Fear Factory Rocks!

Hey guys,

I wanted to talk a little bit about a band that I recently rediscovered, Fear Factory. I used to listen to these guys about eight years ago, and when I was listening to Pandora the other day, the song "Shock" from their Obsolete album came on.

I find their aggressive style to be incredibly influential when I draw evil art for RottenToons.com. I am very impressed by their timing. On their Obsolete and Archetype albums, they do a lot of "running" or "chugging" on the bottom string. This sound creates a train effect, where the music is constantly moving with abrupt changes at random times.

The vocals are great. The guy can produce these powerful death growls that are so strong they make me want to destroy Innocent property! I also like how he sings as well to produce a melodic sound above all the low-pitch chaos.

The double bass drum is awesome. This guy really knows how to make that sucker rumble. I love how the guitar fits into place with the double bass.

Overall, these guys are great. I encourage you guys to check them out if you are into death metal music. They also make a great background music for games such as Counter-Strike!

Digitech RP250

Today I've decided to talk a little bit about one of my favorite electric guitar accessories, the Digitech RP250 multi-effects pedal. This little machine is a great toy. It comes equipped with about 80 preset guitar effects, which can each be customized to your liking.

The Digitech RP250 comes equipped with such effects as chorus, multi-chorus, flanger, delay, reverb, whammy, auto-wah, auto-yah, pitch, and many more. Each effect has its own settings so you can find exactly what works for your desired sound.

Need some more customization? No problem. The Digitech RP250 allows you to choose the type of amplifier you want to play out of. In other words, this machine has the ability to produce a simulated sound that nearly matches the original sound of such amps as Fender, Ibanez, and more!

Ok fine...you need EVEN MORE customization settings. Each amplifier can be set to a specific amplifier cabinet so that you can really get a unique sound. From here, you have the option to play around with the equalizer settings, including bass, treble, and mid-tones. You can choose presets for the equalizer as well as customize the individual settings. This is a great feature on the Digitech RP250.

The built in wah pedal works great. This saves you a lot of money since a good wah pedal is usually over $100.

Another feature I love on the Digitech RP250 is the built-in drum machine. This thing has a great variety of beats, which can each be sped up or slowed down. You can also adjust the volume of the drums, change the drum style, or just turn it into a metronome.

Lastly, the Digitech RP250 has a built-in USB recording device, so you can simply plug it into your computer and record quality sound. The software is free and easy to download from the Digitech website.

Go get your hands on the Digitech RP250. It's under $200 and its worth much more!

--
Ty Lombardi
Ty@ElectricGuitarBlog.com
www.ElectricGuitarBlog.com
Digitech RP250 Review

Kids Electric Guitars

Quality Kids Electric Guitar

By: David Smithe

It is a long and arduous task. Your son or daughter has been begging you to buy them an electric guitar for months, weeks, and years. You have reached your breaking point and finally decide that your child is ready to accept the responsibility for owning a musical instrument. Kid s electric guitars come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Whether you ve got an ambitious toddler or a teenager on your hands, there is a company making a guitar that will be a perfect fit.

Finding the Right Size:

The problem with buying a guitar for a child is that one day, it will eventually be too small. Just like kid s clothes, kid s electric guitars will soon become cumbersome and constricting like ill fitting jeans. It is important that you let your child try a few different sizes, just to see what looks and feels appropriate. The child will likely gravitate toward a bigger instrument, but make sure you consult with a knowledgeable staff member at a music store prior to making a purchase. It may be a good idea to take a trip to your local music vendor to get an idea for what is available, take detailed notes, and then continue shopping online.

Vivid Color:

In your child's eyes, the color of their guitar will play a significant role. Make sure you discuss the importance of finding an instrument that fits, rather than one that looks pretty before you ever set foot in a music store or start viewing products online. Only after you have determined what size is appropriate should you consider discussing a color scheme for your kid s electric guitar.

Getting Good Value:

If you get a guitar at Wal Mart for $45, then you will end up with a product that sounds and behaves like a $45 guitar. This means that you ll have broken strings. This means that you will have cracks, scratches, dents, and possible electronic failure issues. The sound and quality of your kid s electric guitar will be dependent upon how much you are willing to invest. Another consideration you should make is that if your child is taking lessons or a devout self learner, it will be challenging for them to experience success with something that came out of a box from Wal Mart. There are extremely affordable options produced by reputable guitar manufacturers all over the world. You probably wouldn t have your car painted at Wal Mart, but you would take it to a body shop. Likewise, if you re buying a guitar, don t shop at Wal Mart consult a music store or music website.

Choosing Between the Brands:

Most major guitar manufacturers produce kid s electric guitar models. When you shop online or in a store, look for familiar guitar names like Fender or Yamaha. Consider purchasing a package deal that comes with everything your child will need to start rocking.

As with any new responsibility, it might be a good idea to sign your child up for lessons after you ve purchased your kid s electric guitar. Your child will learn how to handle their instrument properly, while developing great techniques. They may continue on with a teacher or decide to take a more self directed approach. This will also help you both make the most out of your guitar investment.