GEARED talks to Obese Records’ top producer/beatsmaster M-PHAZES about the aspects of hip hop production, the Aussie scene’s impending American breakthrough and, of course, beats.

GEARED: What does it usually take to make a hip hop track?

M-PHAZES: Typically, the big thing is whether it’s samples or keyboards – but basically, you can get this by laying the drums first or going through old records to find a sample that you might want to remake into a new track. That’s the basis of it, but it’s a very rough thing – there’s such a wide spectrum of different styles these days and people are starting out with violins and other live instruments. Ten years ago, I would have told you “Yep, starts with the drums!” (laughs), but it all starts with the inspiration – just like a musician writing music, only it’s a bit more technology-based. It usually starts on a computer or on a piece of equipment like an [Akai] MPC or something like that; that’s the biggest difference between hip hop production and rock songwriting.

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GEARED talks to RODNEY HOLDER of ROCKSHCOOL CHALLENGE – a school band/ under-18 talent competition held by Brisbane’s Southbank Institute Of Technology.

GEARED: Firstly, do you want to tell us a little about yourself Rodney?

RODNEY HOLDER: Sure – I’ve been in the music industry for about twenty-three years now. During that time, I’ve done most of my learning on the job with my metal band Alchemist. I have a degree in communication and media production, but most of my own education has been via negotiating my own recording and publishing deals, dealing with the artists, agents, managers, promoters, venues, media etc. Booking my own national and international tours, I was also a partner in running Australia’s largest and longest running metal festival – Metal For The Brain, where I learned a lot of good skills producing that event – so you could say that most of my skills have been learnt on the job. I have also been teaching music business, media production and music production since 1999. I really enjoy teaching as it enables me to continue learning as well as pass onto students the mistakes I’ve made in my own career.

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Fan of all things VOX, GEARED is delighted to discover the legendary UK company has updated its iconic AC15 and AC30 electric guitar amplifiers.

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Electric Guitar Amplifier

Just like owner Peter Stroud (a longtime Sheryl Crow sidekick) knows how to twang his Tele, 65amps have craftsmanship down pat – the proof is in the proverbial pudding. The latest outing from the California-based makers, the 20W Tupelo is a state-of-the-art boutique amp like the Elvis Costello-sanctioned Lil Elvis. Based on the 6V6 power section unlike its 2xEL84 predecessor, the amp’s pristine design replicates the classic American circuitry of the late ‘50s and early-to-mid-‘60s. Basically, it looks and sounds like a vintage amp either in combo or head format – without the unpredictable hiss and hum associated with old Bassmans and Deluxes. Now let’s plug in!

Impressively versatile, the Tupelo would make even the pickiest vintage amp fan happy with its wide sonic vocabulary and rich tone. The transition from clean to “brown” sound is seamless and the overdrive packs a crunchy vintage bark, making the amp suitable for a wide array of music genres. 65amps’ patented Master Voltage power technology keeps the response down to two or three Watts and the additional features include a passive FX Loop, two speaker outs and 65amps’ signature bias tremolo. Whether used at a low volume or turned right up, the Tupelo sounds great “from bedroom to coffee house to small clubs” according to its creators – whether used live or in the studio, its flexibility is a winning factor.

RRP US$2,295 (combo), US$1,850 (head). www.65amps.com

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Electric Bass Guitars

Commonly associated with heavier music styles, Schecter Guitars have a firm reputation both as top-notch instrument crafters and a quality budget brand. This week, we’re going to have a look at the newest additions to the company’s low-end catalogue – the Raiden Special & Raiden Elite Basses.

Debuted at this January’s NAMM in LA, the Raidens are aimed at the price-conscious player – or, for that matter, anyone willing to unleash their Big Bottom monster. With a 34-inch scale and six-bolt necks, these machines look good and sound great.

The Raiden Special is more of a beginners’ instrument, but with its basswood body, quilted maple top (that “will garner your first set of groupies right out of the gate,” as the makers crow), twenty-four jumbo fret rosewood board and maple neck, its attractive look belies the budget pricing. Completing the package, the coil-tappable Schecter Super Rock pickup allows for wider tonal versatility than most beginners’ basses.

Aimed at the more experienced and discerning performer, the multi-laminate maple and walnut neck Raiden Elite 4- or 5-strings are loaded with powerful active EMGHZ pickups – specially designed for aggressive modern sounds. The EMG active two-band EQ with selectable frequencies enables the player to shape and define their sound while the Master Blend and Master Volume functions further improve on the instrument’s versatility.

Both basses are equipped with Schecter's robust string-through bridge, black chrome hardware and dot inlays. Raiden Elite 4 comes in a Black Cherry finish and the Raiden Elite 5 comes both in Black Cherry and classic Tobacco Sunburst.

RRP US$499 (Raiden Special 4), US$799 (Raiden Elite), US$849 (Raiden Elite 5). www.schecterguitars.com

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Instruction DVDs

Fresh from releasing the Dave Gilmour/Pink Floyd batch, Lick Library further expand their massive array of tuition DVDs with the release of Learn to Play Led Zeppelin Vol 1 & 2 (presented by Jamie Humphries), Learn to Play Jimmy Page – The Solos and Quick Licks Up Tempo Rock and Minor Blues In The Style Of Jimmy Page (both presented by former Joe Satriani pupil Danny Gill).

Learn to Play Led Zeppelin Volume 1 is a world-class guitar workshop that gives the Jimmy Page wannabes the inside look on the immortal riffs and licks played by the great man. Classics including Black Dog, Rock & Roll, Stairway To Heaven, Immigrant Song and Heartbreaker are broken down note-by-note by Jamie Humphries – all for the keen enthusiast to indulge in a prime Wayne’s World moment in any guitar shop.

In Learn to Play Led Zeppelin Volume 2, Jamie takes on five more timeless tracks –  Whole Lotta Love, Kashmir, Communication Breakdown, Since I've Been Loving You" and Babe I'm Gonna Leave You. Learn to Play Jimmy Page – The Solos has Danny Gill dissect the leads from Stairway To Heaven, Rock & Roll, Good Times Bad Times, Black Dog and Whole Lotta Love. The jam tracks on the supplement CD are featured at slow, medium and full tempos, allowing the player to learn at their own pace.

Quick Licks Up Tempo Rock In The Style of Jimmy Page contains seven JP solos and over forty licks, with Danny looking at pentatonic, diatonic and blues scales, string bending and hybrid picking and the ways to blend them. A further thirty blues licks akin to Since I've Been Loving You and Tea For One are contained within the Quick Licks Minor Blues In The Style Of Jimmy Page DVD. Both Quick Licks DVDs come with backing tracks.

RRP AU$60-70. www.musicroom.com.au

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Electric Guitar Amp

Founded in 2004 by Dan Boul and Sheryl Crow’s guitarist Peter Stroud, the North Hollywood, California-based boutique amp crafters 65amps have since amassed serious kudos among guitarists like Bruce Springsteen, Peter Frampton, Richie Sambora and Keith Urban. The company’s latest creation, the 12W Lil Elvis, is presently the main stage amp for the legendary songwriter Elvis Costello, who found it ideally suited to his spartan playing style – as the man himself reckons, his miniature namesake “delivers the sound I expect and hope to hear, regardless of whatever my fingers are doing.”

Based on a 2xEL84 power section and a 12AX7 front end, the compact, handwired Lil Elvis displays an impressive tonal versatility ranging from pristine cleans to visceral, snarling overdrive. 65amps’ proprietary Master Voltage power technology keeps the entire response down to 2 or 3W, making the amp a dream for recording or both small and large stages. Lil Elvis is currently available in both 1x12 combo and head with a 1x12 cabinet formats. Additional features include a passive FX loop, 2 speaker outs and tasty vintage-sounding tremolo. Pump it up!

RRP US$2,295 (combo), US$1,850 (head). www.65amps.com

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