WalMan

Just back from tonight's (well last nights now) foray to Stubbington. Down to a four piece as our second guitarist couldn't make it and keys (who the drummer & I met up with at Spock's Beard on Thursday night) was again unavailable. Still Kev, Max & I have played together as a three piece (plus vocalist) for a good many years now so it was no great problem, just a bit more sonic space to fill without going too over the top. Steve got the crowd chivvied along and generally a good night was had by all. Looked like at least a couple of other bands in taking notes And once again I have to say that the L2500 was just massive Lovely rich rocky tone with just the right amount of treble. I love my Wal, but I really wish I had found out about G&L's sooner. I was a bit worried that my shoulder was going to give out during the evening as the (legal) drugs did not seem to have had any effect at the start of the night, so I had a bar stool tucked away on stage, which of course led to a huge amount of pee taking. Thankfully it was not required. Adrenaline is a marvellous thing!!

Dear god, Nik do they know what they have let themselves in for!!! Anyway That'll be me & my [list] [*]Wal Pro1/Custom conversion [*]G&L L2500 (4+1 style) [*]Markbass CMD121H combo [*]Possibly the BOD xT Pro & FSB [*]Possibly a vintage Marshall Superbass 100 head, but I have no cab (#2 son uses it as one of his [sub]guitar[/sub] amps ATM) [/list]

I caved & joined this GB a couple of days ago. eSoundz is becoming an expensive hobby for me, but the deals (especially with the dollar as it is) end up being so good. Got Drumcore from the last GB and as I have it shall be offering the bits I don't need to BC members for the packs cst to me

Good one tonight. Two guitars - well actually 3 as the landlady's son who is ?10? brought his guitars down while we were setting up and had a little play through Mike Boogie combo and then spent the whole of the evening on "stage" with us playing along (not plugged in I hasten to add. He got the biggest cheer of the night when Steve introduced the band Chucked in a couple of new ones including one that Max & Mike had worked out harmonies for in the week and firmed up on quietly before the gig. Nice noisy crowd, whose collective jaws dropped when the guitarists went into a harmony tapping thing in the newest number. Funniest moment of the night. Max & Mike working through a new G'n'R song beforehand with small boy watching & he pipes up "you're playing that in the wrong key" Now then lets just hope I don't wake up crippled tomorrow!!

[quote name='OldGit' post='227360' date='Jun 26 2008, 02:03 PM']Do I hear "musical Differences" creeping up here? Some people really love rehearsing and don't like playing in front of a real live audience ...[/quote] Sounds more like a puckered ring

If I remember rightly there was quite a good article in the last BGM. I have a biog, and a CD of mixed live songs (ie multitracks not a boom box set up in front of you at a gig) If you can get a good result with the boom box - and I know we have in years gone by - then go for it, but nowadays you will be up against much better produced stuff with modern recording equipment available. I tend to ring the pub and chat to whoever does the bookings. If they are looking for bands / have spaces available and are willing to pay what we are asking then we move on to whether we can put something in the book on rep, or they want a CD. If you send a CD find out the best night to call and say you will post one and give the booker a call in a week. As the good Doc said don't fall for the "free try out". We refuse those as a point of principle.

[quote name='Sarah5string' post='227236' date='Jun 26 2008, 11:49 AM']Latest in the saga... the venue have now offered us either fri the 29th or sat the 30th, support or headlining (Holy crap.. headlining??? We've not done one gig yet... but I digress..). Now to me this seems like a prime opportunity especially as it's a fri or saturday night at a well know city, 200 capacity, rock/music pub... we've got 8 practices at least (we normally do one a week) in which to get a 1/2 hr set tight. Have texted the guitarist who flat out refused as the other is at glastonbury... will keep you updated.[/quote] Tell him not to be such an @rse. Like you say you have 8 rehearsals to get together a really tight set. Whats the problem!?

[quote name='waynepunkdude' post='227074' date='Jun 26 2008, 07:14 AM']Just go a little leftfield, if you have a really decent computer sitting round doing nothing why not sell it and buy a really good multi track recorder?[/quote] Unless you want to take it out to record r/h & gigs as well then a DAW is [i]probably [/i]easier to use - well that's what I find. We record gigs on an ADAT but I drop the multitracks into Tracktion to mix as it is so much easier to do non destructive edits like chopping out non vocal bits on vocals mics.

My 6p Audacity will do multitracks in a project (I know I did it to add a harmony guitar to "Wild Frontier" on my bands MySpace) but as I recall it was a bit of a faff. I use [url="http://www.mackie.com/products/tracktion3/index.html"]Mackie Tracktion T3[/url] and find it really easy to use as you do not have loads of sub menus to navigate, it is all on screen in front of you. You can pick up Tracktion 2 from DV247 [url="http://www.dv247.com/invt/27495?gclid=CK3Y-LLUkJQCFRSb1QodX1gStA"]HERE[/url] for £30 to get you started. For drums I use loops in [url="http://www.submersiblemusic.com/TemplateMain.aspx?contentId=51"]DrumCore[/url] - and will be selling a second copy I acquired recently as part of a group buy to get a load more LoopPacks as soon as it arrives (its in transit at the moment). In many ways it is just a librarian, but can now do more than that and has a good selection of loops & kits to get you going. The track [url="http://www.myspace.com/scatterometer"]HERE[/url] were done in T3 with DC where there are drums

[quote name='warwickhunt' post='224836' date='Jun 23 2008, 11:13 AM']You can rehearse till the moo moos come home but to be honest nothing tightens up a band like a gig (or even the impending deadline of a gig).[/quote] Yup go for it. We've been working on a load of new songs to freshen up a set we have been playing for toooooo long, with the plan to play all at least once live - I fear one is just not going to make it. However all bar two (including the one in ICU) have made it so far and stayed. So last week we played the last one again at rehearsal & tidied up another that came out of the woodwork recently. Decided we'll do both at the start of the set when it'll probably be a bit quieter and won't matter. Got to the gig. Neither were on the set list & drummer vetoed the very newest one. Got to the end of the first set & as we finished the last one on the list the guitarist & I had a conflab & decided " S0dit why not go for the G'n'R one now". We did it, it went well, sounded better than at r/h, not such a bash, and went down really well So find yourself some mates to support with your set, or even just find a jam night & get up to do the tightest couple. You know it makes sense and it will throw a whole new light on the stuff. And if the worst should come to pass & it turns to a horrible nightmare, well treat it as experience, don't let it tear you up, and don't do what I do & mull over things that everyone else has forgotten, and happened before you were born Sorry just realised this has probably already been said. I read down the first page & hit reply [url="http://planetsmilies.net"][/url]

[quote name='P-T-P' post='224986' date='Jun 23 2008, 01:22 PM']CMD121H - Only used it for a couple of gigs. Didn't really like it much. Was quite a middy-tone which didn't work for me. No volume issues. I reckon it would come into it's own for fretless or double bass playing. Probably would sit nicely in a jazz environment.[/quote] My experience is that it works fine in a rock environment. Fraktal - Spain eh, well perhaps I could work it in to a holiday. I am sure the 121H would probably make it through as hand luggage

[quote name='StevieC' post='223480' date='Jun 21 2008, 11:12 AM']Hi all, On Itunes the other day and downloaded The Tubes' album track 'Tip of my Tongue' to add to my playlist of awesome tunes that I've loved over the years. I think Earth, Wind and Fire had a lot to do with it (The Tubes collaborated at lot) and it shows. Completely groovy, dynamic with the bass locked sooooooo tightly with the bass drum. A totally brilliant track - Can anyone shed anymore light on who played on it? Steve[/quote] "I'm not cunning, I'm no linguist" - what a naughty start to a second verse Ah the Tubes, one of my all time favourite bands. The last few times they have been over we have had at least one, and normally more band outings to see them. They still put on a brilliant show They were a big influence on a band the rest of the guys had - but I never quite got to join (it split just before they got around to asking ) [attachment=9936:HR2.jpg] We still do White Punks, did Talk To Ya Later for a while and a couple of other, but not this one. It's funny how there always seems to be at least one Tubes fan lurking at every gig. Probably Rick Anderson on this as he has been bass player throughout and forms a really solid rhythm section with Prairie Prince

I run a CMD121H and it is great, deals with my loud drummer, and thunders down to the low B on my G&L L2500. Friday night in a smallish pub it managed fine at around 9 o'clock on the master - and this is for a classic rock set. Any more and I would have been getting severe grief from the rest of the band!! For larger gigs it tends to get a little help out front from the PA so I have not bothered getting an extra 12 extension cab, though it has crossed my mind, because as things stand it would be completely unnecessary. The extension would take the amp to its full 500W, but it's fine on its own for small gigs, and plenty for onstage monitoring along with the PA at larger gigs. Where are you based, what sort of stuff are you playing, and will you just be relying on the combo, or feeding the PA as well? If you might make the SE Bash I shall be dragging my combo there. I love it. Came to this from a Trace 2x10 combo which weighed a ton, and have never looked back.

[quote name='tonybassplayer' post='223697' date='Jun 21 2008, 05:22 PM']Anyone have any gigs to report on from last night ?? We are playing our first in 4 weeks tonight, I am never waiting this long again, it just seems such a waste of valuable gigging nights !! Tony[/quote] First gig for a couple of weeks last Friday. A small pub, but it can fill up, sadly it took a while, but despite the fact that one corner seemed worryingly packed with yoof who would not be interested they all got into it as the evening progressed and were singing along at the end. Got some nice positive comments from them and the landlord at the end of the evening too. And then the bad news. Saturday morning. I woke up crippled in my left shoulder/upper arm, right elbow/forearm and completely unable to move. Wifey was at work all day, but youngest son did assist by getting some painkillers (which should have worked but didn't) and a couple of drinks for me during the day. Otherwise, having got downstairs and onto the sofa I was stuck there all day unable to move. MrsW got home from work about 6, knackered & initially not very sympathetic to my pain, but took me over to A&E where we sat from about 7:30 - 10:00 yesterday evening when they gave me some sodoff painkillers (probably not stronger than what I had at home, but a much larger dose) that eased things off a bit. You never realise quite how bad roads are until you are driven somewhere in agony with every slight bump and roundabout (even if taken at 20) jarring through you At least the journey home was achieved more easily & in a slight haze. I haven't actually admitted it to MrsW, and she hasn't linked it yet, but I fear it was all down to digging in too hard at the gig on Friday with insufficient practice in preceding weeks. The shoulder is the one that was replaced 3 years ago & has been giving me a bit of gyp recently, which I have put down to being off my RA injections for a while now and unable to restart them immediately for other reasons. Had an x-ray last Monday after I saw the RA nurse to make sure that when I had the fall at work last November the crack on my left elbow had not shifted the replacement joint at all but I have not had the report on that yet. Just hoping it was a combination of lack of practice & drugs that caused this - and if it was that is a REALLY good advert for making sure you keep "fit" by practising with the bass on your shoulder & not just resting on your knee. I would not wish what I went through on Saturday on even my worst enemy!!

Doesn't bother me, but then I do tend to play around lines as well - if it is a well known bit, not, but otherwise why not. I suppose we do some stuff that allows some latitude though.

[quote name='barneyg42' post='220170' date='Jun 16 2008, 07:57 PM']Kim Mitchell[/quote] Now there's a name I haven't heard for a long time (assuming it's the same Canadian guitarist I am thinking of). Today I have mostly been listening to [list] [*]Nik Kershaw - You've got to laugh [*]Presto Ballet - Peace among the ruins [*]a quick mix of a noodle to try to decide where to take it [/list]

A new deal has just turned up on eSoundz that includes 3 drum loop packs to import into DrumCore - for which I shall have a spare copy for sale soon - or just drop into your PC multitracker, and two IK Multimedia plugins. I need a [i][b][u][color="#FF0000"]very[/color][/u][/b][/i] cunning plan - birthday next month is current favourite I have already dropped "Don't worry about a birthday present for me, I have seen a good deal on software that I want" into the conversation - didn't mention the cost though, just that it was 80% discount Mention a bargain & I can normally get away with it So it's a couple of plug-ins and a load more drum loops - I shall need a fourth hard drive at this rate!! Full details of the deal can be found [url="http://www.esoundz.com/details.php?ProductID=2034"]HERE[/url] Studio ProFiles Master Engineering Bundle GROUP BUY includes * Studio ProFiles: Classic Rock RingBeats * Studio ProFiles: Classic Rock Bonzo Beats * Studio ProFiles: Motown Session Grooves * T-Racks Plug-in Suite * IK Classik Studio Reverb Total value $1,200, but the start price is $299 and could fall to $239, which with the dollar the way it is, is a really good deal. That and it will be downloadable once the GB ends and payment has been processed, so no worry about additional postage or import VAT It only runs for a couple of weeks, ending on 30 June And if you happen to join in and want to add a referrer the my login there is AlEebee

[quote name='Jase' post='217223' date='Jun 11 2008, 09:35 PM']Love to have a crack at that but my pc doesn't run my recording software anymore.[/quote] Use [url="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"]Audacity[/url]. It's free and you can drop the track in then add a track for your bass line. Worked fine for me a while back adding a harmony guitar to a live track

Depends what quantity you need to run. I use Lightscribe CD's and burn the details on for sending demo CD's for gigs. Only monotone, but looks good and doesn't leave you with a label that hasn't taken quite right, picked up an air bubble that won't go away, etc. I certainly wouldn't recommend that option for a bigger run though as it is quite slow to print up the label at good quality if you have a fair bit of info to add.

I spent a while just using my BOD xt straight into the PA, which was fine for me with IEM, but others who weren't using IEM were moaning that they could not hear/feel the bass on stage even with it back through their monitors. I have since "given in" and bought the MB combo to move some air on stage. With decent monitoring it [i]should[/i] work, but just springing it on the rest of the band at a gig might not go down to well. Probably better to ease them in to it at a full PA rehearsal - assuming you do not hire in / use house PA's all the time.

[quote name='johnnylager' post='214250' date='Jun 7 2008, 10:53 AM']Somewhere near a train station would be lush.....[/quote] Which would make last years venue good as it was right by the station - and a couple of minutes from my office carpark So count me in assuming I am about - which is more than likely

[quote name='queenofthedepths' post='212246' date='Jun 4 2008, 01:41 AM']They're all very different (as stated in my sig) If I get the opportunity to join a band where I'd use my 7-string or my 5-string acoustic (probably not the same band ), I'll be glad I've not sold them to pay for a Shuker custom 5 or whatever - after just 3 and a half years of playing, I don't feel that my style is defined sufficiently that I can justify spending loads on just one bass! I need versatility coz I like to play all sorts of different basses - maybe when I'm in a band that actually makes money I'll invest in a bass that suits me better... but I'll still want these other ones around for fun! After all, fun is what this is all about (for me, at least; even though I'd love to play bass for a living, I've yet to see a penny return on my investment of time, money and love - oh well!)[/quote] Fair enough

[quote name='queenofthedepths' post='208789' date='May 29 2008, 12:51 PM']Wow, were they new?! It's stuff like this that makes me doubt I'll ever buy a "high-end" bass, unless I become a lot richer somehow[/quote] Not trying to start a war, but you have 8 basses, and you are a student. Any particular reason? Why not get one better specced bass? The most I have ever had was 3 - standard 4, f'less 4 and 8 string - but the last two despite being my first two "proper" basses went because they just never got used and were a pain to drag round to use on perhaps one number a night. Then the 4 (an Aria SB100 if I remember rightly) went when the Wal Pro1 came into my old drummers shop on a trade and I had it, but for substantially less than current going rate for Wal's. Had some work done on it about 10 years ago to make it active and that was my one and only bass up until last summer when I finally joined here & got GASsy. I looked around for another bass a few years back and tried all sorts of stuff out up to about £500 and with the exception of a Squier Jazz they all sounded horrible, tight compressed & clanky tone. Only the Jazz had a really nice well rounded sound. I would love a Wal 5, but unless my numbers come up I cannot ever see me justifying the sort of outlay required. I will admit to a great deal of envy of those who have an arsenal of basses to chose from, and who spec up custom jobbies, but I suppose my rambling point is that it is quite possible to find [i]the[/i] bass for a reasonable sum. I have my old Wal (which is semi retired at the moment) and the G&L L2500 that I absolutely love for its sound. I might lust after other basses, high end and otherwise, but in the real world could not justify more than £6-700 and would be as happy to find a lesser priced instrument that did the job. Pleased excuse the ramblings of an old f@rt who has probably strayed as far off the topic as you will have lost the will to live if you got this far