Augustine classic black low tension nylon strings review

Here's unboxing and test of Augustine Classic Black Low Tension classical nylon guitar string set.

And my honest opinion and review on this strings.

First, it is very affordable and of good quality.

Second, it's got it's own characteristic and tone.

Third, low tension which is what I needed.

And the list goes on.

The only trouble or downside is that after you put the strings, it takes a long while to adjust. So you have to keep tuning it not just for few hours but it took a couple of days to adjust.

So my search for nylon guitar strings is not yet over. So far so good but I think there's still something that I want. It's either a proper setup for this Valencia vc104ebk or maybe a different set of strings. So stay tuned and follow my blog for you to see and hear what's next on this classical guitar journey. In the meantime, watch this video so you can hear and see the guitar and the strings in action.

How to efficiently use your Zoom G1xOn plus Patch Settings

First is the tuner, I use it to mute my guitar when Im trying to setup on stage or during rehearsals or recording. It means that I avoid making noise, blasting sound on the amp whilst setting up. And obviously, tune my guitar discreetly. Also when waiting for our turn, backstage, I can double check and tune my guitar.

Second is the batteries. I can use the battery option and not worry if there's a power outlet near me on stage. Plus save me time on plugging my power adaptor. Another thing is giving me the chance to tune my guitar backstage without worrying of any power outlet. Plus I can jam anywhere, anytime. Like outdoor gigs. I can just plug my guitar to my Zoom G1xOn and use the headphone out plus batteries and enjoy.

Third, is the direct line stereo output. Saves me whenever the backline is playing up or during rehearsals when Im unable to bring my amp or during open mic when there's no extra amp to use. I can simply use the direct out and plug my effects pedal straight to the PA system.

Now, about my patches. My first patch (A0) is bypass mode or setting. It's very useful during live gigs especially if the organisers are the one providing backline for the band. Meaning the amps are already there. Using the bypass mode/setting, Im able to check the dry sound of the guitar and the amp and it's easy to tweak the EQ, gain and other effects like Reverb, etc.

Zoom G1xOn has only two footswitches which control up and down option for your saved patches. Even though there's only two switches, Im able to improvise and use it like three stompbox. So, my A1 is clean tone, A2 crunch, and A3 lead tone. This is my generic setup. Meaning I can jam with any band or musicians or play any song with this setup. I got clean sound with just reverb on and the option to turn my wah pedal on. Then my crunch or rhythm, is when I need a bit of overdrive which is subtle for any rock music. And lastly my lead tone which is much louder and produces a lovely tone and sustain.

PATCH SETTINGS:

A1 - Clean  

FD Combo (amp)
Gain: 24 Tube: 30 Level: 86
Treble: 48 Mid: 45 Bass: 44
Pres: 52 Cab: FD combo 2x12 Out: Line

Hall (Reverb)
Decay: 10 Tone: 5 Mix: 46
PreD: 49 Level: 130 Tail: Off

A2 - Crunch

Big Crunch (amp)
Gain: 82 Tube: 30 Level: 80
Treble: 51 Mid: 42 Bass: 59
Pres: 61 Cab: BigCrunch 1x12 Out: Line

ZNR (noise gate/reduction)

Thrsh: 5 DETCT: Gtr In Level: 100

Carbon Delay (delay)
Delay: 360 Regen: 33 Mix: 30
Mod: On Width: 31 Speed: 28
Tail: Off  Sync: Off

Hall (Reverb)

Decay: 10 Tone: 5 Mix: 31
PreD: 10 Level: 100 Tail: Off

A3 - Lead

Booster (boost/overdrive/tube screamer)
Gain: 83 Tone: 26 Level: 120

BGN Drive (amp)
Gain: 73 Tube: 15 Level: 100
Treble: 41 Mid: 54 Bass: 40
Pres: 62 Cab: D2 Drive 4x12 Out: Line

ParaEq (equaliser)

Freq1: 200Hz Q1: 2 Gain1: 3

Freq2: 400Hz Q2: 4 Gain2: -8

Level: 100

Delay
Time: 560 F.B.: 37 Mix: 40
HiDMP: 5 P-P: Mono Level: 100
Tail: Off  

Hope you find this helpful and you enjoyed my blog. Please subscribe for more hacks and tricks that I will be sharing on this blog. Cheers!

Review of Chase CCG400C Classical Guitar Gigbag

I bought this gigbag for my Valencia VC104ebk. This softcase is really value for money. The material used and how the bag was built is of good quality and standard. Here's the specifications of this gigbag.

Features:

- subtle integrated reflective integration (reflectorised)
- comfortable foam mesh carrying handle
- additional grab handle on the back
- no.8 two-way zipper (heavy duty)
- built-in polyester bridge, headstock and strap-pin protector
- soft, non-scratch, quilted nylon interior lining
- A4 music pouch with zippered accessory pocket
- ergonomically designed mesh lumbar support
- 15 mm soft padding
- luggage grade 600D polyester
- number of compartments (4)

Internal Dimensions:

Length:  102 cm
Width:    41.5 cm
Depth:    10 cm

M-Audio Keystudio vs Evolution MK249C2 MIDI keyboard

This is a comparison of two 49-key USB MiDi keyboards that I own. The Evolution MK249C2, which I bought 8 years ago from carboot sale and I fought for this MiDi keyboard. It was £20 but I bargained it to £10 and the guy selling it wouldn't so we agreed at £15. No USB lead and/or software when I bought it and I was new with MIDI keyboard that time so I really don't know what to do with it apart from I know I will make use of it for recording. Oh the other thing was, the power button is playing up. I had to clean it with WD40. I used Audacity when I first tried this keyboard and Mixcraft.  Until, I got a proper software, which is EnergyXT and then in recent years Garageband.

The other MIDI keyboard is the M-Audio KeyStudio which is also 49 keys was given to me on my 40th birthday this year. It came with a lead. Looks neat. No problem whatsoever.

I can't detail much about MIDI keyboards because Im not an expert on this. But I will state here the obvious like the Evolution MK249C2 has got LED screen and got lots of knobs and buttons from effects, transpose, tuning, assignable buttons, effects, expression, etc. Also it has sustain pedal input, MIDI output, power input and the USB connectivity.

The M-Audio has less buttons, in fact only three; one for edit and two for octave (+/-). Then the slide bar for volume and the pitch bend and modulation which Evolution MK249C2 got. It only has USB connectivity and sustain pedal input. Although it has less buttons, it has almost the same function with the other one. I've looked online for the manual and it says that when you press the Edit button, you can activate certain programs by pressing the black keys for example to transpose and other functionality.

When I tried both keyboards using Garageband, the sustain pedal worked but when I tried it using EnergyXT software on a laptop, the sustain pedal is not working. I mean the program doesn't allow it.

It's very difficult to choose which program is the best because on Garageband, apart from limited choices, the sound quality is so realistic and the speed is very good. On the other hand, EnergyXT got lovely electric piano and strings and a lot more trance program to choose from. But then no sustain and a slow speed and not so good sound quality than Garageband.

Just hear for yourself the difference.

M-Audio KeyStudio MIDI Keyboard using Garageband

Evolution MK249C MIDI keyboard using EnergyXT