Weststarx

[quote name='geofio' timestamp='1397768429' post='2427318'] When i was a Bouncer at the Glasgow Apollo in the early 80's the bass from ub40 was the same he played a steinberger at that gig. far too much bass and i like bass !!! [/quote] I had the same feeling at an Alter Bridge gig I went to last year...was all you could hear, sounded awful.

Welcome to the world of bass! Prepare yourself to not get laid! Not played one before tbh, but the most important thing is what you think of it. Doesn't matter if you are a beginner or Billy Sheehan. If you like the feel and playability of it, you thrash that thing! A lot of people get caught up in buying what other people consider to be good (Guilty myself - I ended up hating the thing!) so always go with your heart and what's good for you.

About bloody time someone woke up the folks in Cambridge - its the least rock and roll city in the world!

This excellent thats very much. I'll have to purchase one of those Audio interfaces then. So does the connection go... Guitar > Lead > Amp > Lead > Audio Interface > PC and it will record whatever effects etc you have going through the amp?

[i]Hello one and all! I'm looking to start writing and recording my own stuff as a side project. The problem is however like a lot of people I have no idea what I need....So far I have a bass guitar and a computer. I was also hoping to use this thread to collect a lot of information and compile it into a 'Guide to home recording for newbies'. I'm sure myself and everyone else who doesn't know where to start will really appreciate it![/i] [size=7][b][u]Home Studio Guide for Newbies[/u][/b][/size] Special Thanks to Skol303, Mornat --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [size=6][u][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ESSENTIALS[/font][/color][/u][/size] [size=5][b]Software:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] GarageBand is a good place to start if you have a Mac, as it comes bundled for free. If not, grab a copy of [/font][/color][url="http://www.reaper.fm/"]Reaper[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]. It has an unlimited free trial (with everything enabled) and is a great place to get started. In fact it's a great piece of software full stop. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube for getting started on using it.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]You might also want to grab a copy of [/font][/color][url="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"]Audacity[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]. Another free software - not a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in the same sense as Reaper, but a useful tool for processing any audio you've recorded. Again, loads of tutorials available on YouTube and elsewhere.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Oh, and of course there are loads of free VSTs (plug-ins) available online, covering FX, synths, drum machines, amp sims, etc. Some great ones listed in [/font][/color][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/77603-free-vsts/"]this thread[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] on Basschat.[/font][/color] [b][size=5]Audio Interface[/size]: [/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]This is the 'box' that allows you to connect your instruments, microphones, etc, to your computer for the purpose of recording. It's also where you can connect monitor speakers. I'd recommend a Focusrite interface. The [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-2I2-Audio-interfaces/dp/B005OZE9SA"]Focusrite Scarlett 2i2[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] is a great one to start with at around £120.[/font][/color] [size=5][b]Monitor speakers and/or headphones:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] It's always a good idea to use a set of dedicated monitor speakers - and this is one area where you certainly get what you pay for. As an 'ok yet cheap(ish)' set I'd recommend [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/MACKIE-MR5MK3-Monitoring-speakers-Active/dp/B00EZJ5FSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397638076&sr=8-1&keywords=mackie+mr5"]Mackie MR5[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], which retail at around £125 each. [/font][/color][i]BUT[/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]... you don't necessarily have to use monitors to begin with. If you're not setting out to produce studio-quality mixes, you could hook up a pair of HiFi speakers to your computer, or do what I did and just get yourself a reasonable set of headphones. I've been using headphones for a number of years now and while it's not ideal, it does allow you to produce reasonable quality mixes and importantly for me, work late at night when the rest of the household are fast asleep. Headphones are useful anyway. I use a pair of [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-K240-MKII-Circumaural-Headphones/dp/B0016MNBAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397638303&sr=8-2&keywords=akg+k271+mk+ii"]AKG K240[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] which I've had for a number of years. You can now pick them up quite 'cheaply' for around £100 (which is the minimum you'd want to pay for a good set of cans).[/font][/color] [size=6][u][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]NICETIES[/font][/color][/u][/size] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The world of home studios is littered with gear, much of which you don't really need but you'll [/font][/color][i]want[/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] it sure enough! A few additions you might like to consider - but [/font][/color][u]aren't[/u][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] essential to start with - include...[/font][/color] [size=5][b]MIDI keyboard:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] useful if you want to play around with software synths and tinkle on the virtual ivories. A good one to start with is the [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-Oxygen-25-Generation-Controller/dp/B002VYJDYW"]M-Audio Oxygen 25[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif].[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]For [/font][/color]midi keyboards[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], I find that a very basic keyboard with velocity-sensitive keys is fine as a started. I'd recommend 49 keys to start as you may well want to upgrade from a 25 key one fairly soon. The M-audio Oxygen that Skol mentioned above is only £20 more than the basic Keystation one so I'd recommend that one too ([/font][/color][url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/m-audio-oxygen-49-usb-midi-keyboard-2014.html"]http://www.pmtonline...board-2014.html[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]). Plus that may negate the need for a Nanopad. Speaking of which, I just got myself a Korg [/font][/color]NanoPad[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] 2 for £30 from PMT in-store ([/font][/color][url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/korg-nanopad-2-usb-controller-in-white.html"]http://www.pmtonline...r-in-white.html[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]). I've not used it in anger yet but it seems ok so far.[/font][/color] [size=5][b]Condenser microphone:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] Can be used to record vocals, 'found sounds' around the house (pots and pans percussion!), or placed in front of your bass cab to record that low end rumble. I use a [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-C-1-Studio-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000CZ0RLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397639558&sr=8-1&keywords=microphone+behringer+C-1"]Behringer C-1[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]. Cheap and cheerful.[/font][/color] [b][size=5]Controller pad[/size]:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] useful if you want to unleash your 'inner drummer', work with samples, record original beats and/or produce music using a pattern sequencer. The [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/INSTRUMENTS-MASCHINE-Digital-Without-interface/dp/B00940TI0K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397639749&sr=8-1&keywords=maschine+mikro+mk2"]Maschine Mikro MkII[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] is a great little tool for this, but perhaps a little pricey if you don't have a specific need for it.[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]...that should be enough to get you started on the road to recording. Just watch your wallet along the way [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] If you have any questions, ask![/font][/color] [size=6][u]PLUGINS[/u][/size] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mike Senior's brilliant resource: [/font][/color][url="http://www.cambridge-mt.com/ms-links.htm#freeware"]http://www.cambridge...ks.htm#freeware[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] - top freeware plugins. [/font][/color]

You wouldn't have the inspiration to write your own songs if you didn't learn other peoples songs. I'm in a covers band which I enjoy because its quick and easy to learn songs and to meet up and just play! I'm itching to write my own stuff, I'd love to write some prog rock/metal, but the software to do so is far to much money. (If anyone has a cheap alternative please please please let me know) The Beatles first ep/demo was all covers songs.

Hello All, I have a Fender Dimension bass which I currently hate. This is mainly due to how close the pickup is to the strings. I play with a plectrum and it makes this absolutely hurrendous clattering noise sometimes when my plectrum hits the pickup. Is there anyway to lower the pick ups in a guitar so they are not so close to the strings? If not that bass is going to be the first one to be exchanged. I have also tried picking either side of the pickup but this is just an unnatural position for me to play in. Thanks!

I've never really had a look at cort basses - they seem to do some interesting stuff. There's a place in Stratford up Avon sells a lot of Cort and G & Ls going by there website so I'm going to go and have a look sometime next month I reckon!

Yeah I will take the blue one! I've got major GAS (first time I've used that- guess that means I'm a proper BassChatter now) for one of these...

[quote name='paul_5' timestamp='1397418418' post='2423762'] We wall love new kit. It's exciting and we are convinced that it will make us better players/make us sound better/cure diseases etc… but the truth is that kit does't make us play or sound better, shopping for kit detracts from the real business of mastery of the instrument; THAT is what makes us play and sound better. [/quote] [quote name='flyfisher' timestamp='1397422357' post='2423826'] Enjoy the bass - it could be the most expensive thing you ever buy. [/quote] These quotes shall remain in my head for every guitar or bass I shall ever buy again.

I want one!!!

I think the biggest mistake I made was buying a bass on finance... The bass was one of those the new Fender Dimension basses, but because I thought paying a little off every month would be 'cheap' I thought I'd buy myself a new case and a load of new cables taking the price up to £500+. Still paying it off and I hate the bass.

I get the exact same thing... Think its the way I stand and play. If you think about it, you never really stand up straight when playing, always a little hunched over to see the notes you are playing. I think its doing that for 3 hours on end that gives me grief!

[quote name='LeftyJ' timestamp='1397162873' post='2421448'] That Vanquish looks awful IMO. What's up with those horns? It looks so out of proportion I love Music Man too, and they've had some amazing finishes throughout the years, especially on their limited editions and awesome sparkle finishes. Sequoia Gold, Autumn Redburst, Autumn Redrise, Copperhead Bronze, the Dargie Delight versions... [/quote] If my girlfriend saw those I'd be allowed to buy basses till I went broke

I wish 1000 times over that I could just be happy with the basses and guitars I've got but theres something inside that wants and drives me towards buying a new one... If I was a billionaire and brought every bass in the world I'd probably end up building my own. I think it boils down to it being our hobby and passion, whether its playing or collecting. My Mexican Precision bass is the one for me. When I've been playing other basses and then I go back to it, I have the satisfactory feeling of clean sheets on a bed, or being desperate for the toilet and then letting nature flow, but I still insist on looking/buying other basses just because ''OMG I HAVE A NEW BASS dnuqnd-0dh72!!1!11!''.

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1397134170' post='2420994'] You could follow G&L Musical Instruments on Facebook - I think you'd be partial to their blueburst. They're always posting up pictures of guitars and basses with lovely (and sometimes completely ridiculous) finishes. [url="https://www.facebook.com/GnLguitars"]https://www.facebook.com/GnLguitars[/url] I don't think shops are the place to look for the inspiration you seek - shops don't tend to take in "weird" stuff because it's harder to sell. [/quote] I think you've helped me strike gold here my friend.... exactly the type of thing I'm after...

Even though I have just shot down Dean guitars. I'm using an example of the finish on this bass... The finish on this is 'good looking' IMO

[quote name='neepheid' timestamp='1397132098' post='2420975'] Where have you been looking? How hard have you been looking? [/quote] I guess im commenting more on body finishes and why they are never very inspiring to look at. There are 'good looking' basses out there but nothing that really stands out from the crowd for me. So going down a row of basses in a music shop theres never one that sicks out and draws your eye to it. Unless you look at the silly childrens guitars made by Dean.

Hello all, I've been looking around at basses and generally in terms of looks they all look the same with a boring solid colour in either black, red, sunburst and sometimes blue. Why are basses finished to look so boring? I've not seen a bass ever that I look at and go 'Wow now I want to play that!'. I've only ever picked up and tried guitars that I've been told are 'the ones to play' and picked whatever boring finish I prefered. PRS for example make some absolutely stunning looking guitars. [size=2][i](I know they've made that Grainger Bass but I've heard nothing but terrible things about it)[/i][/size] So does anyone know of any 'mass production' bass guitars that look 'sexy' out there?

[quote name='Les' timestamp='1397084105' post='2420601'] [/quote] I wish I could pull off a cow boy hat!! You guys look awesome!

[quote name='Damonjames' timestamp='1396981731' post='2419473'] Fortunately right now I can live without anything new, and almost comfortably, but I'm sure it won't be long until I HAVE to have something... Why do we do it? [/quote] I recently got the guitar of my dreams...but i still want to buy every other one i see. I guess you can never have enough guitars!

Interesting read!

I'd go for P90s myself, I have one in my gibson les paul junior - and they rock!

Welcome al, I've not long joined and this forum is fantastic... a lot of helpful people here!