Sean Mackowski, a member of Tallon Electric and collaborator with Alpha Wolf, dives into the innovative world of guitar pedals. He discusses his new pedal, The Noise, and explores its impact on modern heavy music. The conversation highlights complex pedal techniques, the emotional journey behind product development, and the creative possibilities when using pedals as instruments. Sean also shares fun anecdotes about his past band experiences, making this an engaging blend of tech insights and musical nostalgia!
The podcast emphasizes the transformative power of pedals in heavy music, enabling musicians to create unique soundscapes and dynamic tones.
Innovative collaborations between bands and pedal manufacturers lead to customized products that resonate more profoundly with musicians and their audiences.
Insights into pitch shifting reveal that high-quality effects can enhance musical creativity, offering more expressive manipulation beyond traditional sounds.
The discussion highlights the disparity between live performances and studio productions, emphasizing the pursuit of authenticity in replicating complex sound during shows.
Deep dives
Importance of Pedals in Music Creation
The podcast highlights the significant role pedals play in enhancing musical creativity, especially for musicians in the heavy music genre. They discuss how various effects pedals can transform guitar tones, enabling artists to generate unique soundscapes that differentiate their music. For instance, the artists express the idea that using less gain but higher volume can result in better sound quality in heavy music, allowing for more dynamics and a richer audio experience. A demonstration of this is shared when participants recall instances where dialing back gain led to a more powerful punch in their sound.
Collaborations and Innovative Pedal Development
The conversation covers innovative collaborations between bands and pedal manufacturers, showcasing how partnerships can lead to unique products tailored to specific sounds. One notable collaboration mentioned is between Alpha Wolf and a pedal company, which resulted in a new pedal designed to emulate the band's signature tones. This partnership illustrates that when musicians are intimately involved in the development of gear, the results can resonate more with their audience. The participants emphasize the importance of collaboration, particularly in crafting pedals that genuinely reflect the artist's vision and sound.
Insights on Pitch Shifting
Insights into pitch shifting reveal the complexities and challenges faced when creating effects that alter the sound of an instrument. The podcast points out that while many pedals offer pitch shifting capabilities, the quality and accuracy can vary significantly. Participants discuss the importance of creating a pedal that combines various sound effects, allowing for creative manipulation rather than merely replicating existing tones. The consensus is that a good pitch shifter should not only alter notes but should enhance the musical experience, providing room for creativity and expression.
Embracing the Chaos in Pedal Effects
The theme of embracing chaos in pedal effects resonates strongly throughout the episode, as the hosts discuss how distortion can sometimes improve the overall character of a sound. The conversation reveals that musicians are often looking for ways to push boundaries and explore unconventional sounds. One of the key takeaways is that the unpredictability of certain effects can lead to exciting and unexpected musical results. This chaotic approach is embodied in the design of specific pedals, which prioritize generating unique textures rather than adhering to traditional tonal expectations.
Live Performance vs. Studio Production
The difference between live performance and studio production emerges as a critical discussion point, where it is noted that many modern bands rely heavily on technology for their sound. The podcast points out that while studio tracks may feature complex soundscapes created through automation and production tricks, live performances often lack this depth. This discrepancy highlights a desire among musicians to maintain authenticity in their sound while performing, leading to discussions around how to replicate studio quality live. Strategies like minimizing backing tracks and finding ways to perform effects in real-time are explored to bridge this gap.
Australian Metal Scene and Its Influence
The Australian metal scene is discussed as a vibrant and influential force in contemporary heavy music, with bands like Alpha Wolf gaining international recognition. The hosts share their admiration for the unique sounds and styles developed by these bands, emphasizing the diversity within the genre. This segment highlights how geographical location can significantly impact music styles, leading to the emergence of trends that resonate with audiences. These discussions also touch on the camaraderie among bands, with collaborations often resulting in innovative projects that elevate the entire scene.
The Evolution of Personal Musical Gear
Personal gear preferences among musicians evolve over time, as described in the podcast, where individuals transition from one type of equipment to more specialized tools. The hosts affectionately recount their journeys with various amplifiers and guitar pedals, showcasing how these choices reflect their musical growth. Anecdotes about specific gear reveal the emotional ties musicians have to their equipment, often linking significant moments in their careers to particular pieces of gear. Thus, gear becomes not just equipment used in performance, but an integral part of their musical identity.
Today we're joined by Sean Mackowski of Tallon Electric. Before the episode, we thought his object was going to be an amp, but as we get into it, we realize it's all about The Noise, his new pedal collaboration with the band Alpha Wolf. We talk about pedal usage in modern medal and heavy music in general, and various approaches to gain, octaves, and momentary bursts of sound. This one's inspired by the new wave of players using pedals as instrumental elements of the heaviest riffs around. Also, Andy and I are taken aback when we find out what band Sean used to be in. It's a fun one, so dive in!
