It’s incredible that a pedal which creates literally no sound at all, can be so sonically life-changing when it comes to my pedalboard and signal chain.

The Wetter Box by Gigrig is by no means a new release, and it’s something I wish I’d tried many years ago.

Kudos to Dan and the gang (not a sponsor of the podcast) for getting it so right when many others failed.

Here are some other videos I mention in the episode for your reference.

Earthquaker Devices Swiss Things was something I used for a long time when my board was in mono.

Check out Josh Scott from JHS explaining parallel signal routing.

And hear from the creator of the Wetter Box himself, Dan of That Pedal Show fame, talk about exaclty how you might use it.

Again, none of these people are sponsors of the podcast, but it’s nice to have the best references when you have questions that go way beyond my security clearance.

More soon,

Janek

What happens when things are kind of crumbling on a session and you need the advice of someone who is close to doing more sessions than any other living bass player? You call Sean Hurley.

This is the three part story of how we ended up subbing for each other on gigs we’re pretty well know for doing, and how we approach them in very different but very musical ways.

More soon,

Janek

I’m always tinkering with new ways to record and find sounds I’ve never produced before.

Today I’m experimenting with ways of using a mic to capture more nuance and articulation in my picking hand when I record.

The results are pretty startling in terms of how the dynamic range of the instrument is extended.

More soon,

Janek

It can be tough to admit you’ve made a mistake or done something wrong, not least of all when it involves something you pretend to actually know a little about.

In this week’s episode I come clean about a pedal blunder, discover my brain doesn’t work the way I want sometimes, and find comfort in the simple things in life.

I also mention in the episode that two pieces of gear are leaving the studio and are up for sale in The Gear Store. If you’re subscribed to my newsletter you’ll see them before many other people listening to the podcast. They are pieces that simply aren’t getting used anymore, and with so many new things arriving in the coming months, it’s time to make some space.

It’s gear that has meant a great deal to me for a multitude of reasons, and I’m looking forward to seeing where it ends up and how it gets used.

As always, I’m offering them with free shipping worldwide.

More soon,

Janek

My collaboration with RKM basses is now shipping to the lucky few who were able to grab one in our short run of the instrument.

In today’s episode I go into some detail about the venture with RKM, play the bass a ton, and also have a look at some of the challenges we face when using synth pedals as bass players.

More soon,

Janek

I haven't been this excited about a pedal in a very long time, and thought I would be waiting much longer to get my hands on one. The entire run of 400 sold out instantly a couple of months ago, and I imagine the next run in October will do the same.

From its small footprint to the incredible depth of functionality, this reverb is musically very inspiring and I look forward to bringing you more updates on my progress with it soon.

More soon,

Janek

We get to some new stereo sounds in the pedalboard and even a short lesson on outlining dominant chords in today’s episode…

But first, in a music industry dominated by the internet, streaming, social media, and ten-second clips, I’m trying something a little different.

I’ve always had the red light on when I’m playing live. I’ve recorded hundreds of shows over the past two decades, many of them as a bandleader performing my own music.

Now, I’m sharing them in a new project I’m calling The Record Store. I get so many emails asking why I’m not on Bandcamp or where people can buy my music because they don’t use streaming services—and this is my answer.

All the live shows from the past, every studio album, and as many new live recordings as I can add in the future will be available for download in one place: The Record Store.

As I mention in today’s episode, if just 1% of this channel’s subscribers bought one album, it would fund one—possibly even two—new studio albums within the next 12 months.

So, as I continue my quest to write, record, and release as much music as possible while I’m still here, I hope this project will help fuel the creative side of my career and make it possible to bring you new music on a regular basis.

More soon,

Janek

With more than 30 years invested in the process of learning and playing music, I'm still trying to get better and improve my technique.

If you’re a fan of cycling like me, you may have heard about Tadej Pogačar and his zone-2 training revelations, as discussed by Peter Attia and Tadej's former coach Inigo San Millan. I've tried to start applying similar concepts to my daily practice routine, and I'm starting to see improvements, even after more than 30 years of playing.

I'm excited to be able to share some of my progress from the past few weeks in this episode.

More soon,

Janek

P.S. The pre-order for my new book “How To Transcribe” is now open.

Transcription is the single most powerful way to train your ear and unlock your musicianship. This book is more than a manual—it’s a complete system for learning how to listen deeply, recognize musical language, and translate sound directly to your instrument.