Latest
SuperMegaUltraGroovy’s Capo Touch – Review
SuperMegaUltraGroovy recently made their popular Capo software available for the iOS platform with Capo touch for the iPad and iPhone.
The popular music transcription software Capo has finally entered the mobile app market with the recent release of Capo Touch for the iPad and iPhone.
In a nutshell, the app is the mobile musician’s best friend. Simply import a song from iTunes into Capo touch and you will be presented with…well, just about everything you need to start working on a tune.
As an example, I had the task of charting 20 cover songs for a duo project where I’m playing acoustic guitar instead of bass. I’m not a great guitarist by a long shot so I can use all of the help I can get when it comes to transcribing guitar parts.
I used Capo touch on my iPad to help me create the charts while I was traveling. Here’s how it worked:
- I opened a song from my iTunes library in Capo. The app quickly calculated the wave form, beat locations, song key, and mapped out chords for me. In less than 25 seconds I had a workable chord chart.
- Like most vocalists, there are certain keys that work better for the singer’s range than others. I used the pitch slider to adjust to my partner’s preferred key and all of the chords instantly morphed to the new key.
- I like to experiment with alternate tuning from time to time. I can change the app settings to go from standard tuning (EADGBE) to drop D (DADGBD), or any other alternate tuning. Capo touch instantly morphs the chords to the new key.
- With guitar being a secondary instrument for me, I can have Capo suggest alternate chord voicings for will work best for the song and my limited dexterity on the guitar neck. By touching the chord diagram, Capo strums the guitar chord so I can hear it and listen what other voicings may sound like.
- At this point, I can write out the chart and make my tweaks on paper.
- I can also save the Capo file and send it to my partner so she can see the final arrangement. Since storage space on my iPhone and iPad is limited, I prefer to use Capo touch’s built-in feature of syncing the file with my iCloud account.
- Repeat for the other 19 songs.
Once I have every song saved and charted, I can turn Capo touch into a practice tool. I use the looping feature to repeat and slow down challenging sections that I need to get under my fingers.
The heart of Capo touch is the Chord Intelligence engine. Take a minute to think about what this technology does. It analyzes the frequencies at a moment in time and decides what chord is being played. Simple if you have only a bass plucking a C. Add a guitar strumming a CMaj chord (C-E-G) and a CMaj chord will be displayed. Add a singer belting a B and our CMaj is interpreted as a CMaj7 chord. Toss in the harmonics from a snare drum or cymbal and you have now opened up a large sonic spectrum that the app must accurately decipher.
The Chord Intelligence engine relies on a rather enormous sampling of chords that it attempts to match to the song it’s analyzing. Successive chords are analyzed a second time to determine what the likelihood is of the chord movement is. Is a CMaj7 more likely going to an F#sus or a GMaj7? On my iPhone 5C, this musical math is completed in about 25 seconds for a 3:30 song.
And physics being physics, it’s objective. Sometimes your subjective ear may not like what Capo is telling you. The developer, Chris Liscio, is also a musician and took our fickleness into account. We can change the chords. Touch the chord diagram and a screen appears letting us select a new voicing from a list of suggested chords or select an entirely different chord.
For iOS users, the Capo touch app can be a powerful transcribing, charting and practice tool for your musical toolbox. You can learn more about Capo touch at supermegaultragroovy.com/products/capo/ios or download the app for $4.99 (one app works for both iPad and iPhone) at the iTunes store.
Gear News
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Spector offers Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses…
Spector, a leading authority in bass guitar design, unveils two new Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses. Synonymous with bass excellence since 1987, Wimbish collaborated with Spector’s USA Custom Shop to create the DW-4 and DW-5 models, echoing the iconic instruments that have been favored heavily throughout his recording and performing career.
These signature basses faithfully replicate Wimbish’s originals, down to the smallest details like neck contours and nut widths. Customized EMG pickups, developed in collaboration with Wimbish, capture the distinctive sound that has shaped his monumental musical impact. These models invite players to explore the feel and response that have defined Wimbish’s signature style over the years.
Available in 4-string and 5-string versions, each model boasts unique features & finish options. The DW-4 comes in Amber Stain Gloss and Black Stain Gloss options, while the DW-5 offers Dark Blue Stain Gloss and Faded Natural Gloss. Every purchase includes a certificate of authenticity signed by Doug Wimbish. Wimbish comments, “Spector took the time to get every little nuance right, and that to me is dedication and being thoughtful enough to know ‘I want to nail it,’ and they did. I’m able to pick these instruments up for the first time and play them like I’ve already had them for years.”
For more information, visit spectorbass.com/doug-wimbish-usa-signature-series/.
Photo: Doug Wimbish, pictured with the new Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series basses
Bass CDs
New Campaign: Alberto Rigoni, Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings
Italian bass master and composer ALBERTO RIGONI is thrilled to announce his brand new project “Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings”.
Nemesis Call – Queens Of Strings features a super talented drummer from Japan (TBA) and tons of female guitarists such as SAKI, Giusy Busetto, Alexandra Zerner (TBC) and many many others (TBA). Furthermore, Alberto has also launched a Fundraising Campaign for the project. 20% of the income will be donated to Lega del Filo d’Oro legadelfilodoro.it/it, an Italian association that helps deaf and blind children!
Alberto shares:
“Hello friends and music lovers! I’m Alberto Rigoni, an Italian composer and.. a BASS GUY! Between 2008 and 2024 I released 13 solo albums, spanning from progressive, rock, ambient to funky and experimental music, which also features contributions from musicians such as keyboard wizard Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater) drummer Gavin Harrison (Porcupine Tree) and Marco Minnemann (the Aristocrats), keyboardist Kevin Moore (ex Dream Theater), singer John Jeff Soto (ex Goran Edman (ex Y. Malmsteen), bassists Nathan East, Stu Hamm (Joe Satriani), Nik West (ex Prince) and many others. I’m also bass player for BAD As, Sunset Groove Society, Kim Bingham, The Italians bands and co-producer of Mistheria’s Vivaldi Metal Project.”
Alberto on the new project Nemesis Call:
“Even if my latest album “Unexpected Lullabies”, dedicated to my newborn Vittoria Parini Rigoni, will be released on June 4th, 2024, when Vittoria came to life I felt the need to compose new music (yes, I really can’t stop!!!!!). This time will be quite challenging because I’m willing to release an instrumental ambient/prog/rock/metal album, that will feature a talented and young drummer (TBA) and tons of female guitarists (that’s why I will call the album “Queens of the Strings”) such as Alexandra Zerner, YOKA and many others (TBA/TBC)). It won’t be easy to manage all such great musicians but I will make it!! Are you ready to face a new prog experience? The album will be released in Digipack CD and in high-quality digital format approximately at the beginning of 2025.”
The Fundraising Campaign:
As an independent artist, Alberto is looking for supporters who can help him reach the budget for the production (recordings, mix, mastering, artwork etc.) of this new album and has started this fundraising campaign that will end successfully on October 15th, 2024.
Get further information about Alberto Rigoni’s new project Nemesis Call Fundraising campaign at albertorigoni.net/nemesiscal
Bass Videos
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
Bassist Derek Frank…
Many of you will remember the last time I chatted with Derek Frank was back in 2017. The main thing that impressed me was how busy Derek was and how he juggled playing with many huge acts.
Now, I am happy to hear that Derek launched a new album last March titled “Origin Story” where he digs deep into his roots and pays homage to Pittsburg.
Join me as we get caught up after all these years and hear the details about the new album, how Derek gets his sound, and his plans for the future.
Photo, Stephen Bradley
Featured Videos:
Visit Online:
www.derekfrank.com
www.instagram.com/derekfrankbass
www.youtube.com/derekfrankbass
www.facebook.com/derekfrankbass
Latest
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Check out our top 10 favorite basses on Instagram this week…
Click to follow Bass Musician on Instagram @bassmusicianmag
FEATURED @foderaguitars @bqwbassguitar @lecomptebass @xvector_basses @vuorensaku_guitars @phdbassguitars @meridian_guitars @sterlingbymusicman @ramabass.ok @overwaterbasses
Gear News
New Gear: Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Alberto Rigoni Signature Bass, the VPR5 by Gaetano Costanzo!
Internationally renowned bassist ALBERTO RIGONI (soloist, BAD AS, Vivaldi Metal Project, TwinSpirits, etc.) is proud to announce the release of his signature bass VPR5 made by renowned Italian luthier Gaetano Costanzo!
The bass is entirely handmade in Italy, without the use of CNC or other machinery, and has rather special features. The VPR is a 5-string bass (but also available as a 4-string) with 30 frets, Seymour Duncan pickups, Music Man Alnico style, passive electronics (volume, tone and a switch to select series/parallel/single-coil mode), alder body, and American maple neck and fingerboard. Gotoh tuners that ensure perfect intonation. The bass is totally painted white (nitro finish) but other colors can be requested. The VPR has a weight of about 2.9 kg and suitable for any genre.
For more information contact Gaetanobass77@gmail.com or visit online at www.instagram.com/gaetanocostanzoluthier or www.facebook.com/GaetanoCostanzoLuthier
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
Interview With Bassist Graham Stanush
Review: CrystalBright Rombo Picks
This Week’s Top 10 Basses on Instagram
Artist Update With Bassist Derek Frank
String Instrument Humidifiers
New Gear: Spector Doug Wimbish USA Custom Series Basses
