I was watching this video from Samurai guitarist talking about this peculiar artist called Mk.gee. He's actually talking about his guitar tone because it's... bad? Is it though?
This is the perfect example of how the sound of an instrument, the way we record things, how producers elaborate and process every piece of sound on a recording, every detail is functional to the song, to the final product.
Mk.gee uses a very unique combination of guitar strings, effect pedals, amplification - basically a complete signal path - to get a guitar tone that is not what we would consider "good" in a traditional way. And yet, when you combine that tone with the other elements in the songs, you got the best result to achieve a specific soundscape that's original, unique. That is HIM.
Isn't this what we call art? Expressing oneself through the ability to create something, whether it's an object like a painting, a sculpture, or a book, or an intangible thing like a song. Sound waves that convey a message and an emotion.
When your guitar tone is the perfect conductor of your feelings, can we say it's bad even when it is bad in a conventional way?
I know these are difficult things to digest for those who don't create music. So for mere listeners, I say this: even if you don't realize it, even if you don't have the ear and awareness to notice these nuances, in your subconscious these details make the difference between what you appreciate and what doesn't resonate with you. Sometimes the difference between a good song and a bad one lies in the sum of many little details. The challenge for us music producers is to choose the right details to translate an emotion and a message into sound.
A little controlled distortion inserted in the right places can give a sense of aggression that's needed in certain contexts. That extra 2% reverb in a drum mix can completely transform the way a song feels to you. Add a subtle harmonization in the voice and that's what would give you chills when you listen to that part of the song. How many times it happened to you?
Your brain doesn't know it, but it's aware of it at the same time.
If you're curious about who I am and what I do you can visit my website harbiter.com or my Instagram.
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