Skol303

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1368551696' post='2078458']Cheers Paul , I try, but I am starting by attempting to keep it simple and trying at least 1 technique each time I open up Reaper [/quote] That's exactly how I like to learn too! Always try something new and different in each track. Honestly mate, it really shows in your compositions and mixes. Proof in the pudding, etc (mmm... pudding).

[quote name='EBS_freak' timestamp='1368605822' post='2079000']Stops the dust in the sliders issue I guess![/quote] Indeed! And could be updated/expanded at less cost than a hardware desk. I honestly think such products are going to become 'the norm' in future, just as how software DAWs, synths and plug-ins are now a feature of every studio. Hardware and analogue gear will always rightly have its place. But the march of progress waits for nobody...

[quote name='TenLetters' timestamp='1368554331' post='2078515']Is there any reason why the k-meter would be showing at near 0 on the 'mix' session but only -16 on the rendered wav? both sessions sound approximately the same volume. Also, just to double check it is the green meters were intrested in for this, not the floating white/red bars?[/quote] I can't help with the first question... but regards the second one yep, it's a case of using the green meter bars and not the floating red bars above

For a mere £13,000 you could always go 'Super Size' with one of these: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may13/articles/raven.htm

If I'm learning a cover then I tend to work things out mostly by ear - using notation (if I'm feeling studious) or tabs ( if I'm feeling lazy) to suss any tricky bits. I then learn the song note for note via repetition. This is simply because I'm not skilled enough to improvise things on the fly based on chord structures, etc... but that's something I aspire to and am working towards. Slowly I do tend to improvise much more in my own music, but in that context I'm not following in anyone's footsteps (finger steps? Whatever) and it feels like there's more scope to play around. Credit to those of you who mostly improvise all the time. I'm looking forward to when I can take off my 'stabilizers' and do the same.

[quote name='urb' timestamp='1368536651' post='2078118']I got quite a way along with my idea/tune last... I seem to have gone a bit African on this track...[/quote] Sounds cool Mike! I like the idea of something African... look forward to hearing it. Mine has ended up being a sort of acid jazz / jazzy hip hop number. I've collaborated with someone on the vocal which has meant a lot more effort in to'ing and fro'ing, but it's been great fun. I have the basic arrangement down and now need to knock it into shape production-wise... PS: the audio-to-MIDI conversion in Live sounds very useful. I think I need to demo it and see for myself. I could think of plenty of uses for that! (it sounds a bit like Melodyne). ---------- PPS: Lurks, if you're reading this, I like your track! Well done for kicking things off this month. The walking bassline is cool and the mix sounds good overall (your mixes seem to be coming on in leaps each month). Good work.

No worries Milty, happy to help! As Confucius said, "we're all noobs on the path to attaining enlightenment..."

The melodies in question may well 'belong' to your friend - in that he created them - but there's nothing he can do to stop someone else using them without lining the pockets of a lawyer. And that's never worth doing that unless the songs are earning a fortune. The root of these stories is nearly always personal pride rather than financial loss/reward. If he feels passionately about these melodies, my advice would be to continue using them. Just do it better than the other band.

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1368308154' post='2075641']I make Jeff Berlin look photogenic![/quote] I'm right up there with you.

I always pictured you with a beard for some reason... Slightly disappointed on that front but very impressed by your playing. You make it look sickeningly easy! (you and Urb both in fact). Very nice indeed. Sounds pretty damn good for a Kindle too. You just need to work on the beard

^ Ah ok, gotcha In which case this video will help: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9hpM1o7scI

^ Nice one G, it sounds like a good project based on what you say above! In which case the diverse musical backgrounds of those involved could be an advantage - adding a fresh set of ears to each 'remix'. And DnB Nirvana is something I want to hear. Bring it on

^ Go for it Dave! It's actually a very cool and catchy tune to work with. Just be prepared to end up humming it for a few days/weeks afterwards

PS: forgot to say that you'll need the Audio Unit (AU) version of the plug-in... The VST version won't run in Logic. PPS: your K-metered mix will sound quiet. Don't worry about it. It'll be just as quiet as everyone else's

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1368197348' post='2074382']Oh! I'm messing around with Logic atm, and I found a meter limiter thingy. Don't know if it's the same as the K-meter, but if I set it at 0db, it will do the same job, surely?[/quote] Hey Milty. What you're describing sounds like a limiter - a device that rigidly restricts ('limits') the volume of a track. Think of it like a brick wall... your track gets squished up against it, making the track louder but losing its dynamics as a consequence (the difference between quiet and loud bits). A K-Meter is different. It doesn't limit the signal - it's simply a meter that measures the volume of a track in a consistent and comparable way. By using a K-Meter to adjust the volume of our mixes, it allows them to be compared equally - because they'll all be set to the same relative volume (louder tracks otherwise sound 'better' to our ears). I'm not sure whether Logic includes a K-meter as standard. If not: 1. Download this plug-in and install it on your computer: http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/ 2. In Logic, set up the plug-in on the Master Bus of your mix (the main output channel - where the 'Master' fader is located). 3. Open the plug-in. Beneath the main window (bottom-right) you'll find a little button marked DBFS with the word 'Metering' written alongside it. Click the button and select K-14 from the menu. The button will change to read 'K-14'. 4. Hit 'play' on your track and the green meter bars on the right-hand side of the plug-in window will start bopping up and down. 5. Now adjust the master volume of your mix until the green bars in the plug-in are peaking at 0db or just below (don't worry about the upper red bars - they're just put there to deliberately confuse things!). 6. Et voila! Your mix is now metered at K-14. ...if you get stuck just shout - no problem. And if you get really stuck then I'm sure Si wouldn't mind metering your mix for you. Or if he's busy I'd be happy to (my mix is already in).

Hmmm... I guess the question here is what direction do you want to take the band in? There could actually be scope to produce some cool 'remixes' of classic songs in alternative genres - might even be a useful gimmick that would give your band a unique edge. As it stands, it sounds like your band members (other than the turntablist) have a very different vision of where they want to be heading - or at least they have very different musical tastes/backgrounds. If it's the former then you might be in for a clash of expectations; if it's the latter then it's not such an issue, just a case of needing to broaden the music that your band members are familiar with (sharing a bunch of reference material would be a good way to start). I've cooked up numerous 'remixes' myself - and that's always a case of taking inspiration from the original material, but using it to create something different; sometimes wildly different! And it's great fun I think it could definitely work in the context of band and might be worth exploring... makes me think of stuff like Orbital's legendary take on Belinda Carlisle's "Heaven is a Place on Earth", which became a firm favourite of their setlist. Anyway, keep us posted! Paul

[quote name='xilddx' timestamp='1368173632' post='2073967']That's fantastic![/quote] Innit! I know his name probably doesn't mean much to everyone, but I think it's super cool he's popped in to say hello on BC. I spent a good few years interviewing various 'names' of the music world (Bjork being my all time fave, for reference) without ever getting starstruck... but I found myself getting all [i]giddy-knock-kneed-and-finger-biting[/i] when he showed up. Mrs Skol says I'm a little old for hero worship, but heh, I can think of worse 'man crushes' to have Very good of him to offer up feedback on this month's winning mixes too. What a dude!

[quote name='lurksalot' timestamp='1368129986' post='2073693']...are you allowed more than one entry [/quote] Hey Lurks, that's just plain greedy! Don't see why not though? Go for it. Away from my 'puter at the moment (using phone) but will check out your track next chance I get. Well done for being first in! That accolade is normally Bilbo's

Legendary mix engineer, Mike Senior, has just rocked up in the Recording forum on Basschat! Some of you may know him from his book 'Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio' (THE book on mixing...). If not you'll certainly have listened to his work - info here: http://cambridge-mt.com/MikeSenior.htm Mike (username 'triviul') has very kindly offered the prize of critiquing the winning and runner-up entries into this month's Basschat Mixing Challenge. Deadline for entries is 15th May, so still time to enter of you're keen! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/204769-aprilmay-mix-competition/

[quote name='triviul' timestamp='1368127638' post='2073651']Hello everyone[/quote] Mike... wow. HUGE thanks for stopping by and offering up such a great prize. Very kind and great to have you on Basschat. We're truly honored! It's going to be a good month... Paul

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1368106705' post='2073278']its not the pictures as such... ive just lost my mojo[/quote] No problem Rob, here's some I found for you! [size=3](^when I was a kid I used to think they were called 'orow'... I was special like that)[/size] Seriously though, don't worry about it. We all have months when we're bristling with ideas and others when things dry up a little. I could bang on about different methods of creative thinking, but you don't need advice from me as I know you're a dab hand at songwriting! Just give it time mate. Such things always happen in waves. Maybe you're just a bit burnt out from that one-song-a-week project? That sounded like one helluva demanding task by anyone's standards!

[quote name='MiltyG565' timestamp='1368067926' post='2072788']Haha! Promptly Facebooked[/quote] I can't actually claim credit for the pun... in fact you can buy a T-shirt of it here: http://boyinaband.bigcartel.com/product/i-m-an-atheist-producer-i-use-logic-and-reason-t-shirt

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1368096480' post='2073068']i really want to do something this month... but i can't find the time or motivation [/quote] That's a shame Rob. Are the pictures not sparking your creative fires this month? There's still plenty of opportunity to get something done. I'm guessing the deadline will be Friday 24th. But heh, no pressure - if you ain't got time, don't do the crime! Or something like that.

Haha, nice one Lurks! Bilbo will appreciate the 'Doo Wap' reference, I'm sure Mine's underway… so far so good. The vibe is sort of jazzy, urban, sunny, upbeat. Partly inspired by the recent spell of good weather; hence likely to evolve into doom metal if our so-called summer turns to rain! I've managed to collaborate with someone on the vocal as it's a style I have no hope on earth of doing convincingly myself. Got a nice and simple arrangement, but I need to practice the bassline before I try recording anything. All good fun.

Beautifully mellow