Steve Vai on Recording Guitars at Home

[@VladerickTheVladster]

Never seen Glenn so nervous :D

[@sabrosapurr]

It's nice to hang on to a bit of that :)

[@mattryan6886]

Glen should be nervous that’s the Devil’s ringer guitarist who tried to steal The Karate Kid’s soul Crossroads. FYI: don’t make deals with the Devil kids lol 😂 Steve Vai is such a nice guy and an excellent guitar player. My favorite interview with him is when he talking about his time with Frank Zappa in a documentary about how Frank could just turn on the Magic and just blow you away with his music. Steve brings up his favorite moment NYC Halloween The Paladium Frank plays the solo for Black Napkins that is out of this world 🌎

[@michaeldurrant8446]

It's cute! Vai is really funny.

[@NivanSharma]

Steve Vai is such a down to earth guy! Guitar genius his approach to the instrument is surreal

[@CrashMediaMI]

The fact you wear our merch in front of such legends is incredible to me. It’s incredible to watch the growth of the channel all around, Glenn. Congrats man!

[@TheJackKnite]

I love the outreach Steve has and how willing he is to do interviews. Always great when a master is open about their career and how other people can get better.

[@devilidol]

Vai: the tone is like, kind of in your fingers Glen: sure!

[@SpectreSoundStudios]

I bit my tongue at that part!!

[@janvirtanen6199]

@@SpectreSoundStudios I wonder if you discussed this further off-camera. ;)

[@juandelhombre]

. It must be such a burden knowing more about guitar tone than Vai, Schenker EVH etc.

[@ibanezrg320fm]

I can't believe I actually disagreed with Steve Vai when he said that haha

[@AnyDrug]

Damn sure I'm using my fingers to switch on the amp and dial in the tone ... well, most of the time at least. xD

[@SeanPierceJohnson]

Quick story time: I got to work with Steve when he released the Legacy Drive pedal with Carvin a few years ago. Worst part? I knew I would have to record the audio for the video and get it approved by Steve before publishing. THANK GOD Thomas Nordegg was teching for him on that tour cuz he helped me find Steve's "sweet spot"! As Steve was getting warmed up the mic was knocked out of position by a stagehand and wouldn't you know it...Steve's sound was gone! That 45 degree angle pointed right act the edge of the paper and the cone is crucial. Can't get the Vai sound without that positioning. After all was said and done, Steve approved of the audio and I get to say I did something he approved of.

[@SatanClaus69]

I worked with Steve on his tour in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2013 - My first artist gig. I can't say I did any of the cool bits (I handled logistics, accommodation and venue preparations on behalf of the hotel I worked at back then), but I did have the coolest experience with Steve and the band (Philip Bynoe, Jeremy Coulson, Dave Weiner and a couple of other guys that I can't remember at the moment). So basically, I was their "Handler" from the moment they touched down at the airport until the moment they left. Anywho, I greeted Steve and company at the hotel and got in the lift with Steve, his son Fire and Philip Bynoe. Brought them to their rooms/ suite and then the golden moment. I asked Steve if the guitar he was carrying was Evo and he just wen't "Maybe?" with a cheeky smirk. Then he pulls the guitar out, it's certainly Evo, and he goes "Here, play it" whilst I proceeded to absolutely shit myself. I farted out the best version of FTLOG that I could and I think he certainly appreciated the effort. Then came the impromptu 1 on 1 masterclass with Steve for about 20 minutes of spare time we had. Imagine sitting with the person responsible for your passion (and warfare?) for the instrument and being able to learn from him. I made sure I learned as much as I could in that time and I can certainly say, he is an excellent teacher and if anything, I learnt to be confident with my playing as he is. He was also so very kind as to put in a good word with my bosses about my performance, I even have a plaque from my bosses and a poster personally signed by Steve in appreciation. I've gone on to work with David Foster, Mel C, Tenacious D, Mogwai, Dream Theater, Metallica (Mostly the road crew, and Kirk), Megadeth, Justin Bieber (Nice guy, for what it's worth), Backstreet Boys, Ed Sheeran, Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Nick Johnston, Marty Friedman, Martin Miller, Tom Quayle, Chris Hemsworth, Steve Aoki, Avicii, Linkin Park and so many more. All thanks to Mr Steve Vai. He opened a door for me that I would've never been able to on my own. I am so eternally grateful to him. I don't work in the hotel industry any longer, in fact I work in the Music Industry as artist relations, but that gig was super fun and I do miss it. I rarely get starstruck anymore, you'd have to be Led Zepplin for that. Sorry if that was long, it is a fond memory and I'm glad to have the opportunity to share it. He is the reason I can do what I do today.

[@AnthonySforza]

Shit... and here all I have is sharing an elevator with Shirley Manson. I've clearly been wasting my life.

[@a2ndopynyn]

I think what both you & Steve are calling the "cone" is actually the dust cover for the coil. It's that dome looking part in the very center. The actual speaker cone is everything else until you get to the edge, where it's got the rubberized seal that joins it to the metal of the frame. Pointing a mic at the dust cover is worse than useless, unless you're into really ugly tones. And yes, about 1/2 to 1 inch away from the dust cover is a great spot to mic.

[@ryanwilson5936]

Glenn: “He’s DEFINITELY not a bass player” Steve: “HAHAHA!” Pretty much says it all :)

[@NivanSharma]

Loved that part 😂

[@sansocie]

Steve is the best.

[@RichieGCondo]

hahaha he said that to Steve Vai too lmfaooo i love it

[@chris3153]

As a bass player... goddammit.

[@EnigmaticCanadian]

This interview was fantastic - just the fact you kept it together without just going fangirl apeshit was something I KNOW I could not do. There's players and there's legends - this man is a LEGEND.

[@Stefan_ex]

Me a bass player: *why are we here just to suffer*

[@KewKylyu]

We change strings, we have string finger and our back is hard rock maple. We are the real bassists ;) other are just lazy guys

[@ziggylayneable]

bass players try to steal your girlfriendcan't pull it off and she tells you about it and then you have to fight him when he's drunk which is every day

[@Shun101010]

CHECKMATE Bassists!

[@BillHesse]

Give it back!!!

[@jery3385]

@@KewKylyu string finger?

[@joeyjones9041]

Legend has it that Steve Vai once lost a guitar deul against the Karate Kid. The Karate Kid is notoriously resilient to sweeps...

[@bigchiefsmackaho387]

@Jayden Ty agreed. its FAR more difficult to play and that really is saying something considering all the FX you have to juggle playing TTFAF while doing sweeps and divebombs. Id say TTFAF is a better showcase of crazy guitar techniques though.

[@jaytyler5741]

hey man. Before I even watch this, I have to say congratulations. You got Steve on your channel. Awesome.

[@JoseHenrique-xg1lp]

Everytime Glenn looks at the camera he's like "I've been telling this to you guys for quite a long time"

[@jthompson2379]

José Henrique 😅 kzbin.info/www/bejne/roS3f2ajfap0haM

[@GASH_one]

He is more like: "Do you think I am an idiot?"

[@crayray1310]

LOL! 😆 For reelz!

[@manny75586]

Steve Vai is just amazing. Great job getting Vai on the channel, Glenn.

[@bertalanolah6565]

Steve Vai is a god in the guitar community and still underrated. You can swear you're hearing some divine creature talking to you when he is playing but you can't really figure out what that being is telling you. It's like when Kenny from South Park is mumbling: you can't tell exactly word for word what that guitar is talking about but you get the idea and motivation behind it that breaks all barriers of the human language. It's a cliché to say that he's making his guitar talk but I definitely feel he really does. And the message is so beautiful, honest, positive that it's unbelievable. Or maybe I'm a degenerate and he just pinched my top nerve, I don't know. I'm under his spell. Vai for president.

[@bertalanolah6565]

@jasper426 Yes. So he is celebrated as a god within the guitar community just as I've mentioned and yet I find he is still underrated. That's how I'm trying to pay homage, in superlatives.

[@kidder83]

Steve Vai is so wholesome, I love him and cherish him

[@sunnyday_lemonbars]

He needs to be protected at all costs!

[@elmerjaworski8099]

"The tone is in your fingers" that is about the best way I've heard a pro say practice your ass off lol

[@wongsanggar]

Great artist.. Very humble and friendly.. Congrats Glenn for having him on the show!

[@JackBealeGuitar]

Glenn itching to talk about the Clayman technique there when Steve was talking about two mics at the angle 😁

[@Mahdcat]

YES! You know he wanted to so bad. It is great to see him so excited about something so much.

[@gilbertspader7974]

I love the way Glenn ( just like I would ) is holding that mic up to Steve waiting to catch the gold that flows out .

[@BlueBarrier782]

Damn, Glenn has been killin it this past year! Thank you for doing this! It's easy to find what gear artists are using live, but no one talks to them about recording (the sound guitar players are ACTUALLY after when they listen to their music).

[@Arthemesia]

man, I seriously wish this was 45 minutes longer. what a badass interview

[@dastardlydave1455]

Nice discussion on recording with SM57's. That could easily be a 2 hour interview. How cool was that???

[@Tidwillshare]

As the interview was starting I though Glenn was fangirling just a bit, but at the end he actually said it! Great self awareness, and I'm envious of the chance to fangirl in front of Vai himself

[@AMSOfficial79]

I have nothing bad to say ever again. You interviewed one of my idols. Coolest shit ever.

[@Lermer07]

Why I am I just now seeing this? Why didn't the KZbin algorithm want me to know that you interviewed Steve Vai?!?!?!

[@EdBMetal]

I saw a lot of youtubers interview Steve in this room. But i really like the stuff you discuss here with him.

[@dieknakkermetdathaar]

I am officially jealous. To see a collab with yourself, Sigfried and mr Vai would be mindblowing

[@PooNinja]

Great talk with the Master🤘🏽 Fan boy it up it’s frikkin Steve Vai!!!

[@MixYourWay]

Steve is such a nice guy. Still remember learning his chops to a G3 dvd back in the 90's lol

[@putridabomination]

He's one of the greatest guitarists out there. Vai and Zappa are my favorite musicians. \m/

[@jarsonfalconsmusic]

i love Glens face when he starts talking about micing lol

[@putridabomination]

@@jarsonfalconsmusic ikr

[@JbfMusicGuitar]

Well done dude, great to see guys like Vai on your channel!

[@jonnyboimontoya1071]

Thats fucking awesome you got Vai on your show man. Bring him back again fasholee!

[@MrMisterock]

by far the best interview and video you've ever done. Thanks for sharing.

[@alucard1083]

In this basically 10 second interview, you did a great job! I bet you two could have a great conversation episode. Cheers!

[@rocknrolloutlaw6113]

Congrats Glenn on getting someone with this caliber on your show!!

[@anndynegative]

You can tell Glenn is a fan because he keeps moving his mic even tho Steve has a lav mic on haha! Great interview dude, must have been awesome to meet one of your hero's! 🤙

[@MawcDrums]

that out of phase with 2 mics point was awesome

[@andrewbettis4247]

Didn't realize you were such a Vai fan.... our paths are very similar in terms of becoming fans of his music starting out with the Eat 'em and smile era stuff which I still struggle to play through today sometimes... Great interview dig your channel

[@kmatthe4]

Glenn, thanks to you I am able to understand everything he was saying about the mic placement. 2 years ago I woulda had no clue. You’re great man!

[@InDecemberOfficial]

The main reason for all of us amateur home recording artists is eventually being this man, in terms of guitar god status. I can't believe he is just sitting there being humble. Respect!

[@Fitheach81]

I sub'd in summer '15 and never did I expect you to be sitting across from Vai or anyone on that level, not too bad starting from a basement in Windsor. Well done!

[@HyperspeedMedia]

Steve vai is such a great guy... thank you for many years of artistry..

[@alenamusic888]

Mr Vai is a living legend and one of my favorite players ever! So cool to see him on your channel 🤘

[@gozer9556]

Damn dude!!! You've got Steve Vai in the house?? That's awesome man! Love your channel :)

[@M6t6M]

Hey Glenn, just want to say thank you for ranting and raving about the Shector Hellraiser for so long. I randomly decided I needed a new guitar the other day and I picked up the Schecter Hellraiser C1-FR-S in trans black burst from sweetwater. Keep keeping it fucking real man.

[@user-ho1hw7ps4v]

OMG the closeness... that was like early pandemic. Surreal interview ! WOW

[@guitardave]

Looking forward to this 😃

[@davidtimms9615]

There are so many variables involved with mic placement. I love the sound of a Marshall 4x12 blaring into a 57. I did it both for recording and playing live. Years ago I would just stick it in front of the cabinet and forget about it. But eventually I learned about angle, distance, etc. to find the sweet spot and get that tone. It truly is a science. I have direct boxes to play and record quietly so the police don't show up at the house. Great info from one of my favorite guitarists.

[@jeremythornton433]

That was a great show! Steve Vai is the coolest. And a really nice guy too! Next we need Devin Townsend since he's just been on Ola's show. Thanks Glenn!

[@robmlisanti]

Yeah man that was awesome love him such an inspiration!! he was amazing on the Generation Axe Tour!!

[@lucindairis8085]

Great program Steve Vai . Many thanks about the comment about amps. Thanks for highlighting choices. Many thanks Kind Regards

[@DelllPreston]

Awesome interview!!

[@audiolego]

This is a fun fan interview

[@hammerofgodminiatures]

Look at you hanging with the big dogs!!! Good stuff Glenn!

[@stringsnare]

DAMN YOU MOVIN ON UP! CONGRATSSS!

[@Scotty_Russell_Music]

Flexible and Leftovers are some of my favourite indie records ever.

[@trickyrjb1]

Congrats bro! Vai! You have hit the big time!

[@jeremyswalley8625]

Eat ‘em and smile such a great album!! I was hooked and totally inspired!!! Elephant Gun and Tobacco Road are my favorite!!

[@mvttkvltphi]

Amazing how much you have the same advice - wow. Who'd thunk it? Hails from 2013 and Oz \m/ . Good work Glenn!

[@JeanGillesTouraine]

Steve is everywhere right now. Is an album coming out soon ?

[@BrianBower]

My jaw dropped when I first heard Vai! Would love to meet him

[@voronOsphere]

Sweeeeeeeet!!!!!! Steve Vai!!! The Attitude Song floppy record in Guitar Player was so mind blowing!!!!!

[@Kadotus]

Steve Vai has to be one of the nicest guys I've ever had the honor of meeting. 11/5

[@Axefiend777]

Glenn looks like: Oooooh, I hope I can keep holding up this frickin' mic!!!!! Note to self: get some lapel mics.

[@SuperBakersk8er]

Axefiend777 could be preferable to do it that way im sure glenn of all ppl knows what a lapel is ahaha

[@SuperBakersk8er]

It looked like he actually clipped a lapel to his guitar strap

[@kernelxsanders]

What's funny is there IS a lapel mic clipped to his strap.

[@Axefiend777]

@@kernelxsanders I didn't see that! WTF is Glenn doing? Maybe he's just messing with us.

[@kungpao-wp2sq]

great interview. would love to hear some music from this guy, sounds like he has a lot of experience.

[@jensloetzsch]

Steve Vai is one of the greatest of all time ! No matter if you like ultra brutal Death Metal, Soft Rock or Blues or whatever. You can find so much creativity and inspiration on everything he does !!

[@ruchirsajwan]

Two gentlemen 🙏🏻love from India

[@MajeAdams17]

This is the most pleasant I've ever seen Glenn before. Thats how I KNOW he loves Vai 😂

[@MikeLute]

Being considered too young to have been a fan back, then ;-) The Keto seems to work 👍

[@SausageFingers420]

Glenn's got that baby face.

[@NivanSharma]

Michael Löhner yeah Glenn is looking better than ever

[@afterarrival8169]

Congrats Glenn that must have felt Epic!

[@gabrieltoneguitars9365]

"He's not a Bass Player." Best line EVER!

[@ska2dt]

I've been a huge fan of Steves and now I'm a huge fan of yours Glenn. Be turning 50 in June. And when you mentioned Yonge St for a split second I thought you were Grant from the Rehearsal Factory. Hope that doesn't offend you.

[@sukonmiskunk5696]

great interview... really stepping it up ... a short story .. me and a friend went to see Steve, for the second time, in a little Venue called the Thebarton Theater in Adelaide.. and as we were standing there a small, way too young, blonde girl came up and started talking to us.. we talked about Steve and guitars and how she was learning guitar.. then she disappeared.. and 10 mins later she was on stage ripping some duo with Steve.. it was fukn awesome and i remember thinking to my self.. learning to play guitar?, seems like shes already learned.. she turned out to be Orianthi

[@davidandronicomusic]

Thanks for reminding me how amazing Fire Garden Suite is - haven't listened in years!

[@lordviewer7305]

Steve freaking Vai!! on the show!! can't believe it, he's such a cool guy.

[@stranger5088]

Major interview score Glenn!!!

[@amylynn4894]

how in the world did you get Vai ..mindblown

[@amylynn4894]

..from a fellow windsorite lol

[@satevo462]

As a young guitar player. The Crossroads movie blew me away. And only later did I know it was Steve Vai playing all the guitar parts.

[@PingeMusic]

Thanks for the video. He really sounds like a kind person so well yah just have to love him both for his guitar work and for he being he. Have a skilful time. Pinge

[@FromThoseAshes]

What a legend! Also, nice shirt 👀👀

[@michelsavoie6971]

I lived in Toronto back then, and I bought Eat em and smile. Great album, Great Bass player from T.O.

[@AnthonySforza]

Steve Vai: Begins speaking. Me: "Everybody shut up, I have new entries for the Bible!"

[@everythingNotHere]

Vai.... Bout time Glen. The divine moves in mysterious ways.

[@michaelvillegas1473]

Dude... you TOTALLY went full-on 14 year old girl!!! LOL!!!! Such a trip to see you geeking out like that. Totally fucking starstruck and stuttering. Congratulations on getting to interview the master and on the growth of your channel. Your videos are full of great information and to now see you turn into a geeked out fan is a great way to show you are just as human as the rest of us. Keep up the great work. Cheers Glenn!!!

[@OsuperSorvete]

NO FUCKING WAY!!!!!! Oh god!!!!!! Congratulations Glenn!

[@johnmchugh8049]

I liked you before glenn, but now you have Steve fucking Vai ! Life long fan now of your channel

[@allendean9807]

Guitar Player magazine released, in the pages of the magazine, two tracks from Flexible. On a tiny, plastic mini record....It was awesome...

[@eilliwwasniahc]

That was my first introduction to Steve Vai ! That floppy 45 sized record of The Attitude Song. Sometime way back like '83 or so... I still have it, a black square of paper thin floppy plastic pulled from a magazine.

[@eilliwwasniahc]

Looks like it was 1984. www.discogs.com/Steve-Vai-The-Attitude-Song/release/1929943

[@DigitalChemistryBand]

Yup... a nickle held it in place... the record was "flexible"...

[@scottkil3847]

wow One of my favorite players. It took me a long time to get a jem for my collection. Bitchin interview Glen.

[@thediminished98]

Steve Vai - so revered yet so humble :o

[@NineInchFailz]

Man, Steve just seems like a nice dude.

[@theofficialdiamondlou2418]

Yes I love my 1970 Carvin X100B !!!!!! Completely unique ...... 🤠🎸🎶✌️🤟

[@JenMajuraOfficial]

Glenn fanboying... I love this!!!

[@ivanarguello3147]

Omfg this is fucking awesome! Fucking love your channel!

[@aztecwhistle9122]

Glenn you really hit a mile stone!

[@BigMikeGuitar]

The Synergy modules are a logical replacement for my old tube amps that keep breaking down, which are difficult and expensive to repair. The difficulty and liability of using two mics compared to direct recording might be best considered in relationship to if you are using a highly compressed high-gain tone, which tends to homogenize the sound into a ubiquitous “shred” tone, where the differences in end recorded product will be provided by the player’s technique and style. SV is an experienced industry-man, seamlessly passing through the endorsement stages; beginning with the experimental artist with ever evolving sensibilities opening the door to a cool new product - jumping forward with urgency and enthusiasm to the entrepreneurial-innovator and novelty-quality zealotry endorsement stage - and finishing with tactfully retaining the recently promoted item as a fixture in the tool kit, while re-opening the next door as an artist with evolving sensibilities to the next product and promotion cycle.

[@ShawnHolderfield]

I was really hoping Vai would talk about how much he loves his Line 6 Pod.

[@Dedbigfed]

0:34 When Steve Vai hits on you

[@kevinfeatherstone6062]

I look forward to your next interview with Mr Vai...

[@ChunderHorse]

Nice! Steve Vai interview, congrats man! Losing weight, soaring channel...hope you're feeling good

[@WIMPY86]

He's the best LOL The guitar really is an extension of his body. I bought Passion on cassette when it came out HAHAHAHA

[@sunnyday_lemonbars]

Me too! Played it over and over

[@WIMPY86]

@@sunnyday_lemonbars til the tape got eaten hahahahaha