Ryan McCaffrey
McCaffrey Audio
Stevens Point, WI
www.mccaffreyaudio.com
How long have you been a musician? How did you get into it in the first place?
I have been playing guitar since I was 6, so over 29 years ago. My dad, and a lot of his friends played guitar, which enticed me to observe and try to keep up with their playing.
I began playing in a band when I was 12, and my buddy’s dad would let me play his 1966 Fender Jaguar in a custom color with the matching headstock!
Who have been some of your major musical influences, past or present?
Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, Beck, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Pink Floyd, Stevie Ray Vaughn
What led to the start of McCaffrey Audio? How long have you been in business? How big is your operation/how many employees do you have?
We actually changed the name when we decided to do this full-time. When I was still working 24 hour shifts at the fire department, I had started the company, RJM Effects, as a hobby building custom effects pedals.
RJM Effects officially started as an LLC in 2013 but we all look at the rename of the LLC to McCaffrey Audio as the official beginning of the company. We have been at it now for about sixteen months.
We are still a small operation at the moment. On any given day we have 2-5 guys working for McCaffrey Audio.
Did you have formal schooling, or are you self-taught? Take us through that story:
Well, I have lots and lots of schooling in a completely different field if that counts!!
All self-taught for the most part. I was blessed to grow up around some more seasoned folks that knew their way around guitars and amps. I watched and listened as much as I could. Once I got into pedals a few years back is when the self-study took over for the most part. Each day I try to learn something new or perhaps get that rusty hamster cage in my brain to move!
What drives you as far as new pedal creation is concerned? How long does it typically take for an idea to come full circle and become a demo pedal? What’s the process behind new gear, and the eventual release of it to the public?
It really starts with a particular album or song that I have been trying to emulate tone/sound-wise for years.
It takes a while, most times, because we want everything to sound exactly as we initially planned, and to fulfill that “sound in our head.” The Run Rabbit Run took just about two years. Our first three pedals were about a year and a half each.
We find a particular effect and just starting messing with it, big bad and hard — Sticking in components that you’re not supposed to, destroying PCB’s and playing the hates out of each prototype we have. Each team member plays and listens to the prototype extensively. Once we have “the sound” we finalize our schematics, and start working with our electrical and mechanical engineer for design and layout. After that we send files to our fab house and our graphic designer submits final artwork for enclosure powder coating, drilling and graphics.
What are some of the biggest concerns facing your profession today?
You know, we are new to this whole thing, so I do not claim to be an expert by any stretch of the imagination. That being said, there seems to be little barrier to entry in the pedal market these days, and I would say that includes ourselves. People, and companies, can come in with an exceptional product, and grab some market share, which is great for musicians and the innovative state of the industry. As a fellow builder once told me, there is plenty of market here for everyone!!
Where do you see pedal building going in the future?
We are starting to see more and more digital signal processing (DSP) units on the market that have a wide array of functionality, and pack a lot of different types of effects into a relatively compact enclosure.
Who are some of your favorite builders in the industry right now?
Oh man, there are so many! We are definitely in another golden age of gear. I’ve always been a fan of Skreddy, Wren & Cuff, and Spaceman.
Name the last 5 records you listened to:
1. The White Album by The Beatles
2. …Like Clockwork by Queens of the Stone Age
3. Morning Phase by Beck
4. Pure Majik
5. Hulk Hogan & The Wrestling Boot Band
Klon hype: Love it or Hate it?
Love the pedal, hate the hype!
Any last comments, or anything you’d like to talk about?
Thank you to every one for the awesome support thus far. We are honored to serve each and every one of you. Thank you Pedal of the Day for inviting us to partake in this chit chat! Keep it on the sunny side!
Thanks so much to Ryan for taking the time to answer some questions!
Make sure to go check out www.mccaffreyaudio.com/, cheers!
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