Producers and recording engineers get a lot of credit for how a record sounds, but much of that credit should really go to mixing engineers, who transform raw performances into the polished final product. Two mixing engineers in particular – the brothers Chris and Tom Lord-Alge – deserve a lot of credit for crafting the sound of hundreds of influential and chart-topping records over the last 25 years or so. Between the two of them, they mix an average of about 60 to 70 records a year (that’s more than one a week) for everyone from pop stars like Miley Cyrus, the Jonas Brother and Pink to perennial legends like Santana, Tina Turner and Steve Winwood to today’s biggest bands like Green Day, the Dave Matthews Band and U2. This month at Guitar Center we had the chance to sit down with Tom and Chris Lord-Alge at GC Hollywood on Sunset Blvd to chat about what has made them two of the most accomplished mixing engineers in the business and what you can do yourself to improve your sound. Click HERE for the full interview.
Attention all drummers, legendary Rush skinsman Neil Peart has a crucial piece of advice for you, and it’s probably not what you’re expecting: the singer in your band is quite often the best indicator of tempo.
In fact, in our in-depth conversation with the master of progressive rock drumming, we were fortunate to learn quite a bit about the way Peart operates. From technique to touring, inspirations to custom gear, Peart’s life as the driving rhythmic force behind rock heavyweights Rush has brought him wisdom and insight that could span several lifetimes.
Experience our exclusive interview with one of the drum world’s most iconic beatmakers HERE.
Slash is more than just a musician, he’s a legend. Best known for his work with Guns N’ Roses and Velvet Revolver, Slash has also served as a first-call studio gun-for-hire who has played on records by Alice Cooper, Daughtry, Bob Dylan, Michael Jackson, and Iggy Pop. But for the first time since he shot onto the scene more than two decades ago, Slash is going the “lone gunman” route and releasing his first bona fide solo album. Unlike Slash’s Snakepit, which released two albums, and Slash’s Blues Ball, the group he toured with in the late Nineties, this new project, called simply “Slash”, is not a band but rather a true solo effort that features a variety of different singers, musicians and songwriting collaborators. As a result it exposes more of Slash’s breadth as a musician than his band efforts. This month at Guitar Center we have the distinct honor of featuring Slash on the cover and within the pages of our February Guitar Guide. Join us as we converse on all things music, recording, his solo record and the weapons of mass aural destruction that have made him one of the greatest guitarists to ever live.
Guitar Center has teamed up with one of the greatest guitarists to ever walk the face of the earth to present YOUR NEXT RECORD with SLASH, a groundbreaking unsigned band competition that will give one up and coming band the chance to win the ultimate career-altering opportunity: record a 3-song EP with the legendary producer behind Guns N’ Roses - Mike Clink and have Slash write, record and perform on the winning artists’ single.
Starting today, February 1st through April 30th bands across the U.S. are invited to submit their music at YourNextRecord.comfor a chance to win the sweet prize package that also includes…
A management development deal with “The Collective” (the team behind Linkin Park, Slash and Avenged Sevenfold)
A feature of winning artists’ single on iTunes
Worldwide distribution of winning artists’ music through Tunecore
$10,000 Guitar Center Shopping Spree
An opening slot on Slash’s Monster Energy Bash
$10,000 in new gear and endorsement deals from Ernie Ball Music Man
An editorial feature on the winning band in Guitar World Magazine
Slash says:
“The formula that used to work for discovering new artists has been decimated and the opportunities for really talented bands to be heard is extremely limited. That’s why it’s so important to me and Guitar Center to provide a situation where new talent can be discovered. This is an incredibly interesting way to find and help launch a really great band that hasn’t been able to get their foot in the door otherwise.”
Guitar Center has also teamed with Ernie Ballon their Shred with Slashpromotion which offers musicians the chance to win over $50,000 in prizes, including a private master class with Slash, upon finding one of five custom, limited edition Slash guitar picks in select packs of Ernie Ball electric guitar strings sold exclusively at Guitar Center between February 1st and April 30th. Bottom line, you find the following picks, you win big. More infoHERE
Slash has a new record coming out this April featuring guest performances by Ozzy Osbourne, Kid rock, Chris Cornell, M. Shadows (Avenged Sevenfold), Andrew Stockdale (Wolfmother) and more. We’ve heard it…. It slays. Learn more at myspace.com/slash
Like a lot of great bands, Dream Theater formed when their members were attending school together. But the band’s core members did not meet at any ordinary school. Rather, guitarist John Petrucci, bassist John Myung and drummer Mike Portnoy met at Boston’s legendary Berklee College of Music. Filled with students of above average compositional skills, technical playing abilities and music career ambitions, Berklee proved to be the perfect breeding ground for an innovative progressive metal band like Dream Theater. Guitar Center recently caught up with John Petrucci when he visited our Boston location, only a few steps from the Berklee College’s main campus, to participate in a very special Guitar Center Sessions event. “I feel like I’m back to my second home,” says John. Along with a wealth of tips, tricks and knowledge, attendees at Petrucci’s Sessions event got an exclusive sneak peek at several new Ernie Ball/Music Man guitars, including the John Petrucci 10th Anniversary model and a variety of limited-edition Ball Family Reserve versions. Check out the interview below. Sterling Ball of Ernie Ball makes an appearance as well.
