Dad3353

Here we go; I offer you ... Mason And The Beasts ... In a somewhat 'soundscape' vein, I took inspiration, not only from the picture, but also from the old masters, notably one Sergei Prokofiev and his splendid 'Peter and the Wolf'. Far from having his talent, naturally, but I was attracted to the notion of according a theme to each of the protagonists. A much shorter piece, of course, which limits one's scope to some extent (maybe that's for the better; I'll let you judge that after having listened to the piece..!) Relatively sober in its construction (for a change..!); it makes use of only one 'synth' Vst instrument (Beatmaker Horror Box...), suitably (lightly...) treated, and a series of vocal samples as 'script' for our heroine, Mason Weaver. A stereo image to match the picture and that's it..! My usual gaggle of EQ, compression, delays and reverbs, all native Cockos, and a final patina applied with AAMS, 'Movie RMS' preset is the sum total of components used. Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy.

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1509980163' post='3402989'] That's not really a fair comparison is it? [/quote] Reading through the OP again, I'd say it fits quite well concerning usage and budget. Same band make-up, same venues, similar repertoire, looking for ease of use... Yup, I think it fits quite well...

I've just bought, almost new, an Alto 8-mic mixer amp, 500 + 500 Class D, for just under £120, delivered. It weighs just 8 kgs. For the size of venues we play, that's all I need (and all of us know how to work it, even the singster..!). None of us have these 'ipad' things, either. We just plug the box into the HK cabs, plug in five mics and we're off. Pubs, clubs, small outdoor gigs and garden parties... I'm fully aware of the splendid features of these new generation PA sets, but, for what we, and a lot of other amateur, 'week-end warrior' local bands do, they're fine, but overkill. Nice toys, but way off my budget, and not worth the difference as we don't use, nor want to use, their features. No 'individual monitoring' for us, no 31-band graphic, no need for tons of (or any...) fx. Old school..? You betcha. Does it work..? It does for us.

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1509969720' post='3402900'] Well, anyone using electronics that's 30 years old and expecting it to be reliable has another thing coming. [/quote] Our Hiwatt has never failed, unlike our Hartke.

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1509968205' post='3402880'] To be fair, it's criminal to use anything but a digital mixer and a tablet nowadays... [/quote] ...assuming one has the budget for such things.

Good afternoon, Tom... Disclaimer: I'll admit to not having listened to all of the tracks all the way through, but enough, I hope, to not betray the 'vibe'. That said, it's a very good example of what can be done in a home studio environment. The recordings and mixing are well up to the standards of many dedicated studios, with maybe a slight reservation on the choices made for treating the vocals. Nothing seriously wrong; just a tendency for 'sameness'. Some might consider that to be a quality, of course. The compositions and arrangements are mostly of a pattern: intro, verse, chorus, verse etc, but this suits the lyrics well enough, and gives some homogeneity to the album, too. There are variations, but nothing shocking. The overall impression that came across to me (take this as a compliment...) was early Elvis Costello, with smatterings of 'Jean Genie'-era Bowie, some Boomtown Rats; maybe a little Lou Reed buried in there. The standard of playing is fine; more than adequate for the genre, on all instruments. The singing has at least the advantage of being clear enough to capture the essential of the lyrics (always a problem for me, what with being old and having cloth ears... ), but one could not say that he's ready for Glyndebourne yet. Altogether, then, a worthy production, well worth the modest sum asked for; I've heard much worse at far higher prices from established 'name' groups. Well done; congratulations to all concerned, and especially those able to get such a consistent drum sound into the mix. Surely not done in the bedroom..?

[quote name='TimR' timestamp='1509966855' post='3402872']... You are telling me someone is going to spend £7k and then gig that unreliable effects unit? They're £140 new for the vintage 70s one. The latest model is under £80. [/quote] That's what [i]you [/i]would choose to do, it would seem, but whoever buys this sort of stuff may well have a different [i]modus operandi[/i], and do things very differently. I doubt that the concept of '£80' comes into their equations. What would [i]I [/i]choose to do.? I'd economise even the £80..! There, you see..? Another way of thinking. Folks can be very different; of that I'm pretty sure.

[quote name='Ajoten' timestamp='1509965165' post='3402853']...I was wondering if cutting/filing down the notches c. 1cm be worth a pop (and more commensurate with its value)... [/quote] If you're a reasonable 'handicraft' type, with decent, ordinary tools, there are adjuster wheels that cost as little as $25 which might be worth trying out..? I see new, fixed bridges at around $40 or so, and even adjustables at around $50. Taking all the precautions required (keeping compression on the soundpost etc...), maybe have a go at learning how to go about improving it yourself..? Disclaimer: I'm a drummer, so what would I know...

[quote name='warwickhunt' timestamp='1509920495' post='3402671'] Wish we were closer but daft trying to organise getting these (ours are cloth and tired). [/quote] [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1509922043' post='3402686'] If you can find someone driving from London to the frozen North ... in a van. Believe me, I'd far rather give 'em to you than bin them. [/quote] Or at least find someone local to Jack that could store 'em until they could be carted 'oop North'..? I, too, dislike waste of the sort if it can be avoided.

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1509880827' post='3402241'] A lesson in proof reading....title amended. [/quote] ... to read 'Beef Stock and Tuna'..! (Note to self: must fix that rendezvous with my oculist for soon...)

Good afternoon, Alvaro, and ... [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167528] Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1509871772' post='3402150'] This is my problem with the Beatles, or at least with those who say this sort of thing... [/quote] Darned right, Lenny, but adulators gotta adulate, y'know. A list of 'influences', and their (relative...) 'importance' could be very long indeed, and if charted would look more like a bowl of spaghetti than a pyramid; probably quite different if set out by each of us, too. Still, it amuses some, and keeps 'em off the streets, so little harm in the exercise. How does the song go..? 'Let the children play'..?

[quote name='TrevorR' timestamp='1509865319' post='3402109']...this amazing new course we're ... [/quote] No, please continue; you had me enthralled... In trolled..? Enrolled..? Ah, whatever, man...

[quote name='mike257' timestamp='1509829212' post='3402008']...When does their autumn start? [/quote] Which year..?

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1509824438' post='3401943'] I would love to be at the table... [/quote] [Hannibal Lecter] 'As the main course..?' [/Hannibal Lecter] ..