The Steel Guitar Forum

Hello SGF community. I'd like to share 8 new tracks I recorded on Garage Band last month, which feature 10 string "steel without pedals", clarinet, and mandolin (which has been in the "harem" now for just a month). I hope you enjoy my humble explorations. My soundcloud page is......... http://soundcloud.com/meginskyj

Sincerely, Joel Meginsky

very nice! I like your playing and the sound of your steel!

Sounds good, Joel! Nice playing and a very interesting steel tone that really grabs the listeners attention. A great selection of tunes too. It's good to see another western Mass. steel player posting his music here!

I agree, it is a nice tone. It sounds to me like a phase shifter with the rate set to a very low setting, and it almost sounds like a voice. Thanks for posting.

is there some envelope following going on?

Very nice, BTW

I sincerely appreciate all of your comments. BTW, there were no effects used on these recent 8 recordings. Just a mic on a small "60's Dan Electro tube amp situated in a bathroom (no reverb on the amp), with a little reverb and EQ added in the mix. I use a ceramic bar and no picks. Thanks for the feedback! Joel

There must be a little natural comb filtering going on there with the reflections. It is the difference between the direct signal from the speaker to the mic and the reflections to the mic, which cancels or boosts some frequencies and gives it that interesting sound. Can you hear it yourself, Joel?

Find a way to put that sound in a pedal- I'll buy one!

Really enjoyed these Joel - especially Unchained Heart.

double

Hmm....... Being a newcomer to recording and relying on my brother in law to do things like mike and amp placement as well as mixing, I have to admit to limited knowledge of these latency issues. These were all done in one take, so I have no other samples or recording arrangements to compare it to. I did watch some videos on comb filtering to increase my awareness of the effect. During our last experiment (Signed Sealed, Delivered, Dock of the Bay), we recorded direct into the computer, adding amp simulations and effects. I didn't particularly like the results, which, although interesting, were not what I wanted the steel to sound like. This time, we accidently stumbled upon the amp and the sound. The technical part of recording is a steep, through worthwhile learning curve for me. Thanks. Joel

Joel, I listened to the two songs recorded "direct", and yes there's a big difference in the steel tone.
On the other songs the guitar sounds more real and alive because we're hearing the amp sound (low power, tubes, probably a small speaker) and the "room sound" in the bathroom. It makes a world of difference. Do you know if the amp was "close-miced" or was the mic placed away from the amp?

Six inches.........What was the question?javascript:emoticon(':)')