AlexBallMusic Breaks Down the Hex: A Sub Six Adventure

Say hello to the Sub Six, a hexaphonic pickup that’s turning heads in the music world. Cue AlexBallMusic, who dives deep into this modern marvel, blending cheeky humor with technical insights that even the most seasoned synth junkies will appreciate.

Hex Education: A Trip Down Memory Lane

Let’s talk hexaphonic pickups, folks. These aren’t your granddaddy’s guitar add-ons. AlexBallMusic kicks things off with a history lesson where he breaks it down like that old-school mixtape you found in your attic. Hexaphonic or divided pickups have been around since the funky 70s, giving each string its own microphone like a band of soloists. Ever heard of the Bartolini hexaphonic pickup from ’73? Yeah, neither did a lot of us. But it set the stage for synth revolutions. Fast forward to the 80s, companies like Roland introduced MIDI output into the mix, making these pickups a must-have for any guitar-synth nerd. It’s like taking a bite of history with a side of electronic genius. By 2024, our friends at Submarine Pickups jumped into the ring to slap some modern magic into the mix. Welcome to the world of hex, reimagined.

A hexaphonic or polyphonic or divided pickup is a pickup that contains six discrete pickups within it.

"A hexaphonic or polyphonic or divided pickup is a pickup that contains six discrete pickups within it."
© Screenshot/Quote: Alexballmusic (YouTube)

Hefty Chopper: Chasing Rhythmic Wizardry

In this segment, Alex goes full wizard mode with the Sub Six. Imagine your guitar with each string running through six amp sims! Nope, not six dusty old amps cluttering your garage, but virtual amp sims giving each string its own life. Strings become choppers, hard tremolos, and stereo panners, bending sound into kaleidoscopic textures that twist and turn through your headphones. The Sub Six ain’t just a pickup, it’s a ticket to a rhythmic wonderland tailor-made for those who crave sonic explosions without requiring a dozen amps on deck. Alex utilizes a mix of step filters and auto panners to achieve impossible stereo effects unattainable with a standard pickup. It’s like turning your guitar into an abstract painting – a display of sound art that’s both chaotic and beautiful. If that doesn’t get your creative juices flowing, nothing will. The Sub Six is about exploring boundaries, and Alex dives in with a magician’s touch.

Putting It All Together: The Sub Six Mechanics

So just briefly to explain how this works it just sticks to your guitar so you can take it off or you can move it to a different position…

"So just briefly to explain how this works it just sticks to your guitar so you can take it off or you can move it to a different position and it's non-destructive which is great."
© Screenshot/Quote: Alexballmusic (YouTube)

How does the Sub Six work its voodoo? According to Alex, slap it onto your guitar, and you’re halfway there. This nifty device is non-destructive, meaning you don’t have to turn your beloved axe into a science project. But listen up, fellas: check the dimensions ’cause it might not fit on every guitar without some minor tweaking. It’s all about those cables, my friends – six quarter-inch mono jacks, one for each string. Like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, the dev set it up so intuitive even a caveman could rock it. No soldering iron required, just plug it in and let the creativity soar. Through each cable, unique effects await, from delays to pitch shifts and rhythmic patterns. Each string becomes a canvas, waiting for that stroke of genius. It’s a modern conquest over electronic chaos, all thanks to a simple, elegant setup.

Sub Six in Action: Overcoming Limitations

Here’s the scoop, folks: not all of us can afford six guitar amps. This isn’t lost on Alex, who gives us the lowdown on alternative approaches. Using amp sims on each string, he sidesteps the reality of a zero-budget setup. Sure, we all dream of accordions of tubes blaring on stage, but practicality reigns supreme here. Alex mentions the beauty of digitally manipulating each string with a unique delay or pitch shift. Instead of muddy overlaps or clashes, you’ve got a crystal-clear soundscape. Diving into the realm of heavy sounds showcases Alex’s creative genius; acoustic guitars delivering massive stereo fills usually reserved for the lucky few with high-end equipment. This modern marvel turns boundless ideas into reality, churning out tones that can be as raw or polished as your heart desires. If street food had a sonic equivalent, this Sub Six experience would be it. Open to experimentation, it’s a gateway drug into a world of hex-fueled possibilities.

I'm using amp sims on every string even the basic one in Cubase sounds great and there are tons of amp sims out there

"I'm using amp sims on every string even the basic one in Cubase sounds great and there are tons of amp sims out there"
© Screenshot/Quote: Alexballmusic (YouTube)

Unleashing the Potential: Hex Horizons in Music

As we wrap up, Alex dives into the vast potential of hex pickups like the Sub Six. Their open-ended nature turns them into the Swiss Army Knife of sound, ready to tackle any sonic adventure. Imagine this: running an acoustic through the Sub Six and reamping those strings to create an immersive stereo landscape. It’s utilitarian, yet rich with untapped musical possibilities. But let’s be real, not everyone wants to mess with a multi-cable setup. It’s like trying to juggle while riding a skateboard – might not be practical for everybody. Yet for the gear heads among us, it’s an exhilarating ride straight into the avant-garde. The Sub Six celebrates this craftsmanship, inviting players to discover uncharted territories. So, pick up that axe, plug in the hex, and welcome to a realm where ordinary six-strings dare not tread.