X-Press Volume Special 28

MUSIC GEAR & TECHNOLOGY GUIDE: ISSUE 28, DECEMBER 2012

Blow Your Own Trumpet A Musician’s Guide To Publicity & Airplay With 14 years’ industry experience behind her, Stacey Piggott’s wealth of knowledge makes her one of our country’s most experienced music publicists.

Over the years she’s worked with, nurtured and help build the careers of some very successful bands, including the likes of Henry Rollins, The Jezabels, The Waifs and Bon Iver, and has represented some of the country’s most-loved music events like the Falls Music and Arts Festival.

Having recently revealed some of her industry secrets in the form of a book, Blow Your Own Trumpet: A Musician’s Guide To Publicity & Airplay, Piggott shared a few of her tricks of the trade with JENNIFER PETERSON-WARD. What prompted you to share your insiders knowledge with the world in the form of a book?

I come into contact with a lot of grassroots independent acts who are looking for a publicist, and there seems to be a running theme of them all not really knowing what a publicist does, how to find the best one for their needs and budget, or what they should expect to get at the end, should they engage one.

They all also feel they need to spend exuberant amounts of money to get media coverage for their music, and have a sense that they are not able to contact media direct and therefore need a third party from the beginning to start to build a buzz around them. I found myself writing the same email over and over again to explain the various ways an artist can do their own PR, and identifying the points when they actually need to get a publicist.

I started to pull together a word document, so I could just email out the attachment each time and it started to become quite a big file. At the same time I had mentioned these conversations to a few of my clients and all of them started telling me stories of what they did themselves before they employed their first PR, what they learned the hard way, and what worked for them.

Their stories were all so different and their opinions on various elements of their experiences were contradictory in some cases. I just thought those stories, from those people who have been where these acts are now, and who the readers may know of or be fans of, would be the perfect way to illustrate an individuals ability to create their own pathways to take, to reach their career goals, rather than just me dumping my ideas onto a page.

It is for grassroots acts who don’t really have a grasp on what a publicist / radio plugger does, independent and self managed artists who want some ideas on how they can save money and do their own publicity, music business students who want a more rounded view on the publicity side of things and anyone who is interested in the stories behind the artists who are included I guess. Education in any sense is empowering, it allows choice, and choice provides options to problem solve.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 51 The Jezabels (Photo: Chris Turner)

www.xpressmag.com.au

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MUSO TIPS

THE FAMOUS FIVE In a new column for Volume, some of the local, national and international music scene’s best and brightest hand down their sagest words of musical advice...

CHRIS CHENEY [THE LIVING END] ON TOURING RETROSPECTIVELY

“The Retrospective tour has been a whole different can of worms, it really is. It’s kind of setting up the rig to play different records. I’ve got a whole lot of different stuff. The first two records are pretty easy, it’s just slap delay and an overdrive pedal, that’s about all I had at that point (laughs). Then after that I started using different delays, some stereo delays and ping pong effects on a few songs, so it’s been fun kind of dialling those in.

“Guitar-wise, I’m kind of tempted to grab a couple off my older Gretschs. I’ve got a couple of ‘60s ones that I used to play that have become semi retired, I suppose. It’s just because the newer ones stay in tune a little better, they’re a bit more roadworthy and a bit easier to throw around. My sound hasn’t changed that much over the hears, it’s really just down to the way I play certain songs.

There’s a whole lot more rockabilly sounding songs off our first record, it’s just a matter of cleaning up the sound a little bit. It’s not like I was using radically different kinds of tones to what I am now.

CONTINUED FROM COVER Blow Your Own Trumpet also contains advice from some of the musicians and industry heavyweights you’ve worked with over the years, how did approach them to contribute to the book?

I just emailed them with the idea and a set of questions and they all responded. All of the people I approached were from different genres, and different sectors of the industry, and all have achieved various levels of success, but the one thing they all have in common is work ethic and business acumen, and they are all really well respected in their musical peer groups.

I think they also all share that energy to foster a healthy music scene here, if the scene is healthy it is great for everyone involved. And to have a healthy scene we need artists to be able to sustain long enough to reach decent levels in their careers.

You’ve obviously worked in the music scene for quite a while, what is one of the major lessons you’ve learned about the industry?

There has been so many, I am continually learning on a daily basis. I think it is important for people to dream big and take their dreams into their own hands, no one else will care about your dream as much as you do. One of the major lessons I have learned not just in music, but in life, was from my dad, “when looking to start a career, pick something you love. If you love it, you will do it all the time. If you do it all the time, you will become great at it. If you become great at it, you will make money from it.”

And always say thank you – simple but incredibly effective. Those words will take you a long way. Always thank the people who have helped you, supported you, taken interest in you or taken the time for you. It will hold you in good steed and pay off at some point down the track when the guy or girl you are nice to at a certain gig who is there selling your merch, is now booking the festival you want to get on a year later!

“There are a lot of bands that have made one album I love and for whatever reason their second one doesn’t grab me in that same way. I think that rush to get out a second album has such a huge potential to backfire. Most of the time the bands that take more time produce better albums.”

Chris Cheney (Photo: Dan Grant) “Amp-wise, at the moment I’m using a Wizard 50 watt, which has kind of been my staple amp for over 10 years or something now. I’ve got an old Fender Bassman which I’m playing alongside it. The I’ve been plugging into this Divided By Thirteen amp, which is really, really nice. I’ve got an old Vox AC30 as well. I’m kind of putting all of those alongside my Wizard amps and seeing what sounds best, but they all seem to sound good. So, it’s a problem, but a good problem (laughs).”

ABBE MAY ON FACING THE CRITICS

“Whenever you release anything there’s a real possibility that nobody will get it, so you have to gear yourself up to a point where you like it, and whatever else happens from there you can handle because you believe that. You have to get to that point before you release anything where you validate it yourself, where you like the music enough that you can release it and take any kind of good or shit that comes with that.

While I don’t feel like I need to be validated, I wouldn’t say that I don’t appreciate the great response and the airplay. I validate myself, I don’t need anyone to do that for me.”

DAVID PROWSE [JAPANDROIDS] ON THE SECOND ALBUM SLUMP

Abbe May

Japandroids

FRANCIS ROSSI [STATUS QUO] ON GEAR FRUSTRATIONS

“I still use my so-called green Tele. I mean, why did I paint the friggin’ thing green? I’m having trouble with it at the moment. I’ve had G&L bridges - which was a company started by Leo Fender - they gave me a G&L. The original Telecaster bridge is useless, you have three screws to adjust six strings, it’s stupid. But I still have that green Tele; two other Telecasters, one for Whatever You Want, one for Down, Down. I have a G&L for a spare, in case I break a strong. We go through Marshall amplifiers which, you know, they take your teeth out. I have a guitar simulator and in some cases out the back there are AC30s, so the noise that’s heard at the front of house is a combination of a bit of the Marshall, mainly AC30 and a tad of simulator. So three or four amps go into making the sound that Francis Rossi you hear at the front.”

BEN FOLDS ON CROWD FUNDING

“I really think Pledge is great and I would recommend it to anyone that needs that process to fund their music. The beauty of the chaos of the music industry is that if you’re willing to roll with the punches you can do something in a different way.

“At the end of the day no one knows what’s going to happen to the industry – you might be able to do something in a different format, record labels may not even exist, maybe the movie industry might come together with the unions and sue the crap out these companies and form a business together, or something else might crop up.

“We have no idea what’s coming next, all we know is that it’s very difficult to fund a record – pretty much it’s the hardest thing about making a record to do. Even if you’re a well known band breaking even is very difficult. We’re just very lucky to be able to make our music.”

Ben Folds

What is the worst thing a young band can do when it comes to promoting themselves?

There are a few things: • Being nasty to a media person or industry person who declines to support your music.

• Sending gigantic files over email – sure fire way to make someone detest you before they even listen or look.

• Review your own music under a different name – people always find out and you look like a douche bag.

• Slag off a media outlet for not supporting your music.

• Write songs specifically for one radio station.

• Have bad publicity photos.

• Send out press releases that don’t have all of the relevant information in them about what, why, who where.

• Send out press releases that don’t have the band contact details on them.

• Have a website or facebook page that doesn’t have relevant contact details and up-to-date bio and release information.

• Spend the whole publicity budget on a publicist for one month.

If you could offer one piece of advice to aspiring musicians what would it be?

Forget about everything until you have a solid set list of killer songs ready to perform. Then pick up the phone and start calling people, don’t wait for them to call you.

View your career like growing an onion, build each layer from the inside out. Start with community radio and street press, or localised music websites, and move outward. By doing that you will have a really strong, solid foundation that will support you through the ebbs and flows of genre popularity and media interest. If you start big, you will have no internal support and it will all collapse very quickly after the buzz has died down.

As a publicist, what is the most frustrating thing to happen during a publicity campaign?

Sometimes things just don’t translate. We have had a number of album releases over the years where the album is breathtakingly great, the press is strong, live shows are unreal, reviews are incredible, but it just doesn’t translate to album or ticket sales.

I find those the most frustrating because all of the boxes are ticked and for whatever reason, it just doesn’t happen for the artist. I don’t know why, I find it really hard because it feels like the media are shouting really loud, but the public are not hearing it. It’s perplexing and always feels like a massive failure even if we have done our job properly, if that is the final outcome. www.xpressmag.com.au

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NEWS AND PRODUCT REVIEWS PERTH DJ ACADEMY KORG POLYSIX

FREE DEEZER

LIVE WIRE FRESH

Matching beats and then mixing them together is a key skill of DJ’ing and it’s not easy. To master this skill it takes time, practice, determination and more importantly knowledge. This is where the team at Perth DJ Academy come in. Their highly skilled and dedicated instructors will provide you with all the necessary tools, tips and tricks to help you get your mixing down to a fine art. If you have already mastered this art of DJ’ing and are now creating your own music or thinking about it you will be happy to know that Perth DJ Academy isn’t just about DJ’ing, they have beginner music production courses for the complete novice and one day workshops for those already in the know and looking to sharpen their skills. Enrolment is now taking place for Semester 1, 2013. DJ courses are limited to eight students and music production courses are limited to six students.For further course and enrolment information please phone (08) 9228 1911.

French music subscription service Deezer has announced it will be launching a free service in Australia. The announcement is the next step in Deezer’s quest to “liberate music and rebuild its value, restoring the magical connection between artist and fans”. The new ad-funded free service, which will be going head-to-head against a similar offering launched by rival Spotify earlier this year, will be launched in Australia on Tuesday, December 11. To radically launch the service to a mass market audience, Deezer Australia will offer users up to twelve months of unlimited free music if they register before June 2013. After the initial unlimited 12 month offering, users will receive two hours per month of free listening on PCs and laptops.

For more information hit up deezer.com.

Got an awesome release waiting in the wings but no moolah to unleash it into the world with the epic party it deserves? The RTRFM Live Wire Fresh Program gives local performers the chance to receive up to $2000 worth of promotion for their upcoming release, including a radio promotion package, a half-page advertisement in X-Press Magazine, up to $250 for any costs associated with the gig (e.g. venue hire, P.A. Hire, payment to support bands, printing of posters and flyers, decorations, sound and lighting crew, etc) and heaps more. Applications for launches in February close on Monday, January 4, and application forms can be obtained from rtrfm.com.au/livewire.

JBL STUDIO 5 SPEAKERS Want a concert hall-eqsue sound in the comfort of your own home or studio? Look no further than the JBL Studio 5 Series – a line-up of loudspeakers and a subwoofer developed with the same technologies that deliver the sounds found in many movie theatre and concert venue installations. The distinctive range consists of three floor-standing speakers, a pair of bookshelf speakers, a centre-channel loudspeaker and a subwoofer. These speakers can be used to form a stereo setup varied between two or seven channels.

Each Studio 5 Series loudspeaker uses a high-frequency compression driver with a Bi-radial horn to deliver realistic sound at high-impact volumes. The speakers are also distinguished by JBL’s angular styling, perfect for anyone who appreciates the Picasso take. For further product information or to find a dealer visit ehifi.com.au.

JBL Studio 5 Series

Synthesizers are notoriously expensive, especially some vintage models, but how’d you like a Korg Polysix for a fraction of the price? Well, as long as you’ve got an iPad (or a mini), that’s now possible with the iPolysix app released late last month. Bringing together a sequencer, drum machine, and even a mixer, it transforms your iPad or iPad mini into the ultimate analog synth studio. Pack an amazing set of early-’80s analog equipment into your iPad, and time-travel back to the dawn of polyphonic synthesizers! Korg Polysix for iPad is available for download purchase from the Apple App Store (within the iTunes Store).

STUDIO PROFILE THE SOUND FACTORY Korg Polysix

CLIFF LYNTON GUITAR INSTITUTE While learning the guitar may seem tricky, Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute’s structured lessons will have you up and running in no time and you will be amazed at your steady progress. You’ll learn how to enjoy and express yourself with music and quickly realise that playing guitar is not only fun but also creative and relaxing. Their talented teachers have been teaching for over 30 years so they know what they are talking about whilst following their principals, to make you a unique and accomplished player. They create a perfect balance between technique, theory and building practical skills including learning songs that interest you. Whether you’re a beginner or wishing to take your playing to new levels, you will be playing and jamming with renewed self esteem. Experience The Guitar Institute’s great teaching method delivered in a supportive and encouraging environment. Christmas gift vouchers are available and make the perfect gift for anyone interested in learning the guitar. Go ahead and ‘jump start’ the New Year with the best in the West.

When and where did The Sound Factory first open?

The Sound Factory first opened in 1991.

Beginning in Bentley, later moving to North Perth, then to the current location in Bayswater.

What services/gear do you offer musicians?

Over the years since we first opened we have been fortunate to acquire a wide range of vintage equipment, mostly from studios that have, sadly, closed.

Some of our screens came from Clarion which I believe was the first studio in Perth! Using this along with the experience of our engineers we are trying to provide a flexible environment that serves the bands and music, without ignoring modern technology.

There are two studios, each running protools alongside 16 and 24 track analog tape. The extensive range of outboard and microphones span the past six decades, giving us a huge range of sounds and flexibility to record any genre. The big wood panelled live room has a 5.5 metre high ceiling and houses a large collection of vintage amps and instruments, +Turbosound floor monitors and AKG headphones.

In your opinion, what is the most important thing a band/musician should do before they head into the recording studio?

Preparation. Decent strings and skins. No buzzes and rattles. If not, we have well maintained drum kits, amps and instruments available to use.

Why should musicians come and record in your studios?

The Sound Factory is one of Perth’s longer established studios - experienced engineers, quality vintage gear, great sounding, spacious rooms. Huge guitar and drum sounds.

I believe that the closure of many old school studios around the world, along with the proliferation of computer based studios using the same boxes and software, staffed by engineers who have been mostly been trained at the same colleges has contributed to a “sameness” in a lot of recorded music. We hope that by maintaining the equipment and techniques of times past, we can help bring out the “something a little bit different” in bands that we record whilst creating a fun and productive environment.

There is a wealth of history, experience and quality in the recording industry and I hope we can do our bit to prevent it all from being totally forgotten.

The Sound Factory

MAKING A LIST AND CHECKING 1 - 2 Musical stocking fillers for the Christmas Season

BOSS DS-1 Distortion pedal

BOSS DS-1 DISTORTION PEDAL Changes in global markets and an increase in competition between many music companies have lead to drastic decreases in the retail prices of BOSS products in recent years. That’s good news for thrifty gift-hunters at this time of year as many BOSS effects pedals now come in at under $100, most notable the famous DS-1 Distortion pedal which now retails for an amazing $69!

Featuring robust design with simple Level, Tone and Distortion controls, this little monster has been a mainstay on many famous recordings and in countless live guitar rigs for decades, and is suitable for both eager beginners and seasoned professionals. A 9-volt battery is included and an optional power adaptor is available. At $69 the Boss DS-1 Distortion Pedal is a yuletide winner, even more so at stores like Mega Music Wangara which sell this classic item for just $60.

Yamaha PSR-E333 Yamaha Gigmaker Acoustic Guitar Pack

YAMAHA PSR-E333 KEYBOARD One of the great things about starting a musical journey on a keyboard is that the musical response is instant. Whereas most beginners on guitar would be hard-pressed to make a note sound out under the tree on Christmas Day, a beginner on keyboard can start creating music as soon as the instrument is unwrapped. With 497 high quality voices, 106 accompaniment styles and 102 built-in songs as well as a recording feature which lets players record up to five original songs, the Yamaha PSR-E333 is a popular and affordable keyboard, suitable for beginners of all ages. Mega Music Wangara has this keyboard currently listed at an SSP (Santa’s Special Price) of just $256.

Grover Checker Picks In A Tin

YAMAHA GIGMAKER GROVER ALLMAN PICKS IN A TIN ACOUSTIC GUITAR Even the guitarist who has everything will appreciate these snazzy pick tins with matching pick designs PACK from Grover Allman. Each pack contains 12 premium Many a music career has started on Christmas Day with that first six-string and a great start for beginners both young and old is with a Yamaha acoustic guitar.

The Gigmaker pack features a Yamaha F325 steel string acoustic guitar and heaps of extras, including a tutorial DVD, gig bag, chromatic tuner, strap, extra strings and picks. Being such a popular brand, there aren’t many music stores that don’t stock Yamaha products; the Gigmaker Acoustic Guitar Pack is even available at JB Hi-Fi stores for just $197.

polycarbonate picks printed on both sides. All picks are medium gauge (0.8mm). The tins measure 12 x 6.5 x 1.3mm and feature stunning full colour artwork. There are several cool designs available including Checker, Camouflage, Skull, Hippie and Surfer designs. These great gift ideas are available for just $13 from all good music stores. Purchasers looking for a more unique gift should also check out groverallman.com.au for information on custom picks made to order from original designs.

DIGITECH I-STOMP DOWNLOADABLE STOMPBOX Featured in these pages earlier in 2012, Digitech’s highly innovative iStomp is a game-changer in digital effects. Basically, the iStomp is a ‘blank’ effects pedal which can become any pedal you wish when you download it from the Stomp Shop app. There are currently 44 different pedals to download and Digitech are constantly expanding the models available. Once a pedal is purchased, it can be stored on a computer and uploaded to the iStomp whenever it’s needed. The iStomp is literally the gift that keeps on giving and is a perfect gift for the tech-savvy guitar geek.The iStomp retails for $229, Mega Music Wangara are saving Christmas this year with a sale price of just $189. _CHRIS GIBBS

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X-Press – First on the street, Wednesdays

FOR HIRE METALLICA TRIBUTE BAND 4horsemen for parties or venues. All enquiries ph Dave 0406 867 661.

FOR SALE AUDIOFLY HEADPHONES Designed in Perth by a small team, unique headphones to capture every detail in your favourite music www.audiofly.com MUSOS WANTED FEMALE VOCALIST WANTED Energetic & dedicated for working funk top 40 band. Ph 0408 949 815.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Thursday 8.3012 at Moondyne Joes. Grand piano, good sound & friendly atmosphere. Call Mark 0409 137 850.

OPEN MIC NIGHT every Thursday night at Indi Bar. Just call Bex on 0404 917 632.

OPEN MIC NIGHT Every Tuesday night at the Craigie Tavern 8-11pm. Call Corey for bookings 0431 448 235 VOCALIST REQUIRED Female vocalist required by working rock covers band.

Must be reliable, have good stage presence, be able to learn lyrics, and be available for gigs as and when they are booked. Please contact 0427 471 423 or e-mail jsgorilla@hotmail.com PHOTOGRAPHY PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY Promo photography, studio, live, location.

Mike Wylie 0417 975 964 w w w . p r o j e c t p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m When its time to ice the cake...

PRODUCTION SERVICES * LIGHTING * AUDIO* STAGING * www.nightstarlightingaudio.com.au www.nightstarlightingaudio.com.au w w w. i n s t a n d t . c o m . a u www.instandt.com.au 9381 2363/ 9444 6651 CD & DVD MANUFACTURE Check out our latest CD & DVD specials online at www.procopy.com.au 9375 3902 MATRIX PRODUCTIONS AUSTRALIA Lighting, staging, sound systems, smoke machines, night club FX, intelligent lighting, strobes & mirror balls, crowd barriers, video projectors. 9371 1551 PROMOTION & MARKETING MONO BAND POSTERS On White Bond or Fluoro Stock. A0 posters from $3 same day turnaround. 94899800. www.expogroup.net.au.

RECORDING STUDIOS ALAN DAWSON’s WITZEND RECORDING STUDIO Prof quality albums or demos, large live room, experienced engineer, analog to digital transfers, mastering..

Alan 0407 989 128 or Jeremy 0430638178 www.witzendstudios.com ANDY’S STUDIO International multi award winning songwriter / producer.

No band required. Broadcast quality.

A songwriter’s paradise. Ph 9364 3178 AVALON STUDIOS BIBRA LAKE One of Perths best equipped studio. Record to analog tape or digital, Avalon pre amps, Neumann mics, the latest and best universal audio, plug in’s for digital recordings. All styles of music, $55 per hour call Tony 0411 118304 email - avalonstudios@bigpond.com

GOLDDUSTCONSTRUCTION.COM Production, mixing, recording and composition for your music. Unique award winning skills to take songs from ideas to finished mixes or to fulfill the potential in existing ones. Located in Subiaco. $70 p/h. Andrew 0408 097 407 MIDAS TOUCH STUDIOS Recording, Mixing, and Mastering. We get your band heard. Call Anthony 0435 113 654 www.MidasTouchStudios.com.au POONS HEAD MASTERING Analog mastering at its best. Clients include Mink Mussel Creek, Jeff Martin, The Panics, Pond + The Floors. World class facility.

World class results. www.poonshead.com 9339 47 91 RECORDING MIXING MASTERING PRODUCING Fremantle location.

Call Pete Kitchen Cooked Records.

Ph 0407 363 764 / 9336 3764 R E V O LV E R S O U N D S T U D I O Ph 9272 7505. www.revolverstudio.com.au SONGWRITERS! - UNLOCKYOUR SONGS’ POTENTIAL +FREE BAND APPRAISALS. UK Producer, 40,000+ hours studio experience. 20 yrs in London with bands and songwriters. Kicking arrangements, great studio and the ability to really listen will give your material the edge you need. Call Jerry on 0405 653 338 or visit www.jerichomusic.com.au T H E S O U N D FAC TO R Y 1 6 & 24 track tape + protools Best of old school & modern technology thesoundfactory@rockstar.org.au

REHEARSAL STUDIOS AAA VHS REHEARSAL ROOMS Great facilities, great vibe & great price!!!

Unit 5 /16 Peel Road, O’Connor.

Phone 9418 5815 or 0413 732 885 BIGBEAT SOUND STUDIO Clean rooms, all new PA systems, air-con and good parking . Willetton Ph: 0425 698 117.

PLATINUM SOUND ROOMS Professional rehearsal rooms, airconditioned, quality PAs mob 0418 944 722 TUITION ***GUITAR LESSONS*** The Guitar Specialist. XMAS VOUCHERS AVAIL. Begadv, all styles and levels including bass.

Cliff Lynton Guitar Institute. Mt Lawley 9342 3484 / www.clifflynton.com BASS LESSONS Rock, funk & jazz. Tony Gibbs 9470 6131 DJ LESSONS AT FREMANTLE PRISION Death row cell 33. Scratching, cutting & mixing. Come casually or for a term.

0412 334 510.

DRUM LESSONS All styles, all ages.

WAAPA prep. Modern techniques & rudiments, Beginner to advanced.

Ph: 0413 172 817.

G U I TA R & K E Y B OA R D T U I T I O N (Beginners- Professional) One on One lessons. Burswood Ph 6460 6921/ 0415889645. www.gvkschoolofmusic.com.au

MAKE YOUR MUSICIAN MERRY THIS CHRISTMAS

With Christmas approaching scarily fast, TOM VARIAN checks out some bargains that might sing a tune for the musician, budding or not, in your life.

ERNIE BALL POWERPEG

IK MULTIMEDIA IRIG MIDI

The PowerPeg is a cheap stocking stuffer that could help ease the pain of stringing for the guitarist you know. Sure, turning the knobs isn’t hard, and you can get extremely cheap plastic tools that let you crank them, but at under $40 this could be a cool little surprise.

Ernie Ball PowerPeg

If you’re special someone loves his iPad and also loves his keyboard, they might like to marry the two with a MIDI to iOS adapter. The Ik iRig MIDI rocks 3 MIDI ports, IN/OUT/THRU, that connect to any standard MIDI jacks, not just keyboard but also electronic drum kits or even MIDI guitars. You can then use your real world instruments to record in your favourite iOS app, with the portability and freedom that allows. Also handily included is a micro USB port that will let the iOS device stay fully powered during long sessions.

Griffin GuitarConnect Pro

GRIFFIN GUITARCONNECT PRO

If they don’t use a MIDI powered device but instead like to record and experiment with guitars, then the Griffin GuitarConnect Pro might be just the ticket. Basically a 1/4” input with the 30-pin Apple connector at the other end, the GuitarConnect lets you plug your guitar straight into your iPad or iPhone and record straight into your favourite app.

YAMAHA PSR E333

At under $300, the Yamaha PSR E333 is a terrific midlevel keyboard for someone curious to take up the keys.

Perfect for the beginner, the E333 will also carry them through for years, with an impressive list of features and a great balance between price and performance.

Featuring PC compatibility and built-in recording function, albeit quite limited, and 61 (non-weighted) full-size keys that are touch sensitive. Using Yamaha’s tried and proven AWM stereo sampling to produce high quality sounds, you’ll get a great portable grand option that gives a concert grand piano with 32-note polyphony, among 100 plus other tones.The E333 has a basic built-in recording function, allowing you to record up to two tracks, great for recording your practise but as the player progresses they can expand their recording by plugging into their computer. And with the Yamaha Education Suite (Y.E.S.), beginners will be able to play along to tracks, learn new chords, improve fluency and rhythm skills. www.xpressmag.com.au

Ik Multimedia iRig MIDI

KORG PITCHBLACK TUNER

Many seasoned guitarists have long bought a good guitar tuner. But if your favourite axe head is just starting out, or you know that he has a super cheap tuner, or even just uses a tuning app on their smartphone, then giving them a really solid tuner is a great option.

Sure, the Boss TU-3 is a fine choice, and a staple among guitarists, but I find it’s display a little dull Korg Pitchblack and hard to read under Tuner the heat and pressure of stage lights. The Korg Pitchblack has a large, no fuss display that brightly lets you know where perfect pitch is and DC in/out to play nice with your pedal board.

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