Dad3353

[quote name='Nicko' timestamp='1510236581' post='3404891'] I fail to understand why anyone would want to build a bass from a kit. The price of the kit is so low that the components must be the poorest quality available and you won't know whether you like either the feel or the sound of it until you invested the time and effort in building it.. [/quote] But for some (not all, but some...), that 's the fun part, or a large part of it. I build model aircraft from sticks of balsa. It's just as inexpensive to buy a ready-to-fly 'plane, and less tools to be obtained, but I like building 'em. Same with guitars etc. Our Eldest is currently learning 'hands on' about making his own guitar, from scratch. Will it rival his Nighthawk..? Maybe not, or at least, not at the first attempt, but he'll have the satisfaction of having made it himself, warts'n'all. A kit can bring pleasure, whether or not it rivals a bought instrument, new or used. Not for everyone, but some folks are like that..

Crumbs..! I wasn't expecting that one.

[quote name='The Jaywalker' timestamp='1510220551' post='3404666'] Ah! So the jokers I described above, "playing with passion" etc are somehow creating art by murdering 2-bit pop tunes...whereas the music and performances of Mahler, Debussy, Stravinsky, Ellington, Gil Evans etc are merely an academic exercise.... Erm, no. [/quote] A good case in point. I've seen many a concert where the performance is flat, lifeless, whereas the same work, can be, and often is, brought to life by the magic of great conductors, soloists and players giving of their best. Even more flagrant in the world of classical music, I'd say, is the importance of offering more, much more than the execution of a written piece. The music is not in the dots; it's in the musicians, and never more so than in the performance of the likes of those cited.

[quote name='The Jaywalker' timestamp='1510219718' post='3404663']... Still, could have been worse...it could have been a really good band made up of guys 10 years older reading some charts.... [/quote] I think I detect just the slightest tint of sarcasm here. If one is really only interested in the auditive aspect of music, one would enjoy the passage of a series of CD's as entertainment (and I don't doubt that some do...). A 'rubbish' band is a rubbish band, whatever their stage presence, but, for my part, and having all the same some minimum standard, I prefer raw enthusiasm over sterility every time. I'm not considering visuals, either; purely the audio given off. I don't dance, and often watch a band, listening to their efforts. If they're simply 'going through the motions', at whatever technical level, I'm not moved. I've seen many a group with little to offer in the way of technical skills (heck, I've played in many, too,.!), but have always preferred those to clinicians, with the proviso that the audience are happy with them. To each his/her own, of course, and maybe it's just me, but engagement wins over mere prowess for me.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1510187756' post='3404593'] Jealousy?... [/quote] Why so..? Whilst agreeing that those talent and skills are, indeed, of a high standard, that's not always what is wanted in an evening's entertainment. For a concert, maybe (and even then...), but for enjoying a wedding 'do', either on the dance floor or as a spectator, it's not systematically the 'note perfect' rendition that fits the bill, at least not for many; maybe even more so for the non-musicians having a great time. Jealous..? Of what..?

...but not hard enough.

[quote name='steantval' timestamp='1510075798' post='3403807'] Is your drum kit carried in pro flight cases, if so it would take well over 5 minutes just to take the full kit, stands and cymbals out of them before actually putting the kit together. [/quote] Yes, and no. I'll be generous and maybe give you the five minutes, but really, no more. My drums are well cosy in their 'pro' soft cases, opened with a simple zip, the cymbals are in their flight case which only requires unlatching, and my stands are pre-set, fully positioned and ready to go; they're never folded away (that [i]would [/i]take a day or so..!) . So five minutes, on my own, but I've other helping hands in the singster and our bass player, our youngest. The cases don't take up much space, either, as they're 'Russian dolled' as and when they're emptied. It's just a matter of being organised, and having willing partners in crime.

The OP is not starting from scratch; he is already using a ('rubbish'; his term...) system, so may well have much of the ancillary stuff such as cables, mics etc already (but some of that may need an upgrade, too, of course...).

Well, there's one that didn't fit, for starters. Fixed.

[quote name='skitzigol' timestamp='1510071547' post='3403751']...[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]the magic of the consistent dum sound...[/font] [/quote] Now that's being a bit [i]too [/i]harsh..! Thanks for the background info. Very interesting, and all the more credit to you for getting such a clean result; I'm impressed. I'm also very impressed with the drums; I was sure they were human-played, and well played at that. That they turn out to be 'drums in a box' is, to me, an extra lump of kudos due. You obviously have benefited (benefat..? ) from your previous experience with analogue gear, and that will doubtless continue. I'd be wary of reacting too strongly on my sole comments; best to garner a few more pairs of ears, as tastes and fashions in music have very different appeal to different folks. We (Basschat in general, and the 'Recording' section in particular...) always welcome opportunities to hear new talent, especially when it's so finely expressed. Keep 'em coming, in your own time, and again, 'Well done'.

I never do whale with fish puns.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1510051844' post='3403480'] The biggest issue with the conventional kit is the lack of redundancy, a powered desk being the worst, dog and duck ten minutes away from a spare one might be ok, an hour each way from a decent paying wedding gig not so much. [/quote] Late '70s I was playing regular wedding gigs as a duo with an accordionist/keys buddy. My PA, a Hiwatt DR205 6-entry 200w head. Taking it out of the car at one restaurant venue, the chassis slid from its sleeve onto my knees, then to the ground. All four KT88 valves were shattered in the gutter. Gutted..? Yup; I'd forgotten to bolt the chassis back in place after having serviced it..! We did the evening using the key's Carlsboro amp as FOH (luckily a pretty small function room...). Back-up..? Spare..? Ha..! One never stops learning, and that was a lesson. Just sayin'.

Our Youngest plays bass in our band; it takes him about fourteen seconds to be ready, once the head is lifted onto the cab. He plugs in the bass and that's that..! From then on he'll be helping the singer and myself set up my kit; I say that five minutes is about right. The longest is the six cymbals, despite having the stands pre-set to their respective positions. I've looked at several 'quick-fit' solutions, but nothing, so far, has replaced the tried, tested, but slow method of wing nuts, felts and penny washers. So be it; it's not that bad. At least I'm sitting down for that part..! Total set-up for the whole band, from opening the van doors, would be around thirty to forty minutes, our PA and sound check included (no lights...).

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1509996063' post='3403145'] The good thing about digital desks and powered speakers is that there are still plenty of people happy to buy the old stuff off anyone thinking of getting some modern kit [/quote] Now there, I agree entirely. Bargains for everyone..!