Jan 9, 2024, 17:25

Every professional guitarist I know is on a never-ending quest to perfect their tone. My favorite example is famed shredder Eric Johnson (who I don’t know). According to legend, Johnson has an effects pedal he won’t use when a “fully-charged battery is installed because it sounds way better with a run-down battery.” Wow.

Since no guitarist ever said, “I’m content with my sound”, over $10 billion is spent each year on the three big links in the sonic chain: guitars, effects pedals and amplifiers. But musicians Mark Labbe and Michael DePietro, co-founders of Acoustik Attak, are focusing on a link that guitarists/bassists often overlook: the pick.

Acoustik Attak Co-Founder Michael DePietro

Acoustik Attak Co-Founder Michael DePietro

Their flagship product – the Attak Pik – is the world’s first 3D guitar pick. It features a patented series of ridges, bumps and diamonds that create multiple strikes on strings, enhanced harmonics, and new frequencies.

ATTAK 1-728

ATTAK 1 by Acoustik Attak

How does it work? Typically, a guitar string is plucked either with bare fingers or a plastic pick. The sound of a picked string tends to be more brilliant (i.e. more amplitude in the higher frequencies) whereas a string plucked by a finger tends to sound more dull.*

Until recently, guitarists cared only about a pick’s ease-of-use: thickness, core material, texturing that makes it easier to hold (and impress fans). Labbe and DePietro saw unrealized potential on the business end of the pick: the part that actually strikes the string. So they generated prototype picks with a 3D printer that were textured with a series of raised bumps, ridges, diamonds.

 

The result was instantly audible. Playing a guitar with their early prototype produced harmonics, brighter tones, percussive effects, and frequencies they couldn’t get with flat picks. In the worlds of guitarist Jacob Rozmajzl:

“I am able to cut through my mixes while still retaining the full-bodied sound I love. The ridges give the illusion of plucking the string without removing the fluidity and versatility needed when using a pick.”

Check out this video in which Finnish virtuoso Mika Tyyskä demonstrates the difference between a traditional flat pick and the latest picks offered by Attack Pik:

To my ears, the difference is palpable. The producer in me can’t wait to mix a song where the guitarist used a pick by Attack Pik. The resulting guitar track will require less compression and less EQ. The resulting guitar track will sit better in the mix.

Acoustik Attak Co-Founder Mark Labbe

Acoustik Attak Co-Founder Mark Labbe

Labbe and DePietro have built a thriving business around this principle. Today Attak Pik’s product line features a variety of specialized picks: Stealth, Stealth II, Steal XL, Ambush and Mekanik Glo. And their website features of 3,000 positive reviews. Prices range from $9.99 for a pack of five to $14.99 for a pack of ten.

 

If you’re a guitarist/bassist seeking the perfect tone, shop today for Acoustik Attak products at https://attakpik.com/collections/attakpiks.

And if someone could let Eric Johnson know that’d be great.

*The “dullness” that comes from finger-picking didn’t deter guitarist Mark Knopfler of the Dire Straits from recording classic guitar riffs we hear on the radio every single day. Shame on us for not using a friendlier descriptor.

 

Sources:

https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-that-guitarist-Eric-Johnson-can-tell-which-brand-of-battery-is-in-his-pedals-from-the-sound

 https://attakpik.com/

 https://music.stackexchange.com/questions/84888/why-does-string-strummed-with-finger-sound-different-from-the-one-strummed-with#:~:text=Simply%20put%2C%20the%20pick%20is,than%20a%20finger%2Dplucked%20string

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Mike Bielenberg is a professional musician and co-founder of http://www.musicrevolution.com, a production music marketplace with over 80,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, businesses  and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of musicians.

Apr 26, 2023, 18:17

(Trumbull, CT – April 26, 2023) – MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com), an online marketplace for royalty-free music, today announced that the MusicRevolution skill for Amazon Alexa is now available in the Alexa Skills Shop and the Alexa app in the United States. Subscribers can use the skill to play background music for commercial and personal use on Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.

Using only Non-PRO music (music that is not registered with any performing rights organization), the MusicRevolution.com In-store Music Stream (https://www.musicrevolution.com/music_streams) provides an affordable royalty-free alternative for background music for a range of commercial applications, including retail, restaurant, fitness club, hotel, business, and website background music. Starting at $14.99 for a 1-month subscription and $129.99 for a 1-year subscription, the MusicRevolution.com In-store Music Stream is not subject to any ASCAP, BMI or other additional public performance licensing fees. MusicRevolution.com’s In-store Music Stream offers 20 unique playlists and can also be customized for multi-location use cases.

“We are excited that Amazon has certified our skill to deliver our background music for commercial and personal use with Alexa-enabled devices,” stated Chris Cardell, Co-Founder of MusicRevolution.com. “Not only is the MusicRevolution.com In-store Music Stream a fraction of the cost of other well-known commercial background music services, it’s also extremely user friendly as it can be streamed on Amazon Alexa-enabled devices,” added Cardell.

“The MusicRevolution.com background music stream is also differentiated by our fresh Non-PRO music created by independent artists, rather than the same homogenous playlists that we all hear in retail stores,” stated Mike Bielenberg, Co-Founder of MusicRevolution.com. “We can also work with customers to create customized, multi-location background music applications for their commercial environments,” added Bielenberg.

The playlists in MusicRevolution’s In-store Music Stream cover every genre and style of music, including: Retail, Corporate, Pop, Jazz, Hip Hop, Country, Acoustic, Classical, Christmas/Holiday, Energetic, Kid’s, Tropical/Reggae, Chill-Out, House, Easy Listening, World, and Vocals.

For more information about using Amazon Alexa-enabled devices to stream the MusicRevolution.com background music stream, go to https://www.amazon.com/MusicRevolution-com-MusicRevolution/dp/B097XR7XLH/

or https://www.musicrevolution.com/contact_us/

About MusicRevolution.com

mr_750x1000_blackMusicRevolution (www.musicrevolution.com) is the Internet’s royalty-free music marketplace. We provide media producers, video producers, music supervisors, filmmakers, game developers, and other music buyers with some of the best royalty-free music at affordable prices. Our production music library has over 85,000 tracks and new music is being added every day. MusicRevolution.com offers four purchase options– single tracks, CDs, subscriptions, and our background music stream for retail stores and other commercial settings. The MusicRevolution.com catalog, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels, fitness clubs, and other commercial applications.

Oct 19, 2022, 15:47

This week’s featured track on MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) is “Always Come Back” by Nicola Donchev. This is a contemporary guitar pop rock instrumental that is perfect for broadcast programming, film, and YouTube videos.

Always Come Back” (#07435891)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/07435891/always-come-back

Track Description

Always Come Back” – A contemporary guitar pop rock instrumental. The track recording used instruments such as acoustic guitars, electric guitars, piano, strings, various percussion instruments, bass, drums, and claps. Excellent for YouTube videos, travel videos, family photo albums, cinema, corporate use, TV, movies, and background music.

Track Metadata

Moods— Inspiring, sentimental

Instruments— Acoustic guitar, bass, piano, strings, world percussion

Genres—Documentary, drama, pop, rock

Applications—Broadcast programming, film, advertising, presentation

Length– 2:31

About Nicola Donchev

NicolaDonchevFrom Bulgaria, Nicola Donchev’s music is featured in TV, radio, Internet ads, websites, software applications, and documentaries. Nicola creates music that will give forward motion to any video or audio project in a variety of genres, including motivational Rock, Orchestral, Electronica, Acoustic Pop, and Reality TV cues. Click here to listen to more of Nicola Donchev’s royalty-free music.

With over 85,000 tracks online in our production music library, MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) has some of the best royalty-free music available anywhere.

________________________________________________________________________

Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 85,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom background music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications.

Aug 18, 2022, 15:06

Featured Royalty-Free Music Track – “Emotional Guitar Rock Ballad” by promusic24 – Powerful, Emotional, Indie Rock Music

This week’s featured track on MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) is “Emotional Guitar Rock Ballad” by promusic24. This is a powerful, emotional indie rock track that is perfect for broadcast programming and film.

Emotional Guitar Rock Ballad” (#07551303)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/07551303/emotional-guitar-rock-ballad

Track Description

Emotional Guitar Rock Ballad” is a powerful indie rock ballad, suitable for emotive video and film, inspiring moments, reflective and romantic projects. The track is very suitable for broadcast programming and film.

Track Metadata

Moods— Dreamy, inspiring, sentimental

Instruments— Electric guitar, electric piano

Genres—Rock, pop, drama

Applications—Broadcast programming, film, on hold

Length– 4:05

About promusic24

promusic24From Western-themed acoustic guitar pieces, to dynamic orchestral themes, promusic24 brings us music in the Dramatic, Rock, Pop, Country, and Electronic genres, among others. Click here to listen to more of promusic24’s royalty-free music.

With over 80,000 tracks online in our production music library, MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) has some of the best royalty-free music available anywhere.

________________________________________________________________________

Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 80,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom background music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications.

May 2, 2022, 17:18

This week’s featured track on MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) is “New Beginning” by Myton Music. This is a motivational, positive, uplifting corporate pop track that is perfect for corporate, wedding, and other videos.

New Beginning” (#07484365)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/07484365/new-beginning

Track Description

New Beginning” is a motivational, positive and uplifting track. Perfect for background music in motivational and corporate videos, wedding videos, advertising, business presentations, products presentations, news, and YouTube videos.

Track Metadata

Moods— Corporate, energetic, inspiring

Instruments— Acoustic guitar, bass, electric guitar, piano, strings, synth pad

Genres—Corporate, pop, specialty

Applications—Advertising, broadcast programming, Internet, product for sale

Length– 2:45

About Myton Music

MytonMusicMyton Music is a Netherlands based composer, specializing in production music, cinematic/orchestral music as well as short intro/jingle music and background music for commercials. Myton Music composes music in a number of different styles, including piano music, classical, cinematic, easy listening and corporate. Click here to listen to more of Myton Music’s royalty-free music.

With over 80,000 tracks online in our production music library, MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) has some of the best royalty-free music available anywhere.

________________________________________________________________________

Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 80,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom background music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications.

Dec 19, 2021, 16:52

This week’s featured track on MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) is “Right Here With You” by Joi Veer. This is a mid-tempo dynamic soulful indie rock track that is available in both a vocal and instrumental version.

Right Here With You” (#07379027)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/07379027/right-here-with-you

Right Here With You_Instrumental” (#07379328)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/07379328/right-here-with-you-instrumental

Track Description

Right Here With You” is an infectious mid-tempo dynamic soulful indie rock track about the desire to be with the one you love and breaks down all barriers. The track is very suitable for broadcast programming, film, and commercials.

Track Metadata

Moods— Dreamy, energetic, fun, inspiring

Instruments— Bass, electric guitar, synth, synth pad, vocals

Genres—Pop, RnB, rock, vocal

Applications—Advertising, broadcast programming, film

Length– 3:48

About Joi Veer

JoiVeerIt is the song that drives this artist.  Never bound by “formula,” Joi Veer’s music explodes through his gravitation to the guitar as his main songwriting tool. His background in drumming and keyboards give him a keen awareness of rhythm, percussion, and texture which bubble beneath his signature vocals. Click here to listen to more of Joi Veer’s royalty-free music.

With over 75,000 tracks online in our production music library, MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) has some of the best royalty-free music available anywhere.

________________________________________________________________________

Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 75,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom background music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications.

Oct 27, 2021, 12:57

(Trumbull, CT – October 27, 2021) – MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com), an online marketplace for royalty-free music, announced a collaboration with Adobe to provide royalty-free music to Adobe Stock audio. This collaboration was announced at Adobe MAX.

“With over 70,000 tracks online and growing, MusicRevolution.com is one of the largest royalty-free music libraries available anywhere,” stated Chris Cardell, Co-Founder of MusicRevolution.com. “With this exciting new addition to Adobe Stock, creatives will now have easy access to thousands of new music tracks in every genre from MusicRevolution.com,” added Cardell.

“This collaboration with Adobe will provide additional exposure and new licensing opportunities for MusicRevolution.com and our worldwide community of professional musicians,” stated Mike Bielenberg, Co-Founder of MusicRevolution.com. “We are excited to help millions of Adobe users meet their creative needs with high quality royalty-free music for their video productions, podcasts, and other creative projects,” added Bielenberg.

MusicRevolution’s royalty-free music library covers every genre and style of music, including: On Hold, Fun, New Age, Rock, Pop, RnB, Comedy, Corporate, Drama, Energetic, Orchestral/Classical, Christmas/Holiday, Acoustic, Hip Hop, EDM, Retail, Sentimental, Easy Listening, Advertising, Electronica, Country, Jazz, Piano, and Vocals.

About MusicRevolution.com

mr_750x1000_blackMusicRevolution (www.musicrevolution.com) is the Internet’s royalty-free music marketplace. We provide media producers, video producers, music supervisors, filmmakers, game developers, and other music buyers with some of the best royalty-free music at affordable prices. Our production music library has over 70,000 tracks and new music is being added every day. MusicRevolution.com offers four purchase options– single tracks, CDs, subscriptions, and our Internet music stream for background music / in-store music for retail stores and other commercial settings. The MusicRevolution.com catalog, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels, fitness clubs, and other commercial applications.

About Adobe MAX

Adobe MAX (October 26-28, 2021) is a free, virtual, and global creativity conference designed to refuel creative passions, inspire, educate, entertain, and foster relationships across the global creative community. Featuring more than 400 sessions, keynotes, technology sneaks and workshops from creative luminaries, inspiring celebrities, musicians and like-minded peers, Adobe MAX offers endless opportunities for seasoned creative pros, students, and hobbyists to take their creative skills to the next level. Notable speakers and presenters featured throughout the conference this year include Chloe Zhao, Kenan Thompson, Henry Golding, Tilda Swinton, Bryan Cranston, Aaron Paul, Casey Neistat, Young Thug and Imagine Dragons, among others.

Oct 18, 2021, 18:55

This week’s featured track on MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) is “Downstair’s Lounge” by Solxis Music. This is an ensemble-led instrumental modern traditional leaning jazz, funk track that is suitable for background music in movies, commercials, videos, as well as for in-store background music.

Downstair’s Lounge” (#07433580)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/07433580/downstair-s-lounge

Track Description

Downstair’s Lounge” is an ensemble-led instrumental modern traditional leaning jazz, funk track. The track is very suitable for broadcast programming, on hold, and background music in movies, commercials, and retail. “Downstair’s Lounge” is available for purchase as a single track and is also included in the “Jazz Moods” playlist in MusicRevolution.com’s Internet Music Stream for background music for in-store and commercial environments. See https://www.musicrevolution.com/music_streams.

Track Metadata

Moods— Fun, sentimental, inspiring

Instruments— Piano, flute, upright bass, percussion

Genres—Jazz, funk

Applications—Broadcast programming, on hold, retail, background music

Length– 4:35

About Solxis Music

Based in Los Angeles, California, Solxis Music is a composer of background music. Solxis Music produces a wide mix of instrumental styles – from ambient/new age to dance/fitness to jazz to Latin to beyond. Click here to listen to more of Solxis’s royalty-free music.

With over 70,000 tracks online in our production music library, MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) has some of the best royalty-free music available anywhere.

_______________________________________________________________________

mr_750x1000_blackChris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 70,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom background music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications.

Jul 27, 2021, 17:48

This week’s featured track on MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) is “My Story” by Kristobaly. This is a romantic, sentimental, dramatic track that is perfect for film and broadcast programming.

My Story” (#02016283)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/02016283/my-story

Track Description

My Story” is a romantic, sentimental, dramatic, pop/rock track. This track is perfect for film and broadcast programming.

Track Metadata

Moods— Erotic, inspiring, sentimental

Instruments— Bass, electric guitar, piano, strings, synth pad

Genres—Pop, rock

Applications—Advertising, broadcast programming, film, Internet, product for sale

Length– 2:14

About kristobaly

KristobalyFrom the Republic of Moldova, Kristobaly is a composer, singer, and songwriter who works in genres including Ambient, Lounge, Jazz, Indie, Dramatic, World, Ethnic, and others. His music has been used in numerous TV series, movies, soundtracks, stage productions, and in advertising. Click here to listen to more of Kristobaly’s royalty-free music.

With over 70,000 tracks online in our production music library, MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) has some of the best royalty-free music available anywhere.

________________________________________________________________________

Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 70,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, businesses and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom background music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications.

Jun 21, 2021, 14:41

This week’s featured track on MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) is “Up a Hill” by Ed Bentley Music. This is a classic southern rock track with wailing slide guitar and bluesy riffs. Perfect for truck commercials and rural travel documentaries.

Up a Hill” (#00799137)

https://www.musicrevolution.com/royalty-free-music-track/00799137/up-a-hill

Track Description

Up a Hill” – A classic southern rock track. Wailing slide guitar, bluesy riffs, rollicking piano, and an undeniable drum groove. Perfect for truck commercials and rural travel documentaries. Influenced by musicians such as Steve Earle, Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers Band, and Charlie Daniels. “Up a Hill” is available in 10 different edits.

Track Metadata

Moods— Energetic, fun, inspiring

Instruments— Acoustic guitar, bass, organ, piano, synth pad

Genres—Blues, country, documentary, rock

Applications—Advertising, broadcast programming, film, on hold

Length– 3:14

About Ed Bentley Music–

EdBentleyMusicBased in East Aurora, New York, Ed Bentley composes guitar featured instrumental music. His musical style spans rock, southern rock, country, and blues. Click here to listen to more of Ed Bentley Music’s royalty-free music.

With over 65,000 tracks online in our production music library, MusicRevolution.com (www.musicrevolution.com) has some of the best royalty-free music available anywhere.

________________________________________________________________________

Chris Cardell is the co-founder of MusicRevolution.com http://www.musicrevolution.com, a royalty-free music marketplace with over 65,000 tracks online where media producers, video producers, filmmakers, game developers, advertisers, and other music buyers can license high-quality, affordable royalty-free music from an online community of professional musicians. MusicRevolution.com also provides custom music production and custom background music streams. The entire MusicRevolution.com production music library, which includes an extensive selection of “Non-PRO” royalty-free music, is available for third-party distribution and bulk licensing for background music / in-store music for retail, restaurants, hotels and businesses, and for other commercial applications.