Q

Why 8 strings, and do you use any effects to get that thrumming sound?? Michelle, Somerville, MA
 

A

I've always been into the sound of the octaves that 8- and 12-string basses provide, probably owing to my being a fan of Doug Pinnick's (King's X) bass sound. It's just such a wall. About a year and a half ago, I spotted an 8-string and jumped on it. Not literally, of course. Figuratively.

I don't really use any special effects to get the sound i've got. Just a little compression, a little chorusing and maybe the slightest touch of distortion to give a little bit of an edge. Nothing crazy. Yet.
JK
 

Q

I was wondering if your drummer uses electronic (V-drums) and if I could ask her her opinion (i.e. are they worth the $$)? Marc
 

A

Thanks for the question. I do use electronic drums, the Roland V-Drums with the TD-10 Brain. There are so many great sounds as well as great features that will keep you busy for a long time. You have your traditional drum kit sounds in every style possible along with percussion instruments and sound effects. It doesn't end there, though. You have the option of editing each instrument whether it is changing it's pitch, decay, tuning, what ambience and mic placement you want or effects and its parameters.

There is also a built in sequencer which comes in handy for laying down loops or recording ideas you are working on. You have 4 stereo outputs and can assign each pad to any output which works great for recording and live. The TD-10 is MIDI capable so you can MIDI up other modules and use the pads for triggering. I love the freedom of the V-Drums and have unlimited sounds at my "sticktips". I am very impressed with the triggering sensitivity and the pad's durability. I do use real cymbals and I switch off between an electronic and an acoustic snare and love mixing it up. I would have to say that the Roland V-Drums are worth the $$! TG
 

Q

You guys seem so relaxed on stage; is that really how you feel? Trish, Chestnut Hill, MA
 

A

Oh, yeah, I'm totally relaxed now that I know the songs and can dance to them. As long as my guitar is loud enough for me to hear it (so I can "feel" the vibe)... then all's cool. CC

I am completely relaxed and charged up at the same time. I love being up there pouring out the music and reaching the audience with my energy. TG

I usually get nervous before we start playing, but then, as soon as we go on, the nervousness transforms itself into energy and gets me excited, especially when the club is full, and people are responding to our music. CZ
 

Q

What musical gear enabled each of you to move from being a rock musician to a rocktronica musician? Shawn Marquis, Brighton, MA
 

A

Let's see, for me, it is a combination of using the old standards (Les Paul, Steinberger, Marshall 1/2 stack) and plugging in some old and new toys to the mix. Using the Line 6 modulator unit, DOD Envelope Filter, E-Bow and slide all contribute to the rocktronica sound. However, "it ain't the meat, it's the motion baby" or in this case what I do with all of that which made the rocktronica musician thing happen. CC

For me it's my Kurzweil, which is a really amazing machine. You can do virtually anything with it. It took me a while to figure out how to work it, and there is still so much more depth to it, but it definitely opened up endless sonic possibilies. I can create sounds starting from a soundwave, from an existing sample or a sample I record, tweaking them into something totally different. Really cool stuff! CZ

The biggest transition that I've made was buying the Roland V-Drums. It has been pure excitement from the get go. The TD-10 sound module ("the brain") that comes with the set is loaded with very cool kits and sounds ranging from dance, techno, jazz, hip-hop, rock along with tons of percussion and sound effects. I have all these different instruments to trigger and the editing capabilities are very sophisticated. There are many effects and ambient selections with editing as well. I love being able to create new sounding "rocktronica grooves" and mixing up the electronics with real cymbals and switching between an acoustic snare and the electronic snare. TG