Pickups are common to solid-bodied guitars and basses, but not all carry the same pickup configuration. This is to be expected, considering each instrument’s general sonic qualities and construction. What are the differences between guitar pickups and bass guitar pickups? There are no differences in the mechanism. Bass pickups could theoretically be installed on guitars…
Whether you are in journalism, the music industry, or just want to record a conversation or lecture, the iPhone has multiple audio recording apps perfect for capturing audio segments. But how do you record on an iPhone? How to record audio on an iPhone: To record an audio segment on an iPhone, open the Voice…
Being able to record audio on your smartphone is a wonderful convenience. Whether you’re using it to record an important story or your newest song, knowing how to record audio on an Android phone can be very useful. How to record audio on an Android phone: To record audio on an Android device, use the…
In the world of electric guitars, there is a myriad of variables to look for, and one of the most important among them is the pickup, which takes the place of the resonance chamber of acoustic/electric guitars. Pickups function through magnets, which can be made of various materials (including ceramic and alnico), and it’s reasonable…
You’ve probably heard from various professional guitarists the notion that removing a pickup cover can make your electric guitar sound brighter. Some attest to this presumed fact, while others claim it’s mostly a placebo effect. Do guitar pickup covers affect tone? Though pickup covers do have some effect on the tone of a guitar, the…
A myriad of variables intervenes in a guitar’s tonal quality and balance. Of them, the pickup takes a preeminent place, along with the strings. Pickups are comprised of parts or pieces that can make or break your guitar’s sound, depending on their placement. How can I improve the sound/tone of my guitar pickups? There are…
Many basses carry more than one pickup (rarely more than two) placed at different positions. Precision basses are almost unanimous in placing one split-coil pickup at the center, while jazz or hybrid basses have two different pickups placed at the top (near the neck) and bottom (reaching the bridge). With that said, many people might…
You’re probably aware of the difference between neck and bridge pickups. Pickups located near the neck will capture a “bassier” and rounder tone, while bridge pickups will render a thinner and sharper sound. Many guitars allow the player to activate both pickups and get a more in-between sound fitting for various music styles. When should…
No two electric guitars or basses sound the same. Various factors can intervene in tonal quality, one of them unmistakably being the pickup arrangement. Guitars hardly come with only one pickup, many of them sporting two or even three pickups. Readers may be wondering if the number of pickups makes any significant difference. What are…
There are few instances of electrical devices getting better with age. In the musical world, some guitarists may contend that guitars (particularly their pickups) get better sound as they age. But is that really the case? Does guitar pickup performance improve with age? A pickup doesn’t improve with age, although it doesn’t degrade significantly either…
Synthesizers are among the most unique instruments in the world, with so many differences between one synth and the next. The number of voices a synthesizer has is one of the many differentiators in its performance and sound. What is a synthesizer voice? A synth voice is a single audio path responsible for producing a…
Readers familiar with guitars may know that strings need replacement once every few months or playing hours. Restringings are very frequent, especially with metal strings. Conversely, other components, such as pickups, seem to last forever. But is that really the case? Do guitar pickups wear out, and if so, how? Guitar pickups don’t wear out since…
