What Are Ambient Guitar Tones Anyway?

What Are Ambient Guitar Tones Anyway? - That Pedal Show

Рет қаралды 144,626

Күн бұрын

In this episode we dip a tentative toe into the deep waters of ‘ambient’ sounds for guitar. As we discuss, putting labels on music is problematic from the off… but to us ‘ambient’ guitar is about building textures using combinations of delay and reverb, then manipulating those further with anything from modulation to pitch shifting to synthesis to looping etc etc etc… anything you can think of, basically. Soundscapes, textures, ambience, mood.
Covering a whole movement in an hour seems at best foolish, but this is That Pedal Show after all, where our sole intention is to spark some inspiration and questions in your minds for things you might like to explore further. So let’s see if that happens…
If you like the backing track used in this video (we’ve called it ‘Ambiphoria’ - it was made by Fraser our assistant, predominantly with the Chase Bliss Audio Mood and Empress Zoia), it is available from That Pedal Show Store. www.thatpedals...
Enjoy the episode!
Please subscribe to our channel and visit our store www.thatpedals...
Life too short for long KZfaq videos? Please see the ‘Interesting bits and go-to sections’ information below.
Pedals & stuff in this episode…
• TheGigRig Three2One
www.thegigrig....
• Boss Dm-2w Waza Delay
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2lGaoBw
Australia: bit.ly/2vT8ulc
USA: bit.ly/3pKKav9
• EHX Deluxe Memory Man 1100TT
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2WbQLhG
USA: imp.i114863.ne...
• Boss RV-6 Reverb
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2Q6NFw5
USA: bit.ly/3dCCtBC
• Red Panda Tensor
Australia: bit.ly/2URKYlb
• Chase Bliss Audio Mood
Australia: bit.ly/2m1wwq5
• Empress Zoia
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2lJWQ7Y
Australia: bit.ly/2k7bCFD
• Keeley D&M Drive
UK & Europe: bit.ly/2oTblU1
Australia: bit.ly/2pUDUAE
USA: bit.ly/3DIJDia
www.thatpedals...
• TheGigRig G2
www.thegigrig....
* Why do we have preferred retailer links? Find out here: www.thatpedalsh...
Interesting bits and go-to sections…
- Intro playing: 0:00
- Welcome… and what are we doing today?: 01:31
- Back in semi-geriatric land: 3:13
- What’s on the board, and today’s amps: 3:39 (4:30)
- What can you do? Textures… 4:54
- Does texture mean loads of delay and reverb? 5:30
- Who’s that on the phone? 6:20
- Let’s get started with delay and overdrive: 6:48
- What can we do with one delay?: 8:30
- Now let’s add another delay…: 10:20
- Now let’s add reverb…: 11:45
- How do ambient guitars fit with a band?: 14:12
- Putting an effect in the loop of a delay:15:34 (17:00)
- Now let’s pitch shift that delay!: 19:55 (20:35)
- What is the Chase Bliss Audio Mood?: 24:05
- This isn’t normal looping: 25:28
- Now we have a loop, let’s mangle it: 27:04
- More Mood exploration: 29:12
- Who’s that on the phone? 31:50
- The 'Mick isn’t thick but he does remember when computers came out' tangent: 32:35
- What is Zoia?: 35:40 (37:30)
- What on earth was that???: 37:40
- Dan builds a modulated delay in 4 minutes…: 39:40
- Some more questions from Mick 43:50
- So who or what is the Zoia for?: 45:08
- Mick laments his busy schedule: 50:25
- Will we learn more about Zoia?: 54:30
- Let’s try to be ambient and jam: 56:13
Guitars in this episode:
• Fender American Vintage ’62 Stratocaster - Mick’s video at bit.ly/2cQv3yT
• Fender American Original ’60s Jaguar - no video yet
Amps in this episode
• Marshall 1987x with 1960AX cab / Celestion G12M Greenback speakers
UK & Europe: bit.ly/31eVWmc
USA That Pedal Shop: bit.ly/3v3Xazc
• Matchless HC-30 with Hughes & Kettner Vintage 212 / Celestion G12M Greenback
We hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to our channel.
You can buy TPS merch to support our efforts www.thatpedals...
We are on Patreon - crowdfunding for creatives
/ thatpedalshow
Please visit our preferred retailers!
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/2cRvIvt
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf
USA: That Pedal Shop www.thatpedals...

Пікірлер: 923

@superthumbs148 4 жыл бұрын

Anyone who hasn’t checked out chords of Orion for ambient stuff should definitely do so - he’s great and shares some amazing tips about stacking delays etc. Also - a volume pedal at the start of the chain here and some ambient swells would really add texture. Swelling into the delays and removing the attack of the chord seems to be a common trope of “ambient music”

@Jaspertine 4 жыл бұрын

Reverse reverb can work for that effect as well.

@nigelrayner6282 4 жыл бұрын

Quite right, Chords of Orion has great pedal reviews and "how tos" for ambient guitar. Andy Othling is pretty good as well. Anyone genuinely interested in playing ambient guitar music should go there as sadly Mick and Dan are out of their comfort zone here and don't do a good job (IMO).

@TheParanoidAndroid79 4 жыл бұрын

Don't you mean Ser Davos Seaworth, the Onion Knight?

@BravoColl 4 жыл бұрын

Stefan Fast at The Pedal Zone is amazing for all your ambient needs if you've not heard of him. He used to work at TC Electronic but left before things started going a bit wonky over there.

@superthumbs148 4 жыл бұрын

It is uncanny isn’t it!

@MrPhotus 4 жыл бұрын

You guys should get Knobs on the show - maybe when the Blooper comes out. He can wear a paper bag on his head ;)

@sph33_ 4 жыл бұрын

This has to happen.

@tompoynton 4 жыл бұрын

Stefan Fast too

@Iodine74 4 жыл бұрын

Or Sarah Lipstate

@CorbCorbin 4 жыл бұрын

Iodine74 She does some brilliant music, with loops, and ambient sounds.

@niclastname 4 жыл бұрын

There are already 2 knobs on the show... ayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

@daniel.gibbon 4 жыл бұрын

When you talk about not being able to use certain sounds in any situation, I think you are underestimating the number of guitarists who, like me, just like to sit on the floor in front of an amp play with the knobs (on the pedals)! I've never played in a band in my life and have no ambitions whatsoever to do so, and I think there are many people out there who feel the same.

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

As we said, the audience will be spilt. I know many many many people who even find channel switching too much to deal with. Ha!

@plantagenant 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThatPedalShow Yes, that's me.

@davemabee5798 4 жыл бұрын

My 18 pedal, 4 amp set up never leaves the house. A shame really, (my wife's words, not mine.)

@Lorneplumber 4 жыл бұрын

Dave mabee will totally get that

@stanislavmigra 4 жыл бұрын

@@davemabee5798 my wife is so far happy, that Im playing for her after work almost every day. Sometimes she say I played good 😁

@ATreeForFive 4 жыл бұрын

This was definitely an episode for Stefan from PedalZone. Would've been the perfect guest. Great content as usual !

@niaralosusa 4 жыл бұрын

This is a great idea!! Stefan is awesome!!

@thepedalzone 4 жыл бұрын

Awwww, man! Thank you so much for the support ❤

@skypekai 2 жыл бұрын

He's annoying af tho

@invsibl_monstrs 4 жыл бұрын

Watching the first 15 minutes of the show and seeing Mick trying to maintain interest is cracking me up. It's like me trying to listen to Bonamassa.

@96meelosh 4 жыл бұрын

Neal F. Wooooord, I really want to enjoy his playing too!

@coltrane2323 4 жыл бұрын

Mick: "Joe says [...] is it just an excuse for not being able to play the guitar properly?" Ironically, that is what my classical guitar teacher used to say about electric guitar players

@jayreimer6851 4 жыл бұрын

Big fan of the show, but couldn't get through this one, too much struggling. I second the idea of getting Stefan Fast, Bill Vancil, and Ed O'Brien on the show to go further with it. On the Bonamasa joke about ambient music, guitar players often make the same mistake that photographers do, thinking that by definition the most technically proficient artists always make the best work, and that if the highest level of virtuosity isn't always on full display, then it's somehow of lesser quality or importance, as opposed to trying to make the music or photos feel like what they're supposed to be about and choosing the technique that will make that happen. If you were going to follow that sort of proficiency/virtuosity logic consistently, then every guitarist would have to stop what they're doing and bow down to classical musicians and forever hold their peace. This will be heresy to some, but while Bonamasa and Eric Johnson and others are amazing technically, they make utterly boring music. And some classical music is technically impressive, yet boring. That being said, there doesn't have to be a dichotomy between proficiency and artistry. You can have both (Nels Cline, Johnny Greenwood, we could name others). At the end of the day, though, all of these great tools we have are meant to be used to make something good. Let's all remember that gear debates, etc, are only so much wanking if they don't result in making something good.

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

I agree entirely! Mick here.

@jayreimer6851 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThatPedalShow I think you guys have a great balance of informing people of all of the great tools we have at our disposal, showing how they can be used in different contexts, and you have fun doing it. It's why so many of us come back every week to see what you're up to. My kids even know the show (and groan when dad threatens to put on guitar videos lol). I wish I was half the player you guys are! Keep up the good work.

@hamedyarizade8331 4 жыл бұрын

I agree with you .I've read an interesting quote a while ago that I think it applies to all forms of art ..... " When the intellectual part of guitar playing overrides the spiritual, you don't get to extreme heights. -John Frusciante "

@AyYoSteve 4 жыл бұрын

Great comment honestly. Really clicked with this one. The chase of a sound or a feeling within music is so utterly subjective that I think with this constant sharing platform of comparisons people have lost touch with that. Theres nothing wrong with putting some pedals or just an amp on for yourself and just tripping out, getting in tune with your soul, and making this river of music that flows at the same tempo as what you're feeling right now. It's always going to change through the days so the same stuff wont always come out. Music is for the player, sometimes felt by the people. Exercise yourself, close your eyes, and get lost in an environment of you choice. Keep creating ♾

@Astral_Wave 4 жыл бұрын

All well said gentlemen/ (women). Bravo.

@zacwatsonmusic 4 жыл бұрын

What I love most about this episode is that Mick, who clearly is uncomfortable and out of his element, still tries and finds some cool sounds and some appreciation for the gear instead of just trolling it. I think everyone can learn a thing or two from Mr Taylor: you don't have to love everything, but you can stay classy and still give it a go. Great work lads!

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Zac, that was the general idea! Hopefully anybody who is in the least musical will be able to do something creative with whatever they’re given. It’s my one hope!

@NisGaarde 4 жыл бұрын

That intro song immediately made want to watch Italian police dramas.

@baxterglen 4 жыл бұрын

Everyone needs to go and watch Stefan on The Pedal Zone. He does the absolute best demos and blows my mind with his ambience. His demo of the Meris Mercury 7 is probably my favourite video on KZfaq.

@jayreimer6851 4 жыл бұрын

His demo convinced me to buy the Mercury 7, and yep, I go back just to hear his playing in that one.

@nowwhat1 4 жыл бұрын

Glen Baxter that’s one of my favorite demo videos of all time too! I love the chord progressions Stefan uses. You have excellent taste, sir 👍😊

@thepedalzone 4 жыл бұрын

Oh wow! Thank you so much, man. Completely blown away by your kindness ❤

@jayreimer6851 4 жыл бұрын

@@thepedalzone If you're ever out in San Diego, let me know and I'll show you where the best tacos are! Same goes for Mick and Dan!

@kevroyo 4 жыл бұрын

I'm already looking forward to the conversation that allows me to use "devil's avocado"

@TacticalHyena 4 жыл бұрын

ive been using it for a while now and it is wonderful, absolutely wonderful

@PureJadeKid 4 жыл бұрын

Waiting for the T-shirt in the shop

@kevroyo 4 жыл бұрын

@@PureJadeKid I 100% support this

@AyYoSteve 4 жыл бұрын

Right! Hahah I though the same thing when I heard it. Great quote

@lennartverhoeff 4 жыл бұрын

As a synthhead, the Zoia should be right up my alley but every video I've seen of it up until know makes it look like a chore to use. Hats off to Dan for a concise practical demonstration and making it actually look fun ^^ Cheers guys!

@mbpcpa 4 жыл бұрын

If you want to get all historical about it, it was Eno who coined the term "ambient", meaning music that just filled the environmental background in with sound that was so minimal and slow and often without a definable rhythm, that the music could be listened to or ignored at will. Since then the term has pretty much lost any precise definition due to everyone liking the term and using it to describe just about anything with a dreamy or floating slowish vibe. But you'll still find the term used to describe an entire musical genre of great variety and depth, that hews a lot more or less closely to Eno's original formulation. I do kind of wish the term had retained it's original precision, but it's just a word - others can take over, now. Ambient guitarists of the older style, closer to Eno's original conception, include artists such as Steve Hillage, David Torn, Robert Fripp, Daniel Lanois. But there are countless guitarists nowadays with some claim to making ambient music. Hey TPS - you get Ed O'Brien back on to talk about just this topic. As brilliant and knowledgeable as you guys are, I bet he's forgotten more about ambient guitar than you guys combined can claim to know.

@mbpcpa 4 жыл бұрын

@Paul Van Heuklom Absolutely - the germ of quiet, repetitive music goes back and back and back, I suppose to chants and windchimes and aeolian harps and surely many other things I've never heard of. It's the hardest music to define, but when it works, it really works (and when it doesn't work, it's the worst thing ever.)

@Evy-1988 4 жыл бұрын

it makes me appreciate TPS so much more to realize that in most shows, you guys actually know what you're talking about. Love you guys

@bradruhfel4883 4 жыл бұрын

Zoia episode idea: Give the pedal to Dan for a week (or some specified amount of time) and then to Mick the same amount of time. Chronicle each experience like you do your vlogs, and don’t talk to each other until the period is over. Then come together to compare your experiences with the Zoia for an episode. The final episode would be ~20min of Dan learning/exploring the pedal alone, then ~20 min of Mick exploring the pedal alone, then 20 min of you two comparing the sounds you made and talking about how easy or difficult it was for you to use it.

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

Really amazing idea! I would so love to do this Brad, but just for context.... I get to play guitar for less than half an hour per week at the mo. I have literally no time to stuff that I actually want to do, let alone the stuff that I don’t. But it is a stellar idea.

@bradruhfel4883 4 жыл бұрын

That Pedal Show sorry to hear that. Hope things clear up soon.

@Astral_Wave 10 күн бұрын

@@ThatPedalShow did you guys ever revisit the Zoia? I can't find it

@JtotheP68 4 жыл бұрын

I am a middle aged man with young children, I barely get chance to take a poo in peace let alone the time and patience to work out how to use the Zoia.

@Napoleonwilson1973 4 жыл бұрын

JtotheP68 the benefits of being childless synth and guitar heaven. Although you could set up pedals and play generative ambient whilst doing your dad duties.

@eanroad 4 жыл бұрын

And after all that "I Don't Wanna" by Mick, he finally embraces these devices at 57:50 and creates some fantastic sounds! You can do it Mick! Cheers!

@mikeclarke4002 4 жыл бұрын

Mick gets a medal of honour for battling through this show and just resorting to facetious humour and not a "disappearing act" - on its own worth watching.

@Quipstiley 3 жыл бұрын

I’m just a guy sitting in front of my guitar, pedalboard, DAW and 16 button midi trigger pad making ambient backing tracks to solo over when I’m in the mood. When I’m not, I can just use a guitar and pedals. I play guitar as a hobby and worked as an electronic tech fixing synths for years. So, I find sound design interesting. I like how I can use my midi controller to control pedal parameters so I don’t have to menu dive and how I can trigger samples or loops as well as easy to use transport controls. I can start my loop recording with a foot switch, trigger a drum loop, play a synth bass line, add or remove effects and tweak parameters, play a guitar part and go back to tweaking effects to keep the soundscape interesting, all on the fly with minimal body movements so the flow of creativity isn’t interrupted with technical hiccups.

@jamarwright 4 жыл бұрын

@32:25 - when Mick says, "I'm not thick by the way. I use quite complex software. I have a degree..." I totally expected him to shout, "I drive a Dodge Stratus!!!!" - kzfaq.info/get/bejne/d7R1a81mxt_DhYk.html - joking of course. Mick, you're rad. I appreciate the way you see all things guitar.

@Jonathan_Bradford 4 жыл бұрын

"its fun to watch middle aged people struggling with technology" next t shirt please

@erniesfo 4 жыл бұрын

Good one. It would also require MIck's face, smiling like Alfred E. Newman...

@mmmichelin1 4 жыл бұрын

erniesfo - that’s a lovely picture you’re painting

@jakejake996 4 жыл бұрын

😄 I can’t thumbs up that enough

@ronnisullivan9794 4 жыл бұрын

Middle aged? Holy crap. That makes me a dinosaur

@tomhand1070 4 жыл бұрын

For me, ambient sounds are all about creating a mood and, when used correctly, are the mark of a great songwriter. Look at the Jimmy Page’s bow section in Dazed & Confused (especially the live version from The Song Remains the Same). The atmosphere and mood he creates is astonishing!! Would it have worked without all of the reverb and delay? Maybe. But with all that added ambience the sound is out of this world and puts you in a place and mood that would otherwise be impossible!

@peterjessop1878 4 жыл бұрын

@Logan 5 To be honest most music is really average in all genres including blues, Jazz, rock and even classical. There is very little that truly stands out from the crowd. Ambient music is no different.

@tomhand1070 4 жыл бұрын

Logan 5 I agree. Which is why I said ‘when used correctly’. It needs to compliment the actual song and not just be used to cover up poor musicianship. But ambient sounds can also make the difference between being a great musician and being a great artist. I’ll use Joe Bonamassa and Jimmy Page again as an example. Joe Bonamassa, who is another favourite of mine, in my opinion, is a fantastic musician, he has all the knowledge and technical skills any guitarist could wish for, but, again in my opinion, lacks the artistic side of someone like Jimmy Page who used many different techniques, such as ambient sounds, to become who I personally feel was one of the best songwriters/artists ever.

@amylou7991 4 жыл бұрын

@Logan 5 Happily admit to being cack and using delays to cover my uselessness. Still great fun though!

@waitingforanalibi3069 4 жыл бұрын

Logan 5 You seem like a fun guy

@wolfqueenjubilee 4 жыл бұрын

Def one of my favorite episodes so far. Super cool to see y'all moving out of your comfort zones.

@SfordRog 4 жыл бұрын

Inspiring show! I found myself thinking "I've got to get one (all) of those pedals." Then I took a mental inventory of my current sound stash and realized I can already create weird experimental soundtracks to my daily life. With over 33 pedals of just about all effect types, a modeling amp, two loopers, some microphones, a Focusrite 2i2, a laptop, and a Digitech Trio+, I think I know how this weekend is going to go...see you on the other side.

@aaronboothe283 4 жыл бұрын

These pedals would be worth a crossover episode with That Pedal Show and Pedal and effects. The four of you hashing through this plus a crazy fuzz would be crazy fun and may be educational for all involved.

@b.orseno2422 4 жыл бұрын

Yes ! Juan would ride the waves and Nick may never make it back...

@mmmichelin1 4 жыл бұрын

Nick has said in a P&E video that he hates pedal KZfaq. I’ve seen them hate on TPS on P&E. Sometimes P&E videos are entertaining, but I don’t think we’ll ever see a crossover.

@aaroncurtis4476 4 жыл бұрын

Awesome episode. I actually like having you guys figure things out vs having a “specialist” in the area as it shows a bit more of the learning process.

@lagerratrobe 4 жыл бұрын

Oh my goodness, my sides are hurting from Mick's rant against computers. "Randalph is ACE!" Keep it up guys, you're doing great work here.

@peterjessop1878 4 жыл бұрын

Love the Zoia. For me it’s been the most inspiring journey. It’s helped me learn about modular synthesis, control voltages and how to create sounds I hear in my head but have never been able to reproduce. The pedal is definitely not for everyone eg Mick, but if you want to explore the outer realms of sound and music this one is for you.

@Tomsdrawings 4 жыл бұрын

Love this show. Love the personal remarks and stories. Two wonderful humans. Thank you Mick and thank you Progfessor. Fraser, Simon, the whole crew!

@mentalitydesignvideo 4 жыл бұрын

The outro jammàge was the most intelligent, thoughtful music you've ever done on the show. Absolutely brilliant!

@kylemyers8415 4 жыл бұрын

I love Micks attitude towards this stuff. Midi and the lot of it is obviously confusing to some levels and inherently in-depth but it’s inspiring to see him still find interest or at least the novelty and enjoyment in the concept of the zoia for example. Keep up the great shows fellas

@tomaburque 4 жыл бұрын

I've been interested in Ambient ever since Fripp and Eno put out Evening Star back in the 70s. Maybe do a show on the work of Robert Fripp and Frippertronics?

@mattgilbert7347 4 жыл бұрын

I love that record. Have you read "On Some Faraway Beach"? Great read.

@daveryan2148 4 жыл бұрын

Dig the tape machines out...

@RobFlaxMusic 4 жыл бұрын

ZOIA is astonishing. I bought two-one on my big board for crazy effects, and one as a super-customizable multiFX on my fly rig (where I can use it to replace the rest of the board).

@rambis7012 2 жыл бұрын

Hey man, curious to know if you’re still using the ZOIA, and also if you use it with tube amps? I ask because I now have received two different ZOIAs that are unusable because of noise. Way more than any other pedal I have. It’s possible I happened to receive multiple defective units - I’m still going back and forth with Empress. But I really want it to work because it’s an incredible pedal that I also use for bass with no noticeable issue, so it seems to be a tube amp issue for me. I notice on this video they’re playing through tube amps with no noise.

@RobFlaxMusic 2 жыл бұрын

@@rambis7012 I use a Zoia in several contexts: ampless (direct with cab sims via a GFI System Cabzeus) for my home stereo board; on a small fly rig that I either plug into an amp or a DI with no noticeable noise. I'm not sure what your patches are? Have you encountered this problem with every patch?

@jakestewartmusic 4 жыл бұрын

Should have Andy Othling or Amulets on an ambient episode

@niaralosusa 4 жыл бұрын

...the funny thing is you actually need to be pretty good at guitar when playing ambient because if you make a mistake it is repeated, echoed, and reverberated for a very, very long time!! HA!

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

Indeed! Much like playing a 100-watt Two-Rock. Nobody is missing those wrong notes. Good point about the delays and verbs. Atonal ambient would be my thing. :0)

@sammydavej 4 жыл бұрын

Okay, Mick seemed exasperated at times thru this video, but he was really grooving later on! Looked totally at home with all that gear! That made me happy on a Saturday morning.

@sm19 4 жыл бұрын

Although I love ambient music and am an IT engineer by trade, I can still identify with Mick on certain aspects. Obviously I don’t hate computers but my Chase Bliss pedals confuse me too lol. I think that this kind of stuff takes a certain kind of imagination and creativity AS WELL AS technical competency. Love you Mick and thanks for indulging us even when it’s outside of your comfort zone.

@VisualGuy 4 жыл бұрын

Very first Zola loop is the break down to Joe Walsh's "Life's Been Good". If nothing else, that song can now be covered by a 3pc band with the Zola! :)

@fishypaw 4 жыл бұрын

Richard Feynman, one of my science heroes, made a sound argument, that art and science are not incompatible disciplines. It is possible to understand the atomic structure of a flower, and see the beauty in that, while also seeing and appreciating the surface aesthetic too. AND he was also a shit hot bongo player. :)

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

I totally agree. Mick here. True science is true art. But most science is just academics looking for the answer they want to find.

@fishypaw 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThatPedalShow Hey Mick, you know I love you guys but ... I need to disagree a little, sorry. There are bad scientists out there, but if they follow the scientific method then it seeks to rule out bias. The scientific method is an empirical method of acquiring knowledge that has characterized the development of science since at least the 17th century. It involves careful observation, applying rigorous skepticism about what is observed, given that cognitive assumptions can distort how one interprets the observation. It involves formulating hypotheses, via induction, based on such observations; experimental and measurement-based testing of deductions drawn from the hypotheses; and refinement (or elimination) of the hypotheses based on the experimental findings. That aside, I'm just as confused (or even more so) about the Empress Zoia as you are. :D

@mgscheue 4 жыл бұрын

fishy paw Yep! Love Mick, too, but what he describes is pretty much the opposite of science. And thanks for the Feynman mention! One of my heroes.

@patriotpizzaman 4 жыл бұрын

*Kicks on Empress Zoia* The breakdown from "Life's Been Good" begins oozing out of the amplifier!!!! That's a good omen where I come from!

@BillyTalentguitar1 4 жыл бұрын

I‘ve been waiting for this episode for so long! I‘m playing in an Ambient Band myself (Waves No Shore), but for us it‘s not really about looping etc. but more about creating said landscapes, textures and feelings. I feel like in this episode you‘re looking more into the experimental side of it. Maybe you can do another episode with Rabea Massaad because he‘s really got this style and everything around it down. And while you‘re at it you can bring him back for another episode on heavier stuff that is not just drive but all the other things you can do to your sound. Thank you so much!

@gcvrsa 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so disappointed Mick didn't even so much as giggle when Dan said, "It's got all the ocelots in there." Really great episode, guys. I feel "seen", as the kids say, these days.

@gregantonowicz2818 4 жыл бұрын

I’m 100% with Mick. The last thing I want to see or think about when I’m playing music is a computer. Give me a memory man or some tc electronic pedals and a guitar.

@guitarfreak585 4 жыл бұрын

Also, Frazer clearly crossed the Stranger Things theme with the Neverending Story theme for the backing track. Dustin and Suzy would surely approve.

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

He’s 22.

@guitarfreak585 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThatPedalShow he's got taste then

@Sunset1997 4 жыл бұрын

Finally a batch of pedals in which I have no interest. My wife will appreciate this episode.

@mattelder9147 4 жыл бұрын

Mick, I feel the struggle. I'm very much there with you.

@calebwood8941 4 жыл бұрын

You bunch make the best content on KZfaq. Informative, insightful, and excessively fun. Even if I know or care nothing about the topic, I will always watch for the banter. Just wonderful. Thanks!

@Quimmoo 10 ай бұрын

Mick is playing way too many sick licks and having too much fun twisting the right knobs in the outro jam, for someone who dont want to be around that kind of technology, lmao. I love that episode, I've watched it way back in 2019, when I was just getting into ambient guitar, and it taught me so, so much about sound design and guitar pedals in general. Love your show, this episode is way much fun, and I absolutely love to see how passionate Dan are about all this quirks and nerdy stuff. Just imagine the live show, where Dan set's up the textures and creates soundscapes with pedals (and maybe a drums using modular system, why not?), while Mick casually shredding his licks over it.

@musicmann1967 4 жыл бұрын

The Zoia is too clever for me, which is more of a criticism of me than the unit. I don't mind a learning curve, but I think I'd go mad. I think the Timeline is as deep as my musical brain can be bothered. Cool episode though! Lots of cool sounds and info!

@kylemyers8415 4 жыл бұрын

Mick, your playing at the end really reminded me of some of the great solos of Pink Floyd. Dan. Loved those unique sounds too

@mentalitydesignvideo 4 жыл бұрын

Also, this is the funniest and most thought-provoking Mick has ever been! Great comedic talent!

@jonathanyork3636 4 жыл бұрын

Fun show guys. While you might say that ambient tones aren't your home base, I like that you don't just "stay in your lane" but instead give exploration and weirdness a try. That Empress pedal is total mind woggling weirdness- seems fun, but a lot of work...ha ha. Thanks guys!

@RandomButtonPusher 4 жыл бұрын

Echoing others: Get Bill Vencil of Chords of Orion on as a guest.

@tonybrooks476 4 жыл бұрын

I have been using the Fender Marine Layer Reverb in the special mode as a modulated wash that just follows everything you are doing. It is really simple but incredibly effective. I absolutely love it. I will probably only ever use that pedal to do that one thing. Which quite often happens tome. Funnily enough I thought it was the shimmer mode I was buying it for but oh no that mod mode had other plans! I love it when that happens.

@154chairsmissing 4 жыл бұрын

Loved this. I couldn’t stop laughing. I wasn’t sure if it was a parody. Mick’s bewilderment and Dans enthusiasm. Pure gold

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

It’s always part parody. :0)

@theaustralianhulk 4 жыл бұрын

You guys should have the guy from the Pedal Zone on! He is the ambient tone master!

@thepedalzone 4 жыл бұрын

Awwww. Cheers, bud ❤

@lesjayco7785 4 жыл бұрын

I think you should revisit these pedals with Jeremy and Superhans

@OM-pt3df 4 жыл бұрын

Hahaha

@jacktaylorguitarist 4 жыл бұрын

“What we need to do is create a powerful sense of dread, the longer the note the longer the dread!”

@lawrencewatts1838 4 жыл бұрын

and remember the manifesto

@memopinzon 4 жыл бұрын

This is the best comment anyone has ever made on a TPS video ever.

@executioners_bong 4 жыл бұрын

there was a lot of new energy in the room tonight and some of it was just soo rainbow rhythms...and some of was just so not rainbow rhythms.

@jackperry2670 4 жыл бұрын

This episode is spectacular in headphones. Reverse delay in the memory man loop is on point. All about that! Brilliant Dan!

@Lobberzillo 4 жыл бұрын

Some tricks for the Empress Echosystem: Requirements: a) One main amp with a little more volume and clarity than, b) A secondary amp, less volume than the main amp, but with little more gain. c) The electric guitar of your choice. d) The Empress Echosystem. 1) A lá Edge from U2: Use two amps, in left/right mode, put a digital delay on black quarter delay time with MIX@50% in the main amp. The secondary amp with a delay time on eights note triplets and Mix@100% for a All-Wet effect. Adjust the volume at taste. 2) A lá Jonny Buckland: Left/Right mode, Mod Delay Waveform (Red Led) on the main amp with MIX@50%, Reverse Delay (Green Led) on the secondary amp with MIX@100% . 3) Old & New: Use any serial/parallel/left-right mode, use the main amp with Lo-Fi (Blue Led) with MIX@100%, Delay Time at a minimum but no 0%. For the secondary amp, use Filter-Long Delay (Yellow Led) with MIX@100% or whatever measure you like, and Delay Time at taste. 4) Ed'O Brien inspired tone: With a Left/Right mode. Use Analog Delay Deluxe Memory Boy (Red Led mode) Delay time at your taste, MIX@50-60% on the main amp. Shimmery Fixed Pitch Shift (Whisky Red Led) with MIX@100% and Delay Time at your taste, search for an octave up on the Thing 1 Knob. 5) A simple Wet-Dry. Put a Digital Delay on the Main Amp at your taste, and a Reverb+Delay with MIX@100%, try a higher Reverb Decay (Thing 2) with a lower mix (Thing 1). 6) Super Stereo Ping-Pong Delay. This is one of my preferred setups... On Serial Mode, put the Main Amp with a Mod Delay Waveform (Red Led) on the main amp with MIX@50%, and the Ping-Pong Delay (Digital Red Led) with MIX@50%. Try many Delay Times and Mixes between the two effects. And... the sustain stompswitch on the Empress Echosystem will help to make the magic... or an expression pedal.

@BV_Beve 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Zoia.... play me a sequence with ocelots !!!

@nevets0910 4 жыл бұрын

bvninja and elephos!

@MrBiggordy 4 жыл бұрын

Dan: Thanks for watching, we will have some jammage to finish. Mick: What's this 'we' shit?!!

@fewerowls6411 4 жыл бұрын

Marvellous, marvellous, marvellous. 11/10. At last after 200k subscribers, 3 million episodes and 14 person year's of tangents we are getting to the better questions. You COULD stick to what you know will be popular . You CHOSE to educate and remove us from our comfort zones. And for that we thank you! Now my question: this means i can stop practising, right? 🤷‍♀️

@tonisiret5557 4 жыл бұрын

I was out of my comfort zone for most of this video. What's never happened before, is that I watched it through to the end (nervously laughing), & I'm resisting my urge to bury my head in the sand with this stuff. Only because it's TPS! I'm totally with Mick's brain; it doesn't feel good & feels like a barrier to making music. But I'm trying to look at is as a tool; a means to an end. I love synths, I love guitar, & I love episodes that make me think. Great job all!

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

Hey Toni. I could definitely see myself making music with this stuff...... but I’d need somebody to push the buttons. /0)

@tonisiret5557 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThatPedalShow Mic, I'm still confused where to plug leads in. Dan is the ying to your yang!

@mantashaft 4 жыл бұрын

Show topic request: Basic pedal maintenance/repair... starting with switcher issues

@Atttuner 4 жыл бұрын

Fully expected to x this ep ended up watching it and learning a ton.

@sph33_ 4 жыл бұрын

Just got my MOOD last week. It's brilliant.

@JYelton 4 жыл бұрын

I've wanted to see an ambient guitar episode for a long time. I totally understand Mick, though, too. The combination of your experiences and likes and dislikes is what makes That Pedal Show worthwhile. I'm a programmer and electrical nerd, yet usually when I play guitar I don't want to 'program' anything. When I play synth, I'm in a different head space, and it's ok.

@midwest_muse 4 жыл бұрын

For anyone reading - I recently purchased a Walrus Audio SLO and it’s fantastic for ambient tones! Finding ways to put it into everything I track.

@perryguitar1 4 жыл бұрын

"It's fun to watch middle aged people struggle with technology" I Love IT!!! I'm 49 and have to ask my kids about practically anything new ;-)

@jimwilliamson9893 4 жыл бұрын

Episode was ace, digressions and all. Loved the jam, and how eventually Mick gives in to the vibe and just _plays_. I'm imagining the first time Jeff Beck met David Torn.

@rorymcclellan3740 4 жыл бұрын

26:13 xD I sooo enjoy that the TPS content is not void of these witty cracks of light hearted humor. Its such a small light that I can see from miles away! I will always adore the consideration of emotion you guys all have from the tps crew. Lets people know you guys are /real/ people.

@BravoColl 4 жыл бұрын

I definitely think you should revisit this stuff with Stefan (Fast) from The Pedal Zone. This is totally his area of expertise and I'm pretty sure you know each other.

@mariodriessen9740 4 жыл бұрын

He got me addicted to the Fairfield Circuitry Shallow Water. That haunting sound. It has to be my next purchase.

@thepedalzone 4 жыл бұрын

Awwww, man. Speechless. Thank you!

@mariodriessen9740 4 жыл бұрын

ThePedalZone ; You're the man, Stefan! :-)

@tompoynton 4 жыл бұрын

You got the Mood! Was so hoping you’d get your hands on it soon (not to mention the Zoia!)

@vvcv__00 Жыл бұрын

Mick should have a listen to what quite a few contemporary composers are doing with mediums from the quartet to small ensembles. The ambience that composers are doing with instruments, using sandpaper on a timpani for example, are not too far off from what pedals like this are doing for contemporary instruments. And yes, some do use electronic effects (various devices), recorded samples, amplifiers for 'other' sounds, etc. Listening to how composers are now using acoustic instruments may be of some inspiration for these types of pedals. It's all a matter of using acoustic instruments/pedals creatively to make music, as opposed to only sounds. Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Steve Reich and Johannn Johannsson may be able to act as a springboard if interested.

@fishypaw 4 жыл бұрын

By coincidence, I discovered an awesome sound recently by sending lots of reverb into a normal "analogue" delay and then into a reverse "tape" delay, similar to what Dan is doing at the 18:00 minute-ish mark. On one hand it makes me proud that I came up with something that Dan is talking about, on the other hand I feel deflated, as I thought I'd came up with something new. :D

@jacobscott2597 4 жыл бұрын

"Is it an excuse for not being able to play guitar properly?" No - it's an excuse for not being able to play keys properly!

@memorymanuk 4 жыл бұрын

Or type properly🤣

@memorymanuk 4 жыл бұрын

Or typing properly🤣

@jacobscott2597 4 жыл бұрын

@@memorymanuk Man i definitely should have read that through before I sent it

@timfireblade 4 жыл бұрын

It's an excuse for buying more fx pedals.

@jacobscott2597 4 жыл бұрын

@@MrScrofulous I'm not being entirely serious here, I completely understand the amount of skill needed for ambient playing! My comment was just a slightly cynical take on the fact that keys players somehow seem to have a monopoly on pad-like sounds. All this despite the work Eno did with Robert Fripp, essentially defining the ambient sound with his guitar!

@TheParanoidAndroid79 4 жыл бұрын

I think you broke Mick. Just have him patched up and ready to go before next week.

@erniesfo 4 жыл бұрын

Put it this way: It CAN be fun watching middle aged people struggle with technology. In earlier episodes Ed O'Brien (as Mick reminds us) dabbled in Ambient sound design. He was even able to construct both melodic lines and pad sounds. Check out Andy Othling (kzfaq.infofeatured) and perhaps have him as a guest to explain approaches to ambient effects, composition, pedalboards. Simply, the Zoia is a Modular Synth in a pedal form. You could have used the Enzo from last week, btw. "Ambient music is a genre of music that emphasizes tone and atmosphere over traditional musical structure or rhythm....Ambient music focuses on creating a mood or atmosphere through synthesizers and timbral qualities, often lacking the presence of any net composition, beat, or structured melody....According to Brian Eno, one of its pioneers, 'Ambient music must be able to accommodate many levels of listening attention without enforcing one in particular; it must be as ignorable as it is interesting.' " - Wikipedia.

@markferguson3745 4 жыл бұрын

As far as the now standard age comment, -middle aged people invented the technology.

@jacktaylorguitarist 4 жыл бұрын

Great episode! A lot of my own material has a big emphasis on ambient tones. They can be hard to fit in a mix, but I often find if you arrange parts harmonically well the effects will often sit around those parts and enhance them. You have to be sparing but it can be wonderful once you mix :)

@paulgoulden9988 4 жыл бұрын

Top gun! 09:27

@andyhightides 4 жыл бұрын

I keep telling my lead player to get a looper for "Thunderstruck".

@CorbCorbin 4 жыл бұрын

andyhightides 😆 Who Made Who too

@bexserver 4 жыл бұрын

My take-away from Mick's point on just wanting to play a note was that he wanted to play something that he knew and was familiar to him (I might be wrong, but that's how I read it). My view of playing ambient is to play the unknown, just plug a bunch of pedals in and begin a creative journey exploring the imagination. The end result may suck, it may sound like everything else I play, or might even sound great, but it's like a musical photograph, a snapshot of that point in time. Was really curious how this episode was going to unfold, wasn't disappointed, well done. Also appreciate the strat being dropped on the floor, shows Mick has a strong bond with that instrument and he knows its limits.

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

No, that's not it at all. Mick here. This condescending view that doing what you love is somehow limited or uncreative is baffling to me. But we live in a world of fragile egos - including mine - and a world of entitled expectations that the whole fucking world revolves our own personal viewpoint, where you feel offended if anyone isn't exactly in line with your viewpoint. To be honest, I've run out of fucks to give about all of that. It does indeed call into question the validity of doing stuff like this, and I've read the comments with much interest, exasperation and sadness. On reflection, the world is probably right. I'm just going to do my own thing and try and concentrate on that from here on in. Or at least when something is new, kinda do it in private an find my own way. Thanks for the feedback!

@keestoft250 4 жыл бұрын

If you turn the volume down between 16.00-16.23ish it looks like Dan is casually describing to mick, in detail, a pivotal experience he may have shared with a consenting other at say, college or senior highschool ... great episode BTW

@nofriendtojesus 4 жыл бұрын

How about a video with Scott Devine about bass pedals?

@mgscheue 4 жыл бұрын

Time for a Divkid Ben/TPS modular synth/pedal crossover episode!

@clayheinzerling1852 4 жыл бұрын

Mick with that forza soundtrack at the beginning. That was absolutely awesome I'm loving the incorporation of backing tracks into the episodes

@PBOD 4 жыл бұрын

One of the most entertaining episodes ever, not just due to the awesome tones you guys created but also I was totally with Mick on the Zioa until Dan explained it so well! Now I need one!

@organizationone 4 жыл бұрын

I do not agree with Mr Bonamassa.... When you use these type of sounds and you strike a wrong note during a gig you will regret that note! every delay repeat and the repeat of the repeat and the reverse of the repeat of the repeat... For as long as that note lasts! These sounds are not forgiving!

@thenotsoguitarguy9429 4 жыл бұрын

So I get the impression that the Zoia is kind of like having NI Reaktor in a stomp box.

@Andy_Yates 4 жыл бұрын

I really love what I'm hearing from the Mood. It seems to me that when Mick stops worrying about how a pedal works, and just plays with it, great sounds happen. I've held back buying one so far for fear of not knowing what to do with it, but I think the point of it is to let yourself be the child, play with it, and be inspired by the accidental sounds. Then when you get to know it, you might know where it fits. Maybe it remains a mystery and you continue to let it make you smile with all it's crazy sounds and pads?

@MrBiggordy 4 жыл бұрын

P.S. Mick, I totally feel you, when you say you switched off in school when computers were discussed. I was 17 in 1980, and I rejected PC's, computer games (I still have never played Space Invaders) and the 'horrors' of digitisation, including CD's. Although I have enjoyed listening to, and playing, good ole guitar, I feel I have been on the back foot, trying to catch up, ever since. Even now, my son, when I asked him a simple question about my newly-acquired smart phone, said "I feel like I'm teaching my grandmother about tech., you're so slow". Ce la vie. As a listener, I love the sounds being created, am fascinated by how they were created and could listen to that all night. As a player, maybe, like Mick, I don't have the imagination to 'see' the full playing potential.

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

I hear you Gordon. I think there’s a difference between people who deliberately refuse tech - I met a woman yesterday who refuses to have a mobile phone, which is just dumb in 2019 - and people who aren’t interested in it for the sake of it. But, whatever, I guess all of us should just try to be open to what we want to do creatively and wherever that leads. Maybe.

@GIBKEL 4 жыл бұрын

Ed O’Brien if you remember, is a master of the ambient shtick, out of necessity when Kid A was being made. Nobody does it better.

@shaft9000 4 жыл бұрын

aaaand the 'radiohead was so innovative and awesome' b.s. strikes again no credit to (or even an idea of) who came before them. well, perhaps a vague notion that "Eno was important", and then it usually ends there.

@ryanstark2350 4 жыл бұрын

For once that pedal show has a pedal that I use. The Boss RV6. The modulate setting sounds really great. It's worth the cheap price of the pedal.

@JackFou 4 жыл бұрын

I *really* like the RV-5's modulation setting. Somehow yet no other pedal has ever managed to pull off that sound. Sadly it's quite the one-trick pony.

@ryanstark2350 4 жыл бұрын

@@JackFou I find that sometimes with Boss pedals there ae sounds which are just tonally perfect for guitar. I wonder if it's by accident because often there is rubbish on their pedals. For example I have their RC30 looper which has a waste of space section of mostly useless effects. Otherwise it's dead easy to use. If the RV5's modulation is better then that's another example.

@tremelo68 4 жыл бұрын

Love how the counter for Dan's time to make a delay went down as Mick asked questions that took away from the time needed to make the delay. This was a great episode. Some difficulties because higher tech pedals often require more familiarity in order to make them useful. Usually difficult to get instant gratification. Not all, but most. Regardless, TPS always gives great information and I feel lucky to have them as a resource for tone chasing.

@Immortaljameson 4 жыл бұрын

the intro was epic ... we need more music just like this... ambient rock...

@lunchpin403 4 жыл бұрын

For more on this check out Andy Othling and Chords of Orion

@thedutchdjentleman 4 жыл бұрын

You should get rabea for a part 2 of ambience

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

There are so many things we should do. We should make a list.

@LemonHolidayProd 4 жыл бұрын

@@ThatPedalShow if Rabea ever stops being the busiest musician in all of England apparently, the video that you never did was just an overview of his board and interview sort of video. You could talk about his ambient tones and his heavy gain setup at the same time, as well as his use of things like the Germaniac to create the stranger sounds he does.

@bartholomeusclever 4 жыл бұрын

i was waiting for a show like this .. with the ambience tones in it ... great that you are brave enough to get out of to comfort zone to even try this, it's not that easy ... mick did well to express how he feels about it, many will recognise this and he has done them a favour ... still you managed to pull off some great sounds .. thank you

@ThatPedalShow 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you sir, and I appreciate that you saw what I was trying to achieve here - Mick here. All the too cool for school sonic warriors out there think we made a terrible job of it. But I’m trying to provide a bridge for people like me who literally have no idea where to start. Mick here. That said, I want to see some ambient/experimental players get out of their comfort zones and play me one Albert King lick, authentically. Which they won’t, because they see blues as a regressive ‘comfort zone’ that people need to get out of. It’s massive snobbery to be honest. I’m sort of bored of being accused of being in a comfort zone. It’s what inspires me and what I want to be playing. There’s nothing comfortable about it!

@peterjessop1878 4 жыл бұрын

That Pedal Show well said Mick. We all have different musical tastes and things that inspire us. This creates a tendency for people to be snobby about the type of music they like. This is true of all music including blues, rock, classical and especially modern jazz. I am not inspired by the same things you are but I am not going to slag you off because of it. Just keep doing what you do because you love it, who gives a shit about anything or anyone else for that matter; I don’t!

@bartholomeusclever 4 жыл бұрын

dear mick, it is not my style to accuse or offend people ... so if I offended you mick, i am sorry and do sincerely apologise. In no way did I mean that you are in a comfort zone .. maybe i should have written "comfort zone" or "the familiar paths" "your regular music preference" .". I do understand that everyone has their own preferences and love different things, so if you explore a different unknown territory and put that on YT, that is brave ... music, it is no competition, let everybody play what he/she loves, so if you love blues, play blues, no one should tell you what you can/can't/must/mustn't play... i for sure wouldn't tell you what to play ... please mick, don't be offended, I love your musical contribution to that pedal show, i love your analysis and ability to bring structure and clarity in the shows, to have the perspective of the viewer in mind while making the show ... your sensitivity is your gift, it is appreciated ... i love to see what you and dan love to do and are inspired by, not what "spoiled viewers" want to see everything that people passionately do is appreciated my gratitude and love to you and dan

@cchavez248 4 жыл бұрын

In my opinion, ambient style sounds almost require one to play more accurate and cleanly because any mistakes one makes come back to clash against what you were trying to play for at least 4-8 repeats later! I would say, revisit these pedals and invite someone who specializes in Shoegaze or other ambient styles of music, though you guys are excellent at bringing these cool pieces of gear and explaining uses and applications for them, you both seemed a bit like fish out of water playing ambient styles of music! Much love, cheerio!