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Exploring Graphene by PolyChrome DSP
In this review, we explore Graphene, the latest guitar plugin from Polychrome DSP.
Graphene - PolyChrome DSP
Today, we explore Graphene, the latest guitar plugin from Polychrome DSP. This comprehensive amp simulator and effects suite offers a dual-channel amplifier, extensive effects, and customizable speaker options, making it a powerful tool for guitarists and studio engineers. We break down its features, including the user interface, amp controls, pre-effects, speaker section, EQ, and post-effects, providing insights into how to dial in tones effectively.
Welcome to another exploration of the latest innovations in the guitar plugin world! Today, we’re diving into Graphene from Polychrome DSP, a plugin that promises to elevate your guitar sound to new heights. Graphene is a comprehensive amp simulator and effects suite designed for modern guitar players and studio engineers alike. It features a dual-channel amplifier, a wide array of effects, speaker chains, and EQ options, all packed into a single plugin that could replace a few. This extensive sonic capability makes it a must-have for anyone looking for modern, high gain guitar sounds.
User Interface and Navigation
Polychrome DSP has always prioritized user experience, and Graphene is no exception. The plugin boasts a sleek, modern interface that is visually appealing and easy to navigate. Guitar players often listen with their eyes first, and PolyChrome DSP has always understood this by providing unique, super sleek GUI designs with their plugins. The good news is, they sound great too. What a deal.
Toolbar Features
Upon launching Graphene, the first thing you’ll want to do is to click the Polychrome DSP logo in the upper left corner. This reveals some essential options for optimizing your experience, including:
Input Calibration: Adjusts the input levels for optimal performance.
User Paths: Customizes where your presets and files are stored.
Oversampling: Enhances audio quality by reducing aliasing.
Next, the Wide Control allows you to widen the stereo image of your signal, adding depth and excitement to your tone. The Hypertune Control is another standout feature, enabling pitch shifting and transposing of your signal by up to an octave.
Presets and Controls
Graphene comes loaded with a massive collection of presets to kickstart your sound design. You can mark your favorites with the G icon, making it easy to return to tones you love. PolyChrome DSP has always been VERY generous with their inclusion of tons of presets from in-house talent and collaborators. Most of them don’t need an ounce of tweaking, but you’re certainly welcome to go nuts. The plugin also includes standard controls like input gain and noise gate, as well as a post-effect compressor and output gain control.
The Heart of GraphEne: The Dual Channel Amplifier
At the core of Graphene is its ultra-sleek dual-channel amplifier. The blue channel is tailored for tight, focused rhythms, while the purple channel delivers a scooped, aggressive tone ideal for modern sounds. Both channels feature standard amp controls along with unique options:
Push Control: Adds saturation for a richer sound.
Super Cut Control: Provides a lo-fi effect reminiscent of the Nutcracker amp.
Tight Control: Enhances low-end precision on the blue channel.
Mid Boost Option: Increases clarity for leads on the purple channel.
Personally, I found the blue channel to have a certain depth and weight to it in the mid-range that I preferred. That said, the Purple channel offers you instant access to more scooped, and less boomy tones that might work better for you. The mid boost does fill it out a bit, and at higher levels, helps the purple channel to feel a bit warmer.
Pre-Effect Stomps
Graphene's pre-effect section is packed with innovative pedals:
Explode + Pedal: Features a whammy effect, lowpass sweep filter, blend control, stutter control, and a unique reverb that increases in size with pedal articulation.
Killgate: Offers dynamic noise gate control, perfect for high-gain tones without choking dynamics.
Octane Pedal: Provides punch and tightness with boost and filter controls, plus a chaos feature for added distortion.
Drive Pedal: A modern precision drive for enhancing high-gain tones.
Boost Pedal: A traditional boost with a smooth attack and mid-range punch.
I was surprised by the aggressiveness of the boost included in the Octane pedal. Even at low levels, with the “Chaos” feature off, it provided a bright, tight bite to the amp that I found to be great for articulate rhythms and chugs. The Drive pedal is well rounded, modern and has great options. Finally, I appreciate the simplicity of the interface on the Screamer style pedal. If you know it, you love it, and you don’t want it messed with.
Speaker Section
Graphene features ten fully produced speaker chains and a custom IR slot for loading your own impulse responses. The speaker section includes:
Resonance and Air Controls: For further tone customization.
Room level control: Perfect for adding some space and width.
High and Low Pass Filters: To shape your sound.
Edit Control: Allows for detailed frequency manipulation, showcasing Polychrome DSP's understanding of guitarists' needs.
You’ll find yourself falling in love with the EDIT control. Not only is it a great way to learn about sound, but it offers an incredible array of chosen frequencies to manipulate. The best part is you can undo all of it with a single button.
EQ Section
The EQ section in Graphene is another highlight, featuring:
Shape EQ: Nine bands of control with pre and post EQ options.
Mastering EQ: For precise sculpting of your post-amplifier signal.
These EQ pedals are designed to be user-friendly, making it easy to experiment and find the perfect sound. Don’t be intimidated by the “pedal style” EQ’s. They’re easier than you think to dial in.
Post-Effects Section
As a lead player primarily, the post-effects section is where Graphene truly shines for me:
Multi-mod Pedal: Combines chorus, flanger, and phaser effects, allowing for total customization.
Delay Pedal: Features a spill effect that continues the delay trails even after the module is turned off, along with ducking control and multiple modes.
Reverb Pedal: Offers pre-delay, diffusion, modulation, EQ effects, and mix controls for atmospheric soundscapes.
Polychrome DSP is known for its exceptional post-effects, and Graphene continues this tradition, making it easy to achieve the sounds you’ve been dreaming of.
Conclusion
Graphene from Polychrome DSP is a powerful tool for guitarists and studio engineers alike. With its extensive features, intuitive interface, and high-quality sound, it stands out in the crowded market of guitar plugins. Whether you're dialing in aggressive tones or exploring ambient soundscapes, Graphene provides the tools you need to unleash your creativity.
Make sure to check out Graphene for yourself and explore the vast sonic possibilities it offers.
Reviewed By Josh Hammond - Skycrest Studio Works, Helena MT.
REVIEW: “Trauma” - A Life in Exile
A review of the metal track “Trauma” from A Life in Exile.
FEEL:
A Life in Exile's new track, "Trauma," hits you like a freight train from the get-go. They waste no time establishing a dark and brooding atmosphere with an ominous intro that feels like the soundtrack to your impending doom. Think: adrift on a dark, stormy ocean with a Lovecraftian style threat looming below (and wouldn’t you know it, the album art matches). This isn't your feel-good, sunshine-and-rainbows metal; this is the kind that stares into the abyss and dares it to blink first.
The payoff for that slow build is a devastating drop into the main verse. The groove is absolutely monstrous, the kind that makes you want to headbang until your neck gives out (and if you’re my age, that involves ibuprofen). It's a heavy, relentless rhythm that forms the backbone of the entire track. Influence from Within the Ruins (tonality), Suffokate (groove), and Born of Osiris (synths and ambience) can all be heard throughout the track. This makes for a super tasty, distinctly dark mood that leaves you wanting more. Especially when listening on a proper Hi-Fi setup (see above).
PRODUCTION:
Let’s start with the bass (Stephen McAlear) because it’s one of the first things you hear in this track, and it immediately invites you into the darkness. A super aggressive, authoritative tone is on display here. The bass is EQ’d in a way that allows it to play nice with the guitars, but not lose any of its beef, or clanky clarity at the top end. You can really hear the love in the slow droning bridges, or when Stephen is matching notes with the guitars. When you try to explain to your friends just how important the bass is to metal music, play them this track. Perhaps it’s time for me to invest in a headless Ibanez EHB1006MS…Left-handed of course.
The guitars (John Belvail and Dan Morgan) are equally impressive, boasting a tone that's sharp and biting. Scooped just enough to make some room, and beefy where it counts. They cut through the mix like a razor, adding a layer of aggression that perfectly complements the overall theme. John and Dan have always had excellent chemistry, and it’s on full display here. Listening through the Heavys H1H headphones, you can really hear the subtle layers, phrases, and creative prowess. A guitar rake here, a pinch harmonic there, awesome stuff. The guitars are also mixed/panned in a way that lets them blanket the mix without smothering it. I think these two are also rocking headless guitars…is there a theme here?
Vocally, Jose "Rafa" Cruz delivers a performance that's both powerful and demands attention. The vocals aren't just growls and screams; there's a clear sense of passion and anguish in the delivery. I’m a stickler for screamed vocals. I love aggression, but I want to understand what you’re trying to tell me. Jose’s performance here fits the bill, and exceeds it with excellent sustain, push, and articulation. He’s crafted a voice that not only takes you over with volume but sets a mood. One of darkness, beauty, pain, and doom (those are good things). Just listen to the end of the track.
The drums here are absolutely incredible (Paul Hutchins). They burst through the mix in the intro to deliver an ominous rumbling that cascades into the first drop with absolute authority. Not only is there an earth shattering groove being provided, but Paul uses the entire kit here to provide some incredible atmosphere. With each listen, especially through the Heavys H1H, I could hear a new fill, cymbal or snare accent that made me smirk. The kick is tuned low, and packs a punch. The sub mix on it bolsters the track without muddying it up. The snare has a wonderful organic sound to it that’s augmented to cut through, sound modern, and snap you into the song. That snare must owe Paul some money. Just listen to how hard it’s being hit. The overhead mix is clear, but not too bright. The ride in particular has a darkness to it that I just can't get enough of.
The samples, and synths used in the track elevate it to the next level. I know first-hand how daunting and arduous it can be to program not only the right synth, but the right amount of synth. Here, every drop, drone, and pad provides some serious sonic candy. Well done, lads.
SUMMARY
Overall, "Trauma" is a sick metal track that doesn't pull any punches. It's heavy, aggressive, and undeniably catchy. It executes its chosen style with precision and conviction. If you're a fan of bands that deliver a relentless sonic assault, then A Life in Exile's "Trauma" is definitely worth checking out. It's a headbanger's delight and a testament to the band's ability to craft a truly unique metal experience while paying homage to their influences. This track definitely needs a spot on your metal playlists, friends.
Reviewed by Josh Hammond
Skycrest Studio Works, Helena, MT
Rediscovering Guitar: How an Online Community Revived My Passion After 20 Years
It all begins with an idea.
Click thumbnail to go to full review on Youtube.
TLDR: After a 20-year hiatus from guitar lessons, I found inspiration and community at mcrocklin.com. This blog explores how Thomas McRocklin's platform reignited my passion for music through engaging lessons and a supportive community.
Today I want to share my experience with an online guitar community that has truly transformed my approach to playing guitar. If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your musical journey, this might just be the spark you need.
The Challenge of Finding the Right Community
For many musicians, the online guitar community can be a mixed bag. It can be inspiring, but it can also be chaotic and, at times, toxic. However, I found a community that stands out for its positivity, support, and world-class education. This community is centered around mcrocklin.com, the official website of guitarist Thomas McRocklin.
Who is Thomas McRocklin?
Thomas McRocklin is not just any guitarist; he has played alongside legendary musicians like Steve Vai. He is a powerhouse performer and a world-class instructor. His video production skills enhance the learning experience, making it engaging and enjoyable. Additionally, he co-founded Polychrome DSP, a company known for its innovative audio plugins. With such a rich background, it’s no wonder that this community is thriving.
My Musical Journey: A 20-Year Hiatus From Lessons
Before last year, I hadn’t taken a guitar lesson—online or in-person—for about 20 years. I remember taking bass lessons in Lakeport, California, from a mentor named Craig. He opened my eyes to the world of music and inspired me to explore my creativity. After those lessons ended, I struggled to find the same motivation and excitement in my playing.
The Search for Inspiration
For years, I tried various online lessons, but nothing resonated with me. I missed the spark that made me excited about playing guitar. That was until I discovered School of McRock, which has since transitioned to mcrocklin.com. After taking just a couple of lessons, I felt that familiar excitement return—something I hadn’t experienced in over a decade.
The McRocklin Experience
The lessons on mcrocklin.com are not just about learning notes and techniques; they are designed to inspire. Thomas’s teaching style is inviting and engaging, making you feel like you are part of a community rather than just a student. The accessibility of the lessons, combined with the supportive atmosphere, creates an environment where learning feels natural and enjoyable.
Joining the Discord Community
Initially, I was hesitant to join the Discord server associated with mcrocklin.com. As someone who tends to be a bit of a hermit, I wasn’t sure how I would fit in. However, once I joined, it opened up a whole new world for me. I met incredible people, shared my music, and received support from fellow musicians. The community is vibrant, with channels dedicated to various topics beyond just guitar, making it a fun and engaging space.
A Welcoming Environment
What sets this community apart is Thomas’s active involvement. He and the mods engage with members, making everyone feel valued and included. His passion for music and the guitar shines through, creating a culture where everyone can learn and grow together. Whether you’re interested in advanced techniques or just starting out, there’s something for everyone.
Special Offers and Fun Times
Currently, mcrocklin.com is offering a special promotion with 40% off the membership price. This is a fantastic opportunity to dive into the community and experience the lessons for yourself. One of my favorite memories from the Discord was during a live stream event where Thomas collaborated with us to create presets for a new plugin, Nutcracker. It was a unique experience that showcased the community spirit and creativity.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Join
I want to emphasize that I am not affiliated with mcrocklin.com in any way; I am simply a fan who has benefited from this community. If you’re looking to reignite your passion for guitar, find engaging lessons, and connect with a supportive group of musicians, I highly recommend checking out mcrocklin.com. Your account syncs seamlessly with Discord, making it easy to navigate even for those who may not be tech-savvy. If you want to feel excited about playing guitar again and be part of a community that shares your passion, this is the place for you.
Thank you for reading, and I hope you consider joining this incredible community.