BassTractor

Must admit I lolled out silently at that last exchange of philosophical ideas.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1452962174' post='2955145'] known as "Rise and Fall"? [/quote] Yes, it was. I asked the MD who came with my medicines. She should know.

[quote name='ras52' timestamp='1452953507' post='2955015'] Hm, what about the albums colloquial two-word titles - "Ziggy Stardust" and "Scary Monsters" - which are rather good but whose correct titles are somewhat longer? And is "Pin-ups" one word or two? This recipe seems fraught with hazards... (And why didn't Bowie just make all of his albums great by giving them two-word titles?) [/quote] [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452956534' post='2955059'] I'd have to say that an exception to this rule would be "Stage", which is a superb album, but maybe live albums don't count. [/quote] Fraught with hazards? I couldn't imagine why! Of course, instead, it's fraught with security, as we can now safely adopt the human capacity of [b][i]flexibility[/i][/b]. E.G.: - "Ziggy Stardust", as you can see clearly, when counted correctly, is 12 words. Bad album. - "Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps)", as evidenced here (parentheses fer cryin' out loud!), is two words. Good album. - "Pin Ups" may of course seem like one word to most people, but actually it depends on whether you like the album or not. Also, the flexible human brain may in case of doubt elect to adopt the stance that as a covers album it doesn't count. - "Stage" can simply be added to the Low Lodger Heroes line if live albums may indeed count. See? The recipe always works!

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452949371' post='2954962'] It's rubbish, you should have gone for Station to Station, Low, Heroes or Lodger...... [/quote] In the early eighties, just after "Let Us Dance" (sic!) was released, I received the following simple recipe from a Bowie aficionado: If the title of a David Bowie album is not "Low", "Heroes" or "Lodger", then it is rubbish unless the title consists of two (2) words, in which case it is great, except when those two words are "David" and "Bowie", as evidenced on a whopping two (2) early albums. Worked for me back then, but in all seriousness I'd have to revisit to check if it still holds for me. BTW, for young readers: "Space Oddity" = "David Bowie".

[quote name='Rich' timestamp='1452790218' post='2953556'] It Be a Troubled Login..? [/quote] I didn't want to be a part of prolonging this thread, seeing as the OP seems to feel it's personal and that we are prolonging his sufferings by making fun of him personally, rather than what we're really doing, which is trying to find half-original ways of prolonging a thread without having anything important to say, but in ways that might be construed as... er... I'm gonna say it... no, I'm not.... yes, I am.. slightly half-original and vaguely reminding of vaguely funny (I tried to wiggle in the word "prolonging" here, but failed - maybe a Brit could help out here), but I couldn't persevere, and just HAD to say the following in response to Rich's contribution[b]:[/b] " ". So I'll do just that[b]:[/b]

[quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1452879036' post='2954418'] Well you should have done ot properly in the first place, shouldn't you Arthur Daley! [/quote] I'm appalled at the name-and-shame culture here on BC, with all the wild accusations without evidence. The very least you could've done was to make this person anonymous, or even use a generic name... like say... er... George Cole or something.

[quote name='jacko' timestamp='1452853145' post='2954044'] Sounds a bit like 'An evening of YES music plus' [/quote] I'm in AWR of that one. (for young readers: Anderson, Wakeman & Rabin have confirmed their new trio.)

[quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1452869506' post='2954295'] I couldn't possibly recommend the Maplin synth unless you are (or know) a very good and experienced electronics engineer with access to all the appropriate tools including a decent oscilloscope. [/quote] Yup. The Maplin especially, but the EML and the original Odyssey are likewise not first and foremost investments but rather objects that require investments.

Becoming album-oriented already as a young boy in the mid sixties, I must have thousands of blind spots. I was aware of these artist's existence though, as they were all named in the music mags I would read. Examples: Cream, Eric Clapton, The Byrds, The Rolling Stones (though I did eventually hear Brown Sugar), Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, David Bowie (until Warszawa happened on tv), Frank Zappa until '79 (because he reportedly wrote difficult music, so I feared him - not realising that at the same time, I listened to experimental classical music on a daily basis) and loads of others. I didn't listen a lot to the radio, but something that did not help either was that most radio presenters would introduce the next song, then play that song and then afterwards not tell what song just had been played, so even if my ears had opened up because something exciting was on the radio, I'd often not find out what it was without a lot of investigation. Except: some of the music mags were very good at describing some new music and its roots. Based on those articles, I could fairly often guess which artist probably was the one I'd just heard. But I've still missed many well-known artists. That said, with a 6,000 album collection spanning most types of music, I've probably heard more music than the people who know the most well-known artists from the popularity lists, so it's not really as if I've been missing out on something. Also, I'd often know more about the styles people liked than they themselves did, even if I hadn't heard the most popular artist within that style. IOW it's all about life situation, reference frame, perspective, goals, etc. etc. . BTW, me, I quite like not being called uninformed or ignorant just because I don't know some three chord wonder. [/grumpy]

Seeing as you've introduced the EML and Maplin in the thread (asking for trouble in my mind, but it's your money), as well as the Voyager old school, I guess that you're not that preoccupied with getting a real old Odyssey after all, in which case you might be open to a few alternatives that I think would probably serve you better: - If you have £1,300 to spend, why not look at the MFB Dominion 1. It's new and built like a tank, has warranty, and resembles the Odyssey in many ways - especially in its sound - - apart from it being more flexible that is. Me, I'm getting one. - The aforementioned Blofeld Keyboard is the highest quality and deepest synth you're gonna find under £1,000 or at least under £600, and it has a great keybed, 4 octaves and both Velocity and Aftertouch - which is rare. Me, I'm probably getting another one. - The new Korg Minilogue is a STEAL at only £435. You can make it sound beefy as well as thin, and has 200 patch memories and a sequencer and other goodies. It's simple user interface does not show well what it can do. The built-in "oscilloscope" also is a great tool when sound designing. Me, I'm probably getting one - not because its the end-all of synths, but because it's a great, great addition (or a great, great first synth to others). Also, I believe that for once, Korg are gonna raise its price rather than their usual tactics of reducing the price by one third after some time. - The aforementioned KARP, for obvious reasons, which also is reported to drop in price after the NAMM show, by possibly £150, making it another steal for those who are already Odysseyally inclined. Me, I already have one, but might even invest in a second one.

[quote name='dand666' timestamp='1452790204' post='2953555'] Dude Im gonna Spotify them right now lol [/quote] You do that. But be aware the core of my attempt at a joke was in the 24 quarter tones. We wouldn't want you to Spotify their earlier stuff, now would we?

[quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1452787791' post='2953536'] I preferred their earlier stuff; you know, before you liked them. [/quote] Aye. I wasn't there.

[quote name='dand666' timestamp='1452776331' post='2953334'] I think it's crazy that people have not listened to Floyd, or The Doors it baffles me. I can forgive people who maybe arent into Converge as much as they're into CCR but you need to see the importance of both bands. I just love it all. f***ing 12 notes man. [/quote] I think it's crazy that people have not listened to Iannis Xenakis, or Krzysztof Penderecki it baffles me. I can forgive people who maybe arent into Tristan Murail as much as they're into Pierre Boulez but you need to see the importance of both composers. I just love it all. f***ing 24 notes man.

[quote name='interpol52' timestamp='1452695872' post='2952523'] It was Tangled Up In Blue that got me on board with Dylan. [/quote] ...and here's me not knowing BassChat existed back in 1975, and that Dylan even would be a member.

Yup. My DNA commands me to investigate thoroughly through reading up and asking questions to retailer, distributor and manufacturer, and then putting every available quantifiable data into a spreadsheet, and after weighing the different parameters in an accomplished parameter prioritising system, letting the computer decide which product best serves my needs, after which, if I then notice I'm disappointed with the outcome, I must immediately order the one I wanted it to be in the first place. This system is perfect, if slightly long-winded. Knowing however that that is how my DNA works, in real life I just buy the one I wanted in the first place, and I'm not preoccupied too muchly with what I pay for it. So if I want a Bongo, then I don't ask whether a RockBass Corvette will do nearly the same job at a fraction of the cost (which I think it will, BTW). I'll then just buy the Bongo. ...without looking back ...as well as the Corvette, just to be sure. Other than that, I tend to ask questions in such a manner that if the recipient can be arsed to read and understand them, they can save a lot of time answering in a condensed manner. Most recipients can't be arsed, and they will most probably use their time not answering my questions and probably losing a sale by doing so. Happily, some recipients do understand and appreciate. Mark Stickley and Marc Vanderkley are some of the good guys in my book, giving adequate info. Hm. Statistically speaking, I seem to trust Mark a lot more than John, Thomas, Peter or Judas.

It probably says "Precision" in Precision's own handwriting. I hear Fender built Pino Palladino a Precision Signature Bass. Other than that: - Which bass? His Freedom Rhino, his StingRay, his Precision, his... ? - Which clip?

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1452616377' post='2951709'] Well that and Breaking Glass... [/quote]

[quote name='JellyKnees' timestamp='1452598596' post='2951417'] fave track is probably Always Crashing the Same Car [/quote] Bah! That's not because of the song itself, but just because it's connected to your fave pastime!

[quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1452559305' post='2951238'] This is the waldorf right? Does it coem with a keyboard? Looks nice! Ok thanks! I'm getting mixed reviewd eith the karp, some say yes, others slate it (i notice its vintage arp owners who slate it) [/quote] That desktop one's called just "Waldorf". The one with keyboard is called "Waldorf Keyboard". IMS, both can be had in black as well. The Keyboard not only has keys, but also comes with readily usable wavetables and samples. If one wants those on the desktop, one has to lock them up (they are pre-installed, but locked), and a license for that costs roughly 100 Euros or so. Mind you, I only mentioned it as a very deep and very flexible synth. Its few knobs belie its capacities as well as its ease of use. But it is unashamedly digital and is not the first synth I'd think of as a 1:1 Odyssey replacement. It can be used as a virtual analogue synth, but many more dedicated VAs exist, like the Akai Miniak that was discussed earlier. Yes, here on BC. Some like VA, others hate it. I like it, and I particularly like the Miniak for its sound and depth. Hate the tiny display though. Yeah, I've seen the slating in the "Korg announce Odyssey"-thread on GS. Also there it was immediately picked up that the slating came from people who saw the value of their own Odysseys drop. No serious review of the KARP has not lauded it. Tiny differences with the original exist, especially in filter details, but then each and every Odyssey built back then sounded differently at any rate, amongst other things because of component tolerances in those days (and ARP also made a mess in their factory). Also, an old Odyssey will sound different now than it did when it was new, and after an expensive service it will sound different again. The only serious criticism against the KARP that I have seen is against its form factor with slimline keys, and its mediocre keybed. Personally, I expect to use an external keyboard for it. Not sure yet.

[quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1452556758' post='2951226'] have any of you got an opinion on the ARP Axxe? Up for sale at £650 - can I save cash here? [/quote] Yup. That was their bread and butter machine. Very easy to learn on, but I personally didn't like it. Since the Teiscos/Kawais have been mentioned already, I liked their Synthesizer-100F a lot better than the Axxe, but then that one, also with one oscillator only, did have the routing switches that made it good for weird noises. Also its core sound to me was nicer, but that is taste. Personally, I'd rather have an Odyssey at £1,300 than an Axxe at £650. Then again, personally I'd rather have a KARP for that Axxe price than an old Odyssey for that same price. YMMV.

[quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1452545629' post='2951104'] what was yer favourite one? I'm thinking of purchasing a mk2, its on deal for me at £1,300 [/quote] I'm no expert, mind. Roughly speaking, whilst I liked the Moog-like filter in the Mk2, my fave was always the lively, fun filter in the Mk1 (without entering into details as to exactly which build number had which filter etc.). I never liked the Mk3 as much as the other two, but would've bought that synth at any rate. The last version is also said to be technically speaking the best one, but I forgot for which reason. A Mk2 at so much money must mean you're talking about a vintage one, yes? Fully serviced and ready to serve you many years to come or more like a risk you're willing to take? [quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1452545629' post='2951104'] essentially, I want to kinda make sounds similar to The Who on their 70s material in order to make demos (apologies if me bleating on about them is getting tiresome!) How did you find the odyssey in this regard? In terms of its versatility and ease of use? Thanks! [/quote] BRX has already answered this better than I could've done, and I concur. Even if Townshend had used an Odyssey, I still don't see the need to use an Odyssey if you're not aiming at millimeter correctness in a tribute band. I feel the Odyssey was versatile for its time, and because it had many switches like the Teisco, the alternative routings gave a lot of possibilities for other sounds than everyday bread and butter sounds. I felt it was easy to work with only after one had studied the routing possibilities very carefully. Many of the same sliders and many switches in a row, and not all of them immediately clear as to their consequences make this synth not the one that one masters on the first day. I've experienced much easier models there - even very knobby ones. Today however, synths like for example the Waldorf Blofeld are soooo much more flexible and sooo easy to use, that for general purpose synthing I'd take that one any day before an Odyssey, unless I had specific reasons to buy an Odyssey, that is. Also, the Blofeld Keyboard has a great little keyboard. I don't remember how the original Odyssey's was. The KARP's is amateuristic. Also, of it's for demo purposes only, and you must have the sound of the Odyssey as well as its routing possibilities, a softsynth exists that comes very close. You may know it. [quote name='The-Ox' timestamp='1452545654' post='2951106'] did you happen to be on gearslutz by any chance? [/quote] Yes, but that's not the one I was thinking of. The discussion on GS is millions of pages long, and they're fighting-animals over there. I meant a friendlier one, but still can't remember where it was.

Thanks, RhysP! Sadly there's not much info in that thread. I just realise the discussion I meant probably was not on BC at all, or the Odyssey was discussed in another thread about synths - though I couldn't find it. Over to The-Ox, I think.

There's a BassChat forum called Other Instruments in the Gear section. If I recall correctly we had a discussion about the Odyssey there, so you may want to have a look there. But to answer your question: Yes. I played all three originals a few times in the seventies and eighties, and own a Korg remake now. I've sadly not taken it into use yet. Is there something you want to know?

"Warszawa". It was the song that drew me to his work, and it has always done it for me. Other than that: "Subterraneans" as well as "Heroes", though there really are dozens.

Another sad loss. Very gentle indeed. I met him in '02, and was struck by how he had no star antics at all then, but cared about the well-being of everyone around him - including the cleaning lady. In my book, that is what class is! I loved how he integrated relatively simple pop music with relatively avant-garde artistism, and am amongst the many who believe his name will be remembered. RIP