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ambient

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Everything posted by ambient

  1. There was someone talking about the Gigblade in the general discussion section the other week. Might be worth do a search there ?
  2. Mac or PC? If you have a Mac, then you should already have Garageband, which is great, and fairly easy to use.
  3. So many time wasters with everything nowadays.
  4. [quote name='Truckstop' timestamp='1439819480' post='2846004'] I wouldn't go out on NYE for less than £200 and even then it'd have to be local. Any more than 45 minutes travel and I'd need another £50. If you think you're being undervalued, then say so. If your band don't like it, well then I'm sorry but you need to give them some facts and you need to stand your ground. You'll need to be set up by 7pm, play from after dinner (9ish?) until at least 12.30-1, you won't be able to pack up for an hour after that and you'll end up getting home at 2.30-3am sober. That deserves recompense! Any other pub gig you'd be looking at around £10ph all told from when you leave the house to when you get home. NYE should be at least double that. [/quote] That's how I reckon on what I charge, and how I explain it to any band that wants to play for free. An hourly rate, I charge £15 per hour for teaching from home, and that's the minimum for a gig.
  5. I forget stuff until I get the chart out, and start to play it, then it tends to come back. Sometimes if you don't try and remember, just play, maybe along with a recording, then it'll just come back.
  6. That's nice isn't it ? It's nice to feel that your efforts are appreciated. I depped for a jazz band at a garden party on Saturday, they had an awful lot of people come up to them during breaks, and afterwards saying how they liked what they did, that was mostly down to the wonderful vocalist though. I guess Saturday nights are the traditional night for entertainment at clubs, so why try and change that ?
  7. You can use 2 normal straps to achieve the same thing as the Gruvgear thing. I've seen Michael Manring do it using one long strap, and another shorter one.
  8. [quote name='julietgreen' timestamp='1439811203' post='2845879'] The problem is that I'm not a soloist. I'm in a band, so it's a collective decision. If the other members of the band want to accept the gig, it puts me in an awkward position and potential conflict with the band, which I don't want. [/quote] I just say no. It's down to them then, do they do it without you ? They would find it hard to get a dep in to play for free, or for beer.
  9. [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1439801299' post='2845772'] In my (unfortunately extensive) experience of this issue, I've yet to come across a magic bullet - your problem is far more likely to be a bunch of inter-related issues, not something that can be fixed by a visit to a physio or osteopath. That's definitely a good place to start of course, but I finally got things under control by obsessing about lighter basses and rigs, changing the way I play, visits to the osteopath, and (above all) doing Pilates for the last four years. The majority of my problems were related to my posture and to how I stand and hold myself (don't start with the ooo-er missus). If you want a brief taster, follow the link in my sig to my YouTube channel and watch the presentation I did to two Bassbashes last year. Good luck. [/quote] Posture is where I'm coming from with my Alexander technique recommendation, and playing in front of a mirror/teacher suggestion. A lot of people don't realise how important it is, not just with being a musician, but good physical health to have good posture. We go out buying lightweight basses, and comfort straps without addressing the real problem, which is we are playing all cramped up, standing at an uncomfortable angle, with our bass either up by our chin, or down by our ankles. Often we don't realise that we are putting stress on a particular joint or limb, until it's pointed out to us.
  10. I've been told by various people, that clubs especially have budgets for entertainment. So if a band I'm playing for is approached by a club, for instance there's a tennis club in leamington spa that has asked one of my bands to play for them, and it's for free, or in the case of the tennis club, you get a meal, then I ask myself what's happened to the budget ? A meal that they're selling for £4 costs them pence, I'm not playing (plus travelling to and from leamington spa, and giving up an evening of my time) for a meal that costs pence.
  11. [quote name='bigd1' timestamp='1439800899' post='2845770'] We are doing a job, we are employed by the venue to provide music for a set time. Would you accept not being paid from any other employment, or even some money and free whatever? I find this quite insulting as a musician, I know it happens. People seem to be under the impression it doesn't cost any thing do what we do. I agree with what most have said NYE is the biggest earner of the year for the venue, if they want inexpensive entertainment wish them luck with the search. It's not unreasonable to expect pay for a nights work. [/quote] Agree with everything you've said.
  12. Try here [url="http://www.stat.org.uk"]http://www.stat.org.uk[/url] rather than osteopaths. Practice sitting without a strap. Get a teacher for a lesson or 2, it may be technique related. Practice in front of a mirror, and look for obvious signs of stress with your posture.
  13. [quote name='dadofsix' timestamp='1439778174' post='2845687'] Nothing wrong with doing shows for charity if the show is done right and the charity is a legitimate one. <><Peace [/quote] That's the problem though, in my experience a lot aren't done right, and just seem to be a way for the venue to make money from beer sales etc, and provide some free entertainment for it's members. They'll maybe pass a bucket around with donations going to a charity, that to me at least is not a charity event.
  14. In like new condition. The only bass distortion pedal that I actually like ! It enables you to get and save up to three distortion sounds that you can call up, and then tweak further if you want. You can also add an expression pedal, enabling you to morph from one distortion to another. Unfortunately I need the cash to put towards my university fees, so I'm going to have to make do with the distortion sounds in my other effects, but this is one that I will come back to in the future. I'd like [size=5][b]£90[/b][/size], that includes next day postage. <p> [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]The Soundblox Multiwave Bass Distortion Pro inherits the power and clarity of the original Soundblox Multiwave Distortion and adapts it to the unique frequency range of the bass guitar. Bassists can effectively combine complex chords and intervals with distorted tones — multi band processing eliminates the mush and allows each note to ring clear and true. The pedal also features single band processing for more traditional distortion sounds. It’s the perfect pedal for both the studio and stage.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Users have access to 23 modern and distinctive distortions and an additional clean boost/EQ mode. Distortion curve types range from “normal” overdrive for traditional sounds to “foldback” and “octave” for more aggressive synth-like tones. Each distortion type is further customizable via the 7-band equalizer, drive control, and separate mix knobs for clean and distorted signals. This advanced sound control alleviates the tendency for low-end reduction associated with most bass effects.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Six user presets, accessible via three footswitches, assist in the speedy recall of any custom tailored sound, and a traditional expression pedal input facilitates the seamless morphing from one user preset to another. A MIDI input allows external access to presets and parameters, and, as with all Soundblox products, it is compatible with the Hot Hand ring controller.[/size][/font][/color][indent] [size=1]I have tweaked around with the Multiwave for a while. It's a pretty amazing unit! I'm pleased to see such an innovative approach to distortion unleashed on the public—very cool.”[/size] [size=1]—Billy Sheehan, bassist for [i]Mr. Big[/i][/size][/indent] [b] MULTIWAVE BASS DISTORTION INTERFACE[/b] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Roll your mouse over hot spots (+) on the panel controls and ports to learn about each one.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=2][/size][/font][/color] [b] I/O PORTS[/b] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=1]Roll your mouse over hot spots (+) on the ports to learn about each one.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#333333][font=Tahoma, Trebuchet, Arial, sans-serif][size=2][/size][/font][/color] [b] SOUNDBLOX PRO MULTIWAVE BASS DISTORTION FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS[/b][list] [*]Diverse Sound Palette — Featuring 23 varieties of our unique distortion algorithms with an added CLEAN BOOST + EQ mode. [*]Multiband Processing — Signal is split into multiple bands and distorted individually for unprecedented sound clarity. [*]State-of-the-art DSP — Our proprietary 56-bit Digital Signal Processor, the SA601, and crystal clear 24-bit converters. [*]6 User Presets — Easy to configure user presets in two banks selectable via 3 footswitches for quick access of your favorite sounds. [*]7-Band Equalizer — Ultra-precise 7-band equalizer for in-depth tone control saved per preset. [*]Extended Control — An expression input allows morphing of sounds between preset banks. A MIDI input allows external access to presets and parameters. [*]Motion Control — All Soundblox and Soundblox Pro pedals are ‘Hot Hand Ready’ and can be used with any Hot Hand motion sensor to extend the capabilities of the unit. [*]Active Analog Bypass — Bypass is fully routed around the DSP and active input ensures zero signal degradation. [*]9V DC power supply included. [*]Dimensions: 7 in./17.8cm (length not including I/O jacks) x 6 in./15.25cm (width) x 2 in./5cm (height, including knobs). [/list]
  15. [quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1439760842' post='2845613'] I agree with the majority on this one. NYE is a time to be with family and friends, and to let your hair down. If you're out working then your pay for the night should adequately compensate your inability to do this. Free beer is a con - I can personally name 2 gigging musicians who don't drive, and for whom this might be an attraction. Fortunately they know the value of a pound in your pocket, and don't gig for nowt. Same reason I don't do charity gigs - everyone else gets paid for their time and effort, musicians are no different; we still have to eat/pay mortgages/maintain gear/pay for school shoes etc...the sooner venues realise this, the better the world will be. [/quote] I don't agree with charity gigs either. In my experience they're usually a bit of a con, with the landlord/venue using it as a way to entertain his clientele for free. A band I play for has been offered one in December by a Masonic lodge. [quote name='TimR' timestamp='1439767013' post='2845661'] No you don't. NYE is free soft drinks and a meal and £1k minimum. Come on guys, please don't lower yourselves out of desperation for a gig. Sure play a Saturday night or charity gig for whatever you want but nowadays most pubs/clubs NYE is 'tickets in advance' gigs. [/quote] Totally agree with you, unfortunately there are too many bands out there who fall for the "exposure thing".
  16. Bump for the addition of some photos.
  17. It's frankly ridiculous doing a gig for low fees, and getting something else in payment. It only encourages landlords and venues to cut fees back. A band I play for keeps emailing me about gigs where they have been offered no money, but meals and the passing of a hat around. I tell them no, if I'm playing somewhere then I want money. I don't drink either
  18. Best thing is to break the line down to one section/bar/riff/part-riff at a time. Even if it's just a couple of beats/half a bar at a time, get that bit right, then move onto the next bit, etc. Maybe get a teacher, and work on songs that you want to do with him/her. A good teacher should be able to see where you're going wrong, and help to correct that.
  19. That's the good thing about some of the bass specific distortion pedals, you can blend the effected sound and clean sound, keeping the lows.
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