Skol303

[font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]In terms of what [i]can[/i] be done in a short space of time… I’m currently working on 10 tracks for a London-based jazz band, all of them recorded in just 1.5 days![/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]How?? Because, in this instance the people involved are very accomplished musicians, playing music they’re very familiar with and who put in plenty of rehearsal time before hitting the studio. [/size][size=4]Everything is as tight as a gnat’s whatsit and sounds great - which is making my job in mixing it very enjoyable [/size][/size][/font] [font=Helvetica][size=3] [size=4]So it really is possible to lay down an album over a weekend. But you need to have your sh*t well and truly together in order to do so.[/size][/size][/font]

I'm going to pushed for time this month (again!)... and for the next couple of months whilst working on various projects. But no complaints I think I'm going to try writing something using Maschine, as I did last month, rather than Reason. I'm still very much learning the ropes with it as a DAW, but it has potential to be a really quick 'sketchpad' once I'm more familiar with it. Persistence and practice, etc. Great picture anyway. I love the colours.

Sorry Rob, I've never encountered this problem myself so I don't know what to suggest! Garry (Lowdown) is probably your best bet for advice on this, as he's a seasoned Cubase user. Maybe fire him a PM if he doesn't amble along here shortly...

[quote name='bluejay' timestamp='1425840090' post='2711337'] Watch this space for [i]that[/i] blog... [/quote] Definitely want to see the blog! I couldn't make it this year (again), so I'm keen to see some photos.

Very cool. Very clever. I WANT ONE!

Importantly, let the studio engineer do his/her job and listen to what they have to say. They're like the pilot of an airplane. Typically calm and polite, but really they just want you to keep the hell out of the cockpit and let them get on with it

PS: what did everyone think of the new voting system? (ie. choice of three instead of one). I liked it and think we should switch to this from now on... but happy to discuss it!

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1425205872' post='2704931'] There's something special about hearing other people follow the same inspiration as you and share the same angst/joy they had in the art of creating these works.[/quote] ^ Definitely this! Well said

[color=#800000][b][size=5]March's Challenge is now up and running in the Recording forum![/size][/b][/color] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/256856-march-composition-challenge-get-writing/"][b][size=5]GO HERE[/size][/b][/url] It's a great photo this month... have fun

Great photo this month!! Love it

[color=#800000][size=5][b]March’s Composition Challenge is now underway![/b][/size][/color] [size=5]Here’s the image for your inspiration, chosen by last month's winner [b]Bleat[/b]…[/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. [color=#800000][b][size=5]The deadline for entries is midnight on Tuesday 24th March.[/size][/b][/color]

WELL DONE BLEAT! And also... WELL DONE BILBO! A very close finish to a really good month. Big thanks to everyone who took part and voted. We'll post up March's challenge just as soon as Bleat messages me with a picture for inspiration...

Tick tock, not long to go now. I've just listened through them all again, this time scattering comments like a pigeon drops... well, you get the gist. Genuinely, great work everyone. My cap is well and truly doffed to you all

[color=#800000][size=5][b]Voting ends tonight at midnight![/b][/size][/color] [color=#800000][size=5][b][size=3][/size][/b][/size][/color]

Well done! This sort of thing is what makes BC special

Yup, I agree with all of the sentiments above. How you 'judge' the compositions is entirely subjective and of your own choosing as a listener.

Thanks for the kind words Doug! Greatly appreciated, as always

The voting thread is now up in General Discussion [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/256313-february-composition-challenge-voting/"][b][size=5]Go, go, go....![/size][/b][/url] [size=4][/size]

[b][size=5]Voting has now started on February’s Composition Challenge![/size][/b] [size=5]Please listen to each track and [color=#800000][b]vote for your top [u]THREE[/u] favourites:[/b][/color][/size] Dad3353 [b][url="http://soundcloud.com/dad3353/i-think-i-can"]‘I Think I Can…’[/url][/b] paul h [b][url="http://soundcloud.com/robotrobotrobotmusic/train-of-very-little-thought"]‘Train of Very Little Thought’[/url][/b] Leonard Smalls [b][url="http://soundcloud.com/dredd-and-the-badass-weed/duel"]‘Duel 2’[/url][/b] lurksalot [b][url="http://soundcloud.com/lurksalot/loaded"]‘Loaded[/url]’[/b] Bilbo [b][url="http://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/turkey-three-ways"]‘Turkey Three Ways’[/url][/b] xgsjx [url="http://soundcloud.com/xgsjx/ivor-revisited"][b]‘Ivor Revisited’[/b][/url] alittlebitrobot [url="http://soundcloud.com/alittlebitrobot/clangour"][b]‘Clangour’[/b][/url] Mornats [b][url="http://soundcloud.com/mornats/trains"]’Trains’[/url][/b] Bleat [url="http://soundcloud.com/chris-j-clarke/journey"][b]‘Journey’[/b][/url] The Badderer [url="http://soundcloud.com/b-rye-and-the-child/the-train"][b]‘The Train’[/b][/url] Skol303 [url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/locus-motif"][b]‘Locus Motif’[/b][/url] [b][color=#800000][size=5]Voting ends at midnight on Saturday 28th February.[/size][/color][/b] [size=4]Here's the inspiration for this month's music, chosen by the previous winner [b]Old_Ben[/b]…[/size]

[quote name='RalphDWilson' timestamp='1423827357' post='2689419'] ...both the guitarist and drummer say it needs more air/presence/treble, which I'm not convinced that the track needs, either for its vibe (chilled rock) or for any other reason.[/quote] You're right. It doesn't need a treble boost, not to my ears anyway. If you [i]are[/i] going to tweak the treble, I find that a good place to start if you want "air and presence" is 12kHz.

Yep, I'd be interested!

Done. Phew. A hasty effort from me this month. Written this very evening using [url="http://www.native-instruments.com/en/products/maschine/production-systems/maschine-mikro/"]Machine Mikro[/url] (rather my usual DAW of choice, Reason). With some home-made samples recorded on my phone; plus a snatch of dialogue from the 1941 film 'Ghost Train' (not recommended viewing - it's quite awful). I was trying to get across the idea of something a bit "ominous" and "impending", but didn't really achieve it. Never mind! [url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/locus-motif"]http://soundcloud.co...lob/locus-motif[/url] ...I think we now have [i]eleven[/i] entries this month (and possibly one more to come)!! That's brilliant. Well done everyone I'll post up the voting thread at midnight. It's going to be hosted in General Discussion this month, with a slight twist on the voting system. I'll add a link here once it's up and running.

Jules Holland's Rhythm & Blues Orchestra. Far from being a "bad" band (all great musicians I'm sure); just not my cup of tea. But I do rate Dave Swift on bass.

[quote name='Bleat' timestamp='1424353411' post='2695455'] Hello, Thought I would submit a tune for the composition challenge if that's ok [/quote] Damn right that's ok Welcome James. I haven't listened to your composition yet - nor any of the others - I usually reserve that until I've finished my own. But looking forward to hearing it. Welcome aboard! Paul

Cliff Burton! That's probably deeply uncool. But I was in my early teens, had a long hair, wore ripped denim and didn't give a fudge