Korg Kaossilator double loop length

Since yesterday, I'm using a Korg Kaossilator for live looping purposes although I'm not a friend of using such stuff within handmade music.

However, lets give it a try...

There is one important thing (many thanks to @UKDad at twitter), because Korg has designed this tool in order to record 2 measure phrases (8 steps). But the developers put an "easter egg" into the Kaossilator which allows you to record up to 4 measure patterns (16 steps).

Here is, how to take advantage out of this feature. (Jump to the News section).

Moon River

Today, I've posted a new video to my YouTube channel. I'm playing an wonderful song which is well known from the movie "Breakfast at Tiffany's". The song is called Moon River and was originally performed by Audrey Hepburn. The version I'm playing was arranged by Shun Komatsubara. Hope you'll enjoy it! See more at http://youtube.com/stephanschwenk.

Acoustic guitar piece in Open D tuning (from Jeroen Groot Beumer)

This is a great song from my friend on YouTube Jeroen. He's a musician from the Netherlands and plays accoustic guitar. Find further information on his channel.

Stephan

Steve Lawson - Looping basics

I've found an amazing YT video on the web from Steve Lawson. He's explaining how live looping could looks like. Awesome!

I'll be there

Couple of minutes ago I've uploaded a new video to YouTube. This is a wonderful song from Per-Olov Kindgren. I've found this song on his YT-channel and I've loved it from the very first time. My version of this song is the result of about 5 days practise. I need more time...

Photos from building my first guitar in 2005

Long time ago - anyway...

Since my old guitar building blog is no longer available, I have decided to share the photos on flickr.

It happened in 2005. I've built the complete guitar with my own hands. Even the pickups are handmade. I was deeply impressed after I had finished my work. My first guitar, built with my own hands....a great feeling and lot of experiences!

Citizen

This was the name of the first song I had composed using my new guitar. A very simple song.

Here are some tunes.

Here is some useful information:

Mighty Dub Katz - Magic Carpet Ride

I love this video and the music. You can hear it almost every Friday on hr3.

New videos on my YouTube channel

Some days are gone since my last blog - I was a little bit busy.

I've uploaded four new songs on my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/stephanschwenk

I must admit that all of them are not played well but I want to put the videos live on my channel without spending too much time on the recording of these songs.

Greensleeves
It's a wonderful small song and I'm playing the easy version of it.

Freight Train
If you're going to start travis picking then you should take this song first. It is excellent for beginners (like me :-)). I had some trouble with the picking because I used a thumb pick. I've started practise with this pick only two weeks ago. It is not as easy as it seems at first sight.

Godfather theme
This is another cover of this beautiful song. I've started playing two weeks ago and here is the result. I know, there are a lot of things to improve...

Weißt du noch
I love this song and especially the unconventional tuning of DADF#BD which gives you this special sound. Ulli Bögershausen has composed this song and you can even feel the magic of it while playing.

 


Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

Stephan

Sound experiment with Korg KAOSS PAD 3

Here is a small demo with the Korg KAOSS PAD 3. I must admit that I own this new toy since one day. So, this is really a small demo of this powerful pad. The goal is to use the effects of this unit for guitar live loops. I won't use it like a DJ but in addition to my RC-50 looping pedal.

Morgen ist alles wieder gut

Here is another example for fingerstyle guitar. I'm playing a song from Ulli Bögershausen, called "Morgen ist alles wieder gut".

Building an isolation box

Based on an article of the "Recording Magazin" I had decided to build an isolation box. This box is used and helpful for recording purposes in environments where you can not turn on your amplifier at a very high level. Let's say, you are at home but the sound out of your amp sounds bad, because you have recorded the guitar track at a low degree of loudness. The result would be much better if you could raise the loudness (without kicking your neighbours out of bed :-)).

The solution is very simple:

Put your amp into an isolated box and grab the sound with microphones out of the box. I have decided to build my own box in order to get more flexibilty. You can use up to 4 microphones, 1 DI connector and up to 6 6.3 mm plugs (line-in/out, footswitch).

You will find some pictures at flickr. A small video will follow soon.

Enjoy it and let me know your thoughts!

Over And Out Rag

Here is a small example of a technique which is called "Travis Picking". I've played "Over And Out Rag" from Mark D. Hanson which is a good example for this kind of playing accoustic guitar.

E-Drums for pre-recording of "Fear"

For the pre-recording of "Fear" I have used Yamaha e-drums.

Awesome guitar music from Tommy Emmanuel

Have you ever heard about Tommy Emmanuel? A really great artist and fingerstyle guitar player. Click here to find out more.

Fear - a new album

I'm working on a new album, called "Fear". It is a very personal album based on personal experiences during the last months. You can listen to the very first recordings by using the audio player on the right panel. Please let me know your thoughts about this kind of music.

Welcome to Sound & Vision

I've decided that it is time to start with my own music blog on the web. So, let's go started...