Tubes and Code
@tubesandcodestudio.bsky.social
Writing about electric guitar technology and culture from an engineering-focused perspective
Helping artists w/ web + social media infrastructure
Software engineer with ADHD. Metalhead. I love Super Strats and Explorers
https://tubesandcode.studio/
Helping artists w/ web + social media infrastructure
Software engineer with ADHD. 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
Reposted by Tubes and Code
Guitar pick of the day #318.
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAKK!!
🤘😃🎸
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Ozzfest 2003
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAKK!!
🤘😃🎸
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Ozzfest 2003
January 15, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Guitar pick of the day #318.
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAKK!!
🤘😃🎸
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Ozzfest 2003
Daily posts of my guitar pick collection.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZAKK!!
🤘😃🎸
BLACK LABEL SOCIETY
Zakk Wylde
Ozzfest 2003
Been doing some reading on about what researchers have said about the effectiveness of protest music against authoritarianism.
Found a gem of an article about music videos in the June 2013 protests in Turkey, but I'm still not sure what this graph is trying to say about a guitar riff!
Found a gem of an article about music videos in the June 2013 protests in Turkey, but I'm still not sure what this graph is trying to say about a guitar riff!
January 15, 2026 at 2:08 AM
Been doing some reading on about what researchers have said about the effectiveness of protest music against authoritarianism.
Found a gem of an article about music videos in the June 2013 protests in Turkey, but I'm still not sure what this graph is trying to say about a guitar riff!
Found a gem of an article about music videos in the June 2013 protests in Turkey, but I'm still not sure what this graph is trying to say about a guitar riff!
Shower thought: I really hope old-school guitar pedals don't go anywhere because they fundamentally don't need DRM. 100% understand why commercial plugin makers protect their software, but DRM brings an adversarial relationship to normal users. Both paradigms have a reason to exist
January 13, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Shower thought: I really hope old-school guitar pedals don't go anywhere because they fundamentally don't need DRM. 100% understand why commercial plugin makers protect their software, but DRM brings an adversarial relationship to normal users. Both paradigms have a reason to exist
Added a system to my site where it uses Bluesky as the comment system for my articles! Fittingly my latest article is about exactly that aspect of Bluesky. I think it has a lot of value for building communities online. Other platforms keep you more boxed in
tubesandcode.studio/posts/bluesk...
tubesandcode.studio/posts/bluesk...
Tubes and Code .studio | Bluesky: Great for Social Media as Infrastructure
Bluesky is based on letting you control your data and applications. Here are some features that musicians and music retailers should look at.
tubesandcode.studio
January 13, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Added a system to my site where it uses Bluesky as the comment system for my articles! Fittingly my latest article is about exactly that aspect of Bluesky. I think it has a lot of value for building communities online. Other platforms keep you more boxed in
tubesandcode.studio/posts/bluesk...
tubesandcode.studio/posts/bluesk...
thread from my other acct that I think is relevant. To everyone out there trying to write any sort of protest music, please keep going! I think it helps cultures form memories that can survive and transmit even in authoritarianism.
I've always loved music that isn't afraid of political boundaries
I've always loved music that isn't afraid of political boundaries
January 13, 2026 at 4:37 AM
thread from my other acct that I think is relevant. To everyone out there trying to write any sort of protest music, please keep going! I think it helps cultures form memories that can survive and transmit even in authoritarianism.
I've always loved music that isn't afraid of political boundaries
I've always loved music that isn't afraid of political boundaries
Reposted by Tubes and Code
Wrote an article about an interview Slipknot's Shawn Crahan (aka Clown) did with "The Escapist" about Minecraft and AI.
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Tubes and Code .studio | The AI Tension Inside Slipknot is Actually a Good Sign. How it got covered? Not so much.
Shaun Clown Crahan has embraced AI as his
tubesandcode.studio
January 12, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Wrote an article about an interview Slipknot's Shawn Crahan (aka Clown) did with "The Escapist" about Minecraft and AI.
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Reposted by Tubes and Code
Music studios aren’t just music studios anymore. Audio, film, post production, and content now live under the same roof. That’s the thinking behind The Good Days, the new Miami studio from Matt Weiss.
👉 Watch the full studio tour here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOqs...
👉 Watch the full studio tour here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOqs...
Inside a Pro Mixing Studio: How Matt Weiss Actually Thinks
YouTube video by Produce Like A Pro
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Music studios aren’t just music studios anymore. Audio, film, post production, and content now live under the same roof. That’s the thinking behind The Good Days, the new Miami studio from Matt Weiss.
👉 Watch the full studio tour here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOqs...
👉 Watch the full studio tour here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=AOqs...
Reposted by Tubes and Code
Non-expert thought of the day: Machine learning is excellent. LLMs are very different from machine learning, and they are unethical and untrustworthy shite. This is why "AI" should never be used a catch-all phrase for both technologies.
January 12, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Non-expert thought of the day: Machine learning is excellent. LLMs are very different from machine learning, and they are unethical and untrustworthy shite. This is why "AI" should never be used a catch-all phrase for both technologies.
Reposted by Tubes and Code
Pluralis delay effect by United Plugins on sale at 60% OFF rekkerd.org/pluralis-cre...
Save 60% on Pluralis delay effect by United Plugins
United Plugins has announced a two-week promotion on Soundevice Digital's creative delay plugin Pluralis, offering a 60% discount.
rekkerd.org
January 12, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Pluralis delay effect by United Plugins on sale at 60% OFF rekkerd.org/pluralis-cre...
Just ordered from @rattlesnakecables.bsky.social! Their New Year's sale ends in 21 hours, so check it out if you're looking to buy cables. Wanted a longer cable for my FX loop return
January 12, 2026 at 10:02 AM
Just ordered from @rattlesnakecables.bsky.social! Their New Year's sale ends in 21 hours, so check it out if you're looking to buy cables. Wanted a longer cable for my FX loop return
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
January 12, 2026 at 7:43 AM
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
Wrote an article about an interview Slipknot's Shawn Crahan (aka Clown) did with "The Escapist" about Minecraft and AI.
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Tubes and Code .studio | The AI Tension Inside Slipknot is Actually a Good Sign. How it got covered? Not so much.
Shaun Clown Crahan has embraced AI as his
tubesandcode.studio
January 12, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Wrote an article about an interview Slipknot's Shawn Crahan (aka Clown) did with "The Escapist" about Minecraft and AI.
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Interesting that Slipknot is not uniformly pro-AI. But also, most of the sites covering this linked to the wrong article! Slop city out there
tubesandcode.studio/posts/the-ai...
Reposted by Tubes and Code
For those interested, I have created an Audio Engineering Starter Pack here on Bluesky! I hope that you find it useful!
go.bsky.app/JvtmmR
#stereo #audio #audioengineer #audioengineering #plugins #musicproduction #audiotech #musictech #homestudio #mixing #audioplugins #mastering #proaudio
#studio
go.bsky.app/JvtmmR
#stereo #audio #audioengineer #audioengineering #plugins #musicproduction #audiotech #musictech #homestudio #mixing #audioplugins #mastering #proaudio
#studio
January 12, 2026 at 12:59 AM
For those interested, I have created an Audio Engineering Starter Pack here on Bluesky! I hope that you find it useful!
go.bsky.app/JvtmmR
#stereo #audio #audioengineer #audioengineering #plugins #musicproduction #audiotech #musictech #homestudio #mixing #audioplugins #mastering #proaudio
#studio
go.bsky.app/JvtmmR
#stereo #audio #audioengineer #audioengineering #plugins #musicproduction #audiotech #musictech #homestudio #mixing #audioplugins #mastering #proaudio
#studio
This is the first time I saw Bob Weir perform. Dead & Company 11/17/17
Really a great Jack Straw IMO. Was immediately impressed with how he commanded the arena with his vocals while also sharing the spotlight
Funny seeing John before silver sky. Bob on a strat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4wt...
Really a great Jack Straw IMO. Was immediately impressed with how he commanded the arena with his vocals while also sharing the spotlight
Funny seeing John before silver sky. Bob on a strat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4wt...
Dead & Company: Live from TD Garden 11/17/17 Set I Opener
YouTube video by Dead & Company
www.youtube.com
January 11, 2026 at 10:36 PM
This is the first time I saw Bob Weir perform. Dead & Company 11/17/17
Really a great Jack Straw IMO. Was immediately impressed with how he commanded the arena with his vocals while also sharing the spotlight
Funny seeing John before silver sky. Bob on a strat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4wt...
Really a great Jack Straw IMO. Was immediately impressed with how he commanded the arena with his vocals while also sharing the spotlight
Funny seeing John before silver sky. Bob on a strat
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4wt...
RIP Bob Weir. It was actually devastating news to wake up to, but we are so fortunate he shared such a rich, musical life with us. Actually cried this morning. So glad I got to see Dead & Co several times.
Guitarists, do you have a favorite Bob Weir moment/memory from his brilliant career?
Guitarists, do you have a favorite Bob Weir moment/memory from his brilliant career?
January 11, 2026 at 5:57 PM
RIP Bob Weir. It was actually devastating news to wake up to, but we are so fortunate he shared such a rich, musical life with us. Actually cried this morning. So glad I got to see Dead & Co several times.
Guitarists, do you have a favorite Bob Weir moment/memory from his brilliant career?
Guitarists, do you have a favorite Bob Weir moment/memory from his brilliant career?
It's actually kind of amazing how sloppy the music news ecosystem has gotten. Working on an article about Slipknot, and many sites have basically the same craptastic AI article that links to the wrong article for an interview!
Took some digging to b/c the wrong link is everywhere!
Took some digging to b/c the wrong link is everywhere!
January 11, 2026 at 6:46 AM
It's actually kind of amazing how sloppy the music news ecosystem has gotten. Working on an article about Slipknot, and many sites have basically the same craptastic AI article that links to the wrong article for an interview!
Took some digging to b/c the wrong link is everywhere!
Took some digging to b/c the wrong link is everywhere!
January 10, 2026 at 9:16 PM
Reposted by Tubes and Code
I've been informed it's #straturday
Sire S7 HSS with a transparent green burl.
Seymour Duncan flat strat pickups and a SH-4 hot humbucker.
Sire S7 HSS with a transparent green burl.
Seymour Duncan flat strat pickups and a SH-4 hot humbucker.
January 10, 2026 at 6:19 PM
I've been informed it's #straturday
Sire S7 HSS with a transparent green burl.
Seymour Duncan flat strat pickups and a SH-4 hot humbucker.
Sire S7 HSS with a transparent green burl.
Seymour Duncan flat strat pickups and a SH-4 hot humbucker.
Reposted by Tubes and Code
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Videos Show How ICE Vehicle Stops Can Escalate to Shootings
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July.
www.wsj.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:44 PM
WSJ investigation: In the past 6 months ICE agents have fired at vehicles 13 times, leading to:
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
* 8 people shot
* 5 of which were U.S. citizens
* 2 died
* no victims drew a weapon
The playbook: Agents box in a vehicle, block attempts to flee, then fire
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
When I wrote this article and made the post, I didn't realize that the price of the SP Compressor pedal had gone up $40 recently! Yikes!
Bet it's from tariffs on components. Xotic makes their pedals in the USA. Hopefully this kind of crap doesn't price us all out of music
#guitar #guitareffects
Bet it's from tariffs on components. Xotic makes their pedals in the USA. Hopefully this kind of crap doesn't price us all out of music
#guitar #guitareffects
Xotic's SP compressor has been a really solid guitar pedal purchase for me. It gets good reviews, but it has been a pleasant surprise how useful it is when practicing/recording with an interface. I posted about this and a couple more pedals
#guitar #guitarpedal
tubesandcode.studio/posts/3-peda...
#guitar #guitarpedal
tubesandcode.studio/posts/3-peda...
Tubes and Code .studio | 3 Pedals that are Great with both Amps and Interfaces
Three guitar pedals that work equally well with amps and audio interfaces, focusing on workflow, headroom, and control, not just tone.
tubesandcode.studio
January 10, 2026 at 5:38 AM
When I wrote this article and made the post, I didn't realize that the price of the SP Compressor pedal had gone up $40 recently! Yikes!
Bet it's from tariffs on components. Xotic makes their pedals in the USA. Hopefully this kind of crap doesn't price us all out of music
#guitar #guitareffects
Bet it's from tariffs on components. Xotic makes their pedals in the USA. Hopefully this kind of crap doesn't price us all out of music
#guitar #guitareffects
Reposted by Tubes and Code
Now that I’m learning about APIs I’m shocked that so many subscriptions services are basically just wrappers of a free API service.
#rstats
#rstats
January 10, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Now that I’m learning about APIs I’m shocked that so many subscriptions services are basically just wrappers of a free API service.
#rstats
#rstats
Reposted by Tubes and Code
husbando told me the other day that most guitarists don't use pedalboards anymore, just have the guitar tech do whatever effect they need and i feel like i just found out santa wasn't real.
January 9, 2026 at 7:42 PM
husbando told me the other day that most guitarists don't use pedalboards anymore, just have the guitar tech do whatever effect they need and i feel like i just found out santa wasn't real.
Reposted by Tubes and Code
Notably, allowing for controlled, isolated extension through some *extremely* simple interface can be very robust. See kitchenaid mixer attachments, UNIX utility programs, guitar pedals, and more :P
January 9, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Notably, allowing for controlled, isolated extension through some *extremely* simple interface can be very robust. See kitchenaid mixer attachments, UNIX utility programs, guitar pedals, and more :P
As musicians, keeping the attention of an audience is as much a part of recording and performing music as keeping time. Now social media is a part of that.
wrote about how social media automation & analytics can help musicians save time for music!
#musiciansky
tubesandcode.studio/posts/youre-...
wrote about how social media automation & analytics can help musicians save time for music!
#musiciansky
tubesandcode.studio/posts/youre-...
Tubes and Code .studio | You’re Already Optimizing for Attention
Music is about winning the attention of an audience. Here are 2 pillars for strategizing for that when social media can be both an opportunity and a distraction
tubesandcode.studio
January 9, 2026 at 5:49 AM
As musicians, keeping the attention of an audience is as much a part of recording and performing music as keeping time. Now social media is a part of that.
wrote about how social media automation & analytics can help musicians save time for music!
#musiciansky
tubesandcode.studio/posts/youre-...
wrote about how social media automation & analytics can help musicians save time for music!
#musiciansky
tubesandcode.studio/posts/youre-...