TubesAndCode.studio
@tubesandcodestudio.bsky.social
Writing about electric guitar technology and culture from an engineering-focused perspective
Helping artists w/ web + social media infrastructure
Nuerodivergent software engineer. Metalhead. I love Super Strats and Explorers
https://tubesandcode.studio/
Helping artists w/ web + social media infrastructure
Nuerodivergent software engineer. Metalhead. I love Super Strats and Explorers
https://tubesandcode.studio/
Pinned
Hey, I'm Alex. I'm really passionate about music, and I built a website where I am writing about guitar/bass gear and more!
It is hard running an independent site these days. Stay updated with sites you like with an RSS reader app!
my RSS feed:
tubesandcode.studio/feed
It is hard running an independent site these days. Stay updated with sites you like with an RSS reader app!
my RSS feed:
tubesandcode.studio/feed
I'm so tired of seeing almost constant YouTube ads for garbage AI slop music!
September 28, 2026 at 7:40 PM
I'm so tired of seeing almost constant YouTube ads for garbage AI slop music!
Hell yes! 🤘
🔥 The #M72 World Tour is making its way across North America with 12 shows in 2027, featuring our returning tour buddies Limp Bizkit and Avatar.
Tickets go on sale Friday, September 25.
Fan Club Presales begin Monday, September 21.
More Info 🎫 metallica.lnk.to/M72WorldTour...
Tickets go on sale Friday, September 25.
Fan Club Presales begin Monday, September 21.
More Info 🎫 metallica.lnk.to/M72WorldTour...
September 16, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Hell yes! 🤘
I've been having a lot of fun trying out different combinations of guitar pedal captures in Tone3000's plugin! It's very convenient (compared to downloading and organizing NAM and IR files separately)
September 10, 2026 at 1:43 PM
I've been having a lot of fun trying out different combinations of guitar pedal captures in Tone3000's plugin! It's very convenient (compared to downloading and organizing NAM and IR files separately)
I've always loved how the riffs build up in the title track!
September 7, 2026 at 6:20 PM
I've always loved how the riffs build up in the title track!
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
New video: exploring sonic versatility in my rig
youtu.be/MtNXWlou3Fs
youtu.be/MtNXWlou3Fs
More Than A One Trick Pony
YouTube video by Martin Cliffe
youtu.be
September 7, 2026 at 3:06 PM
New video: exploring sonic versatility in my rig
youtu.be/MtNXWlou3Fs
youtu.be/MtNXWlou3Fs
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
Is this an accurate description of daily life in America??
September 6, 2026 at 2:26 AM
Is this an accurate description of daily life in America??
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
Just stumbled on the niche community of church musicians reviewing guitar pedals on YouTube and their contents are refreshingly honest and earnest
They are sorta the perfect combination of hobbyists who don't have huge budget or demand studio quality but also real musicians who perform live weekly
They are sorta the perfect combination of hobbyists who don't have huge budget or demand studio quality but also real musicians who perform live weekly
September 6, 2026 at 11:27 PM
Just stumbled on the niche community of church musicians reviewing guitar pedals on YouTube and their contents are refreshingly honest and earnest
They are sorta the perfect combination of hobbyists who don't have huge budget or demand studio quality but also real musicians who perform live weekly
They are sorta the perfect combination of hobbyists who don't have huge budget or demand studio quality but also real musicians who perform live weekly
RIP Dolly. She always seemed to me like a cultural institution that would endure forever.
Dolly, thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
I am positive her work will continue to be massively influential for decades.
Dolly, thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
I am positive her work will continue to be massively influential for decades.
August 25, 2026 at 6:57 PM
RIP Dolly. She always seemed to me like a cultural institution that would endure forever.
Dolly, thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
I am positive her work will continue to be massively influential for decades.
Dolly, thank you for sharing your gifts with us.
I am positive her work will continue to be massively influential for decades.
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
Guitar pick of the day #518.
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
Getting to the bottom of the bag. Need to get some more.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Japan 2003
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
Getting to the bottom of the bag. Need to get some more.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Japan 2003
August 25, 2026 at 3:34 PM
Guitar pick of the day #518.
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
Getting to the bottom of the bag. Need to get some more.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Japan 2003
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
Getting to the bottom of the bag. Need to get some more.
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Japan 2003
NAM A2 (in full, lite, and converted forms) keeps coming to more modeling pedals and practice amps. Here are some that caught my eye with firmware/app updates in the last couple weeks:
tubesandcode.studio/posts/headru...
#guitarPedals #neuralAmpModeler
tubesandcode.studio/posts/headru...
#guitarPedals #neuralAmpModeler
HeadRush, Sonicake (and more brands) Release NAM A2 Updates
Exciting updates regarding NAM A2 have come out recently for HeadRush, Sonicake, and Mooer products, keeping their users up with the latest technology.
tubesandcode.studio
August 16, 2026 at 1:22 AM
NAM A2 (in full, lite, and converted forms) keeps coming to more modeling pedals and practice amps. Here are some that caught my eye with firmware/app updates in the last couple weeks:
tubesandcode.studio/posts/headru...
#guitarPedals #neuralAmpModeler
tubesandcode.studio/posts/headru...
#guitarPedals #neuralAmpModeler
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
Sandoval/Cervantes custom doubleneck
August 8, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Sandoval/Cervantes custom doubleneck
Hey #guitarsky, have any of y'all tried out the HeadRush's firmware update to support NAM/TONE3000?
Looks pretty sweet, but I don't have any of their pedals, sadly!
Looks pretty sweet, but I don't have any of their pedals, sadly!
August 8, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Hey #guitarsky, have any of y'all tried out the HeadRush's firmware update to support NAM/TONE3000?
Looks pretty sweet, but I don't have any of their pedals, sadly!
Looks pretty sweet, but I don't have any of their pedals, sadly!
Glad I did these captures! Moving day is coming up and it is time to start packing up my gear. Time flies!
#musiciansky #guitarsky
#musiciansky #guitarsky
I'm getting ready to move, and part of that is throwing away things that I don't need like my (now broken) first amp from my childhood. It now sits in a dump, but luckily I "preserved" by modeling it with NAM!
#guitarsky #guitaramps #neuralampmodeler
tubesandcode.studio/posts/i-capt...
#guitarsky #guitaramps #neuralampmodeler
tubesandcode.studio/posts/i-capt...
I Captured My Childhood Amp with NAM so I Could Throw it Away
You can use Neural Amp modeler and IRs for more than just trying out expensive gear. Here's how I'm preserving my own musical journey.
tubesandcode.studio
July 24, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Glad I did these captures! Moving day is coming up and it is time to start packing up my gear. Time flies!
#musiciansky #guitarsky
#musiciansky #guitarsky
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
Quality from this multi-fx isn't as good as A2, but I'm still glad I have it because i still frequently end up wanting to play guitar at like 3:30 am w/o setting up my interface lol
I reviewed the Sonicake Pocket Master, a ~$60 multi-effects unit that now supports Neural Amp Modeler!
NAM support at this price point is really exciting. Only found a couple real things to ding the final score on.
tubesandcode.studio/posts/sonica...
#GuitarEffects #guitar #bass
NAM support at this price point is really exciting. Only found a couple real things to ding the final score on.
tubesandcode.studio/posts/sonica...
#GuitarEffects #guitar #bass
Tubes and Code .studio | Sonicake Pocketmaster Review: Best Starting Point for NAM Hardware Rigs?
A deep review of the Sonicake Pocket Master: an affordable multi-effects unit with Neural Amp Modeler support, surprising tone quality, and clear tradeoffs.
tubesandcode.studio
July 17, 2026 at 9:06 AM
Quality from this multi-fx isn't as good as A2, but I'm still glad I have it because i still frequently end up wanting to play guitar at like 3:30 am w/o setting up my interface lol
Between these two pedals, the Rat-style one is on my pedalboard now, but the Cowboy distortion got more favorites when I captured it on T3K
I created NAM models of two Sonicake mini distortions so you can plug in and play before buying. Rude Mouse (Rat-style) and Cowboy Distortion (Dimebag-inspired). I like their digital gear, so I was curious about their cheap analog mini pedals too
tubesandcode.studio/posts/hear-p...
#guitarpedals
tubesandcode.studio/posts/hear-p...
#guitarpedals
Hear & Play Sonicake's Rude Mouse and Cowboy Distortion with NAM
Plug in your guitar and play NAM captures of Sonicake's Rude Mouse and Cowboy Distortion directly in your browser. Budget pedals worth trying before buying.
tubesandcode.studio
July 17, 2026 at 4:04 AM
Between these two pedals, the Rat-style one is on my pedalboard now, but the Cowboy distortion got more favorites when I captured it on T3K
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
😂 Now THAT is a good use for AI!
Idea: Add smart mode to modern Linux kernels so when you run `rm -rf /*` on a prod box as root, the kernel will stall for exactly 1.2 milliseconds to scan your webcam. If it detects a look of sheer panic,it stops executing that command.
July 16, 2026 at 6:08 PM
😂 Now THAT is a good use for AI!
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
Increasingly, gear brands and retailers seem to be embracing NAM and TONE3000 as a part of their marketing strategy for guitar/bass pedals and amps.
I examined this trend in an article on my site. I think it actually accelerates the democratization of tone.
tubesandcode.studio/posts/nam-fo...
I examined this trend in an article on my site. I think it actually accelerates the democratization of tone.
tubesandcode.studio/posts/nam-fo...
NAM for Gear Marketing: a Win-Win for Players and Brands?
More and more brands seem to be embracing NAM and T3K as a part of their promotional strategy. Let's look at this trend and the implications.
tubesandcode.studio
July 16, 2026 at 5:34 PM
Increasingly, gear brands and retailers seem to be embracing NAM and TONE3000 as a part of their marketing strategy for guitar/bass pedals and amps.
I examined this trend in an article on my site. I think it actually accelerates the democratization of tone.
tubesandcode.studio/posts/nam-fo...
I examined this trend in an article on my site. I think it actually accelerates the democratization of tone.
tubesandcode.studio/posts/nam-fo...
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
Reposted by TubesAndCode.studio
I really think I like making electronic music with the guitar more than I like playing the thing straight. The only time I’ve ever moved myself to tears with my own music is from computer manipulated sounds. It’s not for everyone, but man you can take it some places.
July 10, 2026 at 3:08 AM
I really think I like making electronic music with the guitar more than I like playing the thing straight. The only time I’ve ever moved myself to tears with my own music is from computer manipulated sounds. It’s not for everyone, but man you can take it some places.
I saw some interesting comments on IG the other day about how some guitarists prefer Neural DSP over Neural Amp Modeler because they need support when touring/gigging.
That is a good concern to have, but it's also where companies offering NAM hardware have a chance to shine!
#guitarsky
That is a good concern to have, but it's also where companies offering NAM hardware have a chance to shine!
#guitarsky
July 10, 2026 at 2:19 AM
I saw some interesting comments on IG the other day about how some guitarists prefer Neural DSP over Neural Amp Modeler because they need support when touring/gigging.
That is a good concern to have, but it's also where companies offering NAM hardware have a chance to shine!
#guitarsky
That is a good concern to have, but it's also where companies offering NAM hardware have a chance to shine!
#guitarsky
It was cool to play bass with my cousins for a little bit this weekend. Missed opportunity that I didn't throw my mini pedalboard for bass in the car though!
June 30, 2026 at 4:19 AM
It was cool to play bass with my cousins for a little bit this weekend. Missed opportunity that I didn't throw my mini pedalboard for bass in the car though!
Creating art requires balancing so many axes of contradiction:
Exploration/playfulness vs. locked-in focus/productivity
Leaping outside your comfort zone vs. building reps inside it
Authenticity vs. aspiration
Belief in your individual vision vs. openness to collaboration
Just gotta embrace it!
Exploration/playfulness vs. locked-in focus/productivity
Leaping outside your comfort zone vs. building reps inside it
Authenticity vs. aspiration
Belief in your individual vision vs. openness to collaboration
Just gotta embrace it!
June 28, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Creating art requires balancing so many axes of contradiction:
Exploration/playfulness vs. locked-in focus/productivity
Leaping outside your comfort zone vs. building reps inside it
Authenticity vs. aspiration
Belief in your individual vision vs. openness to collaboration
Just gotta embrace it!
Exploration/playfulness vs. locked-in focus/productivity
Leaping outside your comfort zone vs. building reps inside it
Authenticity vs. aspiration
Belief in your individual vision vs. openness to collaboration
Just gotta embrace it!