Join Chris Benson, a talented musician and amp builder behind Benson Amps, as he shares insights from the busy year of Benson Fest. They delve into the fascinating journey of the Bogen Challenger PA, the joy of connecting with physical sound tools, and the challenges of organizing community events. Chris also reflects on the balance between digital distractions and authentic creativity, while offering wisdom on sound design and the emotional connection to amplifiers. Tune in for a mix of tech talk and personal anecdotes!
The podcast emphasizes the critical role tangible objects, such as guitar pedals, play in the innovation of sound exploration and creative expression.
Benson Fest serves as a community-building event, creating opportunities for musicians and builders to connect despite the challenges of organization.
The unique musicology class at the University of Michigan illustrates how blending history with hands-on experience enhances accessibility and creativity in music education.
Deep dives
The Role of Tangible Objects in Creativity
The discussion emphasizes how tangible objects influence the creation of intangible art. The hosts highlight personal experiences where physical tools, like musical instruments and gadgets, lead to innovative sound exploration. For example, using specific guitar pedals or modifications can transform an entire musical composition, illustrating the profound connection between material and creativity. This interplay between the tangible and intangible ultimately shapes artistic expression, underscoring the importance of physical objects in the creative process.
Benson Fest: A Community Building Experience
Benson Fest is portrayed as a community-focused event aimed at uniting musicians and builders. The event was both rewarding and overwhelming for the organizers, who found it challenging to maintain a balance between hosting duties and personal enjoyment. Participants engaged in discussions about effect pedals and shared their passion for music, fostering a sense of camaraderie among attendees. Despite the stress involved in organizing such an event, the underlying goal of supporting the community remains a central theme.
Teaching Electric Guitar History through Engaging Classes
The hosts discuss a unique musicology class on electric guitar history at the University of Michigan, led by a former guest. This class, which caters to a diverse group of students, including engineers and non-musicians, combines academic content with hands-on experiences using guitar pedals. The instructor manages to engage students by connecting the history of electric guitars to the practical use of technology, revealing the multifaceted nature of music education. This approach highlights the importance of accessibility and creativity in teaching musical concepts.
The Fascination with Guitar Pedals and Effect Processing
A detailed conversation about guitar pedals unveils their significant impact on sound design and music creation. The hosts share thoughts on how complex pedal setups can free musicians from traditional playing methods, encouraging a more experimental approach to music. The discussion includes specific reference to how certain pedals allow for unexpected sonic outcomes, encouraging players to step away and let the pedals create. This exploration of effect processing highlights the evolving nature of music production and the creativity that stems from technological advancements.
Rediscovering Passion through Equipment
The discussion delves into moments of rediscovery in terms of music equipment, particularly focusing on the Monarch Reverb Plus, a product created by one of the hosts. They recount experiences of becoming immersed in the sound of their own creations, reflecting on the satisfaction that comes with the realization of a project’s potential. This reminder of personal connection to one’s work reinforces the importance of passion in creative endeavors. By revisiting their designs, hosts recognize and appreciate their craftsmanship and the joy of making music.
The Importance of Vocals and Harmony in Music
The conversation shifts to the significance of mid-range frequencies in music, particularly in relation to vocal clarity and harmony. The hosts discuss how certain amplifiers, like Fenders and Vox, manage mid-range frequencies differently, impacting how instruments and vocals sit in a mix. The realization that not all equipment behaves equally leads to a deeper understanding of sound design and music production. By exploring these technical aspects, the hosts reveal how crucial these elements are for creating balanced and harmonious music.
Today we're joined by Chris Benson of Benson Amps. We're catching up with him after a busy year of releases and Benson Fest, and talking with him about the Bogen Challenger PA that became the first Monarch. This one's a casual conversation, where we take roughly an hour before we get to the object, distracted along the way by discussion of how we interact with the internet, breaking assumptions about the sound of any given component, taking time to play the devices we've created, hot soldering, and getting some absolute gems of wisdom from Chris. It's a great time with our favorite amp builder, now dive on in!