DanOwens

Google / Amazon is your bestest most clingiest friend! Dan

[quote name='danhkr' post='1013294' date='Nov 5 2010, 01:42 PM']I've got an Amplug, pretty handy because you can plug your mp3 player or laptop into it for learning stuff. Use mine all the time at home.[/quote] And it would be lighter than an A35!

I use a Hartke A35 [[url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/4259-hartke-a35.html"]CLICK[/url]] and have done for a good few years now. It's handle means it isn't too easy to carry but since I started driving it's never been an issue (up stairs is fine, on a packed bus not so much). It was the only small combo in the shop that actually had any bass in it. I've gigged with it on a number of occasions (drummer with technique, guitarist with a Epiphone Valve Junior) and never been disappointed. Dan PS. Looks like there's no ipod input on the pathfinder. There are stereo phono connectors on the Hartke.

Reading and theory knowledge mean you don't have to do too much on-the-spot problem solving (ie: you know that E is the third of C major and don't have to trial-and-error Eb, listen and decide). But theory or no theory, you've still got to listen. That's what Dylan, Lennon, Squire and the rest of the non-studied universe do: listen and make critical decisions. Also, studiers and non-studiers alike sometimes do not listen and that is generally just rubbish musicianship whether or not you've studied. Dan

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1012896' date='Nov 5 2010, 07:45 AM']Oops, I'v read the rest of the posts & see BRX & Dan have already said what I was suggesting but in more detail! Getting gear to sync isn't hard, getting people to is the tricky bit. [/quote] But at the end of the day it's a linear problem with a binary outcome. (AKA Practice makes perfect) Dan

Come back to us with the system and equipment that you've chosen to use. I'd love to hear how you've run with it. Also, that MIDI book is £2.51 used and really is the standard text for people entering this realm. If you run with this (and believe me you can run far!) you can open up all sorts of new possibilities! Dan

(Can you tell I'm a music teacher! )

[b]Ok. Here's how it breaks down:[/b] When using MIDI clock, you have two key relationships: [u]Master[/u] and [u]Slave[/u]. [u]Master[/u] provides the MIDI clock information [u]Slave[/u] receives and responds to MIDI clock information [b] Lets consider the synths first:[/b] Neither the SH-201 or Microkorg can act as the [u]Master[/u], so they will be set as the [u]Slaves[/u]; that means you need a MIDI clock [u]Master[/u]. The Alesis SH-16 for sale [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=107953"]HERE[/url] would serve as a MIDI clock [u]Master[/u]. You would plug a midi cable into the MIDI OUT of the SH-16 and into the MIDI IN of the Microkorg. You would then plug a MIDI cable into the MIDI THRU of the Microkorg into the MIDI IN of the SH-201. Using the MIDI THRU is very important as if you would use the MIDI OUT of the Microkorg, there would be a strong chance that when your player played the keys of the Microkorg it would be play the keys of the SH-201 at the same time. [b]Lets consider the drummer:[/b] The SH-16 is a drum machine and would be able to play a simple click track to the drummer as well as act as the MIDI clock [u]Master[/u]. In my band, the drummer uses a Yamaha Clickstation which acts as a [u]Slave[/u]. We use a laptop as the MIDI clock [u]Master[/u]. You'll see mine and BigRedX's posts have common themes. Reading both of these and (if you're serious) MIDI for the Professional [[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/MIDI-Professional-Paul-Lehrmann/dp/0825613744"]CLICK[/url]] will make you an expert!

I've just added a link to basschat seeing as how all of us have contributed to it in some way. Long live the effects forum!!!

[quote name='Legion' post='1012322' date='Nov 4 2010, 05:22 PM']Keep rambling, its all good stuff Dan, I'm glad you confirmed my thoughts that just sending the synth to the drummer is no good. We have also found that certain phasey sounds or slow attack sounds blur the lines so much that its hard to get a grip on where things start and stop. Previously we had the synth running a high hat to emphasise every 4th beat etc but it was only to give the drummer something to lock in with and not really the overall sound we wanted. I like the idea of the midi clock unit, then we can sync my novation and microkorg to the keyboard players "rig" and have all timed effects running in sync.[/quote] Very similar to what we're doing, actually. A remedy to your synth-as-click solution would be to hard-pan your arps to one channel and hi-hat-type-sound to the other (providing your synth can work in stereo like that). Feed the synth channel to the desk and the click to your drummer. That's what Polysics used to do when we were touring with them (but with minidisc). Here they are for all our fun:

Nice one!

[quote name='elephantstone' post='1012292' date='Nov 4 2010, 04:59 PM']Dan, your a legend cheers!! if its alright with you il send you a few pm's to pick your brain??[/quote] Why not do it here and let others contribute? That way, the members who wanted to know but didn't want to ask can learn and the thread will be there for searching later. Fire away! Dan

Thanks man, It was meant to be one page. It has become three separate massive articles! It's going to form part of thebrokendoor's 'how to play DnB live' series. Can't wait for our drummer and synth player's take on it. Dan

I would also add that the drummer uses normal iPod headphones, the bleed from the band will be too much. I'd suggest a pair of decent closed back, sensitive headphones. Dan

[quote name='elephantstone' post='1012162' date='Nov 4 2010, 03:16 PM']excellent man, not quite sure i understand though, MIDI clock??? so for being a dumbass but could you talk me through it?[/quote] MIDI clock is an electronic pulse sent through MIDI cables. Most MIDI devices (metronomes, synths etc) can respond to this by aligning any time-based parameter (delay, arp, click) to this clock. The tempo of the clock is defined by the user (ie: your synth player typing in the tempo at the start of each song). MIDI devices allow users to chain them together. This means your synth player would be able to align all his gear with one clock source (one cable from the clock). There are variables that can cause problems. They are usually: [list=1] [*]A drummer not being able to play to a click (this can be remedied with practice) [*]More cables on stage (can be messy) [*]More technology on stage (more tech means more opportunities for problems) [/list] You would have to decide whether your group want to tackle these problems. In my mind, it would make your group function better if you do. There have been suggestions about using headphones and just feeding him the signal. I've found that this can be problematic as it relies upon the arpeggio sounds to have strong transients (the bit at the beginning of the sound). If the sounds are softer, or if the sounds start to blend together the drummer might struggle to pick out the start of each note, making timing become an issue again. I'm happy to answer any questions as my group went through a similar experience to you. With trial, error and technical experimentation we've created a great sound. Dan

In my experience (and this is what my band do) the best way to do this properly is with a discontinued Yamaha Clickstation. It has a Midi In and so can sync to a Midi Clock. If your synth sends Clock, then great, otherwise, invest in a box that does (such as this SR16 [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=107953"]HERE[/url]). That box can send Midi Clock to the drummer's metronome and to any synths in the band. My entire band are midi sync'd. Drummer's click (and delays on the electronic components of his kit), my tremolos, delays and filter sequences and our synth player's arps are all sync'd together, meaning we're so tight. It's needed for what we do, and for what you're trying to do. Dan

Hey guys, If you've ever wondered about modular synthesis, check out my recent blog post [url="http://mrdfowens.tumblr.com/post/1479171384/concepts-of-modular-synthesis-for-the-bass-guitarist"]HERE[/url] Dan

I've just found Jobiebass' thread where he used a MM unlined ebanol fretless [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=16104&view=findpost&p=201281"]HERE.[/url] I'll send pics this weekend. I can guarantee it'll be cheaper than importing the neck or putting a new board on yourself, and the board is gorgeous. Dan

I did the same with a fretless neck and a P-Bass I have. I ended up having to shift the bridge forward a bit as the neck was a stingray-style, thereby a bit of an uneven fit in the neck pocket. It did, however, have a beautiful unlined ebony board on a great neck. Aaaaaand... I'm selling it. I can send you pics if you want? £40? Dan

How about a DHA VT-2 Twin? I've got a Dual-Bass and I love it for two-stage dirt. They're new on Ebay [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/DHA-VT2-Twin-2-channel-tube-O-D-guitar-bass-versions-/310260958516?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&hash=item483cfe8534"]HERE[/url] or they come up fairly regularly on Basschat (and go quickly too!). Dan