Taj Mahal's Continuing Musical Mission
He bristles at being called a "bluesman." He thinks Napster is a wonderful thing. And he remains at odds with the modern-day machinations of the record industry.
by Sean McDevitt

Musicians On Call
MOC's mission statement: "To use music and entertainment to complement the healing process and improve the quality of life for patients."
by Lynne Margolis

A Guitarist's Guide to Pedal Steel
The pedal steel guitar has kicked off the cowboy hat -- at least partially -- and infiltrated a variety of genres. It has also surfaced in the trance global underground, complementing trip-hop grooves, electro beats, and lush soundscapes.
by Mike Bieber

Capture Your Spirit, Keep Your Soul
Those lucky (or unlucky) enough to get signed by a record company realized the fight had just begun. We signed horrible deals, even giving away our rights to gain access to a public they controlled.
by Scooter Scudieri

The Harmony Central Guide to Software Synthesizers 2000
Today it's possible to turn your computer into a 160-voice sampler, an SCI Prophet-5, or a Stylophone and seeing a Powerbook on a concert stage is not uncommon at all.
by David Korn

Recording Guitars That Are REALLY In Tune
If your guitar is not intonated properly, having the open strings in tune may not mean that fretted notes are in tune. Even a guitar that is intonated correctly can be out of tune in some places on the neck.
by Ray Dybzinski

Green Day Dawning
"We wanted to shoot for the moon this time around." Read what else lead vocalist Billie Joe Armstrong had to say about the new album, his songwriting, the tight-knit dynamic of the threesome, and more.
by Steve Baltin

The Vinyl Frontier, Part Two
In Part One of this feature, we introduced you to the benefits that vinyl scratching and DJing can provide to any musician, regardless of their background. We also explained the ins and outs of the DJ’s turntable and mixer. Hopefully by now you’re intrigued by the sonic possibilities of the wheels of steel, so it’s time to explore the DJ’s working methods and specific gear.
by James Rotondi

Matthew Ryan & the Problem with Pop
As a songwriter and performer, Matthew Ryan is in, rather than of, Nashville. With the exception of Steve Earle and a handful of other individualists, the younger artists who live in Music City build their work like aluminum-sided boxes in a sea of cloned homes. They pursue style more than substance, never quite catching either.
by Robert L. Doerschuk

Which Mic is Right?
While cost isn't an obstacle to finding a good mic, the bewildering array of available models makes the selection process tougher than ever. Harmony Central's tips on choosing the right condenser mic will help you nail that killer sound you've always wanted.
by Michael Cooper

Twenty-first Century Blues
While no contemporary label has yet addressed the state of the blues in the year 2000, there is no shortage of hot, swinging, and low-down blues guitar on the contemporary scene.
by Dave Rubin

Booking Tours 101
A DIY guide to setting up gigs and getting there to play them.
by Sam Shaber

P.O.D. Breaks Out
The San Diego band's climb to gold album status represents a deviation from an eight-year routine that has involved funky studios, little money, worn equipment, and otherwise living the rock prole's life.
by Steve Baltin

One String Attached: Part 2
Last month, we introduced you to the seven-string guitar's neck and learned how to use the extra string to create some cool chord voicings. This time, we'll look at some scales and meet a few of the players pushing the seven-string to the limit.
by Darryl Cunningham

Bob Taylor of Taylor Guitars
Launched by Bob Taylor and Kurt Listug in 1974, the company has had a modernizing influence on acoustic guitar design and construction. Among their innovations: the use of computer-operated CNC machinery and bolt-on necks in acoustic high-end guitar design.
by Cliff Suttle

Model Behavior for Guitars
When we took a look at Amp modeling back in June, we focused on the basic overview of digital modeling and how that technology relates to other forms of guitar processing. In our concluding installment, we'll examine some of the questions you'll need to answer before deciding which (if any) modeling system is right for you.
by Emile Menasché

Who Needs Labels?
Much as Dorothy was crushed to discover the truth about the Wizard of Oz, musicians are often dismayed to find out that nothing is as it seems once they reach the major-label holy land.
by David John Farinella

Elastica Redeemed
After a long hiatus and a bitter band breakup, Justine Frischmann reflects on the challenge of regaining creative momentum.
by Steve Baltin

Great Managers & How to Find Them
There's a lot you can -- and should -- do to make your band appealing to a good manager, regardless of your label status.
by Maureen Herman

Working for Tips Online
Fairtunes makes it easy to send money to artists via the Internet. But will that provide enough to earn a living through music?
by Robert L. Doerschuk

Pitchshifter's Jim Davies
By blending propulsive hard rock (parts metal, part hardcore punk) with sample-heavy electronic dance music (mainly techno and drum 'n' bass), Pitchshifter has forged a sonic and lyrical hybrid that's at once radical, weird, and altogether catchy.
by Jeff Perlah

The Vinyl Frontier, Part One: It's Not Just for DJs Anymore
The turntable, once a novelty in non-hip-hop outfits, has become an instrument in its own right. In this article, we examine the basic technical and artistic elements of turntable performance.
by James Rotondi

One String Attached
Once considered a specialty instrument best left to fretboard adventurers like Steve Vai and John Petrucci, the seven-string -- which in its most common configuration extends the guitar's range by adding a low B-string -- has quickly become almost required equipment for the serious hard rocker.
by Darryl Cunningham

Apartment 26 - Festivals & Fame
Apartment 26 talks about how to score major opportunities with minimal exposure -- and how to make the best use of whatever the results of those opportunities might be.
by David Farinella

The Harmony Central Guide to CD-R for Audio
CD recorders are powerful tools, but if you don't know the difference between Track-at-Once and Disc-at-Once, we've got you covered.
by Philip De Lancie

Summer NAMM 2000
Our exclusive geargasm coverage concludes with Zoom's palm-size ministudio, Fender's new guitars, P-Funkgod George Clinton snarfin' a sandwich, and lots more!

Janis Ian
Janis Ian discusses her songs, learning to collaborate, her favorite guitars, and the recording process that resulted in god and the fbi, her latest CD.
by Fred Koller

Deftones & the Triumph of Hard Rock
Harmony Central speaks with the band about the latest album, success, and the current popularity of the music they've been playing for a decade.
by Steve Baltin

Miking Acoustic Guitar
We'll take a look at three of the most popular techniques, and also examine the questions of microphone choice and mono-compatibility. So whip out those mics, pull out that guitar, and give these tips a try: You'll hear the difference.
by Michael Cooper

Groove Armada
Groove Armada's Tom Findlay offers insight into the making of Vertigo, the remixing process, and the trials of translating their sampled and sequenced studio sound into a fresh, funky, and dynamic live show.
by Sam Molineaux

The Experience Music Project
Sure, Seattle's new interactive music museum may be a monument to one man's love
for music -- but it aims to inspire similar passions among all people
by Robert L. Doerschuk

Digital Modeling Comes of Age
In Part One, we'll look at how guitar amp modeling technology stacks up against traditional tone tools. Is it right for your music?
by Emile Menasché

Interview with BT
An electronica wizard breaks out of trance -- and takes the spotlight -- with Movement in Still Life.
by Steve Baltin

Making Sense of Plug-In Formats
Thinking of a Digital Audio Workstation, or some plug-ins to enhance your current rig? Your signal processing options can be amazingly diverse -- and confusing. Before you wind your way through the plug-in jungle, here's what you need to know.
by Philip De Lancie