I vaguely remember this guy from School. I was friends with his brother in 4th year I think. I remember people talking cause he once brought a guitar to school where other kids brought a football and he was playing some metal tunes on acoustic lol. And once saw him in a jay kay hat I am sure. it has been a long time though. Good to see you have made your fortune Mr Wilkinson. Dont forget us back in Willenhall,
Hi, Mr. Bibio - this is a silly question, but in the album version of this song, what instrument produces those amazing 70s/urban/city synth sounds? Just a synthesizer (told you this was silly)? I need like an entire CD of just that instrument. Also, I love your music!! Thank you.
@tuckey7 Correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Bibio, but I believe it is the Yamaha CS10. If you look at studio pics you can see the CS10 and DX7 on the desk :)
@mrbibio I saw your post about that nice little upgrade, the 30 looks great. I have to say of the few vintage pieces I have the CS10 is the one holding up the best. Question though, you are pretty solidly hardware but mix in logic correct? What vocoder are you using? Thanks again.
Fantastic playing, and such a lovely guitar. Don't you love it when YouTube is this quite? Only nice people posting comments and all a pleasure to read.
Oh, It's you. Oh dear, Mr.Bibio sir, you have saved my life with your music. I don't know which song means more.You are the epitome of REAL music. Can't thank you enough.
A very merry Christmas and happy new year to you Mr. Bibio. It's really been a pleasure reading your responses. I hope 2012 is a very productive year for you personally and musically. Cheers.
The bassline for Jealous of Roses is awesome. It's my favorite part of the entire Ambivalence album. I can't tell you how many days that got me through at my shitty job washing airplanes in the blazing heat over the summer. Any chance you could post up a video or tabs on how it was done? I've figured it out partially by ear, but would love to see it played.
Thanks for your music and its been great reading your responses!
Hello Bibio. im a very big fan of yours and i just wanted to ask you who your biggest influences are, you have such a beautiful way of keeping your songs very simple yet complicated and the chord progressions in your songs are amazing.
im sure your a very busy man. thank you for the amazing music!
@livekevintokyo Too many influences to list all of them, and not all are musical influences. But I guess big influences on the way I play guitar include Steve Reich, Nick Drake, The Incredible String Band, Joao Gilberto and theme tunes from the old British children's TV programmes I grew up watching.
Hi Bibio, I have a question for you that I haven't seen in any interviews you've given. What is your vocal chain when recording in recent releases such Lovers' Carvings, Old Friends, Take off Your Skirt? (I know you are using a vocoder in the first part) I'm sure there is some variance but I'm just very fond of how you get your voice to fit with everything else you are doing. It's one of the more difficult parts of recording for me. Cheers.
@syzygywell There's no 'one size fits all' formula really. Getting vocals to sit in the mix ain't always easy. Lovers' Carvings is probably 5 years old now, and I can't remember if I did anything in particular when recording that. It was probably a cheap condenser mic going into a behringer mixer via a drawmer compressor. Pretty sure the only microphone used on Old Friends was a single Coles 4038 ribbon mic, and the same goes for Take off your skirt, and Take off your shirt for that matter.
@mrbibio I figured there wasn't a one way only kind of formula. I recognise you keep a darker vintage feel to your vocals and thought you might use a ribbon or tube mic of some sort. I didn't know if you had a preference for preamps or if you recorded into the nagra IV even before mixing. I just really love the understated vocals you've been doing lately and I've wondered many times what you've been doing to achieve it, thank you again for taking time to answer.
You mentioned the usage of tube/valve and tape processing. Was that done in the post, or was it printed that? Cheers for being an approachable guy. Speaks volumes on your personality. If you ever do a gig in SanFran, I'd be happy to share my favorite hiking spots with you. Mi casa es su casa. BTW - I did a cover of mr. & mrs. compost on YouTube. Check it out! Was I close?
@mapletree2009 I've seen your covers, they are very accurate and well made. As for the tube/tape process - there's no fixed formula. I often track stems to tape, but I also start many things off on tape. Quite a few tracks from the mush albums started as jamming in the garden with a cheap cassette recorder and a guitar.
Right on! 1/4", 1/2" tape? Nagra? Are you recording everything on your own, or do you go into a commercial studio? Your synths, all analogue, or to you dabble with the virtual ones, like Reaktor? I think I heard somewhere online, that you - or somebody else (maybe BoC) - had removed an old projector preamp and linked it into the signal chain, as a way of getting a saturated warble effect. Ever try that? There are no boundaries in your music - that's something that keeps me listening.
@mapletree2009 I do everything myself, from home. I've never used Reaktor and I don't use soft synths/soft samplers, I'm a hardware guy - the less mouse clicking the better for me. The only analogue synth on Amb Ave and Mind Bokeh was a Yamaha CS-10, which I later replaced for a CS-30. The nagra is very clean with great preamps, it doesn't produce warble. I don't see how you could get warble from a preamp alone as tape warble is a mechanical imperfection caused by the capstan and pinch roller.
@mapletree2009 When I say I don't use soft synths - I have done in the past when I couldn't afford an analogue synth, but I'd play it through a tube guitar amp to give it warmth, but after getting the CS-10 there was no going back. Analogue synths vs soft synths is like a vintage tube amplifier vs a software amp modeller. Both have their place, but analogue is the real McCoy. Software/digital is often best when it's not trying to be analogue. Unprocessed soft synths sound plasticky to my ears.
@AmateurJunglist It's a Coles 4050 stereo ribbon microphone, a fairly new design. It's actually two separate mono microphones held together in a Blumlein configuration with a magnetic shock mount, you can change the stereo width by rotating the angles of the mikes, or separate them completely and have them spaced apart. A beautiful bit of British engineering.
(If you haven't already) Could you record a video of "All The Flowers" whenever you have the time? That's one of my most favorite guitar lines of all time. One I really want to learn.
Hey Bibio, quick question: On the studio version of this song, an additional guitar part comes in when you sing, "Maybe they're telling us..." Is that guitar part in the same DGDGBD tuning? Thanks!
@scottollerdocs There is a second harmony part throughout the song, including the waltzing intro, but yes there is a kind of african high life influenced third guitar harmony part towards the end. I can't remember the tuning, I wrote this song 4 or 5 years ago. If it's not open G, it's standard. I often have to go back and relearn my own songs because I write so many I sometimes forget them. It makes it harder when I can't remember what tuning I used and so there's a lot of trial and error.
@mrbibio This is late, but it's definitely open g. So, I remember you stating in an interview that you're every bit as good as Leo Kottke. Is there a connection in palm of your wave and lovers carvings being in open G and the fact that Kottke played mostly in open g? By the way, you can't become a legendary guitarist if your music isn't rock or folk, just look at Zappa and Prince.
@sweeneyandroid I didn't say I was as every bit as good as Leo Kottke, I said I didn't think some of my guitar tracks were any less technically developed than a Leo Kottke track in terms of finger picking style. I learned finger picking and used open G before I discovered Kottke. Kottke can play slide guitar way better than I can, so I don't think I'm as good as him in that department. Anyway there's more to music than virtuosity, creative ideas are more important to me than just speedy fingers.
@mrbibio Sorry about the drunk comment. I don't know for sure, but I've tried to play Palm in open G and I came close to some of the phrases, obviously I can't say that it is in open G definitely. I just had an inkling that your playing style on your older stuff was influenced by Drake and Kottke, because when I think of great fingerpicking in odd tunings they come to mind. I agree with musicality vs technicality, I'm a huge fan of your style, and I'd always take a Bloomfield over a Slash.
@sweeneyandroid Palm is in open G. I will upload a video of that eventually. I'd like to record some videos outside but it's too cold at the moment, some of the chords are a bit of a stretch for frozen hands :)
@lucasdimitri In this video I'm using a small amount of vibrato from a pedal, but the album version wasn't done that way. The album version had a lot of valve/tube & analogue tape processing to get it to sound that way, and the vibrato was done after recording. It's also the guitar, the amp and the style of playing that contributes to the tone. On the album version it was the same guitar in this video but going through a Fender Blues Junior amp, which I no longer have... and I kind of miss...
Great video, thanks for uploading! The chords (especially the ones that start at 0:24) and the sound of your guitar are so soothing. Can't wait till you upload Palm of your Wave. That song can still bring tears to my eyes no matter how often i listen to it. Thanks for your inspiring music.
Wow I'm really grateful you are doing this. You have so much lovely music from your older catalog too but I'd so appreciate Haikuesque and Palm of Your Wave (both versions). Thanks again Stephen!
@syzygywell Thanks. I have recorded Haikuesque and the album version of Palm, I will upload these when I get chance, busy in the kitchen making Lancashire hot pot right now...
@mrbibio Hoping to see that video, Haikuesque has one of the most beautiful guitars I've heard. I've tried to rip it off in the past with no success (I was basically doing a D shape on the 2º capo). Thanks for these videos, you're great!
I love your music!.. you inspired me
GPaDLA 18 hours ago
What model mic are you using to mic the amp? Wonderful stuff.
Jophish126 2 days ago
This is fantastic :}
KawaiiMakeUpPrincess 6 days ago
A fantastic piece. It reminds me of being a kid, outside, adventuring, when there's not a worry in the world.
Tengent 6 days ago
I vaguely remember this guy from School. I was friends with his brother in 4th year I think. I remember people talking cause he once brought a guitar to school where other kids brought a football and he was playing some metal tunes on acoustic lol. And once saw him in a jay kay hat I am sure. it has been a long time though. Good to see you have made your fortune Mr Wilkinson. Dont forget us back in Willenhall,
1SpaceSpencer 1 week ago
i want to learn this soooooooooooooooooooooooooo bad!!!! on the guitar =/
chacebeats 2 weeks ago
Bibio you are such an inspiration to me and the way I make my music, where abouts in the midlands did you come from?
wowwowwiwow 2 weeks ago
@wowwowwiwow Willenhall.
mrbibio 2 weeks ago
I am truly honored that you are making music for us. Thank you, mister Bibio.
MrMatthijs12 2 weeks ago
This can't be the regular EADGBE tuning...right? wrong?
z1reticuli 2 weeks ago
@z1reticuli I am megaSTOOPID... shoud've looked at the welcome screen closer...
z1reticuli 2 weeks ago
omg omg thats bibio , i saw dis earlier and didnt realize it was you , big fan
Tj22REMIXES 2 weeks ago
Your guitars are lovely.... can i have one? :D but seriously always admired your playing!
OTISCHIEF 3 weeks ago
Nice work man, been a fan for years. Apparently you are my double? Or is it the other way round. Keep up the good work Mr Bibz. x
ridiai99 4 weeks ago in playlist Favorite videos
Man your music is spot on when i'm doing my art, really inspirational and nice to chill to with some jive
andii194 1 month ago
Absolutely beautiful. That guitar is a thing of beauty also.
ForshawMusic 1 month ago
Wow super performance, are there Tabs for this song? I would like to learn it
Fons058 1 month ago 3
love this but can anyone else hear that high frequency OMG MY EARS
Aphex1son 1 month ago
bliss.
livesforthemusic609 1 month ago
that pickguard is super cool. is it custom?
PatGarretson 1 month ago in playlist Liked videos
@PatGarretson Yeah, my girlfriend made it. She also made the mirror on the cover of Mind Bokeh.
mrbibio 1 month ago 5
That's a really cool sweater
MsPugluver69 1 month ago
Hey Mr Bibio, is that a tube amp your playing with or a tube imitation?
the70z 1 month ago
@the70z "Tube imitation" is swearing in my language :) The amp in this video is a 1965 Fender Vibro Champ.
mrbibio 1 month ago
@mrbibio I don't know if you will find time to answer this, but I love you guitar tones. So
I was wondering what kind of amp/effects pedals you use? I really enjoy the analog chunkiness of the sounds, especially in this particular song.
lukepg93 1 month ago
Wow amazing <3
Rosaiscool10 1 month ago
Hi, Mr. Bibio - this is a silly question, but in the album version of this song, what instrument produces those amazing 70s/urban/city synth sounds? Just a synthesizer (told you this was silly)? I need like an entire CD of just that instrument. Also, I love your music!! Thank you.
tuckey7 1 month ago
@tuckey7 Are you referring to the synth at around 3:00? It's just an analogue monophonic synthesiser.
mrbibio 1 month ago
@mrbibio Thanks so much for answering my Q. Yeah, that's exactly what I'm referring to.
tuckey7 1 month ago
@mrbibio K is for Kelson uses the same effect?
Brom24 1 month ago
@tuckey7 Correct me if I'm wrong Mr. Bibio, but I believe it is the Yamaha CS10. If you look at studio pics you can see the CS10 and DX7 on the desk :)
syzygywell 1 month ago
@syzygywell Yes, that was a while back though. Changed the CS-10 for a CS-30.
mrbibio 1 month ago
@mrbibio I saw your post about that nice little upgrade, the 30 looks great. I have to say of the few vintage pieces I have the CS10 is the one holding up the best. Question though, you are pretty solidly hardware but mix in logic correct? What vocoder are you using? Thanks again.
syzygywell 1 month ago
that happy moment you feel @ 1:57
muddyanne 1 month ago 2
Can you please tell me the notes ?
gekoandreigeko 1 month ago
:) !!
LofiFreq 2 months ago
How about Abrasion? Or maybe Mr. and Mrs. Compost? Those both are a bit to complex for me to figure out by ear. Lovely songs btw.
Kinesthetiacmusic 2 months ago
Comment removed
hmm6142 2 months ago
Fantastic playing, and such a lovely guitar. Don't you love it when YouTube is this quite? Only nice people posting comments and all a pleasure to read.
Tomisnever 2 months ago 4
@Tomisnever Yeah it doesn't happen to often.
Kinesthetiacmusic 2 months ago
Oh, It's you. Oh dear, Mr.Bibio sir, you have saved my life with your music. I don't know which song means more.You are the epitome of REAL music. Can't thank you enough.
JbRi08 2 months ago 4
A very merry Christmas and happy new year to you Mr. Bibio. It's really been a pleasure reading your responses. I hope 2012 is a very productive year for you personally and musically. Cheers.
syzygywell 2 months ago
Hey Bibio,
The bassline for Jealous of Roses is awesome. It's my favorite part of the entire Ambivalence album. I can't tell you how many days that got me through at my shitty job washing airplanes in the blazing heat over the summer. Any chance you could post up a video or tabs on how it was done? I've figured it out partially by ear, but would love to see it played.
Thanks for your music and its been great reading your responses!
Best from America.
MrDaoJones 2 months ago
Hello Bibio. im a very big fan of yours and i just wanted to ask you who your biggest influences are, you have such a beautiful way of keeping your songs very simple yet complicated and the chord progressions in your songs are amazing.
im sure your a very busy man. thank you for the amazing music!
livekevintokyo 2 months ago
@livekevintokyo Too many influences to list all of them, and not all are musical influences. But I guess big influences on the way I play guitar include Steve Reich, Nick Drake, The Incredible String Band, Joao Gilberto and theme tunes from the old British children's TV programmes I grew up watching.
mrbibio 2 months ago 3
Hi Bibio, I have a question for you that I haven't seen in any interviews you've given. What is your vocal chain when recording in recent releases such Lovers' Carvings, Old Friends, Take off Your Skirt? (I know you are using a vocoder in the first part) I'm sure there is some variance but I'm just very fond of how you get your voice to fit with everything else you are doing. It's one of the more difficult parts of recording for me. Cheers.
syzygywell 2 months ago
@syzygywell There's no 'one size fits all' formula really. Getting vocals to sit in the mix ain't always easy. Lovers' Carvings is probably 5 years old now, and I can't remember if I did anything in particular when recording that. It was probably a cheap condenser mic going into a behringer mixer via a drawmer compressor. Pretty sure the only microphone used on Old Friends was a single Coles 4038 ribbon mic, and the same goes for Take off your skirt, and Take off your shirt for that matter.
mrbibio 2 months ago
Comment removed
syzygywell 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@mrbibio I figured there wasn't a one way only kind of formula. I recognise you keep a darker vintage feel to your vocals and thought you might use a ribbon or tube mic of some sort. I didn't know if you had a preference for preamps or if you recorded into the nagra IV even before mixing. I just really love the understated vocals you've been doing lately and I've wondered many times what you've been doing to achieve it, thank you again for taking time to answer.
syzygywell 2 months ago
You mentioned the usage of tube/valve and tape processing. Was that done in the post, or was it printed that? Cheers for being an approachable guy. Speaks volumes on your personality. If you ever do a gig in SanFran, I'd be happy to share my favorite hiking spots with you. Mi casa es su casa. BTW - I did a cover of mr. & mrs. compost on YouTube. Check it out! Was I close?
mapletree2009 2 months ago
@mapletree2009 I've seen your covers, they are very accurate and well made. As for the tube/tape process - there's no fixed formula. I often track stems to tape, but I also start many things off on tape. Quite a few tracks from the mush albums started as jamming in the garden with a cheap cassette recorder and a guitar.
mrbibio 2 months ago
Right on! 1/4", 1/2" tape? Nagra? Are you recording everything on your own, or do you go into a commercial studio? Your synths, all analogue, or to you dabble with the virtual ones, like Reaktor? I think I heard somewhere online, that you - or somebody else (maybe BoC) - had removed an old projector preamp and linked it into the signal chain, as a way of getting a saturated warble effect. Ever try that? There are no boundaries in your music - that's something that keeps me listening.
mapletree2009 2 months ago
@mapletree2009 I do everything myself, from home. I've never used Reaktor and I don't use soft synths/soft samplers, I'm a hardware guy - the less mouse clicking the better for me. The only analogue synth on Amb Ave and Mind Bokeh was a Yamaha CS-10, which I later replaced for a CS-30. The nagra is very clean with great preamps, it doesn't produce warble. I don't see how you could get warble from a preamp alone as tape warble is a mechanical imperfection caused by the capstan and pinch roller.
mrbibio 2 months ago
@mapletree2009 When I say I don't use soft synths - I have done in the past when I couldn't afford an analogue synth, but I'd play it through a tube guitar amp to give it warmth, but after getting the CS-10 there was no going back. Analogue synths vs soft synths is like a vintage tube amplifier vs a software amp modeller. Both have their place, but analogue is the real McCoy. Software/digital is often best when it's not trying to be analogue. Unprocessed soft synths sound plasticky to my ears.
mrbibio 2 months ago
oh my god thank you so much for making a video live!!!!!!!!!
livelydeadful 3 months ago
Thanks for sharing sir. What kind of microphone is that there?
AmateurJunglist 3 months ago
@AmateurJunglist It's a Coles 4050 stereo ribbon microphone, a fairly new design. It's actually two separate mono microphones held together in a Blumlein configuration with a magnetic shock mount, you can change the stereo width by rotating the angles of the mikes, or separate them completely and have them spaced apart. A beautiful bit of British engineering.
mrbibio 3 months ago
808 views. as in roland tr? heeeeell yeah!
Kinesthetiacmusic 3 months ago in playlist Favorite videos
(If you haven't already) Could you record a video of "All The Flowers" whenever you have the time? That's one of my most favorite guitar lines of all time. One I really want to learn.
whatabeautifulscene 3 months ago
Hey Bibio, quick question: On the studio version of this song, an additional guitar part comes in when you sing, "Maybe they're telling us..." Is that guitar part in the same DGDGBD tuning? Thanks!
scottollerdocs 3 months ago
@scottollerdocs There is a second harmony part throughout the song, including the waltzing intro, but yes there is a kind of african high life influenced third guitar harmony part towards the end. I can't remember the tuning, I wrote this song 4 or 5 years ago. If it's not open G, it's standard. I often have to go back and relearn my own songs because I write so many I sometimes forget them. It makes it harder when I can't remember what tuning I used and so there's a lot of trial and error.
mrbibio 3 months ago 8
@mrbibio This is late, but it's definitely open g. So, I remember you stating in an interview that you're every bit as good as Leo Kottke. Is there a connection in palm of your wave and lovers carvings being in open G and the fact that Kottke played mostly in open g? By the way, you can't become a legendary guitarist if your music isn't rock or folk, just look at Zappa and Prince.
sweeneyandroid 1 month ago
@sweeneyandroid I didn't say I was as every bit as good as Leo Kottke, I said I didn't think some of my guitar tracks were any less technically developed than a Leo Kottke track in terms of finger picking style. I learned finger picking and used open G before I discovered Kottke. Kottke can play slide guitar way better than I can, so I don't think I'm as good as him in that department. Anyway there's more to music than virtuosity, creative ideas are more important to me than just speedy fingers.
mrbibio 1 month ago 2
@sweeneyandroid Also, what are you stating is definitely open G?
mrbibio 1 month ago
@mrbibio Sorry about the drunk comment. I don't know for sure, but I've tried to play Palm in open G and I came close to some of the phrases, obviously I can't say that it is in open G definitely. I just had an inkling that your playing style on your older stuff was influenced by Drake and Kottke, because when I think of great fingerpicking in odd tunings they come to mind. I agree with musicality vs technicality, I'm a huge fan of your style, and I'd always take a Bloomfield over a Slash.
sweeneyandroid 1 month ago
@sweeneyandroid Palm is in open G. I will upload a video of that eventually. I'd like to record some videos outside but it's too cold at the moment, some of the chords are a bit of a stretch for frozen hands :)
mrbibio 1 month ago
i love watching you struggle, stretching for the root notes during the bridge ;) that part is hard!
whiteshipmusic 3 months ago
how did you came up with this sound? is a chorus? is it a tremolo? is it a tape delay? so bright, so warm :)
lucasdimitri 3 months ago
@lucasdimitri In this video I'm using a small amount of vibrato from a pedal, but the album version wasn't done that way. The album version had a lot of valve/tube & analogue tape processing to get it to sound that way, and the vibrato was done after recording. It's also the guitar, the amp and the style of playing that contributes to the tone. On the album version it was the same guitar in this video but going through a Fender Blues Junior amp, which I no longer have... and I kind of miss...
mrbibio 3 months ago
You rock!
joe5head 3 months ago
wow thanks for sharing love this song.
GypsyShreya 3 months ago
Great video, thanks for uploading! The chords (especially the ones that start at 0:24) and the sound of your guitar are so soothing. Can't wait till you upload Palm of your Wave. That song can still bring tears to my eyes no matter how often i listen to it. Thanks for your inspiring music.
jesekisgek 3 months ago
would be awesome if you publish some tab's on youre homepage or somewhere else ,i would love to play youre songs... and btw cool outfit ;-)
DerFredolin 3 months ago
really inspiring ! Love it
sannebiteme 3 months ago
Wow I'm really grateful you are doing this. You have so much lovely music from your older catalog too but I'd so appreciate Haikuesque and Palm of Your Wave (both versions). Thanks again Stephen!
syzygywell 3 months ago
Comment removed
syzygywell 3 months ago
@syzygywell Thanks. I have recorded Haikuesque and the album version of Palm, I will upload these when I get chance, busy in the kitchen making Lancashire hot pot right now...
mrbibio 3 months ago 12
@mrbibio perfect! I'm so happy to hear it.
syzygywell 3 months ago
@mrbibio you are awesome!!! im so glad you are doing when she laughs. oh and sweet glasses.
xmarks97 3 months ago
@mrbibio Hoping to see that video, Haikuesque has one of the most beautiful guitars I've heard. I've tried to rip it off in the past with no success (I was basically doing a D shape on the 2º capo). Thanks for these videos, you're great!
Radiobuzz 3 months ago in playlist More videos from mrbibio
Yes, sir! You are awesome, sir! )
Ludamage 3 months ago