Gear Review: Chapman Guitars ML-2

This is a review of the original Chapman Guitars ML-2, which was released as a limited run of 250 units worldwide. This is not a review of the since re-released model now available from Andertons Music. If you want to know more about that then I recommend watching this video on Rob's Youtube channel.

     Chapman Guitars is a guitar company based in the UK, run by Rob Chapman (of YouTube fame), who makes limited run guitars based around the principle of collaborative design. They also offer a custom shop design fulfilled by Jaden Rose, in the form of their Explorer shaped Ghost Fret.
     The ML-2 is the most recent guitar to come out of Rob Chapman's company. The guitar was  collaboratively designed by votes cast by his YouTube followers and members of his forum. The design of the guitar was prototyped by Jaden Rose, but copied and built en masse in a factory in China.

Audio: TouchDAW - Wireless Sequencer Control

     TouchDAW is an affordable midi control app for Android OS devices. It's developer, humatic, charges a mere £3.03 for the app from the Android Market. While the hardware you run it on is obviously more expensive, if you already have an Android OS phone or tablet then the additional outlay for a full hardware control surface is likely to exceed this £3 investment. What you get for the money is a full pre-configured mixer, 9 octave keyboard, transport controls specific to your choice of DAW and a host of other assignable midi controls. Which all in all makes for a bit of a bargain really, as you'd probably end up spending in excess of £200 on a device with as much functionality.

New Toys: Sony Tablet S (first days use impressions)

As a man who loves any form of tech gadgetry, I was drawn very quickly towards the new tablet from Sony. It's their first attempt at a device that converges so many of their innovations into one single unit. I was initially wowed by the spec sheet, which combines powerful computing components with a list of some features completely missing from other tablets.

Recording: Acoustic Guitar

    Recording acoustic guitar is a relatively simple thing to do, but for most guitarists the world of recording is seen as a bit of a dark art. In this article I will attempt to allay that myth and help you on the way to recording with confidence.

    The first thing to do is understand the different mic types and understand what they look like, so that you can work out what they are for. You don't have to be able to name them, just associate the design with the function. For this article I'll briefly explain the ones that follow in the main body.

Film: Making "Becky"

So last month I was Sound Recordist on the location shoots for a short film called "Becky". It's a story about a father and daughter who lose their wife/mother under less than ideal circumstances, forcing the two into closer proximity with one another.

The idea was conceived by the Director, Daya Dodds and Written by Producer, Ben Arnold. The shoot was challenging in many respects (long hours, large outdoor locations, ill-planned shotlist and a first-time drama director), but memorable and we wrapped successfully and on time; so all is good. 

Between takes and during rehearsals I was doing some of my usual production photography, which I will share after the break.