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Featuring the DMCA-Free Rock of KCWM & Cold the Winter

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      • 197x Session Les Paul Custom Copy
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        • Eventide H9 Max/Core
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  • New and Sold Guitars Guitars
  • The Hondo H-737: Are “Bad” Guitars Actually Bad? Gear Talk
  • Two New Songs On the Horizon KCWM
  • Goodbye Pedalboard Currently Owned Pedals
  • Goodbye, Pedalboard…maybe Currently Owned Pedals
  • The Release Plan for Volume Four KCWM
  • “It Feels Familiar” Volume Four
  • “Go On” Volume Four

Eventide H9 Max/Core

I’ve owned a few modulation pedals over the years, and most guitarists can say the same. I had the fortune of owning an old MIJ Boss CE-2 that I bought for $30 back in high school with one of my first paychecks (it was subsequently stolen by one of my cousins), owned a couple of old Ross Phase R1 pedals, a Ross Phaser/Distortion pedal, some EHX Small Stones, a Line 6 MM-4 Modulation Modeler, and more that you can find on the Pedals of the Past page.

Even when I had the MM-4, the only effects I made any real use of was tremolo and phaser.

What is Modulation?

Perhaps you’ve stumbled onto this page and you’re not sure what modulation is. Most people wouldn’t have the foggiest place to start for most of them. It, like so many terms in the guitar world, is not exactly all that clear. Let’s provide some examples of the frequent kinds of modulation.

    • Chorus: The opening to Nirvana’s “Come As You Are”
    • Phaser: The opening to Live’s “Lightning Crashes”
    • Tremolo: The main guitar to REM’s “Crush With Eyeliner”
    • Flanger: The opening to Van Halen’s “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love”
    • Rotary: The high, clean notes on Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun”

But the H9 is far from just a modulation pedal. Far, far from it.

Why Did I Choose It?

When I sold off my TC Electronic Nova System and started rebuilding a pedal board, my attention turned towards obtaining a tremolo, phaser, delay, and pedal. I called up and spoke with my Sweetwater rep, Nich, and started talking about my plan. That’s when he suggested the Eventide H9 Max and reasoned that I was about to finance at least $400 if not $500, so it made sense to pay $200 more to get the Max and have access to a flangers, rotary effects, octaves, choruses, and pretty much every other kind of effect.

I remembered Eventide once being the flavor of the month when it came to “high end” pedals with their TimeFactor, ModFactor, and PitchFactor pedals. The H9 had all of those algorithms on it along with their Space pedal and settings specific to the H9. For a few hundred more, I could get an H9 Core, tie it to the same account, and the H9 Max would unlock every algorithm on the Core. I’d have two monster pedals that could cover pretty much everything I could imagine.

I pulled the trigger. For a while, my main board had two H9 pedals on it. You can plug it up to a computer via USB cable and manipulate all of the settings or do so via bluetooth using an iPad. I had ultimate control, could program effects to match specific BPMs, and would never need another delay, reverb, or modulation pedal. You can even find presets to download onto them to mimic classic pedals.

Here’s a demo from Andy, then of ProGuitarShop.com’s YouTube channel. Yeah, this guy will make you spend some money.

Why Did I Get Rid of It?

As I played around with the effects, I realized three things:

    • There were a lot of settings that I’d simply never use
    • I do not have the patience to tweak the effects. I strongly prefer pedals with a few knobs that are clear regarding what they do
    • the pitch shifting effects left a bit to be desired. If you look at the picture of the recording board, I own an EHX POG 2 because, in my opinion, the tracking on the H9 left a lot to be desired.

What’s tracking? It’s how well system creates the shifted notes. The POG 2 can handle multiple notes played at a time while the H9 cannot.

The H9 Max has some really cool, powerful delay and reverb presets. While I’ve been able to tweak those, I’d turn to my TC Electronic Nova Delay because of how easy it is to tweak and understand what the controls do.

In the end, I used the H9 for modulation. While I came close to using it numerous times only to fall, I’d fall back into the comfort zone of my other pedals and wouldn’t use it. I did use a recreation of the Boss PH-1 pedal for the opening to Cold the Winter’s “Spin”, but that was it. That was A LOT of money to use one effect once.

Would I Suggest It?

You might be curious if the H9 is worth it. Pete Thorn, a well-known gigging guitarist, used to use two of them and I believe still has one on his board. The H9 is a versatile pedal that puts numerous pedals that you’d probably never use at once into a neat and tidy package right at your feet. It’s incredibly easy to fine tune the controls via the PC or iPad app and tweak to your hearts content, but you have to know what you’re doing.

You’d easy spend more then $700 buying the different modulation, delay, and reverb effects in order to get the same level of versatility you get in the H9. Even pedals like the TC Electronic Hall of Fame and Flashback that have numerous settings don’t get the depth that the H9 does. Heck, last I checked, 3rd party company puts out a product called an EvenMIDI that connects via MIDI and allows you to tweak the controls using regular ol’ knobs instead of the digital PC or tablet interface.

As for me? No, I personally wouldn’t suggest it unless you’re someone who loves to tweak settings to your heart’s content. I actually sold my H9 Max to JD, so I do have easy enough access to it. He loved tweaking that thing to coax different sounds out of it. I might not be the happiest with how the mix turned out on Low-Fi, Nice Try’s Waiting Drove Us Mad, but the lead guitar tone on “Doing It Right” came from the H9 and I love the heck out of it.

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Cold the Winter · Skylines and the Horizon

Latest Instagram Posts

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I have a number of minis I’m working on at the m I have a number of minis I’m working on at the moment. Here’s my table of things in different stages of #tabletopquality for use in my #dnd campaign, some of which haven’t been started or might not be used. The kobolds you see will be painted green.

When I started the genie, I didn’t realized my pre-painted one was also blue. It still works though. 

I’m still not sold on the idea of a steel dragon but it could be cool and I already have a “large” silver dragon. I used magnets on the bottom of the dragon, the large and huge bases, and I can stack them if I need it to be an adult-sized dragon. I just need to decorate them in complimentary ways. 

 I have an idea for mini painting streams and these are some of the things I’ll be painting on there.
I have a soft spot for kobolds in my DnD campaigns I have a soft spot for kobolds in my DnD campaigns. My players have met one that has hinted at future quests, they fought some green-scaled kobolds, and I foresee more in their future. 

I pulled the old minion old rule from #dnd 4e…enemies that have 1 hp and auto fail most saves. Kobolds (and goblins) make great minions. 

 I have quite a few, so I foresee more red (two of them are pre painted), green, and blue scales in my future. They might be #tabletopquality but I’m ok with that. I have fun and painting is relaxing for me. 

The red plastic minis came from a D&D board game, and tall but one of the gray and white ones are from @reaperminiatures #bones4 and #bones5
In March of 2021, I discovered the Lovepedal Purpl In March of 2021, I discovered the Lovepedal Purple Plexi and it was finally the closest I’ve come to getting that Marshall-in-a-Box pedal sound. 

Earlier this year, I picked up a Lovepedal Vintage/Modern, which is a Purple Plexi and Church of Tone in one enclosure. 

Not too long ago, I came across a post @cklabofficial posted of their take on a Purple Plexi/Jubilee, two pedals I owned at the time. I really like CKLab pedals and would have loved to have it, but, alas, I missed out. 

I reached out and asked about the possibility of a 2-in-1 from CKLAB. This is the result. 

I am beyond stoked. This will make my 3rd CKLab pedal and I hope to own more. I love the idea of support local makers and, seeing as how the Vintage/Modern is my go to drive, this will be my #1. 

Visit their store on Reverb and buy their pedals so I’m not tempted to. Seriously. The LSDelay I bought is so damned cool. 

#supportlocalpedals #cklab #miabpedals #gooddudes #newpedalday
A couple of #WIP #dndminiatures projects from this A couple of #WIP #dndminiatures projects from this weekend. I intend to use both in the #dnd campaign im running, but it will be a while before I do. 

I need to add some white lines to the texture around the iris and add something to the black section of the base. 

The mold lines on the pumpkin dude are bugging me now that I see how clear they are in the picture. Will cut those down and fix the color. 

I intend to prime up some of these #reaper #bones5 minis I have sitting on my shelves and paint them on stream. I might only paint to a #tabletopquality but it’s still fun and relaxing to do.
After picking up almost all the paints in the thir After picking up almost all the paints in the third picture, I’ve taken up mini painting again. I decided to start with a treant to work into my #dnd campaign. 

This is still a work in progress. I started with some normal paints and then added some contrast paint on the beard and to accent some of the wood. I need to make some adjustments to the paint. 

I plan to add leaves to the top but my foliage is too crumbly so I need to get some bigger chunks. 

It’s been fun. I’m likely going to stream some #minipainting on stream. I have minis to paint to get on the #tabletop, which is also the level that I paint at but it works for my table.
This kid. This past Saturday marked 10 years with This kid. This past Saturday marked 10 years with our wonderful child…a blend of her mother and I in so many ways. 

I can’t wait to see what the next 10 years bring us. She has a good head on her shoulders. 

I’m a proud parent. She’s weird AF but I wouldn’t have her any other way.
Cross post from Twitter, but I have more room here Cross post from Twitter, but I have more room here. 

This is my current stable of electric guitars, minus my Epiphone ES339.

PRS S2 McCarty 594: “Fat” rhythm. This guitar has “coil tap” which  changes the sound of the respective pickups giving me a lot of flexibility. 

Fender Telecaster (sunburst): Lead/rhythm. I do 90% of my 2nd guitar and lead work on this. It’s on every track I’ve recorded since 2018. 

Squier Classic Vibe ‘60s Stratocaster: General rhythm. Newest addition. Everyone needs a strat, even if I rarely grab one. 

Fender Road-worn ‘50s Telecaster (purple): Bright rhythm. 

Gibson Les Paul Classic: “Fat” rhythm. My #1 guitar. It’s crunchy compared to the smoother sound of the PRS

PRS SC245 Ted McCarty: Bright rhythm. 

Squier ‘51 (modified): Lead

Yes, some guitars overlap but they sound different than their role-siblings. Wood, pickups, etc. I compare guitars to chocolate…yes, they’re all guitars but they do things differently. Hersheys doesn’t taste the same as Toblerone or Ritter Sport. Milk chocolate differs from dark chocolate. Heck, I even threw a peanut butter comparison up there. 

I have two basses and an acoustic. One of those basses is new so I’m not sure of the roles just yet. 

#kcwmmusic #dmcafreemusic #guitarsarelikechocolate #gearaddiction #guitar
Bought a new caddy from Michaels and was able to s Bought a new caddy from Michaels and was able to stack my unopened #nolzursmarvelousminiatures and #reaperbonesminiatures to better see what I have. 

Left row is full of player mini and humanoids, the middle row is made up of monstrous humanoids and undead, and the right row consists of elementals and fiendish things. 

I have a lot of minis to paint, but this helps me visualize what I have left between the shelves and this caddy.
Well… Well…
Ever since having COVID last month, she’s been a Ever since having COVID last month, she’s been a constant by my side when she can get in. She will lay with me or on the other pillow. She might be ornery, but she’s the bestest of friends. 

#tortiesofinstagram #tortitude #tortie #catsofinstagram #imakittycat #frausafriend #cat
Hey, uh @walmart, this isn’t how rollbacks work. Hey, uh @walmart, this isn’t how rollbacks work. #rollback
Not too long ago, we picked up a KALLAX shelf syst Not too long ago, we picked up a KALLAX shelf system from IKEA to store my #dnd minis on. It’s been handy for sorting the minis by “collection” like my Bones 4 and Bones 5 minis, but, as you can see in the 2nd picture, I lost plenty of vertical space. 

A few weeks ago, I saw a video on TikTok where a guy used KVISSLE letter trays to store his minis on. They are easy to assemble and the trays simply slide in and out without rollers. 

For most minis on a 1” or smaller base, it’s absolutely perfect AND there’s room at the bottom for the box sets like the Essentials Kit or Starter Set. For larger minis, you can see I removed one of the trays and that shelf has plenty of giants on it and the KVISSLE still has two shelves out of the picture (Ellie took it and sent it to me). 

He used spray paint to paint the shelves black but I’m opting for the white on black look. You can also buy magnets to install on the bottoms of the minis but I’ve yet to do that. 

It’s easy to amass a big collection of DnD #miniatures through the #reaperbones collections or the #nolzursmarvelousminiatures packs and having an easy way to organize them is incredibly useful. 

Now it’s just a matter of painting them. Oof.
My newest single, “Go On”, is live on Spotify My newest single, “Go On”, is live on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/album/0bTGahUMwQnPrIECWapOby?si=aGrl3wvhQAOugU3Yo07EeQ for your DMCA-free listening needs. 

#Distrokid put this image together and I dig it. Check it, and the other 90s-infuenced instrumental rock music on Spotify and other streaming platforms!

#dmcafreemusic #dmcafreerock #streammusic #music #guitarrock #guitar #kcwmmusic
He’s a good #pickle @teresa.aldaco @moriaheliz He’s a good #pickle 

@teresa.aldaco @moriahelizabethofficial
Started on 6/7/21, shelved due to significant burn Started on 6/7/21, shelved due to significant burnout, and delayed due to health reasons, "Go On", the 1st song of #kcwmmusic Volume Four is moving along. 

The EZKeys you see plays a more front & center role on this song than the last time I used keys on "Sometimes It Works Out" on Volume One. I might end up going with a more traditional piano, but so far I'm digging the setting you see pictured. 

As with my previous KCWM releases, I'm using Superior Drummer 3, though I plan to dig more into some of the presets and expansions to vary the drums, especially on some of the more laid back songs.

This album is the first of mine to feature acoustic guitar on numerous tracks thanks to a pair of Rode M5 mics, another significant shift. 

I'm definitely looking to add some more songs to the more relaxed playlist on Spotify. Acoustic guitar and piano definite help keep me in that headspace. 

I have two days off and I'm hoping to get the 2nd, and maybe a 3rd guitar, recorded. Then it's just a matter of spacing things out before getting this up on Spotify as a single for people to use. 

I'll keep you posted

#dmcafreemusic #dmcafreerock #songwriting #ezkeys @toontrack @rodemic
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3 Feb

Any DFW 40k players interested in a massive blood angels/space marines collection? Texans even. I need to update the list because there’s more.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/tag/d/north-richland-hills-large-blood-angels/7578974479.html

1 Feb

My wife & youngest kid did @23andMe kits. We finally got the results & our kid shares 50% of my DNA, but only 49.6% of my wife's. Also, looking at all of our percentages & seeing how that turned out is fascinating. My wife is 52% Italian, I'm .2%, but Ellie is 30%. Interesting!

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