by Tom Boyles

Created on: August 01, 2008   Last Updated: August 02, 2008

There is a fantastic software allowing a guitarist/bass player to plug in and record ideas quickly and easily. The software application is simple to use and it produces great sounding tracks too.

With one of the improved recording interfaces, like the Line 6 GuitarPort, a guitarist plugs his/her guitar into the interface, fires up the amp modeling software (in the case of the GuitarPort, it would be GearBox) and also starts this excellent recording app called "RiffWorks" by Sonoma Wireworks.

RiffWorks comes preloaded with a few, very useable, drummers to play along with in the "backing" section. Set the tempo, set how long a "riff" will be (typically 4 or 8 bars) and click record. RiffWorks will give you a count in and away you go.

Once you reach the end of the riff (again, typically 4 or 8 bars, but it can be as long or short as you'd like), this is where one of the cool parts of RiffWorks happens. You're automatically back to the beginning of the riff and recording another "track". Do this a few times and your riff now sounds big and full. Pan one of the "tracks" left, one right and one in the middle and you'll already hear how big and full the riff sounds. Add a bass track to this and this riff (we'll call the "A" part) is done.

Do the same with a new riff for a "B" part (chorus) and again for a "C" part (bridge) and you now have 3 individual riffs sounding quite big and full. Now the next cool part of RiffWorks is, simply drag each of these riffs up to the song module and create a song progression with the individual parts.

For example:
(A for an intro) A A B A A B C (A A for the instrumental) B B (end)

The magic of RiffWorks now comes into play because as it plays your song from one riff to another, it blends each of the riffs so the song is seamless from beginning to end. (It's very easy to accomplish it and with a bit of practice, you'll get even better with what is recorded in the first place and RoffWorks does an even better job blending it all together.

Now, if you don't like a single chorus, double-it-up by adding another "B" part riff where you think it'll fit and give it a listen again. Use the "C" part as the intro? Sure, change it up, give it a listen and keep tweaking until it sounds good to you.

Last but not least, switching the app over to Song Layers mode now allows you to record over the entire song. Add a lead guitar track and even add a lead vocal track and backup vocal tracks over the entire song and now it really starts sounding great.

Sonoma WireWorks has some cool features as part of RiffWorks so you can upload your newly created tunes so others can listen to what you've put together (they even make it available as a podcast). Another killer feature is being able to collaborate with other musicians across the United States or around the world on tunes. A guitarist in New York can make the basic set up of a tune and have another guitarist in Germany add lead guitar, a bass player in Oregon through down a bass part and even find a lead vocalist in Las Vegas add vocals all through the RiffWorks collaboration feature.

RiffWorks is a great app for recording sketch pad tunes for ideas or producing great sounding tracks with friend near and far.

Visit Sonoma WireWorks at www.sonomawireworks.com for more info.

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