Anatomy of Tone Mark Marshall

In this episode of Anatomy of Tone, Mark Marshall discusses his experiences with various DAWs and audio interfaces, ultimately advocating for the simplicity and compatibility of Pro Tools. He shares insights from his teaching and professional recording experiences, emphasizing the importance of consistent, high-quality tools in the studio.
Mark reviews Chicken Picks, noting their unique material, durability, and impact on guitar tone. Delving into guitar picks' role in sound shaping, he offers tips for choosing the right pick based on playing style and desired tone. Additionally, Mark shares his compositional techniques, including modulation and progression tactics, to help listeners enhance their music writing skills. The episode includes practical examples on bass and electric guitar, contrasting Chicken Picks with other picks to demonstrate tonal differences. Mark concludes with an invitation for lessons and feedback, promising more insightful content in upcoming episodes.
 
00:00 Welcome to Anatomy of Tone: Exploring Guitar Picks
00:25 Navigating the Recording World: A Personal Journey
05:34 Diving Into Chicken Picks: A Unique Guitar Pick Experience
18:27 Exploring Composition Techniques and Musical Examples
45:28 Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead

This episode of Anatomy of Tone offers a deep dive into the world of custom guitar craftsmanship through the lens of Farhad Sohaili, the founder of FSC Instruments. Farhad shares his comprehensive journey from his early music influences and moving from Iran to the United States to the establishment of his guitar-making business. The conversation explores the meticulous process behind creating handcrafted guitars, emphasizing the selection of materials like aged and roasted woods, the art of matching necks to bodies, and the importance of playability and design. Farhad discusses the transition from repair work to building guitars, the impact of the environment on the guitar , and the venture into boutique pedals and amps, illustrating his commitment to quality and the unique character of each piece. The episode also delves into the challenges of the guitar business, the shift from traditional sales to online platforms, and the value of a close-knit guitar community, offering insights into the passion and philosophy that define FSC Instruments.
 
00:00 Welcome to Anatomy of Tone: A Deep Dive with Farhad Sohaili
00:46 The Craftsmanship of FSC Instruments: Beyond Mass Production
02:27 Navigating Name Pronunciations and Immigrant Experiences
04:42 Musical Beginnings: From Classical Lessons to Punk Rock Passion
11:29 The Journey from Guitar Enthusiast to FSC Instruments Founder
15:06 Mastering Guitar Repair: A Self-Taught Success Story
20:36 The New York Hustle: Building a Business in the Big Apple
24:31 Seasonal Shifts and the Constant Grind of NYC Life
27:17 The Hustle of New York Musicians
28:08 The Importance of Taking Breaks and Having Support
28:56 Navigating the Challenges of Running a Small Business
30:46 The Evolution of Guitar Design and Production
33:18 The Art of Guitar Customization and Quality Control
34:42 Innovations and Changes in Guitar Features
45:01 The Craftsmanship Behind Fretwork and Nut Slots
49:14 Navigating Customer Expectations and Guitar Maintenance
55:33 The Unique Experience of Handbuilt Guitars
57:29 The Art of Selecting Wood for Guitars
58:26 Crafting Unique Guitars: A Personal Approach
01:00:02 The Importance of Thin Finishes and Vintage Aesthetics
01:02:24 Navigating the Boutique Guitar Market
01:04:08 The Future of Guitar Sales and Marketing
01:05:45 Collaborations and Innovations in Guitar Gear
01:08:31 Expanding the FSC Brand: Pedals, Amps, and More
01:19:18 Concluding Thoughts on the Guitar Industry
 
Visit my website Anatomy of Guitar Tone

In this episode of 'Anatomy of Tone,' host Mork Marshall discusses the common issue of volume wars between guitarists and sound crews at live gigs. Mork explores both perspectives to find negotiation strategies and techniques for resolving these conflicts. He shares insights on managing amplifier tone and volume effectively in various venues, the role of amplifier wattage, and the use of gear like plexiglass barriers and volume pedals to achieve the desired guitar tone while maintaining harmony with sound engineers.
 
Additionally, Mork provides updates on his latest blogs, touching on topics such as the FabFilter Pro Q 3 plugin, the toll g12 microphone, and the Sarno earth drive pedal. He also delves into his personal exploration of 20th-century harmony and polychords, offering lessons and insights on music theory, guitar playing, and production through his website anatomyofguitartone.com.
 
00:14 Welcome to Anatomy of Tone: Navigating Volume Wars
00:37 Diving into the FabFilter Pro Q 3 Plugin & More
01:47 Exploring 20th Century Harmony and Polychords
03:57 The Shift from Pre-Taped Lessons to Personalized Teaching
05:37 Understanding Volume Wars: Guitarists vs. Sound Crew
06:12 Navigating Amplifier Challenges in Live Settings
16:47 Strategies for Managing Guitar Volume on Stage
35:20 The Sound Person's Perspective and Building a Positive Relationship
40:53 Concluding Thoughts on Managing Amp Volume

Welcome to "Anatomy of Tone," the podcast that delves deep into the intricate world of musical soundscapes. In this episode, we unravel the secrets behind the revolutionary Tul G12 Dynamic Microphone, specially crafted for guitar amps. Join us on a sonic journey as we explore the essence of tone and the impact this cutting-edge microphone has on shaping your guitar sound.
 
 

Welcome to the 33rd thrilling episode of Anatomy of Tone. Join your host, Mark Marshall, as he delves into the vast tonal world of the Earth Drive pedal by Sarno Music Solutions. Through numerous experiments and meticulous exploration, Mark will share his process of identifying the perfect overdrive pedal saturation for diverse applications.
Learn from his comprehensive walkthrough on how to maximize the pedal's effects and discover how slight adjustments in EQ settings can magnify your guitar's sound. Explore the numerous musical contexts in which the Earth Drive pedal excels, without compromising its distinct and captivating character.
Marvel as Marshall unmasks the Earth Drive pedal in real-life musical situations, demonstrating its application in a variety of compositions, encompassing synthesizers, drum machines and guitar parts. Becoming a powerful tool, the pedal ensures a warm and rich harmonic texture, regardless of whether it's an '80s infused synth or a melodic bass part.
In Episode 33, Mark Marshall exquisitely explores the craft of creating lush guitar tones. From the Earth Drive and Vox, gorgeously layered sound to the balanced work on minimalist composition inspired by Steve Reich. Anatomy of Tone transports you to an immersive experience unveiling the beauty of utilizing multiple elements, rather than relying on one, to create a richer, fuller sound.
If you're a guitarist, an engineer, a producer or a composer, this episode brimming with hands-on experiences and practical advice is a must-listen. Dive into the fascinating realm of guitar tones today!
 
Gear used in this episode:
Tul G12 Microphone
API 312 Mic Pres
Purple Audio MC77
Rush Pepbox
Headstrong Lil King Reverb
Chase Blis CXM 1978
Analog Man Mini Chorus
Solo Dallas Schaffer Replica Storm
Gemini Mercury One Humbuckers
Ampete 88S Amp Switcher
Universal Audio OX
Asterope Cables
FSC '59 Pickups
Valhalla Vintage Verb

In this week’s podcast, I’ll discuss the Rush Pepbox, one of the earliest fuzz pedals made. Pepe Rush started making the Pepbox in 1966 in London. The tone is reminiscent of the Maestro FZ-1 but with a few variations. 
 
Those of you who are into fuzz know we’ve been missing fuzz in this family. The Maestro isn’t being made anymore, and although there are a few copies of the Fuzzrite (another Maestro variant), they don’t sound quite right to my ears. 
 
Well, it turns out that Pepe’s daughter, Lucy, is still making the Pepbox, and it’s the real deal time machine fuzz. But don’t be fooled into thinking it only does psychedelic fuzz. 
 
I’ll discuss composition techniques and play examples using various guitars, amps, and effects combinations with the Pepbox. Context is crucial when choosing the right fuzz pedal. For me, that leads back to composition, production, and orchestration. 
 
In these examples, I’ll also use a new microphone I’m excited about- the Tul G12, designed just for guitar amps. The Tul G12 allows you to record guitar amps in the center of the cone without the fizziness often associated with this position. 
 
I'm available for private composition, guitar, and music theory lessons. 
 
Other gear used in this podcast:
 
FSC 59’ Pickups
Gemini Lipstick Pickups
Teese Picture Wah
Earth Drive
Headstrong Lil’ King Reverb
Chase Bliss CXM-1978
Marshall SV20H
Purple Audio MC77