Skol303

[quote name='Lord Sausage' timestamp='1436206752' post='2816004'] What's the script with stuff entered in these competitions in relation to ownership. If I've entered something does BC have any rights on it or is it mine? [/quote] All copyright and ownership of any material posted on Basschat remains with the writer/composer (ie. you!). Unless of course you're about to license something for a small (or preferably large) fortune. In which case I'm personally entitled to 71%. It's all in the small print here: Yep, it's that small

^ [font=Helvetica]Yeah… it is constraining having a time limit on entries, but I think it’s a necessary evil.[/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]On another forum, I used to know a chap who’s approach to composition involved switching on his keyboard, selecting a Bontempi-esque drum pattern and then noodling away aimlessly for anything up to an hour. No really… hour long pieces were common in his repertoire.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]Nothing wrong with that, of course. To each their own. But inflicting such creations on others is tantamount to sadism. Had he invoked bagpipes, it most certainly would have been a breach of the Geneva Convention.[/size][/size][/font] [size=4][font="Helvetica"]...not that I'd expect any of us to [/font][s]spew out[/s][font="Helvetica"] create any such lengthy opuses. But I don't want to invite temptation [/font][/size]

Hmmm... tricky! In short: you're not going to be able to filter out mobile phone interference from your recordings in a truly satisfying/convincing way. The problem being that the frequencies occupied by the interference will also be occupied by parts of the music - so if you trying EQ'ing (or filtering out) the interference, you'll also be removing chunks of the music that you'd rather keep. The only things I can suggest are: [list] [*]Try to work out what frequencies the unwanted noise occupies - eg. look at the waveform of the recordings whilst its playing, using a spectrum analyser plug-in, keeping an eye out for any nasty peaks in the signal. Use a narrow parabolic EQ to cut away (or dampen) those frequencies - ideally automate the EQ so that it only affects the sound when the interference is happening. [*]Or... try automatically removing the noise of the interference - eg. using the Noise Removal tool in Audacity (http://audacityteam.org). Do this by: 1) Selecting a small section of the unwanted noise; 2) Opening the Noise Removal tool and choose 'Select Noise Profile'; 3) Select all of the track; 4) Open up the Noise Removal tool and again and this time click on 'Remove Noise' (or something similar - I'm writing this from memory!). [/list] Neither of these solutions will result in anywhere near perfect results. But it's as good as you're going to get Hope that helps.

[size=4]Crikey, you guys are quick off the mark! [/size] [size=4][b]A quick note about multiple entries...[/b][/size] [size=4][/size] [size=4]...if you're going to write more than one track - [i]and why the heck not? If you have time, go for it![/i] - then [b]please let me know which track you'd like entered into the voting at the end of the month.[/b][/size] [size=4]So what I'm saying is: I think we should limit the finished entries to one per person, just to keep things nice and simple. Just like me [/size] [size=4]Hope that's ok with everyone.[/size] [size=4]Oh and yes, please keep your tracks to 5 minutes or less (give or take some leeway).[/size] [size=4]Cheers![/size]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1435932655' post='2813782'][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]I may have to change my contribution to a skirl of bagpipes after all... [/font][/color][/quote] [b][size="7"]NO! [/size][/b]Heed the unspoken rule that should [i]never[/i] needeth speaketh[b]: NO FRIGGIN' BAGPIPES! [/b] On pain of deaf.

[size=5][b]July's challenge is now up![/b][/size] [size=5][b][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/265169-july-composition-challenge-get-writing/"]GO, GO, GO!![/url][/b][/size] [size=5][b] [/b][/size]

[color=#800000][size=5][b]July’s Composition Challenge is now underway![/b][/size][/color] [size=5]Here’s the image for your inspiration…[/size] [size=5]And here are the rules 'n' stuff…[/size] 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: [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. For reference: here's a great source of copyright-free material, all available under Creative Commons license: http://www.freesound.org/ [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! If you have any questions about the competition rules, just ask. [b][color=#800000][size=5]The deadline for entries is midnight on Friday 24th July.[/size][/color][/b]

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1435737182' post='2811864']Well done Skol (and all who contributed!); just make sure this month's piccy allows me to channel my inner Nick Drake [/quote] Ta! But no promises on the Nick Drake front...

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1435705630' post='2811771'][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]And the winner is...Skol303..![/font][/quote] [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1435729800' post='2811812'] PS Well done Paul. PPS I bear grudges PPPS Forever[/quote] [quote name='BirchTree' timestamp='1435734286' post='2811834']Congratulations Skol![/quote] [quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1435734362' post='2811836']Well done Skol.[/quote] [quote name='fingers211' timestamp='1435736658' post='2811857']Congratulations Skol ![/quote] Cheers all! It was a close run finish with Bilbo and paul h, so hats off to those guys too and everyone else It [i]is[/i] disappointing that we don't get more interest in the voting; but we've had a big discussion about it in the past and, well, you can "lead a horse to water...." etc, etc. Some people just aren't arsed and don't know what they're missing. And despite it being a cliche, the real buzz from these challenges is in the writing and recording - as we all know. The voting is really just a whimsical 'show and tell', but it's fun nonetheless Thanks again to all who took part. Sterling work. I'll post up this month's challenges ASAP today...

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1435604287' post='2810534']I have SO got the arse!!![/quote] [quote name='the boy' timestamp='1435613301' post='2810732']Photos please,,,,,,,,[/quote]

I felt quite sad watching it, to be honest Saw Motorhead during the late 80s at the Birmingham Bierkeller and they were fantastic. And the loudest thing I've ever heard. Watching Lemmy on stage at Glasto... well... it just wasn't right. As others have said, credit to him for raging "against the dying of the light" and all that. But he looked so frail and bewildered on stage. I just don't think he's doing himself any justice these days. Time to take a bow and stop rattling the can.

If memory serves, those I've sent through the mail have been around 12Kg including packaging... but I tend to go a little bonkers with the packaging

[font=Calibri][size=4] [size=4]Backups of gear? No. But then I don’t play live [/size][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=4] [size=4]Backups of music projects on my computer? Oh yes… at least three of each, one batch kept on a portable hard drive that comes with me on holiday.[/size][/size][/font] [font=Calibri][size=4] [size=4]Just because you’re paranoid, don’t mean they’re not after you.[/size][/size][/font]

[quote name='RalphDWilson' timestamp='1435141815' post='2805818'] Seems like I can only select one, instead of three. Am I doing it wrong again? [/quote] Nope, my bad! I hadn't selected the option for multiple choices when setting up the poll. Now fixed

[color=#800000][size=4][b]Voting thread is up![/b][/size][/color] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/264655-june-composition-challenge-voting/"][b][size=5]GO HERE[/size][/b][/url] Cheers everyone

[color=#800000][size=5][b]Voting has now started on June’s Composition Challenge![/b][/size][/color] [size=5]Here's the inspiration for this month's music, chosen by our previous winner, [b]the boy[/b]…[/size] [size=5]…and here are the compositions.[/size] [size=4]Please listen to each track and vote for your top [u]THREE[/u] favourites:[/size] [size=4][b]paul h[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/robotrobotrobotmusic/to-and-fro"]‘To And Fro’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Dad3353[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dad3353/pachelbel-passion"]’Pachelbel Passion’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Leonard Smalls #1[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dredd-and-the-badass-weed/its-not-me-its-you"]‘It's Not Me, It's You’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]fingers211[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/nigel-jewell/shouting-heads-to-bed"]‘Shouting Heads To Bed’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Bilbo[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/the-daughter-didnt-oughta"]‘The Daughter Didn't Oughta’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]RalphDWilson[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/torturedsaints/and-so-it-comes-to-this"]‘And So It Comes To This’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Leonard Smalls #2[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dredd-and-the-badass-weed/say-aaah"]‘Say Aaah’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]lurksalot[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/lurksalot/lawyer"]‘Lawyer’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]Skol303[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/work-it-out"]‘Work It Out’[/url][/size] [size=4][b]BirchTree[/b] [url="http://soundcloud.com/jaedry/thrash"]‘Family Discourse’[/url][/size] [color=#800000][size=5][b]Voting ends at midnight on Tuesday 30th June. [/b][/size][/color]

Hi Huw. Nicely played! I enjoyed that Performance videos are usually posted in the 'Share Your Music' sub-forum of the Recording section. But no bother.., I'll move the thread next chance I get. Cheers, Paul

[color=#800000][size=5][b]A quick reminder that the deadline for entries is today at midnight.[/b][/size][/color] ...well actually you have all night as I'll be launching the voting thread tomorrow morning. So if you're suffering from insomnia, then go for it. [quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1434977913' post='2804317'] like this one, the piano sound is awesome [/quote] Thanks Rob! I was surprised at how well it recorded. I'm going to experiment with different mic positions to see what range of sounds I can get out of it.

^ Good call on 'All I Need' by Air! I bloody well love that album. Going to listen to it now in fact. Cheers

[size=4]Great stuff! Thanks Garry.[/size] [size=4]...I'll be reading through these with interest during the late night baby feeds [/size]

[quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1434882657' post='2803512'] Me neither... I can't hold a pick properly, it keeps slipping round my hand and I end up with the pointy bit facing away from the strings. [/quote] I overcome this by playing guitar 'finger style' - ie. in the same way I would play a bass, plucking the strings with my index and middle fingers (and strumming as per normal with the tips). Makes me feel like a giant, oversized man playing a 6-string bass As a technique for guitar it kinda sucks. But it's what I'm stuck with.

Good thread! So many possibilities and several of my favourites listed already. Here are some other faves off the top of my head... Theme to the film 'Moon' (flippin' brilliant this!...) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pl1i2wiNtY And some golden oldies... Shogun Assassin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s7pNmhnBTw Assault on Precinct 13 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGME6jCwqw0

[size=4]Finished! And a few days early... which is a rarity for me these days [/size] [size=4]Mrs Skol took complete charge of baby-nursing duties today and kindly granted me some 'hermit time' in the new music room at home, and this is what I managed to concoct:[/size] https://soundcloud.com/skollob/work-it-out [size=4]Bass, guitars and piano played by yours truly. I'm especially pleased with the piano sound - mainly because I had no idea how to mic it up (!?) and so simply removed the top panel and placed my cheap (and only) condenser mic facing the hammers. I then manipulated the recording into what you hear on the track (lots of EQ'ing and careful reverb). Works for me.[/size] [size=4]It's also the first track that I've [i]ever[/i] mixed using monitors, rather than headphones! Yeah, you'd think I'd have been using monitors long ago, but there you have it.[/size] A productive day and plenty learned. Happy bunny

[quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1434475405' post='2800002']You see lots of free or ridiculously cheap pianos on Preloved[/quote] Aye. Trouble is, a lot of them are trash! (ie. can't be tuned). It costs a minimum of around £80 to move a piano - and that's if you're hiring a couple of burly chaps with a van, rather than more 'delicate' piano movers (we paid £150). Hence people give them away for free to anyone willing to collect. I ran the details of this piano past the chaps at Cheshire Pianos before we decided to bagsie it, as I didn't want to get lumbered with an unusable hunk of furniture. They estimated its value at around £400 before tuning/repairs (apparently Steinbach are one of the better old German brands); hence we took the plunge I'm no expert in this field (I'm anything but!). But I strongly advise doing some 'homework' if you're considering picking up one of these old pianos - even pay to get it checked out beforehand - as apparently some aren't worth the delivery fee. [quote name='Beer of the Bass' timestamp='1434479067' post='2800039']I've recently had to get rid of my piano, as we had to move at short notice to a smaller flat. I'd spent ages replacing felts, pitch-raising it back to concert pitch and teaching myself to tune it... it was an educational experience and I've kept the tuning tools I picked up.[/quote] Kudos!! I don't think I have the ear nor the patience and skill needed to tune and maintain a piano, but maybe in time I'll have a go at it. I can just about manage basses, which is a start [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1434481135' post='2800068'] An anecdote..? Yes..? OK, then, sit yourselves down all comfy, like... My (crazy...) notion was to erect the Largest Piano Pyramid in the World, and ignite it as a 'bouquet finale' to close the festival... [/quote] Bloody bonkers brilliant! Shame it didn't come off as planned, but the idea was a cracker.

[quote name='Stephen Houghton' timestamp='1434245565' post='2798011']Looks great, very nice job![/quote] Thanks Steve [quote name='funkgod' timestamp='1434284696' post='2798269'] where's the vital to any studio .....lava lamp ? ? ...what are the ceiling boxes made from ? All that aside i am more impressed in how you convinced mrs skol that it was not a garage you needed, but a studio ... all bow.. kudos kudos [/quote] Haha! I do in fact have an old Mathmos lava lamp in the loft which I'm now going to dig out next time I'm up there The wall and ceiling traps are all built using lightweight wooden frames, wrapped in a canvas-like material (Cara Fabric) and packed with mineral wool (60kg/m3 density). They're great for taming the low end frequencies, which would otherwise be a big problem in a room of this shape and size. Oh... and luckily Mrs Skol was supportive of the new 'music room'. It gets me and my clutter out of the rest of the house - so she's happy