xgsjx

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1455471295' post='2979379'] Yes. however it turns out I'm even worse at that. [/quote]

[quote name='Coilte' timestamp='1455468487' post='2979338'] Agreed..plus as the inner core is steel, even if you [i]think[/i] you have allowed them ample time to dry off, they are still prone to rust. [/quote] Would that not be a good thing if the band's genre are "post metal"?

[quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1455467713' post='2979331'] Yeah...the reason I was boiling them was because they sounded like flats instead of rounds. The moment a string loses its zing I feel the need to replace it [/quote] Have you considered guitar? Strings are zingy & cheaper.

If I go for keys, it's most likely only ever gonna be for home use. If I got the Rise, I'd more than likely take it for a jam as well.

This sort of thing tempts me the other way though... http://youtu.be/UxSdq7lsPa8

[quote name='BassTractor' timestamp='1455448426' post='2979109'] Get both. </THREAD> As I assume you're much aware, it's about prioritizing and about your own technique and in what direction you wish to develop it. It's very hard to exactly and [b]dynamically[/b] control the dynamics of plucking and hammering sounds like pianos with a semi-weighted. For people without good technique, it's also hard to do dense pads with quick chord changes on a weighted keyboard if it's a rather heavy one. Wait! I have great technique, and me too, I find it hard to do this. However, one solution might be in one of the weighted ones that need very little pressure. IMS Fatar do one or a few. Problem with Fatar is they do so many different keybeds, that it's hard to get an overview of which models use exactly those keybeds. I remember having been much charmed by the action of an Orla stage piano with such a Fatar keybed, but as this is several years ago, they may use different keybeds these days - even if they're supplied by Fatar. Also Yamaha do or have done one that was very light on the touch, and which resembled the light Fatar one very much. I'd believe it was a Fatar one, but reportedly, Yamaha almost always do their own keybeds. This may have been the exception, Idunno. Another solution might be in tracing a shorter, and thus cheaper, weighted one and add a synth bed or a short semi-weighted later. Short fully weighted keybeds are almost as rare as hens' teeth though. Roland did a 64-key one, but it may be unfindable these days. Just trying to hand you some thoughts. Sorry that I can't provide a shortlist of keybeds to go and try. One last remark though: if you're on a tight budget, you can do worse than with a semi-weighted M-Audio KeyStation or KeyStation ES. They come in all lenghts. [/quote] The advice you've given is really helpful. I'm not really looking for a shortlist, as I'm trying to decide if I should go for the NI S88 or not. The Akai Advance 61 is top of my list for 61 keys & although space isn't an issue, I'd rather have one keyboard. For pads, I suppose as it's to be used to control soft synths, I could easily adjust the velocity so notes stay at a more consistent volume. I used to be a keys player, but stopped many many yonks ago. Over the past few years, I've been playing other folks keys (for fun, not in a band) & it's been a mix of pianos & synths & like the keys on both. It's trying to decide what I'm gonna get the most use out of.

if you're gonna boil your strings, either wrap the ball in ducktape or keep the ball out the pan (it's probably clean at that end of the string). Next time you have a little money for strings, try flatwounds. They don't suffer from this issue. Though they don't sound like roundwounds either.

I'm still being tempted by it. It can be played quickly, just watch some of the videos for it. Chap from Dream Theater is not bad at playing it. Got another dilemma now... 88 weighted or 61 semi weighted keys if I don't get the rubber thing? I play a mix of everything.

I like remixes. One man's noise is another's music. A dubstep remix of Metallica can only be a good thing (I like both).

Brilliant. I miss my 101.

The piano sounds in Garageband are really good too. If she's got a Macbook, then Garageband is a fantastic place to start (& it's free). If not, then there's loads of free piano VSTs (virtual instruments). Many controller keyboards have some sort of software with them (either on disk or as a download).

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1455281405' post='2977735'] Actually yes, it does! In fact you should try it on headphones and then compare with your monitors... once you've bought some, that is [/quote] I'm gonna give it a try when I get home (supposed to be working just now).

Does it work with headphones? It's a good excuse for me to buy a pair of monitors.

Most of us use soundcloud, but I just heard that it might be in financial trouble. http://www.factmag.com/2016/02/11/soundcloud-financial-report-44m-losses/ Let's hope they can sort something out or we'll possibly be going back to MySpace.

None to be honest. I was a big RHCP fan, but after BSSM everything sounds identical to me. I like my music to have some variety.

[quote name='Geek99' timestamp='1455106327' post='2975897'] That is "40", traditionally the last song of a show - he also plays bass on it on the "war" album [/quote] Yes, AC & the Edge swapped instruments for that song. IIRC, they supported themselves a couple of times as the Dalton Brothers.

I've no set pattern. This month's competition I used the photo for inspiration for the lyrics, so I knew I wanted something uplifting. I wrote a simple chord/hook pattern & the whole song revolves around it. With this style of song, I write everything on a loop of either 16 or 32 bars. So the whole lot is in that one section. I then paste it for about 3-4 mins, making an intro, a verse/chorus, a break/build & then back with full sound & then break it down a touch. Then I wrote the lyrics & rearranged parts to suit the lyrics. Finally I messed about with fx & incidentals. Sometimes it can be where I come up with a chord arrangement & build on it from there, other times I'll have a bassline & work on it from there. I don't normally write much lyrics (as I'm not much of a singer).

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1455044951' post='2975405'] Isn't that just the essence of this Challenge..? So much variation..! Not just chalk and cheese, but polenta, radishes, cucumber, whelks and fried chicken wings..! It's going to be a brave person to choose any one of these as 'Best Of Show', and there's certainly more to come still..! Bring 'em on, I say, but it's getting to the point where a Winner's Certificate should, in all justice, be issued to each and every entry, simply for the merit of having been created and presented..! Where will it end..? The mind boggles (well, my pea-sized one does, anyway..! ). [/quote] Indeed. The entries thus far are superb. The inspiration photo struck a (house) chord with me & things just came so easily (whether anyone else on here likes house music is another subject though). But it was great fun to make the track.

I got a little time with the vocoder & polished up the track a little bit. I'm happier with it now. https://soundcloud.com/gxmix/start-of-a-party-1

I also depends very much on what style of music you play. A previous band I was in did gigs with varying band members. Sometimes there was Singer guitarist, 2nd guitarist, Mandolin, drummer, violinist & me on bass & other times it would be just me & the singer. Played the same songs & just adapted to suit the musicians available. That was probably the best band I've ever played in. Just so flexible & fun.

Just make sure the Audio Interface has enough inputs to accommodate your needs.

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1455006244' post='2974852'] Having listened to the smeary mess that's happened to my song after uploading, I'm going to do a re-mix; I don't think Soundcloud likes the enormous amounts of reverb I try and hide the vocals with! [/quote] Try using delay on your vocals instead. I used a small amount of reverb & a 1/16. delay.

I don't think the Mrs is up for singing, so here's what I've got so far... [url="https://soundcloud.com/gxmix/start-of-a-party-g-vocals"]I[/url]'ve changed it... See post 59 Still toying with the vocoder idea. Especially for the bit in the middle.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1454940237' post='2974387'] Always worth experimenting with. I’m using one myself the month - so for anyone listening [i]“you heard it here first and xgsjx is definitely copying me, not t’other way around”[/i] Of course I’m using it purely for artistic reasons, what with me having the voice of an angel [size=2](with chronic laryngitis).[/size] [/quote] I'm now gonna have to wait until you post yours first. I had played with the Evoc Vocoder a couple of days ago, but opted not to. I'm gonna try a monotone vocal & try again.

Adam Clayton was one of my main bass inspirations. The baselines may be simple, but many are very melodic. Bad is a brilliant song & The Unforgettable Fire is one of my favourite Brian Eno albums.