Skol303

I wonder when Sting last went to see a band in a pub?

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1352885064' post='1868708'] Does anyone know where we can host files for this?[/quote] I suggest [url="http://www.soundcloud.com"]SoundCloud[/url]. It gets used a lot for sharing stems in remix competitions. Avoids having to mess around logging in to dropboxes, as you can set anything you upload to be freely available for other people to download without them having to set up an account themselves. And there's no limit in terms of file size - you get allocated a set amount of minute's worth of music on a free account, but it's fairly generous. Hence you can use it to share high bitrate wavs, etc, no problem.

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1352856122' post='1868580'] I listen to my own tracks constantly to try and iron out every last rogue frequency. I really should spend more time recording and playing than tweaking... [/quote] Ditto! I spend way too long tweaking stuff and I'm almost convinced I end up back where I started at the end of it all, none the wiser. As the saying goes, my mixes are never finished and always abandoned...

Interesting topic. Metallica'a former bassist Cliff Burton (RIP) springs to mind. A very creative and enigmatic player in his day, but also a tad sloppy when playing live. Certainly not 'terrible' but not the tightest of players. That said, you could never fault his energy and presence on stage. And his chops were way beyond those of many other metal bassists on the scene during the 80s. He inspired me to pick up a bass as a greasy teenager, so perhaps I'm in no place to criticise!

^ YES! I agree with all of the above. I'm definitely up for sharing techniques and tips - well, I'm actually just wanting to learn from the rest of you but I'll show willing! Also happy to match output levels - nice idea. I'm often guilty of squishing the living daylights out of mixes to get every ounce of volume from them, so I'm well up for something that encourages greater dynamics. I'd be more interested in mixing rather than remixing personally - although maybe we need a little freedom to add overdubs and new elements if you choose. Anyway, it all sounds good. And I reckon it'll add another level of interest to the Recording forum - in the same way the monthly challenges have done - which I've been wanting to see happen since I joined Basschat

^ Cheers Si, you're a gent! PS: just been listening to your mixes of Kit Richardson - they sound frickin' great! [i]Really[/i] nice work.

[quote name='Roger Evans' timestamp='1352746451' post='1866962'] I don't have any recording gear but I've noticed lots of advice on here for getting started on the cheap. So maybe next time![/quote] And don't be afraid to ask questions either. Very helpful bunch of people here and some top notch expertise among them (myself not included!). [quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1352757362' post='1867174'] I think the mix sounds fairly muddy. On my Tannoy hi-fi speakers (E11s) the fingerstyle bass sounds very boomy whilst on small headphones I can hear a nice bit of bit to it so I think there's something going on in the lower freqs that's booming around a fair bit. All part of learning though![/quote] I have an old pair of Tannoys. Great hi-fi speakers but I stopped using them for mixing as they played merry hell with the low end (I found it v. difficult to get an accurate sound out of them). I now use just headphones and test my mixes out on a variety of different systems: hi-fi, car, iPod, etc. Not ideal at all but it's what I'm stuck with for the time being. [quote name='Elvis Valentine' timestamp='1352758446' post='1867193'] Sorry man, actually yeah that is a little programmed beat using BOOM in pro tools and yeah i think i had it set to either the 808 or the 909 setting.[/quote] Ah no worries! I did think it was an 808. Sounds great and really works in your track.

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1352799467' post='1867459'] ...what do you guys think about a monthly mix comp? WOuld anyone have the time or inclination?[/quote] Yup, count me in! I've done a few remixes and really enjoy it. Not sure if I'd have time to do this and the composition challenge, but I guess I could always alternate (currently really buzzing off the monthly compositions as it's taking me into new territory, musically-speaking). Maybe use mix stems sourced from Basschat members and their bands? Who knows, it might even encourage some future hook-ups between bands and engineers on this forum. Just an idea.

[quote name='Fubar' timestamp='1352737961' post='1866768'] Comes under the heading of 'Karaoke', that's what's wrong with that. [/quote] Really, even if she's playing guitar too? But if she was only playing guitar and singing then I assume you wouldn't consider it to be karaoke? Seems odd that you think the inclusion of technology somehow cheapens the act. For example, most recording studios resemble the flight deck of the Starship Enterprise in terms of tech - even those from 50+ years ago - so I don't personally see it as being anything detrimental to music. Quite the opposite, I think it opens up a shedload of new possibilities. But each to their own, etc!

[quote name='JohnFitzgerald' timestamp='1352708561' post='1866256'] I've long thought that I suffered what is best described as poor economy of motion in both my fretting hand and also in my plucking hand.[/quote] Chop off your fingers at the first knuckle. That should do the trick Seriously though, I'm in the same boat. My fingers are fairly average length (I guess?) but often find their way around the fretboard with all the dexterity of a swaying drunk. I've found that the more frustrated I get the more tense my hands become, a kind of vicious cycle that I now consciously try to avoid. I also find that I don't really warm up until at least half an hour or so of playing, after which I find myself more relaxed and fluid. And when it comes to recording I nearly always do my best takes when practicing, rather than actually trying to play well. So state of mind is definitely a factor for me. Anyway, best of luck with it.

Big fan of vinyl here. I have crates and crates of the stuff, much to my wife's occasional annoyance. My turntable is kaput so I rarely get chance to give it an airing, although I'm loathe to part with any of it. That said, I do agree with BigRedX (above). I think much of the love of vinyl is nostalgic, coupled with the ritual of using a turntable - a pleasure in itself to many. Digital has the potential for better quality and a larger dynamic range than vinyl (I'm not talking about MP3s here but lossless formats like .wav and .flac). And while this isn't so important for most music, it can have a bearing on some electronic styles that like to employ super low subs, for example. But ultimately, whether you choose vinyl or digital has much less of an impact on the overall sound in comparison to more important factors, such as your choice of amp, speakers, the characteristics of your room, the production style of the music you're listening to, etc, etc. Everything else is an illusion... Still, given the choice I prefer to listen to vinyl. Not because of anything to do with the sound itself, but because it reminds me of happy days

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1352724290' post='1866495'] TBH music has never been as vibrant and diverse as it is now. At least if you don't like what's currently being hyped by the media there is plenty of new bands around playing music you will like what ever genre(s) you are in to. [/quote] ^ This! Spot on.

Pop music is, by definition, popular. It might not be refined, challenging, emotionally charged, a statement of our times, or just plain 'good' as many of us here might define it. But it's popular. Go argue with that if you like - many have - but that's the long and the short of it. Personally I like to keep my ears open. I like pop music. I even like the X Factor; well some of it. But I also like Aphex Twin, and Motorhead, and Dub Sydicate, and Benga, and No Means No, and Half Man Half Biscuit… and a bunch of other bands from all kinds of genres that other people might find difficult to enjoy. I'm also pushing 40 and have vowed never to utter the words "music isn't what it used to be"! Because it's not just the music that's changing, it's us as we get older. And it pays to be wise to that

[quote name='chaypup' timestamp='1352710660' post='1866278'] At the Cardiff bass bash (which was great!) on Saturday a discussion came up about how Pj Harvey's last album only had bass (guitar) on 1 track and how we should record bass parts for the rest of the album as she had 'forgotten' to. Anyway, from this, someone mentioned that earlier in the year 3 of the top 10 billboard chart singles had no bass at all! And the reason for this is that [b][i]songs are being produced and mixed for mobile phone speakers[/i][/b]. Does this spell the end for bass players?[/quote] Some styles of music just suit a synth bass more than the stringed variety, and vice-versa. Plus, lots of chart-topping pop bands use a snyth for recording purposes (maybe because it offers a consistent, easily controlled tone) but take a 'real' bass player with them on tour. The whole mobile phone speaker thing has no bearing on this. It [i]has[/i] influenced the way bass is mixed and mastered nowadays (with EQ boosts in the upper harmonics to make bass tones audible on crappy systems like phones). But that applies equally to all bass instruments. So if there is less real bass being played in pop music (which I'm not sure I agree with myself), then it's probably more a consequence of what the current favourite musical styles require, rather than anything else. Just my tuppence worth!

[quote name='silddx' timestamp='1352709258' post='1866265'] Ah that was you! Kit was talking about someone buying YLSGT in rehearsal yesterday Thanks mate! And thanks for the lovely feedback! The bass tones on all the songs are a Warwick Corvette $$ into my POD X3 LIVE then into the desk. On YAD there's compression, chorus, eq, a little drive, and a little reverb. 51m0n did some work with the sound in the production, but they're essentially my tones. Glad there's your thumbs up for digital modelling [/quote] No worries! If I was down in London more often then I'd certainly want to catch you lot playing live. Cheers for info on how you got that sound - love it. Going to try replicating it myself sometime. 51m0n's definitely showed off his engineering chops on the mixing/mastering - they all sound superb!

[quote name='Elvis Valentine' timestamp='1352675833' post='1866090'] Seriously impressed by the entries so far. Here's mine for the hell of it. [url="http://soundcloud.com/elvis-valentine/ghosts"]http://soundcloud.co...alentine/ghosts[/url] There is a vocal edit too but its me singing and i wanted a female voice to do it. Its also lyricly not very in keeping with the pictures, well at least not the Saville pic at all, although the day of the dead pic a bit more so. Or at least what it made me think of. I also do a spectacular rap towards the end , i have mad skills. lol here it is for those interested parties. [url="http://soundcloud.com/elvis-valentine/ghosts-vox-mix"]http://soundcloud.co.../ghosts-vox-mix[/url] [/quote] Niiiice! I really like the way it chugs along with that pounding rhythm and power chords. That synth rimshot sound is an inspired addition - is that from an 808 or something? Very distinctive sound. I'm no slapper myself (or so I like to think… ) but your playing sounds great to me. Like the vocals too - personally I'd enter the vocal mix into this month's challenge (think is has more going for it). The horns are cool too - in fact there's lots going on in this track but it all fits together nicely. Another great entry - it's shaping up to be a crackin' month! I need to pull my finger out and get mine done this week...

Congratulations Wooks! That's fantastic news mate. My son is just 17 months old so I'm very much in the thick of it myself. He once wriggled free during a nappy change and parked his sh1tty backside on the body of my bass, which I'd left nearby - took some cleaning that did. And most likely indicates that he's going to be a guitarist. You'll have plenty of such escapades to look forward to! Can't recommend a Fender, but I can recommend you get plenty of rest. That's the best advice that I myself ignored. PS: that OC2 pedal I bought off you some time ago is still going strong! Thanks again.

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1352668397' post='1865964'] Righto here's mine. I've been listening to a bit of Leftfield this weekend hence the move into electronic music. [url="http://soundcloud.com/mornats/macabraea"]http://soundcloud.co...rnats/macabraea[/url][/quote] My background is more electronic than acoustic, and this definitely pushes the right buttons for me! Now that you mention I can hear shades of Leftfield in it - particularly in the drum work - but it certainly has an identity of its own. My younger, more energetic self would have gone mental to this on the dancefloor Very well produced too. The mix nicely fills the stereo spread across my headphones and everything sounds crisp and clear - good work. I notice you've used the T-Racks mastering tools - been meaning to play with those myself. Have downloaded the demo but yet to use it. This gives me an incentive! Anyway, really like it. Again, the variety of styles cropping up in this challenge is just great!

[quote name='steve' timestamp='1352658005' post='1865742'] There's been some really good entries so far, here's mine [url="http://soundcloud.com/stevemcevoy/steve-mcevoy-mr-shellsuit-and"]http://soundcloud.co...r-shellsuit-and[/url][/quote] Hi Steve, this is bloomin' great! Really cool, atmospheric intro and then it breaks into a ska number - which is just music to my ears. Great bass playing and you've done a good job of the lyrics and vocal too. Nice one!

Cynical? Nah... I totally understand what you're saying, but equally I'm not ashamed to say that I really like pop music! This coming from someone who's broken a rib seeing Motorhead in the past Mainstream pop has always been a manufactured 'production line' of the sort exhibited by the X Factor. I actually quite like how the show lifts the lid on the industry and shows it for what it is - a glorified karaoke competition. Nothing wrong with that; and nothing new about it either. Production-wise, there are some superbly skilled people working in the pop industry. I'm no fan of Britney Spears, for instance, but much of her music is superbly produced if you can look (or listen!) past the bubblegum presentation. Ultimately, if it weren't for mainstream pop then there'd be nothing for the cool kids to rebel against, and then music would truly suck. So long live pop I say!

Nice thread Nige. And I thought you should know that I picked up a copy of 'You Look So Good' last night... gave it a listen earlier and I couldn't get the damned song out of my head - in a good way! - so bagged it on Bandcamp so I could exorcise it from my mind. VERY catchy tune with huge cross-over potential. Just realised I should've picked up the album given it's only a fiver, so that'll be another sale you'll be getting from me Anyway, great band. I can see why you're delighted to be a part of it. PS: love the bass tone on 'You Always Did' - how'd you manage that? A pedal or post-production FX?

This is great, cheers! Just had a quick look and there's some very useful stuff on there. Thanks for sharing

Looks like people have been busy over the weekend! Some brilliant entries just in... [quote name='krysh' timestamp='1352603754' post='1865138']thanks to basschat, I was able to get back into producing. here is my humble contribution of what the 2 great pics of Sliddx and Skol303 made me to do within around 22 hours: [url="http://soundcloud.com/krysh/krysh-the-face"]http://soundcloud.co.../krysh-the-face[/url][/quote] Nice one Krysh! Slick bass playing there mate - nice tone too. I really like the pounding kick drum than runs throughout the track. Gives it a nice pulse. Sounds like you can play guitar too! And percussion?? Not fair, but all good [quote name='Stephen Houghton' timestamp='1352638754' post='1865390'] Here goes! I found the pictures really dark and creepy after all the publicity in the UK about the molestation of young girls by the man in the pics, this is what came about, very dark lyrics for a dark subject, also a bit of sarcasm thrown in for good measure, seems to fit the pics well though I think. Hope you like this one, its a bit of a rant as well, used Ableton software to create track and then played live bass into it....Owz about that then! [url="http://soundcloud.com/9thaspect/owz-about-that-then-basschat"]http://soundcloud.co...t-then-basschat[/url][/quote] Love it! Great lyrics, great samples and a really cool 80s hip hop vibe in places (the drum break almost reminds me of Soul 2 Soul). Very creative and inventive. "They hadn't a clue; **** me call Scooby Doo" made me genuinely laugh out loud. Good work, Steve. [quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1352644211' post='1865483'] ok so heres my song....hope you like [url="http://soundcloud.com/rockfordstone/waiting-for-a-hero"]http://soundcloud.co...ting-for-a-hero[/url][/quote] Very nice production on this. I like the contrast you've set up between the verse/chorus using the guitar parts, works really well. Cool drum breaks. And nice vocal too! You've got a good singing voice there, Rob. A very well written song.

I'd maybe post it in the Recording forum. You might also want to check out this thread for some inspiration...! http://basschat.co.uk/topic/49754-circle-studios-refurb/

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1352543075' post='1864365'] Here we go. When I saw the photos, my over-riding impression was of clowns; the mask being pulled off by Freddy (a Kiss mask, if I am not mistaken) was a little clown-like, the second 'skull' image was surprisingly clown-like despite its intentions and Saville presented himself as clown-like in his dealings with children/the media. So I was left with this sense that clowns are often not what they seem and whilst we, as adults associate them with fun and laughter, many children are afraid of them.....there's a reason and, to my eyes, that reason is evident in the images we were working to...[/quote] Very nice Bilbo! I've tried doing orchestral stuff myself in the past and gave up - found it too difficult to make it sound convincing, but you've done so here nicely. Really like the change when you bring in the guitar and the 3:4 time signature helps to propel the track onwards with a kind of menace - at least to my ears. Makes me think of John Carpenter's soundtracks (although he was always more synth than strings). Good work and very different to the other entries so far - that's what I love about these challenges