In this episode of Anatomy of Tone, Mark Marshall discusses his experiences with various DAWs and audio interfaces, ultimately advocating for the simplicity and compatibility of Pro Tools. He shares insights from his teaching and professional recording experiences, emphasizing the importance of consistent, high-quality tools in the studio.

Mark reviews Chicken Picks, noting their unique material, durability, and impact on guitar tone. Delving into guitar picks' role in sound shaping, he offers tips for choosing the right pick based on playing style and desired tone. Additionally, Mark shares his compositional techniques, including modulation and progression tactics, to help listeners enhance their music writing skills. The episode includes practical examples on bass and electric guitar, contrasting Chicken Picks with other picks to demonstrate tonal differences. Mark concludes with an invitation for lessons and feedback, promising more insightful content in upcoming episodes.

00:00 Welcome to Anatomy of Tone: Exploring Guitar Picks

00:25 Navigating the Recording World: A Personal Journey

05:34 Diving Into Chicken Picks: A Unique Guitar Pick Experience

18:27 Exploring Composition Techniques and Musical Examples

45:28 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

This episode of Anatomy of Tone offers a deep dive into the world of custom guitar craftsmanship through the lens of Farhad Sohaili, the founder of FSC Instruments. Farhad shares his comprehensive journey from his early music influences and moving from Iran to the United States to the establishment of his guitar-making business. The conversation explores the meticulous process behind creating handcrafted guitars, emphasizing the selection of materials like aged and roasted woods, the art of matching necks to bodies, and the importance of playability and design. Farhad discusses the transition from repair work to building guitars, the impact of the environment on the guitar , and the venture into boutique pedals and amps, illustrating his commitment to quality and the unique character of each piece. The episode also delves into the challenges of the guitar business, the shift from traditional sales to online platforms, and the value of a close-knit guitar community, offering insights into the passion and philosophy that define FSC Instruments.

00:00 Welcome to Anatomy of Tone: A Deep Dive with Farhad Sohaili

00:46 The Craftsmanship of FSC Instruments: Beyond Mass Production

02:27 Navigating Name Pronunciations and Immigrant Experiences

04:42 Musical Beginnings: From Classical Lessons to Punk Rock Passion

11:29 The Journey from Guitar Enthusiast to FSC Instruments Founder

15:06 Mastering Guitar Repair: A Self-Taught Success Story

20:36 The New York Hustle: Building a Business in the Big Apple

24:31 Seasonal Shifts and the Constant Grind of NYC Life

27:17 The Hustle of New York Musicians

28:08 The Importance of Taking Breaks and Having Support

28:56 Navigating the Challenges of Running a Small Business

30:46 The Evolution of Guitar Design and Production

33:18 The Art of Guitar Customization and Quality Control

34:42 Innovations and Changes in Guitar Features

45:01 The Craftsmanship Behind Fretwork and Nut Slots

49:14 Navigating Customer Expectations and Guitar Maintenance

55:33 The Unique Experience of Handbuilt Guitars

57:29 The Art of Selecting Wood for Guitars

58:26 Crafting Unique Guitars: A Personal Approach

01:00:02 The Importance of Thin Finishes and Vintage Aesthetics

01:02:24 Navigating the Boutique Guitar Market

01:04:08 The Future of Guitar Sales and Marketing

01:05:45 Collaborations and Innovations in Guitar Gear

01:08:31 Expanding the FSC Brand: Pedals, Amps, and More

01:19:18 Concluding Thoughts on the Guitar Industry

Visit my website Anatomy of Guitar Tone

Welcome to "Anatomy of Tone," the podcast that delves deep into the intricate world of musical soundscapes. In this episode, we unravel the secrets behind the revolutionary Tul G12 Dynamic Microphone, specially crafted for guitar amps. Join us on a sonic journey as we explore the essence of tone and the impact this cutting-edge microphone has on shaping your guitar sound.

Welcome to the 33rd thrilling episode of Anatomy of Tone. Join your host, Mark Marshall, as he delves into the vast tonal world of the Earth Drive pedal by Sarno Music Solutions. Through numerous experiments and meticulous exploration, Mark will share his process of identifying the perfect overdrive pedal saturation for diverse applications.

Learn from his comprehensive walkthrough on how to maximize the pedal's effects and discover how slight adjustments in EQ settings can magnify your guitar's sound. Explore the numerous musical contexts in which the Earth Drive pedal excels, without compromising its distinct and captivating character.

Marvel as Marshall unmasks the Earth Drive pedal in real-life musical situations, demonstrating its application in a variety of compositions, encompassing synthesizers, drum machines and guitar parts. Becoming a powerful tool, the pedal ensures a warm and rich harmonic texture, regardless of whether it's an '80s infused synth or a melodic bass part.

In Episode 33, Mark Marshall exquisitely explores the craft of creating lush guitar tones. From the Earth Drive and Vox, gorgeously layered sound to the balanced work on minimalist composition inspired by Steve Reich. Anatomy of Tone transports you to an immersive experience unveiling the beauty of utilizing multiple elements, rather than relying on one, to create a richer, fuller sound.

If you're a guitarist, an engineer, a producer or a composer, this episode brimming with hands-on experiences and practical advice is a must-listen. Dive into the fascinating realm of guitar tones today!

Gear used in this episode:

Tul G12 Microphone

API 312 Mic Pres

Purple Audio MC77

Rush Pepbox

Headstrong Lil King Reverb

Chase Blis CXM 1978

Analog Man Mini Chorus

Solo Dallas Schaffer Replica Storm

Gemini Mercury One Humbuckers

Ampete 88S Amp Switcher

Universal Audio OX

Asterope Cables

FSC '59 Pickups

Valhalla Vintage Verb

In this week’s podcast, I’ll discuss the Rush Pepbox, one of the earliest fuzz pedals made. Pepe Rush started making the Pepbox in 1966 in London. The tone is reminiscent of the Maestro FZ-1 but with a few variations.

Those of you who are into fuzz know we’ve been missing fuzz in this family. The Maestro isn’t being made anymore, and although there are a few copies of the Fuzzrite (another Maestro variant), they don’t sound quite right to my ears.

Well, it turns out that Pepe’s daughter, Lucy, is still making the Pepbox, and it’s the real deal time machine fuzz. But don’t be fooled into thinking it only does psychedelic fuzz.

I’ll discuss composition techniques and play examples using various guitars, amps, and effects combinations with the Pepbox. Context is crucial when choosing the right fuzz pedal. For me, that leads back to composition, production, and orchestration.

In these examples, I’ll also use a new microphone I’m excited about- the Tul G12, designed just for guitar amps. The Tul G12 allows you to record guitar amps in the center of the cone without the fizziness often associated with this position.

I'm available for private composition, guitar, and music theory lessons.

Other gear used in this podcast:

FSC 59’ Pickups

Gemini Lipstick Pickups

Teese Picture Wah

Earth Drive

Headstrong Lil’ King Reverb

Chase Bliss CXM-1978

Marshall SV20H

Purple Audio MC77

In Episode 31 of Anatomy of Tone, the host discusses crucial factors to consider when choosing a delay pedal and provides insightful tips on troubleshooting gear during a rehearsal or gig. They release new videos on their YouTube channel Anatomy of Tone which covers topics like using leading tones in solos and improvisations. A significant portion of the show presents an exhaustive exploration of different delay pedals and their unique sounds, including Fulltone Tube Tape Echo, El Capistan from Strymon, Analog Man ARDX20, and Korg SDD 3000, among others. The host also delves into tips to keep in mind when dealing with digital pedals and analog pedals. The episode wraps up with some samples using the various delay pedals discussed.

00:13 Introduction and Overview 00:55 Troubleshooting Gear on a Gig or Rehearsal 04:34 Choosing the Right Delay Pedal 05:18 Assessing Your Needs and Preferences 08:12 Considering the Size of the Pedal 09:53 Sound Style and Quality 11:16 Exploring Different Delay Pedals 23:57 Sound Examples and Demonstrations 38:50 Conclusion and Contact Information

Check out my webpage https://www.anatomyofguitartone.com/ for more in-depth discussion and examples of each of these delays as well as the other effects mentioned such as the Seeker MKI, RMC Picture Wah, Effectrode Mercury, PC-2a, Delta Trem, Tube Drive, Gemini Mercury One pickup, and FSC '59s pickups.

In episode 30 of Anatomy of Tone, host Mark Marshall offers an in-depth discussion on the original Klon Centaur pedal. He explains its creator, Bill Finnegan's intent, how it was first received, and the subsequent controversy and 'Klon Wars.' He discusses manufacturing issues Finnegan faced and the impact of manufacturer changes on performance. Marshall also shares his opinions on Klon clones, dissecting their performance compared to an original Klon and presenting his favorite clones. He ends with a broader discussion on Klon use, inspiring listeners to see it as an ingredient in their sound, not a solution. Besides the Klon conversation, he announces his new YouTube channel and offers private guitar and music theory lessons.

Gear used in this podcast:

FSC KB-1

Analog Man Mini Chorus

Analog Man ARDX20

Chase Bliss CXM-1978

Ampete 88S Amp Switcher

Gemini Mercury One Pickups

Headstrong Lil King Amp

Marshall SV20H Amp

00:13 Introduction and Welcome

00:53 Promotion of New YouTube Channel and Request for Reviews

01:57 Introduction to the Original Clon Censure

02:09 The History and Controversy of the Clon Censure

02:52 Production Issues and Personal Experiences with the Clon Censure

06:57 The Impact of Famous Musicians on the Clon's Popularity

08:08 The Misconceptions and Misuse of the Clon Censure

08:51 The Market and Pricing of the Clon Censure

09:19 The Controversy of Clon Copies

16:23 The Varieties of Clon Copies

32:10 The Sound and Use of Different Clon Pedals

39:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts