for you I recorded myself all the parts demoing our Dirty Boy. Just guitar and drums [url]http://mojaveampworks.com/audio/sytf.mp3[/url] And [url]http://mojaveampworks.com/audio/imgn2.mp3[/url]

Hi Victor, Well, thank you very much for your thoughtful and comprehensive response! Much appreciated. Your description of Superior Drummer explains why the drums on your tracks sound the way they do. It's a great resource to have at your disposal as a musician. Something I'll keep in mind for a future purchase! I enjoyed hearing the two mp3's that you linked to above. Super clean, pure guitar sounds, very honestly rendered. I'm not a guitarist, but my son plays and I've pointed your site out to him. He's only sixteen, but what he saw and heard impressed him, and I know he'll remember you as he grows as an artist. Thanks again, Victor, and keep up the great work. Adam

Most welcome. Just remember this, Mac Pro Video .com has taught me there are more ways then one to accomplish a desired result. I lucked out with a bit of guidance and got loaded up on Toontrack. You can also do what I think is the future of drumming to some degree, and get the new E sets which look and feel to the player much the same as a real drum set but are in fact e-drums. You don't need the onboard preset system really. They all go into a computer via midi sensors. Toontrack gives you Toontrack Live so you can perform live as well as record. [img]http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/6985/screenshot20101220at742.png[/img] The good news is you can drum up your hearts content sort out the mistakes, change it around and put what ever kit together you would like and need for your ideal result. Say the snare from a kit recorded in Nashville, a kick recorded from Allaire the rest of the kit from say Avatar and even mix the ambience of a different room and studio on the kit you built. you can stack snares so one snare is triggered up to a certain velocity, then it hands off to another snare after you exceed the next tick up from say 80 to 81 and that snare is going to sound different at higher velocities. It's endless. PS, I don't even play drums but with Logic, I play anything if I put my mind to it.

Hi Victor, Yes, it's all very exciting, the options we have open to us these days as musicians! Superior drummer really sounds awesome, but for now, I'm happy with triggering UltraBeat and EXS24 sounds. I am aware of what's out there in terms of eKits, and the great advantages you mentioned in using them to trigger software. I drool over the Roland V drums any time I go into a music store. The reality of my situation has me leaning toward the Alesis line, however. The USB Studio Kit is what I'd really like, but I - and my students - have to be able to use these in a classroom situation, so the drum skins may be too loud. So, the DM6 is probably what I'll end up with, unless something new comes out, with mesh heads, that isn't so costly. And yes, kudos to MPV for providing a gateway to understanding all the technology and the multifarious ways of using it for teaching, creating, and making music! It's true, that given this knowledge, and the desire, one can have a world of musical options opened up that would not have been available before. Take care, Adam