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How To Connect A Guitar To A Computer
By Brad Finley

So many players want to record guitar playing on their computer. Digital recording is more popular than ever for pros and amateurs alike. But there are some things to be considered when you connect a guitar to a computer; mostly how you want to connect the instrument, and the quality of the recording you hope to capture. The type of guitar computer interface you choose will greatly affect the sound of the electric guitar through the computer and the overall recording you can expect.

While it is possible to play guitar through a PC just by plugging it in, this basic approach is likely to be fine for most though many players don't like sacrificing a good sound for the ease of quick setup. Electric players need a 'high impedance' input to get their electric guitar to connect to a computer, and though most computer soundcards come with high impedance inputs, these inputs are usually not strong enough to get a good guitar signal or in the long run, for recording guitar effects for PC. This lower 'impedance' can cause noise problems too. A player can avoid all this of course by plugging the guitar into a 'line-in' jack, instead of the 'mic-in', but then the all-important preamp is needed.

Almost any one attempting to connect a guitar through their computer or familiar with recording a guitar into a mixing consol should be familiar with a preamp. The preamp does exactly what its name implies, it "amps" the signal before it goes into the plug-in. Therefore your guitar's signal will get that extra boost it needs when you record guitar on a pc...or into any other device that is not an amp. There are plenty of external interfaces that combine computer soundcards with a preamp. Or if you like more components to you set-up you can always buy a preamp separate from your sound card. There are a lot of stand-alone vintage preamps out there that will not only boost your signal, but warm your sound before it goes into the 'cooler' digital domain of your PC.

It's not only the pristine quality of digital that makes recording guitar on a pc so much fun, it is also portability. With very little equipment you can put down a riff (or an entire song actually) into a laptop! And added to all this wonderful technology is the fact that there are so many recording guitar effects for pc now on the market, a player can access different amp sounds and settings, effects. Well after you have wrestled with how to connect a guitar to your PC and have recorded a strong signal, you can call record guitar effects with PC during recording or in post-production.

Of course information about how to connect your guitar to a PC and the wonderful wide world of effects is available through an on-line PC guitar tutor and websites devoted to digital recording. You can even purchase a computer guitar tuner (some programs include a free computer guitar tuner) so everything you will ever need is self-contained in your rockin' PC! Some players are even recording parts, then downloading and sending these pieces of tunes to musician's half-way across the world.

The possibilities really are unlimited for the guitar player who says: "I want to connect a guitar to my PC"; he or she will be amazed at the varied and easy results they can achieve when they simply start recording guitar on a PC.

Have your way with Jonny Lang... Live!
By Anthony McBride

Before I even begin to tell you about Jonny Lang and his guitars, his band, his voice, his energy and his show this past June 19th at the House of Blues in West Hollywood, I have to tell you about his whole tour. "Live by Request" is the name of the tour which allows fans to request their favorite songs via Lang's website, and he then builds each set list around each city! Brilliant! But when I first heard about the tour, I pictured the Fargo-born 29 year- old Grammy award winning artist (2006's album "Turn Around") standing on stage in front of a packed house of rock, blues and gospel fans screaming out names of his songs; "LIE TO ME!", "ANYTHINGS POSSIBLE!" or "STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN!", wait the last one's not Jonny Lang..but it may as well be.

Lang is such a true player, he is so raw and mixes blues with rock so effortlessly it does bring to mind the guitar greats like Jimmy Page, Hendrix, Clapton, Prince...Yes Prince. If you have ever seen Prince play guitar live, you would know what I mean. Jonny is a mid-westerner just like Prince and I swear there is something in the water up there. I am surprised at myself for drawing the similarity between them but somehow the color and fierceness in which they both play is oddly connected. Jonny also has his falsetto that is hauntingly sexy, yet retains so much masculinity; you don't feel awkward...well maybe a little. Lang's first ever live-album release this past spring "Live at the Ryman", features guitarist/vocalist Sonny Thompson and keyboard player Tommy Barbarella, both of whom have recorded and toured with Prince together, and are 2 of the 5 backing crew on the live c.d. ...coincidence? I don't thinks so. Birds of a feather do flock together. The current touring musicians for the "Live by Request" tour pack such a wallop; these guys are like thunder, lightning and a few glasses of nicely aged Scotch. Lang is such a leader yet he is very in-sync with his band and it is obvious they are a team, and fans of one another. Everyone in the band gets a solo and the crowd at the Los Angeles House of Blues last Saturday night obliged them willingly.

There were moments during this show when I looked around and people's jaws were on the floor, Jonny Lang is such a virtuoso and every other name you can think of to describe his guitar playing, well here are a couple more; ace, master, champion...genius. Lang has been playing guitar since the age of 12, and what he has learned thus far, seemingly is still only the beginning for him. The crowd this night, and I imagine every other night for that matter were in love with Lang, and during softer minutes like when he performs "Thankful", I saw grown men that could have easily worked the HOB door, yelling "I love you Jonny", and when he did anything else, like speak, woman were screaming louder than the men. Remember, this is the Live by Request tour, which means most of the audience had already gone online to jonnylang.com and requested what songs they wanted him to play, in this city.at this venue.this very night. This concept really lifted the energy level in the room to heights I haven't seen since Fleetwood Mac's first reunion concert tour a few years back. Did I just mention Fleetwood Mac? I did...guess who was in the crowd cheering Jonny Lang on like a rabid teenager? Mick Fleetwood. Maybe he wasn't so rabid -but he sure enjoyed the show and made it very clear. I have to mention Lang and the band's performance on Saturday of Stevie Wonder's classic "Living for the City" was, dare I say, epic.

Jonny Lang has a bit of touring mania right now...the dude is relentless with the Live by Request tour going all the way to September wrapping up in Redding, Ca. I think that's enough time to start planning your set list...if you start now! This was one of the best shows I have seen in a long time, I am truly thankful for Jonny Lang. Go to jonnylang.com NOW!

Wheelchair Artist Tommy Hollenstein creates Live Painting at SoHo/Lurie Gallery in Studio City to benefit Shane's Inspiration
By Debra Graff

The packed audience at the beautiful SoHo/Lurie Gallery in Studio City, was awestruck and all eyes were on artist, Tommy Hollenstein, while he created an original painting using the tires of his wheelchair as brushes. The exciting evening, produced by Tommy Davidson (In Living Color), with comedy by Michael Colyer (Last Comic Standing), a silent auction, and catering by Jerry's Deli, Basquait Wine, Sushi Kingz, and Monster Energy Drinks, raised over $2000 for Hollenstein's favorite charity, Shane's Inspiration. Shane's is dedicated to building accessible playgrounds where children with disabilities can play, including four in the SFV - Beilenson Park (Lake Balboa), Brandon's Village (Calabasas), Shane's Inspiration (Griffith Park), and Hanson Dam.

Hollenstein had been a professional surfer, when in 1985, an unfortunate mountain biking accident left him a quadriplegic. But that didn't stop him. With passionate determination, he set out to find something positive in a seemingly negative situation. Through his artwork, Hollenstein shares his vision, ingenuity, resolve, and depth of character - the signs of a true artist. The crowd was captivated by his genius and his calming, peaceful presence lifted their hearts.

Hollenstein told me he enjoyed painting live, to give everyone the opportunity to see his process. "It was pretty moving." He especially wanted to bring awareness to the educational side of Shane's Inspiration, that reaches out to schools, where busloads of disabled and abled children buddy up and go to one of Shane's twenty three LA parks. "In the first few minutes, they seem very uncomfortable but in a short time, you see the barriers broken down. Afterwards, abled kids aren't so fearful of approaching children with disabilities in other situations."

Tiffany Harris, Co-Founder/CEO of Shane's, says that Tommy's taken what others would see as a tragedy and turned his experience into an inspirational life. "He's responsible for inventing a water ski for paraplegics, helping launch a summer sports camp for disabled persons, serving on non-profits, and motivating people of all abilities through his unique art. We are grateful to have him on our Board and team." For info on volunteer opportunities and an upcoming 5K/10K Walk/Roll Event on August 23rd, contact Shane's Inspiration at 818-988-5675.

13-year old, Cole Massie, in a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy, and also an artist, spoke with amazing tenacity. "People say I have limits but I don't and I don't care what anyone says. I want to be a licensed pilot. I want to be a law enforcement specialist. I believe in no limits."

Denny Seiwell, original drummer for Paul McCartney and Wings, has been close friends with Hollenstein for many years and was honored to attend. "I love him. Tommy took his liabilities and made them assets and his paintings are incredible." Seiwell was in on Hollenstein's signature painting, created live at Neiman Marcus in 2009, with handprints by sixteen rock legends including Ringo Starr, which sold for $30,000.

Tara Romanella (Integrated PR Agency) said, "Hollenstein is a remarkable man who has overcome countless obstacles and accomplished so much. It was great to see everyone come out for this wonderful cause, benefitting children who may not otherwise have the freedom to enjoy the simple childhood pleasure of playtime."

Owners of SoHo/Lurie Gallery, the charming Lurie Brothers, Scott, Bruce, and Craig, felt privileged to host this special occasion. Scott told me Tommy has always had a dream of becoming an artist and is fulfilling that dream. "People can be broken, but you can't break their spirit. I love working with artists I enjoy and Tommy is a very likeable, good person, whose ego doesn't get in the way." Bruce said he respects Hollenstein as an artist and admires him for trying to make it in this world. "His disability doesn't stop him and he's aggressive getting his show together to raise money for such a worthy cause." SoHo/Lurie's next exhibit will be abstract art, opening the last weekend in July. Go to www.luriegallery.com

SoHo/Lurie Gallery
12350 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 762-1500

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