Skol303

Lots of free bass amp 'wares on the market. Check the Free VSTs link at the top of this forum. If you don't mind spending a few quid, I'd also highly recommend this: http://www.softube.com/index.php?id=bar Softube make excellent plug-ins (they're the top end of the low end, if that makes sense!) and this is no exception.

Haha, brilliant! Controlled GAS leak for me every time.

Thanks guys! I hadn't considered lessons via Skype... that's a great idea; I'll look into it. I've also had a kind offer from a fellow BC'er about some initial practice routines to get me started. All good

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1452000661' post='2945337']Vinegar, and don't leave it in the spare room as the spores will start to spread![/quote] Good point! [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1452000736' post='2945340']I'd be even more worried for your joists. You need to get some advice about improving the circulation of air in your roof space.[/quote] [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1452002490' post='2945364']+1. This is the problem. There should be ventilation bricks in the loft - check they're not blocked with clag or goit.[/quote] Yeah I did worry about that. Everything else seems perfectly dry; no signs of condensation up there and everything else is completely mold-free (we've stored clothes up there for about two years and they're all fine). It's just this one case that's suffering from mold. I have started to wonder whether the spores were already inherent in the case - ? It was bought second-hand and did smell a bit 'off' when I first got it. Might explain why everything else seems ok. But then I'm not an expert ([i]just a fun-gi to be with![/i] ). [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452002996' post='2945371']HG Mould spray. Very good stuff.[/quote] Ta. I'm Googling this now. [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1452008376' post='2945446']I was going to suggest a course of antibiotics for the case but I guess it is too late and they will be immune.[/quote]

Ok. So my goal this year is to actually spend time [i]learning[/i] how to play bass - rather than just noodling around for the sake of home recording and self-amusement. Some caveats:[list] [*]I don’t read music, so this is one of my goals (at least to be able to read and ideally write notation rather than tabs). [*]I don’t have time to hire a tutor. I have a very busy work/family life and it would be a headache trying to commit to regular lessons. [*]I don't play in a band (again, no time to commit to anything at present). [/list] So. I’ve acquired some ‘how to’ books over Christmas, which I intend to use as a basis for more structured learning. I have a book on slap bass (yeah, don’t judge me!); another on funk (lots of fast finger style stuff); and a third on walking basslines. All quite different approaches, which I’m hoping will help to ‘round off’ my skills. Each book contains a bunch of exercises, which I’ll be using to both practice playing and note reading. The idea is to work through these and see where it leads me. Does this sound like a reasonable plan? Or am I missing some fundamental step on the path to enlightenment? Thoughts and shared experiences very welcome. Cheers

Was up in the attic last night squirrelling away the Xmas decorations… when I noticed that one of my hard cases has sprouted an outbreak of mold Doesn’t seem too serious… yet. It’s a sort of patchy, white ’fluffy’ growth on the outside of the case (inside seems ok). Looks a bit like leopard skin; lots of small fungal ‘dots’. The case itself is standard plastic; tolex or some such. Anyone suffered this themselves? And if so, how did you deal with it? I’m guessing a splash of diluted bleach should do the trick - but I wanted to check whether there are better approaches or home-made remedies. (For now I've taken the case out of the attic and stashed it in the spare room, where it's less humid). Cheers for any tips!

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1451650494' post='2942045'] Lawks! I was right about the experimental stuff! [/quote] You always are, Len. You always are

[color=#b22222][b]JANUARY'S CHALLENGE IS NOW UP[/b][/color] [size=7][b][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/275930-january-composition-challenge-get-writing/"]GO, GO, GO....![/url][/b][/size]

[size=5][color=#800000][b]Happy New Year everyone! [/b][/color][/size] [size=5]We start 2016 with a double-header, courtesy of last month's winners [b]Alibabu[/b] and [b]Bleat[/b]...[/size] [size=2]Chosen by Alibabu:[/size] [size=5][size=4][/size][/size] [size=2]Chosen by Bleat:[/size] [size=5]Click on the 'Spoiler' button below to read the usual rules and caveats:[/size] [spoiler]By entering the competition you agree to the Basschat Terms and Conditions and Forum Guidelines, which are designed to help ensure the forum remains free of offensive and/or illegal behaviour and material. In a nutshell: [b]1) Please avoid any content that other forum users may find offensive.[/b] If your track contains explicit lyrics, for example, then please warn other forum users so they can choose for themselves whether to listen to it. [b]2) Please make sure you have permission to use any 3rd party sounds included in your track[/b] (ie. sounds that you have not recorded yourself, such as samples of other people's music). The owners of Basschat accept no responsibility for infringements of copyright or other forms of legal ownership, which are solely the responsibility of competition entrants. If we spot any breaches of copyright then your track will be removed from the competition. [b]3) Entries should be no more than five minutes long and written/produced during the month of the competition[/b], taking inspiration from the photo provided. No cheating![/spoiler] If you have any questions, just ask! [b][color=#800000][size=5]The deadline for entries is midnight on Sunday 24th January.[/size][/color][/b]

Well done Alibabu and Bleat! Great work guys. I've just messaged you both about choosing pictures for the January challenge (I'm happy for both or either of you to choose an inspiring image). I'll kick start January's challenge as soon as you're ready. So don't delay AND HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL! Paul

Currently watching crud on TV; scratting around the bottom of a Quality Street tin [i](yeah, only the toffee pennies remain)[/i]; need an excuse to curtail chit-chat with the in-laws; or just something to kill time before you begin binge-drinking your way into 2016? [size=5]We have a solution![/size] It’s the very last one of the year. So please muster your last remaining ounce of festive cheer and throw your support behind the Composition Challenge. Listen, vote and make some fellow Basschatters exceedingly happy. [b][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/275529-december-composition-challenge-voting/"][size=5]CLICK HERE FOR JOYOUS MERRIMENT[/size][/url][/b] Cheers PS: it’s either us or him… [size=2][i]"Fart or poo? Only one way to find out..."[/i][/size]

'Toxic' by Britney Spears. I kid you not. 'Tis a really fun bassline to play. Just don't let anyone catch you in the act http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOZuxwVk7TU

[quote name='NickD' timestamp='1451416433' post='2940336'] Last year's big job was to relearn everything with a floating thumb. Took a while but it's second nature now. This year it's a return to playing live which looks on the cards. My proper resolution is to enter the recording challenge at some stage. I've always listened and voted, and I'm just trying to cobble together a tiny kidsafe workspace to have a go myself. [/quote] Good on yer Nick! If you need any pointers in getting started then drop us a line in the Rec' forum. Coincidentally I'm planing on switching to floating thumb this year (I currently play with my thumb anchored). Initial practice is already cleaning up my muting technique dramatically... The tricky part is un-learning old habits Practice, practice, practice, etc...

[quote name='gjones' timestamp='1451297686' post='2939313'] In decent recording studios, they always have a set of standard hi fi speakers, that they can play the final mix through. After all, that's what most people will be listening to the recording on. [/quote] Not any more. These days, the vast majority of people listen to music using headphones or ear buds, but the point you're making is spot on - i.e. it's important to check how well your mixes translate on systems other than studio monitors (which most people certainly DON'T listen to music on). I spent ages mixing with just headphones and managed ok. It wasn't ideal, but after a while (a year or so) I got used to it and most importantly - I got to know the characteristics of my headphones, so I could do my best to compensate in my mixes. I've also mixed using hi-fi speakers. Again, not ideal as they 'coloured' the sound significantly. But over time I got to learn how they coloured the sound, so again, I could compensate. A good pair of flat, non-attenuated speakers are always going to be the best option because they remove for need for such guesswork. But hi-fi speakers are better than no speakers at all, providing you're aware of their limitations and don't use them solely for making mixing decisions. All that said, if your room has no acoustic treatment then you're pretty much 'peeing into the wind' whatever speakers you choose, as the room will colour the sound more than anything else. I think the golden rule is to spend at least as much money on acoustic treatment as you do on monitors. So yeah. It's a money pit!

[color=#800000][b]The voting thread is now up![/b][/color] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/275529-december-composition-challenge-voting/page__pid__2937308#entry2937308"][size=7][b]GO, GO, GO...[/b][/size][/url]

FIFTEEN TRACKS! Wow. That's almost as many as there are on Michael Buble's Christmas album. [size=2]Don't ask me how I know that.[/size] Welcome back old hands: Messrs Discreet and RockfordStone. Hello new faces: Rikki1984 and Panamonte. Very impressive work everyone

[b][size=5][color=#800000]It’s time to vote in the final, festive Composition Challenge of the year [/color][/size][/b] [size=5]Here’s the inspiration for this month’s music…[/size] [size=5]…and here are the compositions. Please vote for your top [u]THREE[/u] favourites:[/size] [b]Dad3353[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dad3353/new-dawn-new-hope-aurora"]‘New Dawn, New Hope; Aurora’[/url] [b]Che[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/papa-dusko/2-minutes-to-apocalypse-aka-drink-up-the-time-is-up-final-version"]‘2 minutes to Apocalypse aka Drink up, the time is up’[/url] [b]the boy[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/theboysings/hiding-from-the-sun"]‘Hiding from the Sun…..’[/url] [b]Leonard Smalls[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dredd-and-the-badass-weed/xenofunk"]‘XenoFunk’[/url] [b]Rikki1984[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/rikki-boyes/out-run-the-sun"]‘Out Run The Sun’[/url] [b]discreet[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/arkaymith/dust"]‘Dust’[/url] [b]fingers211[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/nigel-jewell/lucky-days"]‘Lucky Days’[/url] [b]alibabu[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/alibabu/light-and-space"]‘Light And Space’[/url] [b]Dapper Bandit[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/user-145360766/solar-ascent"]‘Solar Ascent’[/url] [b]lurksalot[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/lurksalot/fish-and-cod-roe"]‘Fish And Cod Roe’[/url] [b]xgsjx[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/gxmix/home-sunrise"]‘Home (Sunrise)’[/url] [b]Bleat[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/foolsjourney/december-basschat-composition"]‘December’[/url] [b]Skol303[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/dark-sky"]‘Dark Sky’[/url] [b]RockfordStone[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/robslusarmusic/basschat-composition-challenge-december-a-force-awakens"]‘A Force Awakens’[/url] [b]Panamonte[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/torquil-macleod-730760653/day-of-wrath"]‘Day Of Wrath’[/url] [color=#800000][b][size=5]Voting ends at midnight on New Year’s Eve 31st December [/size][/b][/color] A BIG THANKS to everyone who’s taken part and voted this year. Wishing y’all a jolly Christmas and all the best for 2016. Cheers!

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Ok, I'm done. A short and hopefully sweet number. Obviously not my singing [i](that would be one helluva plug-in!!)[/i]; lyrics and vocal courtesy of Laura James from Cumbria. Piano is the old, tatty upright that we have at home - recorded by placing a single condenser mic on the music stand above the keys, and then extensively EQ'd and mucked about with. Bass is a Precision strung with flats. Violin is all MIDI (no way Mrs Skol would let me buy a violin ). http://soundcloud.com/skollob/dark-sky I think we have over a dozen entries this month, so well done everyone. A great end to the year! [b]PS: the voting thread will be posted up on the morning of the 24th.[/b]

A few months ago Mike Flynn (occasionally of this parish) and I embarked on a new project with singer Paula Rae Gibson. Twelve tracks in total... we got as far as the second one (unfinished) when the plug got pulled and we decided to 'disband'. Paula wasn't keen on the direction - perhaps a step too far from her familiar territory - so we parted amicably. Her songs; her prerogative. All fine. Mike and I are still very much in cahoots and working on other stuff in the New Year. In the meantime we did manage to squeeze out this track with Paula, which would be a shame to waste - so here it is. A Basschat [i]exclusive![/i] [url="https://soundcloud.com/skollob/quietly-ecstatic"]https://soundcloud.c...uietly-ecstatic[/url] Written by Paula and Mike. Mixed and produced by yours truly. PS: there's a hefty sub bass on this, so you'll want to listen on headphones or 'proper' speakers.

Love both of these! Very nice tracks, Rob. Singer has a great voice. The bassist... well, it sounds like he needs to upgrade from that cheap Squier or whatever it is he's playing and get some proper gear But in all seriousness, it sounds great. The bass is perfectly clear on my earbuds, but it could be that the compressor is hitting a bit too hard and not letting some of the individual notes ring out on the first track (it's currently more "burbling" than "punchy", but sounds nice nonetheless). Be interested to hear more of this.

Congrats 'nats! A very cool new toy. [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1450738490' post='2935453'] ...I expect to hear some stuff from it in next month's comp! [/quote] ^ Ditto, there really is no excuse now

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1450792910' post='2935912'] well ive got something, its not up to my normal standard but it sounds ok, hopefuly will get it uploaded after i go to the cinema, if not tomorrow. will be my first entry for probably over a year [/quote] Welcome back Rob! Looking forward to hearing it. [b]PS: to anyone still beavering away, the deadline for entries is tomorrow at midnight (Wednesday 23rd).[/b]

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1450530301' post='2933667'] Did no-one notice the unintentional comedy of - "So I went in to this shop to buy a lead, and ended up spending $1000 on a new P-bass................................so guys GAS is bad Mkay, it's all in the fingaz so go practice" [/quote] So this! A lecture on the perils of GAS... from a guy who just bought a P bass on a whim whilst shopping for a lead. Beautiful irony. PS: I do like Scott though; thoroughly nice chap.

Try lifting it up half an inch, then drop it. Or bang it on the top with the flat of your hand.