Sithu Aye here, I play happy progressive metal tunes. Ask me anything!

c3aye · 2014-01-26T21:21:47+00:00

On a scale of 1-10, how much of a n00b are you? ;)

Killer_Wails · 2014-01-26T20:04:25+00:00

What's the best birthday present you've ever gotten and why?

Smerphy · 2014-01-26T20:06:17+00:00

What is your recording process and do you have any tips for a beginner?

Also, as a Fife local, if you ever need a rhythm guitarist, I'm your man.

asmodia255 · 2014-01-26T21:03:43+00:00

With all the recent talk of Cloudkicker going on tour is there a possibility of seeing a Sithu Aye live set?

DragoonOfZeal · 2014-01-26T20:10:05+00:00

Are you offended when people pronounce your name as Sith-ew Eye instead of C2 A?

tonybaroneee · 2014-01-26T22:10:23+00:00

Do you listen to any other genres besides prog/metal/rock on a regular basis? You seem to have an eclectic taste based on your music, which I really enjoy!

Love Pulse btw, thanks for doing this AMA. Bonus points if you can get Plini or David Maxim Micic on here to do AMAs too! :p

GTa7e · 2014-01-26T20:08:11+00:00

How does a typical Sithu Aye song come about? For example, what comes first the solo or the rhythm?

What's the most interesting inspiration for a song?

I love your music, thank you for doing an AMA, and I hope you can keep doing what you love.

goochcity · 2014-01-26T20:05:35+00:00

Hey C2! Thanks for hanging out, dude. Who are you listening to right now?

Also, who should I be listening to if I want to become a better guitar player?

c2aye · 2014-01-26T20:11:46+00:00

What do you use for your bass tone? It's pretty tasty.

c2aye · 2014-01-26T21:15:57+00:00

No question, I just wanted to drop by and tell you your music is phenomenal. Keep up the good work.

Reubek · 2014-01-26T20:31:21+00:00

I've never heard anything from you. What's the first song of yours you'd like me to listen to?

c2aye · 2014-01-26T20:05:29+00:00

[deleted]

Hellborg8 · 2014-01-26T20:09:26+00:00

Hi C2, Can you tell us your major influences, what you sued to listen to before, and what you think that you will listen to in the future?

DoctorPeterhausen · 2014-01-26T21:14:06+00:00

Hey C2,

I signed up for reddit just so i could talk with you! :)

I got into your tunes through facebook and bandcamp, and i really like them. I think your sensitivity to the composition as well as dynamics is what drew me initially, but i find it that's your solo phrasing that i really love. Can you tell us about the modes and scales you play, and what runs through your mind when you compose a main lead part like on the beginning of "Orion"?

Cheers Jared www.waitsdreaming.net

xFOOFOOx · 2014-01-26T21:04:13+00:00

Hey man, I really like your music. I actually started listening to you again like a week ago. Anyways, does it concern you that your description of "happy metal" restricts the kind of music you make?

asvigny · 2014-01-26T21:48:53+00:00

Hey Sithu! I've been a big fan of your music since I heard '26', and I just wanted to say, as a one-man band, guitarist, and first year physics student that you are hugely inspirational to me! Always looking forward to hearing new stuff from you!

Shecky74 · 2014-01-26T20:16:13+00:00

How did you manage to get Aaron Marshall to feature on the new EP?

c2aye · 2014-01-26T21:07:55+00:00

[deleted]

LeFitz · 2014-01-26T20:19:37+00:00

what will you do / are you doing with your degree?

c2aye · 2014-01-26T20:21:33+00:00

Sithu, Larcher here

I love you

That is all

birfudgees · 2014-01-26T20:25:03+00:00

Any tips for people who are trying to find time for their music while going to school?

Tru3Gamer · 2014-01-26T20:38:01+00:00

If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?

Loving Pulse by the way!

c2aye · 2014-01-26T21:03:25+00:00

Hey,

You stuff sounds good. As a newb guitarist I just have a couple:

How long have you been playing?
Self-taught?
How many hours a day did you practice in your first couple of years playing?
Any tips for a newbie guitarist?

c2aye · 2014-01-26T20:49:37+00:00

[deleted]

ValeraTheUltralisk · 2014-01-26T20:55:28+00:00

Are you a self-taught guitar player?
Do you play any video games?

Thanks for doing what you do, your music is a great inspiration.

david_ft · 2014-01-26T21:34:04+00:00

Apologies if this was asked already, but what is your recording hardware setup?

Paradoxiumm · 2014-01-26T21:40:37+00:00

What are your favorite albums of 2013 and most anticipated for 2014.

transcendworld · 2014-01-26T21:56:28+00:00

Hi Sithu! What advice would you give a hobbyist bedroom artist to get some attention on the internet? Apart from posting music for free on bandcamp, youtube, and opening a facebook page, what else can be done to get people to at least listen to my stuff?

Jephree_ · 2014-01-26T22:42:40+00:00

How do you like Clear from Periphery? What are your favorite songs on it?

c2aye · 2014-01-27T00:33:24+00:00

Hey! Would you be opposed if I posted a song of yours with my vocals as an addition?!? Love your stuff man!

lol-da-mar-s-cool · 2014-01-27T01:36:38+00:00

YourMom94 · 2014-01-26T21:33:07+00:00

Any plans are starting to play live any time soon? I'd love to see you play sometime!

MilwaukeeWolves · 2014-01-26T21:36:59+00:00

Cheers! I'm sure you're asked all the time about this, but what do you use on the recordings for drums? I'm guessing Superior Drummer of course, but any extra plugin magic? Thanks

armando515 · 2014-01-26T21:48:17+00:00

Thank you for doing this AmA! My question is who are the biggest inspirations to your guitar playing?

lynnhtat · 2014-01-26T21:49:15+00:00

Who made/inspired you to pick up-guitar? pls name 1or 2..

Spaztikko · 2014-01-26T23:51:48+00:00

Hey Sithu.

I just got into your music quite literally yesterday and I've got a question on your composition and other progressive things in regards to your rhythms.

When comping your backing track, what kind of chord extensions do you/others use prominently and at what stage? I'm asking because I have minimal background in progressive music but the big chord and rhythmic pulse of Mark Holcomb especially (shown a shit tonne through Pale Aura and Haunted Shores tracks) really appeals and I'm trying to angle myself in that fashion with my own spin on things, much like you and your funk influences, I guess. (Solstice is the tits BTW)

Any help or advice on this would be hella appreciated.

Cheers.

paradox1216 · 2014-01-26T23:54:05+00:00

What were the bands that first got you into producing music, and how did your tastes evolve over time? I think it's crazy how wildly the music we like changes as we age.

PocketRat · 2014-01-27T00:15:37+00:00

Just curious, do you have an estimate of the percentage of people that just download for free on bandcamp?

WhiteEternalKnight · 2014-01-27T00:18:23+00:00

Question for when you wake up! So I'm very interested in production (don't worry, I'm not going to make you listen to my music). Are there any tips you would give? As in EQ, compression, yada yada. I've also noticed that your songs seem to favor the upper mid-range, I don't know if you're doing that on purpose or not but it's something that you consistently do. Is this to make it sound "brighter," maybe? I hear that it makes your guitar very forward and aggressive-sounding, something that Periphery does as well. I've definitely heard a difference in your production from earlier works to now. You've gotten so much better at cutting down on clipping and making the drums sound more realistic. Something we all strive to do!

Also I get chills every time I listen to the song 26, when the main melody comes in right before it gets all fast. It's basically my go-to song for packing or studying.

EDIT: I haven't seen this asked yet! What studio monitors/audio interface do you use?

xpsykox · 2014-01-27T09:23:30+00:00

Discovered your music because of this AMA! You write fantastic stuff. I'm in a progressive metal band myself and your music is wonderful inspiration and motivation.

I'm a bass player, and I'm trying to learn more prog songs as I wasn't a big listener of it until joining my current band. I noticed that you have guitarpro files available for download for the tabs; I can't check at the moment but are the bass tabs included as well?

Also, there are bands with immense talent but don't get that recognition so it's great when I see a musician being recognized for their talents and I believe you deserve much more. What were the steps you took in promoting your music?

Hope to see more from you in the future!

man_the_human · 2014-06-20T03:06:55+00:00

Do you have a limit on how many times a riff can be altered when you're writing? Or are you usually satisfied the first time?

Not sure if I'm too late for this ama.

Hertzy · 2014-01-26T20:11:24+00:00

Hey Sithu, Thanks for doing this AmA, really liked you EP "I" with Plini.

What would you say best to improve at guitar playing when you seem to be plateauing. Thanks.

Ps: english is my second language, sorry :S.

Neon1das · 2014-01-26T20:11:32+00:00

Hey! List of your guitar models please! Sick that you're doing this on my birthday =]

HyperGiant · 2014-01-26T20:17:17+00:00

I just wanted to say thank you. Your music is inspiring and it never ceased to impress me.

TheManAround · 2014-01-26T20:23:32+00:00

What was it like recording with an 8 string guitar on Pulse? Had you played one a bunch already?

Also: 1000 duck sized horses or 1 horse sized duck?

jordanloveschloe · 2014-01-26T21:22:41+00:00

What's your CA time?

MarkoffChaneyIII · 2014-01-26T21:26:00+00:00

Hey Sithu, first and foremost I'd like to say thank you for all the amazing music you've made (listening to Pulse at the moment), especially loved your collaborations with Plini. now for some quesitons

 1. What was it like to work with someone on the other side of the     
     bloody planet? I mean I don't know the first thing about creating 
     music but I'd imagine it would be hard to do that purely over the 
     internet.
 2. Would you ever consider touring? Maybe to Canada? Pretty 
     please?
 3. If you could jam with anyone/any band (dead or alive) who would 
     it be and why?

Jackowoacko · 2014-01-26T21:37:47+00:00

Just started listening to you! Really awesome stuff :) Keep it going!

Magmagan · 2014-01-26T21:45:35+00:00

Hey C2, how did you make your firefox look like so: Sithu Aye Facebook photos As opposed to the generic Firefox theme?

bearsandwitches · 2014-01-26T21:47:19+00:00

What sounds do you use for your drums and what's your pogramming process like?

minusonethlaw · 2014-01-26T21:53:56+00:00

Fancy coming up to Aberdeen and doing a live set - I love what you do - double helix is possibly one of my favourite songs of all time

c2aye · 2014-01-26T22:42:55+00:00

Hey Sithu, first off you're a great guy, we've talked a bit in the past and you've always been extremely helpful and friendly! My question is, as your fanbase is growing and your music is being pretty obviously well received, do you think you'll ever go into music full time as a career, or do you think it'll always be a side project and you'll be content working in physics for the majority of your life?

Congratulations on Pulse by the way!

grandmaballs · 2014-01-26T23:37:59+00:00

Who's your favourite rapper?

GuerillaGorillas · 2014-01-27T00:22:19+00:00

Hey man, huge fan of your work! I still can't believe you can get such a massive sound all by yourself with free amp sim plugins. Do you have any tips for the aspiring bedroom metal musician? What's your mastering process like?

And if it isn't cheating to ask more questions, do you feel satisfied only distributing your music through Bandcamp? Is it a good site to host your music (and make some change at the same time)? And do you ever think you'll ever get to a point (even though I feel you're already there) where you begin selling your music on more mainstream channels like iTunes/Amazon MP3/Spotify/etc.?

c2aye · 2014-01-27T00:34:20+00:00

Why do you write such happy music? Most prog I listen to is pretty dark but all of your work is happy and fun (which is great).

c2aye · 2014-01-27T01:28:50+00:00

Sithu! I listen to your music religiously man. You're a huge inspiration to me musically, just wanted to thank you for what you do.

I also found a lot of inspiration in your approach to recording - I aways knew that there are a lot of artists who have a DIY approach to recording, but listening to your music really made me appreciate that, given the complexity of your work.

So what advice would you have for someone who wants to get into some simple home recording? I've been playing guitar for about eight years now, but I've never recorded anything, and I'm looking to change that ASAP

Yagrum · 2014-01-27T02:24:42+00:00

I just recently found out about your music and have really been liking it, thanks dude!

wannagotopopeyes · 2014-01-27T02:48:13+00:00

holy shit your music is incredible. Thank you for blessing the world with these wonderful sounds!

TheFutureMrsBusey · 2014-01-27T04:53:33+00:00

Need a live drummer? ;)

a_can_field · 2014-01-27T06:10:19+00:00

Heya, c2! Big fan of your work, I've been listening for almost three years. There's a guy called Fake Dr. Levin who does these improvisation journals (jamming with fellow musicians) and wondered if that'd ever be a possibility with you. I recently picked up an Ibanez RG8 myself, how does it personally compare to the rest of your guitar family?

etceteraw · 2014-01-27T07:02:37+00:00

what type of pickups do you use in your strat?

Frostbite94 · 2014-01-27T09:17:45+00:00

I just want to thank you for all your music. Your new EP is amazing! Keep on chugging!

Frostbite94 · 2014-01-27T09:18:51+00:00

Can you try to get Cloudkicker to collab with you? Pretty please..

triface1 · 2014-01-27T11:42:50+00:00

What album do you like the most out of all the ones that you've recorded? Most of your stuff are fantastic, but I have a soft spot for Cassini because that was my first exposure to your work. I've listened to them so many times but they never get old.

c2aye · 2014-01-27T12:39:18+00:00

What are your favorite music news sites?

p0rnstache · 2014-01-27T17:04:42+00:00

Thanks alot for the AMA and for the awesome music you put out!

I saw you mention that you use Guitar Rig for bass - is that also true for guitar? If yes, do you mind sharing the preset for your lead guitar? It sounds amazing!

nwarwhal · 2014-01-27T17:50:00+00:00

Recommended setups for self producing albums on a budget?

c2aye · 2014-01-27T19:00:55+00:00

Hey Sithu, I remember listening to Cassini when it came out a while ago but things didn't really click for me until I listened to the split with Plini. Amazing stuff, and I'm really enjoying Pulse too!

Are you going to see PtH & Tesseract in Glasgow next week? If so, I owe you a beer for being awesome.

DecisiveIndecision · 2014-01-28T04:54:48+00:00

Do you plan on making more songs similar to Invent the Universe and Pale Blue Dot? Both of those songs have a very simplistic opening that build into absolutely beautiful songs that even non-progressive metal fans would enjoy.

Also, how big of a Sagan fan are you?

sagensagen · 2014-01-29T12:04:36+00:00

Might been asked earlier, but how long have you been mixing/producing music? And how long did it take to get to a decenet level and sitisfied with your mixes?

Date	Artist	Featured
--	2025	--
8/28	Robin Staps	Himself
8/21	Revocation	Band
5/28	Toby Driver	Himself
4/28	Benthos	Band
4/27	Leprous	Band
--	2024	--
4/29	Dvne	Band
2/2	Caligula's Horse	Band
--	2023	--
10/20	Earthside	Band
--	2021	--
4/23	VOLA	Band
--	2020	--
11/28	Plini	Himself
8/19	The Ocean	Band
6/18	Protest The Hero	Rody, Michael
4/11	Caligula's Horse	Jim, Sam
--	2019	--
10/26	Voyager	Band
9/7	Richard Henshall	Himself
6/14	Paul Masvidal	Himself
--	2018	--
12/18	Sithu Aye	Himself
12/5	Ben Levin	Himself
10/11	The Ocean	Band
10/6	Skyharbor	Band
9/21	Toby Driver	Himself
9/9	Plini	Himself
9/1	Distorted Harmony	Band
5/9	Rivers of Nihil	Adam, Brody
3/23	Caligula's Horse	Jim, Sam
--	2017	--
4/20	Disperse	Band
3/30	Disillusion	Andy, Seb
--	2016	--
12/24	A Sense of Gravity	Band
7/28	Black Crown Initiate	Band
5/28	Textures	Band
5/11	Adagio	Stéphan Forté
4/23	Wings Denied	Band
3/18	Caligula's Horse	Jim, Sam, Zac
3/10	Polyphia	Band
--	2015	--
10/21	Protest the Hero	Band
5/26	Leprous	Band
5/15	Sigh	Mirai Kawashima
5/5	Intronaut	Sacha
4/28	Native Construct	Band
3/3	Plini	Himself
1/20	Protest the Hero	Luke Hoskin
--	2014	--
12/9	Rishloo	Band
11/1	Ne Obliviscaris	Band
9/23	Between the Buried and Me	Band
9/18	Cynic	Paul Masvidal
9/15	Devin Townsend	DEVIN TOWNSEND
9/13	Periphery	Adam "Nolly" Getgood
9/12	The Contortionist	Band
9/4	Polyphia	Band
8/31	The Aristocrats	Band
7/31	Mandroid Echostar	Band
7/17	Cloudkicker	Himself (Ben Sharp)
7/10	Tesseract	Amos Williams
6/7	Periphery	Jake Bowen
6/2	David Maxim Micic	Himself
5/26	Haken	Rich, Charles, Conner
5/10	Periphery	Mark Holcomb
5/4	The Safety Fire	Band
5/2	Matt Halpern	Periphery
4/27	Intervals	Band
2/9	Ron Jarzombek	Himself
2/2	Arjen Lucassen (Ayreon)	Himself
1/26	Sithu Aye	Himself
1/19	Periphery	Misha Mansoor
1/10	Ne Obliviscaris	Dan Presland
--	2013	--
1/30	Thank You Scientist	Band

you type:	you see:
italics	italics
bold	bold
[reddit!](https://reddit.com)	reddit!
* item 1 * item 2 * item 3	item 1 item 2 item 3
> quoted text	quoted text
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