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[quote name='The Dark Lord' timestamp='1364466515' post='2026800'] I usually record demos for potential songs in our covers band using a Zoom MRS-8 - which has all I need for a basic demo. Have been offered a new MacBook Pro at a decent price - so was wondering, can I do the same with that using Garageband? Can I record drums, bass, guitar and vocals to a reasonable degree using that? [/quote] Yes no problem - it's how I started doing my first home recording multi-track recordings - the latest version of GB has a ton of great plug ins and it's the quality of your soundcard that will have the biggest effect on the sound quality of your recordings (and mics too) - for tracking and mixing tunes GB does the job just fine - I've heard some amazing GB recordings of late - it's also down to the quality of the performance too Another advantage of using GB is that should you decide to 'upgrade' to Logic - you can open your GB projects in that and remix or tweak them some more - hope that helps

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1364399149' post='2025951'] Nice. But not, maybe, as nice as this one (when it comes to "sublimeness"?) [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NomkmxUgzps[/media] [/quote] Agreed... that is gorgeous... one of my fave Beck albums for all this kind of epic, emotive widdling! There's is an album version of Nadia too which is pretty stunning as well http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1SeXzvtoe0

Blip blip beep nrrr gh na na na wub wub wub Voted...

[quote name='Beedster' timestamp='1364337361' post='2025221'] Thanks all. As ever, my brain is wandering......... Is it worth me spending the extra and getting a rack-mount pre with multiple channels such as the RME Firewire 800 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RME-Fireface-800-Firewire-Audio-Interface-NEW-/310635049939?pt=UK_Musical_AudioMIDI_Interfaces&hash=item48534ab3d3? I really want quality pres with both economy of space and ease of use (which for mean means a rack-mount unit that sits under my iMac with as much as is possible being done on the screen). Whilst i doubt I'll be recording multiple instruments often, the option to do so without having to compromise on quality does appeal. By that I mean that if I have a two channel unit and want to record 4 instruments live I'm necessarily limited? [/quote] All the RME units are amazing - my Babyface just sits on my desk like another harddrive - one thing you should know is that the Bsbyface is all metal - I know it looks like plastic in pictures but its very solidly built and the Total Mix software that comes with it is also great - I'm only saying this as its half this price of the 800

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1364315354' post='2024748'] Apogee Duet RME Babyface The Apogee is Mac only, the RME either Mac or PC. Both should do the job perfectly Chris, and should hit your budget. [/quote] Based on my experiences with the RME Babyface - truly stunning sound both from a line in point of view - my bass has never sounded sweeter plugged in - and from a listening / mixing point of view - everything just sounds incredible. Add to that next to no latency and the RME is a total winner - and comes with a really cute bag and breakout leads for monitors and extra inputs.... I could go on - quite simply the best interface I've ever owned (I've owned about 4 others before this) Hope that helps

I'm quite partial to this little number... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drAv2FoYji8 The original by Nitin Sawhney is rather gorgeous too - really moving actually http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jJJHfL1yQA

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1364154487' post='2022645'] Nice one Mike! Lovely bass work mate. Good production too. I like all the phazey breaks and FX that you've added. Very nice indeed and really in tune with this month's theme. I'd be damn chuffed with this, even more so if it's a "last minute" attempt as you say [/quote] Cheers Paul - I had one objective which was to create a mad synth/slap bass line - and looping takes the pressure off too - then it's all about going a bit nuts... that's why I love this comp each month - I can cut loose and try stuff out thanks for listening

OK some crazy last minute gubbins from me... just went with minimal playing and maximum looping this time - Live 9's lovely Warp function came in handy too [url="https://soundcloud.com/munkio/slapattakka-of-the-byrdz"]https://soundcloud.c...ka-of-the-byrdz[/url] PS - it goes on a bit this one... kind of ended up like a Big Beat take on 'Come on My Selecta'... or something

[quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1363607340' post='2014555'] Monster. [/quote] Thanks Rob... Last clip from the gig - love this tune and listening back discovered some nice bass bits on it - I love playing more laid back grooves too: Mo Better Blues: [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMFpZ7PSr7Y"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMFpZ7PSr7Y[/url]

Loving your tune Paul - perfect for the pic - I've got a bunch of ideas which I didn't have at the start of the week but I've literally got maybe Saturday afternoon or Sunday to record anything - so leaving it really late this time - if I don't make it so be it - hopefully do the next one....

I'd love to do something but it's been a busy time for me (plus I've been getting my rocks off with my [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/202496-some-banging-live-latin-jazz-from-my-new-band-hdmulti-cam-video/"]jazzy-latin-fusion band [/url]- although I have Live 9 now and I'm dying to make a track with that ASAP - just need a couple of hours on the weekend... I will try and do something, honest

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1363462537' post='2013119'] Awesome, Mike! Lovely tone on your bass and gobsmackingly-good playing as usual. I think I heard some "whoops" and "yeahs!" from the crowd at points during your solo. Rightly so. This is the J-Sonics outfit, right? Damn funky stuff mate. The rest of the band seem top notch too. If you ever head to Manchester, let me know… you'd go down a storm at somewhere like [url="http://bandonthewall.org/"]Band On The Wall[/url] or [url="http://www.mattandphreds.com/"]Matt and Phred's[/url]. In fact there might still be chance to get a slot at this year's [url="http://www.manchesterjazz.com/"]Manchester Jazz Festival[/url]?? (hint, hint). The promoter is based in the building where I work, if you ever want putting in touch. Saves me from hauling my lazy ass down to London, which I'm going to have to do at some point... Paul [/quote] Thanks Paul - we'd love to come to Manchester - bit of a trip from London but I do know the guy who books gigs at Band on the Wall so... I should have also said that these videos were filmed by the Hideaway - they have a 4 camera set up and had an actual video engineer in the house that night editing and mixing this footage - it really is one of the best venues in London, and there's nothing like it south of the river..! On that note here's one last tune - written by the guitarist - I love playing this latin jazz funk fusion stuff - great fun for everyone concerned: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbiQwNU_6kk[/media] Thanks for the positive feedback - I love this band Cheers Mike

Big +1s for Marcus, Vic and AJ too - all different all brilliant

Sorry I'm having problems editing my posts in this forum... so last two for now from the same gig as above http://youtu.be/qNa6aT2ZYKo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyvSW4VJKmE

For me: Hadrien Feraud Gary Wilis Matt Garrison Tom Jenkinson In that order - these guys are about as good as it gets - I'm surprised more people haven't mentioned Hadrien, I saw him with Chick Corea at Ronnie's a week ago and he was awesome - and he's getting better and better all the time - he's modest too, apparently he went tot the jam upstairs afterwards and sat in1, shook hands with everyone afterwards to show his appreciation etc - lovely guy and a great player... And he doesn't read music either - learns pretty much everything by ear.

Another clip from the same gig - this one with a little bass solo from me - hope you enjoy - let me know what you think: [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsmH-IkTsDg[/media]

Just played a burning gig at the wonderful Hideaway in Streatham - got a wicked crowd in too - some great players in this band (and me ) Hope you enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KJ4ci4GYR0 We're at the Spice of Life in Soho on 2nd May - do come along if you can Mike

I'd love to do something and I've been thinking of some ideas, but I'm so busy I don't when I'll find the time - might leave it to the last minute and just use the time pressure to work fast!

[quote name='such' timestamp='1362527089' post='2001001'] except for the usual slappy noise, wasn't a bad show. One of my biggest impressions: those Finnish basses, Stenback. They only had four at their booth, and a preamp pedal, and that's about it (oh, and that cute tall blonde). Usual passive J-style basses, ash, maple/rosewood etc, nothing special, right? So I kept walking pass that booth until that blonde literally dragged me into it and told me to play, and, I kid you not, those basses have the most comfortable necks I've ever held. And I've owned some nice basses, Fenders, Warwicks, Yamahas, and played some nice ones, like Paul Turner's '66 Jazz many times, which is not only a very good specimen, but also well looked after and worn in and Plek'd, and seriously, those Stenbacks.... They have sold all four already on Saturday, and took orders and deposits for another four, which means something as they are like 3 grand each! [/quote] Those Stenback's were really nice - I agree the necks were something special - and sooooooo lightweight - very nice basses indeed

OK - time for some mad shizzle.... congrats Garry

Thanks for the comments Garry and Paul - glad to get one vote - it's all good as I'm using these monthly 'deadlines' to actually explore stuff I might have held back from if I were producing some more conventional fusion type nonsense... I'm planning on making a video to go with this month's tune as I played a lot of the synth parts via my Sonnus i2M gizmo - hence the closing dubstep b-line wigout is all played in 'live' complete with matching analogue bass - hence I get actually get time feel and expression into the synth parts... so there you go!

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1361302751' post='1984279'] Managed to find a few minutes to listen to this (apologies to everyone else, Mike asked really nicely will squeeze you all in later) I really like it, beautifully insane, I like the drum and bassy beats towards the end. It's like Charles Mingus in a dubstep tent. Which is a good thing. [/quote] Thanks Dave - very kind of you - Mingus goes dubstep will do for me... again I think the track could go further but I'm getting inspired to get recording another tune, not for the comp, but an old one of mine that has never actually been committed to 'tape' as it were... so this whole exercise has been of great value to me.

I'm curious to know of anyone's experiences going to gigs in cities compared to those in more regional parts, or small town/countryside venues... things in London tick over quite nicely - I'm not out gigging a lot but the pros I know always seem busy with a half-decent amount of gigs to play - when they're not on tour with a pop artist/covers production (i.e. Thriller show) - but with the Bull & Gate closing I can only imagine things aren't too great on the rock/indie circuit... I know how tough it is because I tried it years ago - at least with Jazz gigs you tend to get a fee agreed up front... sometimes if it's a good night and it's a door split - you can go home with a bit more dosh in your pocket...

Really nice stuff Phil - old school and in the pocket - what's not to like?