Straight Jive: Your Questions ANSWERED! RSS

circuit, flanger, pedal, through-zero, tunnelworm, tzf -

Positive, negative and Through-Zero Flanging: probably more than you ever wanted to know about flanging

Don in Portland, OR asks: "What is the difference between additive and subtractive flanging?" On the surface, this seems like a quick and easy question, but there's a lot more to flanging than meets the ear.  This edition of Straight Jive will be pretty in-depth, so if you're looking for a quick answer here it is: "Flanging" is the practice of mixing at least two identical signals, with a small delay applied to one or more of the signals.  This process creates a complex and incredible, albeit sometimes cheesy sound:  the swept comb filter. As their respective names suggest, additive...

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benefit, brown, cancer, charity, eterna, friends, help, hot dogs, justin, pedal, reverb, special, true, unicorn -

We did it: A message of Thanks

This is amazing! The response to the Special Edition Testicular Cancer Awareness Eterna was incredible and we sold out of pedals in just over 25 hours! I'd like to make a personal thank you to every supporter of the cause.  As a result of your support, good vibes and donations, we will be able to put a significant dent into Justin's medical bills. Many people opted to pitch in significantly over the $100 base price and everyone's generosity will be felt for a lifetime. I am beside myself and truly a proud friend and business owner.  To think just three...

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benefit, brown, cancer, charity, etera, friends, help, hot dogs, justin, pedal, special, truth -

Doing the right thing

In July 2012, I received some troubling news from a close friend of mine:  My friend, Justin Brown, was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Justin and I have been friends for five years.  During that time we have played numerous shows together, jammed late into the night together, built pedals at Jack Deville Electronics together, and developed and nurtured quite a friendship.  As Justin explained the situation, all I could think about was how I could help my friend get through a really tough time in life, as he has done for me and how friends do for one another, time and...

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benefit, cancer, eterna, pedal, reverb -

What friends are for

Bearded fuzz-pedal enthusiast Justin Brown moved to Portland, OR over a decade ago to bask in and contribute to the city's music scene. Today, he is one of two bassists in the doom band Lamprey, co-owner of local label Captain Couch Records, and organizer of the annual heavy-music festival Ceremony of Sludge. Justin is currently studying Ecology, and is a student intern with the Port of Portland where one of his main duties is releasing red-tailed hawks into the wild. He has also been a pedal builder for Jack Deville Electronics.  In July of this year Justin was diagnosed with...

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bypass, debounce, hot dogs, mechanical, pop, switch, true, unicorn -

What really causes switch pop

 I've been there before.  You know the situation. The band is groovin.  Shit is in the pocket.  The song is about to hit and the guitar drops out for a half measure.  In preparation, you stomp your favorite pedal and its deafening:  TTTTHHHHUUUMMMPPPP!! WTF!!?? In today's edition of Straight Jive, we'll be discussing "switch pop" and the causes, sources, and solutions to the hassle of mechanical-bypass, often mis-marketed as true-bypass. Lets get things started by clarifying some of the mis-information and bullshit floating around out there regarding mechanical bypass systems.  I don't use the word "systems" lightly either.  Every bypass...

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