Guilherme Freitas is an established Bassist/Guitarist/Singer and Composer from Brazil. He is best known for his bands Gugles and Pajama Flowers, he currently plays with Bandabala,. The Band has just re-recorded their favourite Pajama Flowers hits completely on the iPad.

Q.1 Gui who were your musically influences?
I've heard a lot of music in my life but if I have to mention what I most heard would be Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Beto Guedes, Brazilian pop rock( Legiao Urbana, Lulu Santos) Beatles, AC/DC, Stones, Nirvana, Beach Boys, Genesis plus many other artists.

Q2. You’re a multi-talented Guitarist/Singer/Composer, is there a particular aspect you prefer? I started getting interested in music as a acoustic guitarist at 14, but at 18 I had to learn to play bass because I joined a band that needed a bass player, I continued to play bass for many years, and went back to playing guitar for 7 years ago. Right now I'm in love with guitar.

Q3. Why did you decide to Re-Record the tracks on the iPad?
The first reason was that at the time of the band in '95, we did not record the job decently, just made records on cassette tapes. Another reason was also that the band no longer exists and some former members no longer work as musicians, so there was no possibility would be all together again, each took different paths in life.

The band was independent at the time and had no access to good studios. I always liked those songs and felt sorry for not having done a good recording of them. When I bought the iPad 2 years ago, I noticed that when recording electric guitar I got an excellent result, and it reminded me of the work of Pajama's, I had to ask for help to remember the lyrics and started to record a couple of tracks before I knew it I was recording 14 songs.




Q5. How did you find the process of recording everything on the iPad?I've always been interested in using portable recorders, I already had several studios port (tascam, yamaha), drum machines, sequencers. When I saw the iPad I started doing small tests in Garageband was impressed and so I bought the IPad.

I used the Apogee Jam, and soon I learned how it worked and I realized I was getting better guitar sounds than in several professional studios I've ever had recorded in. Soon I noticed that the GarageBand would not be enough and that I needed a more professional app and found Meteor, then yes I was really excited to do all the work.

I started the searching process for drum loops and how we had done the arrangements back in 95. I actually recorded all the basic instrumental in Meteor and vocals in Garage Band, because I had to use many tracks, as I did many backing vocals.

The instruments I used were

Electric guitars (Gibson Sg, Prs Custom 22, Fender Plus and Suhr S3) I used a 60 amp trademark of Tech 21, miked by the senheiser 609 in direct apogee jam.

Effects on guitar I used eletronics TC Nova system, Fulltone OCD, and Suhr Riot. ,

The acoustic guitars (Yamaha) I always recorded 2 tracks, 1 miked by MIC and another running straight at Jam.

The bass (Tagima and precision and music man) I ran for a pre AMT eletronics and ran straight into Jam.

The keyboards and the strings I got everything in Garage Band.

For a long time I was in doubt if I would record the vocals on the iPad or in a studio outside, but then found the apogee MIC and recorded in my home. At the end of the process I had a problem, I would not be able to mix work on the iPad because I used more than 12 channels, and used 2 different apps to record

So I pulled all the wavs separately into the Meteor where they were mastered, mixed and everything. Throughout this process, Paul from 4pockets helped me a lot by email. Thanks Paul.

Q6. What aspects of Meteor Multitrack Recorder made it your iPad DAW of choice?
I found the meteor very professional, with 12 tracks and effects, it felt really like recording in professional studio, also the excellent technical support from 4Pockets provide customers



Q7. We were impressed with the harmonization of the vocals and guitars, how did you achieve this?I always enjoyed doing many backing vocals, something like Beatles, Beach Boys, and Queen, and in fact, in this work, I really did million of vocals. As I was doing at home, it had no cost, and I could take as much time as I wanted so I could do many experiments.

I recorded the harmonization's and sometimes sang 2 to 3 times each harmonization to get that wall of sound, like Queen and Beatles on the songs Right on, Sun is on the way. The verse of In the Evening and chorus of I'm Addicted, was sung by the musician and song writer Toninho Mattos.

I did not know if it would be successful but I tried lol. I do not use auto tune any part of the songs.

In eletric guitars, the process was similar. I played the same riff over and over again to give those aspect of the wall of sound too. But I played really again, because if you just duplicate the track you do not get the same result, only increases the volume.


Q8. Brazilian musicians seemed to have taken the iPad to the heart of their music creation, why do you think this is?
I think the whole world is using IPad to record, but maybe it's a success in Brazil because a good studio here is very expensive and one of medium size sometimes you do not get good results.


Q9. When will we see the Gui Freitas or the Pajama Flowers on the iTunes Store?
Actually I do not know how iTunes works for independent band, I need to tell you how this really works, in Brazil, the people still do not have much in the habit of using iTunes, the people still downloads the net. But I think it would be great if I could put my songs out, but at the same time, because the band to be independent, I do not know if people would know that the band is available on iTunes, I will get better informed and see. When I recorded this work I was not really planning on selling it, it was just to record it and show it to friends, but would not be so bad if I could make some money with it.



Q10. What's does 2013 hold for you, can you tell us what are you plans are?I am a professional musician in Brazil for 22 years, now I play in a band called Bandabala . This band plays Brazilian rhythms and it works here. My plans are to disseminate these Pajama Flowers songs and continue working hard.

You can find out more about Gui on his Facebook Page and on his twitter @guifreitas5

We would like to thank Gui for taking part in the interview, particularly since English is not his first language. I have promised him that I will learn more Portuguese than how to order a beer.

Keep an eye out for other tracks from Gui and the Pajama Flowers, I think 2013 is promising to be an exciting year for him.

4PocketsAudio Interview of the Month - Brazilian Guitarist Marcos Kleine

Welcome to the 4Pocketsaudio Interview for September, we are very pleased to be joined by Marcos Kleine an internationally recognised Guitarist, Award Winning Film Composer and Music Producer.

Marcos has been a member of a number the highly successful bands including Vega, heavy metal band Exhort and more recently Ultraje a Rigor.

As a producer Marcos is working with acclaimed Brazilian acts such as journalist turned singer Celso Cardoso.

Marcos is also known in Brazil for his passion for SE Palmeiras soccer club, he is also a favourite of their fans for his live guitar version of the clubs anthem.

I would like to thank Marcos for taking the time to do the interview, as my Portuguese consisted of being able to order a large beer Marcos kindly agreed to do the interview in English, so thanks to Marcos on both counts.

So on with the interview.

Q. You are a talented musician on several instruments so what made you focus on the Guitar.

A. When I was 10 years old I had an affair with drums, but at that time I lived in an apartment and I would never have money to buy a set. So I played drums everywhere, pillows, sofas, it was fun and my first experience playing in a real drums was at 14 years old.

But on the 10 of march of 1985 a guitar came in my hand, just for holding the guitar my mind blows up and I got crazy. I also can play Keyboards and Bass, but the guitar really got me

Q. Who are your guitar hero's and inspirations.

A. My first “guru” was Randy Rhoads. I tried to play all the solos from the Ozzy Osbourne songs.

I am also huge fan of Jeff Beck, Stevie Ray, Brian Setzer, Robben Ford, David Gilmour, Jimmy Page and of course Jimmy Hendrix.

Q. You seem to be incredibly busy how do you find the time to perform with Ultraje a Rigor, produce and your film work.

A. Wake up early, optimize my time and discipline. At the moment all my focus is on Ultraje a Rigor, but I still have some little time to do productions, soundtracks etc..

Q. There are a number of videos of you using an iPad in gigs, do you see a trend of more musicians using iPads.

A. I love to use iPad in rehearsals, it's amazing. I never imagined in my life be able to use this kind of equipment. I lived in a time that was difficult to get a good guitar, amps and stomps. Especially in Brazil were we pay 3x more for anything that comes from abroad.

I think the iPad is something that will change the way we play and practice our instruments. I can see as the iPad becomes more a more established piece of equipment for musicians that we will put on gigs with 3k of equipment instead of a truck full of amps and pedals.

Q. As a regular user of StompBox for the iPad, how do you find using the iPad instead of traditional effects units.

A. For big shows, live performances I prefer to use my stomps, but I used Stompbox on TV shows, rehearsals, workshops. It's friendly and the sound is magical. I love it! Who knows soon it goes with me on stage

Q. A lot of guitarists have names for their guitars, Brian May has Red Special, do you have names for your guitars?

A. Yes, my white one is called ANE, from “ANEMIA”, I think I don’t need to explain why heheh.

The purple one is called “Hematoma”. Well, I think the names fits well

Q. I know you are a big fan of Star Trek and have done guitar versions of the Star Trek themes and composed tracks for the spoof cartoon Sev Trek so what message would you send to JJ Abrahams to persuade him to let you to do a track for the next movie.

A. Ok, I will be honest! Give me a chance J.J. I didn’t like Michael Giacchino score for the last Star Trek movie. I can do better (or not)”. You have nothing to loose, trying me is for free…

Check this out...

Q. What's next for Marcos Kleine?

A. I never know what is coming next, but I hope I can have health and strength to keep working, I love music and to play guitar. This is my life since I was 15!

I am also thinking about recording 6 more instrumental songs to release an instrumental album.

Ultraje is in a great place at the moment, we are the band of the late show Agora é Tarde and this is a great experience.

Soon I will be working on a soundtrack for a movie and a new cartoon project. But the details are secret for now hehehe..

Q. The 2016 Olympics will be held in Rio, knowing your love of sport how much would it mean to you to play at the 2016 Olympic Opening Ceremony".

A. I would be honoured if I am asked, but I think it will be easier for Brazil to beat China or USA in the medal table than someone on the Olympic committee invite me to play. All the indications are that Samba will be the soundtrack of the Olympics, but I would it would be a great honour to play at my home Olympics.

More information on Marcos can be found on his website: Marcos Kleine

StompBox is featured in Apples "Love iPad" TV Commercial

Further information on StompBox Guitar Effect App can be found on 4Pocketsaudio.com

Don't Know Why Instrumental - StompBox for the iPad

I great instrumental version of Don’t Know Why recorded by Alfredo using Washburn J6 guitar, Apogee Jam, StompBox Guitar Effects App for the iPad, Roland BR600 with backing tracks from Band-in-a-Box

Don't Know Why (Norah Jones cover) by Alfredo De Pietra

StompBox Guitar Effect App for iPad

With StompBox you get the best of both worlds, a rack of professional sounding stereo effects (with far more control than simple foot pedals) and a foot controller to access a tuner and all your patches.

Simply listen through a pair of headphones, or attach to an external amplifier or hifi to truly experience the program in all its glory! StompBox uses stereo routing between effects, which results in a very professional sounding experience.

In order to use StompBox you need a way of connecting your guitar. The simplest way to accomplish this is to use an adapter such as the Apogee Jam or iRig (sold separately), but if you have a camera kit you may be able to use an inexpensive USB sound card. For further information on compatible interfaces please see our Audio Interface Video

StompBox Effect App for iPad

StompBox comprises 17 unique effect modules such as delay, reverb, flanger, phaser, chorus, pitch shifter, tremelo etc. We have also included a noise gate, compressor, parametric and graphic equalizers so that you can create many unique and interesting tones. There are 7 types of distortion effect available (from overdrive, to fuzz to full out classic distortion) as well as custom amplifier EQ’s, so plenty of scope for all types of music!

Once you have built up a library of patches, you can use the virtual foot controller to quickly and easily move between patches.

The Virtual Foot controller gives instant access to all patch parameters and amp settings, with the ability to enable and disable individual effects at the touch of a button. If you want to modify an effect parameter, simply scroll the effect rack into view and make your changes. The foot controller has a virtual whammy bar which can be controlled using the touch screen or optionally using the accelerometer.

A tap tempo button is also available to synchronize all timebased effects. StompBox includes a Metronome which you can use for practicing or alternatively you can load your favorite MP3s into the Media Player and play along. The Media Player even has the ability to slow down the music without effecting pitch so you can play along at your own pace. You can even loop a particular part of a song so it plays over and over again!

StompBox also features a 4 track loop recorder. This allows you to record your own backing track which can also be looped, just like the Media Player. You can record up to 4 non-destructive overdubs and even save a mixdown for posterity!

StompBox for iPad Virtual Foot Controller

As most guitarists will know the choice of Guitar Amp is very much a personal choice. If you are playing accoustic or semi-accoustic then you will more than likely opt for an accoustic amp as the sound is less harsh (as they are not EQ’d to death). Many guitar applications use a form of Amp Modeling which in most cases is just fancy form of EQ. This is great for electric guitars, but not so good for accoustic. StompBox allows various amp EQ’s both via the PreAmp and additional effects, but the important thing for accoustic guitar users is that these EQ’s can be completely bypassed. This is where StompBox really shines, giving a faithful reproduction of accoustic instruments. This also means StompBox can be used on keyboards too.

The Midi Support allows you to use remote pedal board to change patches, control Volume and Wah pedals as well as tap tempo etc. This is completely configurable by assigning midi CC’s to StompBox functions. The Learn feature makes configuring the softer very simple.

Many great features including…

• 17 Unique Effects.
• 7 Types of Distortion Effect.
• Chain upto 12 Simultaneous Effects.
• Media Player with Time Stretching.
• 4 Track Loop Recorder.
• Metronome.
• Chromatic Tuner.
• Stereo Routing.
• Save 12 banks of 6 patches.
• Virtual Foot Controller.
• Virtual Whammy Pedal.
• Tap Tempo
• Built In FTP
• Comprehensive Help
• Effect Synchronization with Metronome
• Bass Guitar compatible
• Latency Settings on the Fly
• Fast App Switching
• Selectable Input Type
• PasteBoard Support
• USB Camera Kit Supported
• iRig, Apogee Jam and IO Dock Compatible
• 3 Unique Skins

StompBox on App Store
4PocketsAudio Website