TraqFreq

Introducing TraqFreq™: the world's first musical instrument activity tracker that monitors playing, climate and supplies!

TraqFreq automatically tracks playing time, passages, songs, sets and much more. And it works on virtually any musical instrument that generates notes and some degree of sound.

New Fingerpick Day!

It's New Fingerpick Day! That after 15 years of usage, no filing and still perfectly fine!

So today I tried a fingerpick from my new supply. They are narrower than before, which makes them difficult to mold in hot water. I re-mold them so that I am free to touch the strings directly for multiple harmonics, tapping, percussion, etc. Yes, I wear them "wrong" - I have done so for 35 years without regret :)

That said, several years ago I switched to using bare flesh. Initially, it took more effort to project notes and produce tone, but the benefits are truly astounding. Now many fast, single note lines are easier and far more defined than when using a thumbpick. The increased exertion also greatly improves technique. And with virtually no risk of damaging the guitar top, you extend the life of your Golden Era '45 ;) It is a wonderfully liberating experience, and I have no intention of ever reverting.

Still, I just had to try these new fingerpicks for old times' sake ;)

The Uher Tapes

I am currently digitizing the audio tapes my dad recorded with his two 1964 (my birth year) Uher 4000 Report-L recorders, one of which is displayed in the photo below. I also have his second 4000L and Uher Mix-5 mixer, all of which are in perfect working order. I used this equipment many times myself while growing up, including on one of my dad's albums. In addition to a long family history this Uher also has incredible German engineering, that distinctly warm analog sound, and a built-in speaker second to none!

Akai X-330

Here is a photo of the 1969 4-track Akai X-330 that was used by the infamous Cotacachi band, Rumba Habana (1949-1979), to produce their records. This recorder is now in one of two new rooms that were opened in their honor during an event which I had the privilege of attending today at the Cotacachi museum.