Skol303

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1438774982' post='2837084']That's nice, dear...[/quote]

I've used it to no avail... but it's very easy to do, so can't hurt giving it a shot. As others have mentioned, the shortlisting seems to be in the lap of whoever the Beeb employs to listen to each track - and I imagine they have to listen to [i]a lot[/i] of them and make their decisions very quickly. Also bear in mind that it's for mainstream radio play, so I'd advise uploading your best quality material in terms of production. [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1438774628' post='2837081'] We've had both of our submitted tracks played. TBH I don't know who listens, but any exposure is good, and you can say you've been featured on the BBC [/quote] Showoff!

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1438765104' post='2836955'] It's called 'assonance'. [/quote] You sound like my wife! [i](she's an English teacher...).[/i]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1438699502' post='2836497']Here you go... [url="https://soundcloud.com/dad3353/did-he-who-made-the-lamb"]Did He Who Made The Lamb Make Thee..? ...[/url][/quote] [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1438703171' post='2836549']You bastard!!! You stole my title!! Completely stole it!!!![/quote] I’ve always thought that Blake cheated with the last line… [i]“Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?”[/i] …definitely doesn’t rhyme with “eye”. They were very lackadaisical, those olden days rappers

I'm learning to slap on a Warwick Corvette, 5-string. I think the spacing is 16.5/17mm (?). So far I'm finding it to be ok... but I'm a beginner and so my approach is somewhat hamfisted, regardless of string spacing When I switch to a 4-string with wider spacing it does feel more 'forgiving' - so I'm hoping that the narrower spacing of the Warwick will prove to be good discipline in terms of sharpening my technique.

[size=4][quote name='wateroftyne' timestamp='1438607094' post='2835720'] Tomorrow Never Knows is pretty much ahead of its time in trance, etc. [/quote][/size] [size=4]…and Sergeant Pepper’s (Reprise) has one helluva funky breakbeat that wouldn’t be out of place on a modern dancefloor.[/size] [size=4]But just because we can drawn a link between The Beatles and [i][insert style of music][/i], it doesn’t mean that the link actually exists in practice - i.e. in terms of influence.[/size] [size=4]Otherwise, that would imply, for instance, that the early pioneers of trance music were listening to Lennon on “Tomorrow Never Knows”; when I’d wager they were far more likely to have been blasting “Angel of Death” by Slayer a few years before shaving their heads and swapping their guitar rigs for turntables and Ataris. I speak from my own experience here [/size] [size=4]And besides… how far back could we go? It could be argued that Bach is the godfather of all bass players and everyone playing four-strings since the 18th Century, including Paul McCartney, owes their debt to him. Trouble is, [/size]nobody's left alive who "was there then" to argue his case

[font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]I’m “too young” to have been bedazzled by The Beatles during their prime (I’m 41). But like many, I enjoy their music.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]I understand and appreciate the significant influence they’ve had, particular on popular music. Their impact is, I would imagine, pretty much indisputable and even someone like me can hear the reverberations of their songwriting in many corners of the rock/indie/alternatives scenes today.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]But… the important thing to remember in such debates is that The Beatles haven’t influenced [i]all[/i] forms of popular music - and yes, surprising as it may be to some here, there is more to popular music than [i]just[/i] rock’n’roll! [/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]I’d wager, for instance, that The Beatles did very little to ignite the early sparks of hip hop and acid house; nor did they do much for the evolution of the jazz scene, or metal for that matter.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Just because they played guitars standing up, doesn’t mean they are responsible for influencing every form of music that adopts the same posture. They were great, but not omnipotent.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Also, I think it’s fair to say that each of us identifies strongly with the music of our youth - and even more so if were we lucky enough to be there at the start of a new ‘movement’ or scene. For me, that was acid house - its nearest ancestors being disco and before that Northern Soul (in the UK). It was the start of something fresh and new - for my generation. And so I sometimes catch myself thinking that electronic dance music today “ain’t what it used to be”; that young people are disconnected from the musical heritage that I hold dear. The reality is that young people are out there, creating their own twists on the music of the past, claiming it for their own and riding roughshod over whatever ‘rules’ I used to adhere to. And long may that continue.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]So yeah. I guess what I’m trying to say is that of course musical heritage is important - but if we hold on to it too tightly, then we risk being the curators of our own little ‘museums’, constantly pining for the past.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]The fact that the influence of The Beatles can still be heard today at the stadium-filling end popular music is surely testament to their legacy. But it’s not fair to say that young people today are missing out on something by not appreciating the music of The Beatles. They’re quite happily discovering music for themselves, in their own ways. And frankly, I wish I could join them! [/size][/size][/font]

[quote name='spongebob' timestamp='1438433543' post='2834498'] I did find a possible solution to my problem - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-MICROHD-Hum-Destroyer-HD400/dp/B000KUD2G4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438433339&sr=8-1&keywords=behringer+hd400 Anyone ever tried one of these? It looks like just the possible job....? [/quote] Those Behringer boxes are quite good. I commonly get ground loops at home in my DAW/recording set up. Tried the Behringer MICROHD and it worked ok - killed around 90% of the noise. I then upgraded to an 'Ebtech Hum Eliminator' on the recommendation of a mate. Google it for info. they're quite expensive brand new - around £100 - but commonly crop up on eBay (I got mine for less than £30). Works a treat and kills 99% of the hum!

[size=5]August's challenge is now underway.[/size] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/267020-august-composition-challenge-get-writing/"][size=5][b]GO HERE[/b][/size][/url] It's [i]Grrrrrreat![/i]

[color=#800000][b][size=5]August’s Composition Challenge is now underway![/size][/b][/color] [size=5]Here’s the image for your inspiration, chosen by last month's winner [b]discreet[/b]…[/size] [size=5]And here are the rules 'n' stuff…[/size] [size=4]By entering the competition you agree to the [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=extras&section=boardrules"]Basschat Terms & Conditions[/url] and [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/3178-forum-guidelines/"]Forum Guidelines[/url], which are designed to help ensure the forum remains free of offensive and/or illegal behaviour and material. In a nutshell:[/size] [size=4][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.[/size] [size=4][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.[/size] [size=4]For reference: here's a great source of copyright-free material, all available under Creative Commons license: http://www.freesound.org/[/size] [size=4][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![/size] [size=4]If you have any questions about the competition rules, just ask.[/size] [color=#800000][size=5][b]The deadline for entries is midnight on Monday 24th August.[/b][/size][/color]

Well done Mark!! Good show Message me with your choice of picture and I'll launch the next challenge sometime today.

[quote name='uncle psychosis' timestamp='1438334192' post='2833597'] Do you know when rock'n'roll will actually die? It'll be when kids are listening to music that their parents approve of. Because that will be a clear sign that no one is doing anything new anymore.[/quote] Nailed!

[b][color=#800000][size=5]VOTING ENDS TONIGHT AT MIDNIGHT[/size][/color][/b] [size=4]​If you haven't already done so, choose your top [b]THREE[/b] favourites.[/size] Three being the magic number, as we all know... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aU4pyiB-kq0

[quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1438260138' post='2832988'] Now I want Reason And Logic! [/quote] ...that same thought has crossed my mind before! You can in fact 'ReWire' Reason into Logic and use it as a sort of 'VST on steroids'. Meant to be a very formidable set up according to people I know who do this - best of both worlds, if you have the budget.

[size=4][quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1438173945' post='2832243']Reason is a great piece of kit.[/quote][/size] [size=4]I [i]love[/i] Reason. I’ve been using it on and off since version 1 and doubt I’ll stray away from it anytime soon.[/size] [size=4]All’s DAWs do pretty much the same thing. What I especially like about Reason is:[/size] [list] [*][size=4]The interface: it’s very immediate, intuitive and fun to use (it feels more like ‘play’ than ‘work’).[/size] [*][size=4]The mixer: it comes bundled with a simulated SSL 9000k mixing desk, which is simply a joy to use.[/size] [*][size=4]The patching: I really like how you can patch together different instruments and FX in very creative ways, simply by ‘flipping the rack’ and dragging/dropping the connecting ‘wires’ however you wish… as though wiring up hardware. It also includes emulated CV connections (control voltage), which are a world of creativity if you get your head into them.[/size] [*][size=4]The company behind it - Propellerhead Software - are liberal-hippy Swedish folk who are clearly passionate about what they do. And probably work naked in a sauna, or something [/size] [/list] [size=4]The downsides…[/size] [list] [*][size=4]It’s quite expensive in comparison to Logic at around £350 (last time I checked).[/size] [*][size=4]It uses a proprietary plug-in format (Rack Extensions or 'Re' for short) that prohibits use of more common VSTs and AUs (the upside, however, being that it’s a very stable platform and literally [i]never[/i] crashes).[/size] [/list] That said, I have very little experience of using Logic. The other DAWs I've used are Reaper [i](superb product, I just found that the workflow wasn't as fast or fun as Reason in my experience)[/i]; Cubase [i](I cut my teeth using this, but found that it used to crash a heckuva lot - but that was a long time ago!)[/i]; and Ableton [i](I'm planning on learning this in depth sometime soon... seems to have bags of potential).[/i] [size=4]Worth downloading the Reason demo and having a dabble if you’re interested:[/size] [size=4]https://www.propellerheads.se/reason[/size]

I'm fairly sure that the Great British Bass Lounge (formerly Manchester Bass Lounge) stock them: http://greatbritishbasslounge.com The owner, Drew, is a nice chap

[b]The voting thread is up![/b] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/266554-july-composition-challenge-voting/"][size=5][b]GO, GO, GO...[/b][/size][/url] [size=5][b][size=4][/size][/b][/size]

[color=#800000][size=5][b]Voting has now started on July’s Composition Challenge![/b][/size][/color] [size=5]Here's the inspiration for this month's music…[/size] [size=5]…and here are the compositions.[/size] [size=5]Please listen to each track and vote for your top [u]THREE[/u] favourites:[/size] [size=4][b]Dad3353[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dad3353/concrete-jungle-solid-air"]‘Concrete Jungle, Solid Air’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Wiro[/b] [url="http://app.box.com/s/45ip2j5gpv4q1llh0wrrbu7vhvngho6y"]‘Go With the Flow’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]lurksalot[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/lurksalot/the-long-way-down"]‘The Long Way Down’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]discreet[/b] [url="http://www.mediafire.com/listen/9bgv83327p1a77u/What+Goes+Up.wav"]‘What Goes Up’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Leonard Smalls[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dredd-and-the-badass-weed/superman-dont-need-no-seatbelt"]‘Superman Don't Need No Seatbelt’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Bilbo[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/flight"]‘Flight’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]lowdown[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/garrycribb/floating-around"]‘Floating Around’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]fingers211[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/nigel-jewell/matching-sky-and-handybriefs-star"]‘Matching Sky And Handybriefs (star)’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]alittlebitrobot[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/alittlebitrobot/hypnos"]‘Hypnos’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Skol303[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/icarus"]‘Icarus’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Mornats[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/mornats/anyway"]‘Anyway’[/url][/size] [color=#800000][size=5][b]Voting ends at midnight on Friday 31st July.[/b][/size][/color]

[font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]I’m in…[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]http://soundcloud.com/skollob/icarus[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]More messing around with the old piano, trying to create something ‘spacious’ and cinematic.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Bass guitar is my own; strings and other things are all programmed in MIDI using the Reason factory soundbank.[/size][/size][/font]

[color=#800000][size=4][b]A quick reminder that the deadline for entries is tonight at midnight![/b][/size][/color] Nine compositions thus far [i](or something like 47 if you count Dad's various noodlings )[/i]; a sterling turnout. I have my own track recorded and arranged. I'm now hoping to make a half-decent job of the mix sometime this evening. See you all on the other side...

[font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Massive Attack ‘Teardrop’...[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7K72X4eo_s[/size][/font]

Good question and plenty of great advice already! My own basic tips would be… [b]1) Don’t just boost… try cutting too[/b] (i.e. turn the EQ dials down to remove/dampen frequencies). This works especially well when scooping out the ‘muddy’ tones that often clog up the lower mid-range around 200-400Hz, resulting in a clearer and 'less woolly' tone. [b]2) It might be called a ‘bass’… but most of the tone is actually found in the mid-range[/b] (as others have said above). A good place to start fiddling around is 1kHz, where you can typically dial-in a nice amount of ‘clarity’. Cranking up the 'bass' dial is often a recipe for turning your tone to inaudible mush, so go easy with that low end. [b]3) Excite your upper harmonics![/b] A touch of saturation or even distortion can do wonders when trying to help your sound cut though a busy mix. You don’t need much… and it might even sound a little weird when playing solo, but in the context of a mix (i.e. when blended with other instruments) a little ‘uncleanliness’ to your bass tone can add bags of character. Try it

[size=4]Aye! There are some fantastic free amp sims available... and many of them sound [i]very[/i] convincing indeed (and the quality of them just keeps on getting better).[/size] [size=4]Good to hear you've been inspired to do more recording! Don't hesitate to post here if you want to share or request any hints and tips.[/size]

'Last Caress' by the Misfits probably wouldn't be the most appropriate choice at a wedding - or any social function for that matter... (great song though).

I have no great deal of experience with either... but i've always thought of Pro Tools as being good for working with audio - but perhaps less versatile than Logic (and others) when it comes to MIDI. If i was to plump for a new DAW I'd probably opt for Ableton - it seems like the most progressive platform at the moment - but Logic is an industry favourite and you won't go wrong with it. Nor Reaper. My own fave is still Reason - and I've tried them all to some extent. But that's me