THE "FULMINATORS" YOUTUBE CHANNELI post most of the music I create on my YouTube Channel. You can visit it by clicking here. The channel name is "Fulminators" and the songs are credited to "The Fulminators" - which is, I suppose, the teenage band I wish I'd belonged to.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
I create the songs on an iMac using the Garageband sequencer, a 49-key M-Audio KeyStudio MIDI keyboard, Samson condenser microphone, a Telecaster, and a Taylor acoustic. I occasionally record the Tele through a Zoom GFX-8 effects processor plugged into a Behringer pre-amp, but I usually plug the guitar lead straight into a Monster Cable dongle attached to the computer and use the effects provided by Garageband. I occasionally use the virtual instruments available on Apple's various Jam Pack bundled offerings - mainly Rhythm and Symphony.(Some of the older songs were created on a Dell PC, using the Cubase sequencer and Steinberg virtual instruments.)
THE GUITARS
The Telecaster is a standard black US model bought eighteen years ago. I've had to replace the bit where you plug in the lead - and that's it. It's comfortable to play, and, since I replaced the light-gauge strings (which I thought would make me play like James Burton) with a much heavier set a decade ago, the sound is great - especially when using a Boss Digital Delay pedal plugged into a 15W Fender practice amp. I chose the Tele because I was very into country music at the time - but it suits all of my favourite styles, and the superb array of effects on offer these days means the inherent sound of the guitar has become largely irrelevant.
The Telecaster is a standard black US model bought eighteen years ago. I've had to replace the bit where you plug in the lead - and that's it. It's comfortable to play, and, since I replaced the light-gauge strings (which I thought would make me play like James Burton) with a much heavier set a decade ago, the sound is great - especially when using a Boss Digital Delay pedal plugged into a 15W Fender practice amp. I chose the Tele because I was very into country music at the time - but it suits all of my favourite styles, and the superb array of effects on offer these days means the inherent sound of the guitar has become largely irrelevant.
I bought a second-hand Japanese acoustic - a Yamaki - 25 years ago. It has a narrow finger-board and produces a decent enough sound. I still have it and I still play it. But when I took guitar lessons from 2000 - 2005 (my technique was truly appalling) my teacher persuaded me to buy a better guitar, so I bought a mid-range Taylor. Taylor is a small Californian company which produces some of finest Country guitars you can buy. My Taylor 314 has a rosewood finger-board, Elixir strings, and the sound it produces is simply wonderful - deep, loud, sparkly and rich - even when I play it.
