skankdelvar

Welcome Andy

I'd rather read "Squirrel Monthly" - amazed NME still going. Bring back Sounds (w/o Bushell, the beady-eyed, no-neck arm-twitcher)

Rain forecast tomorrow afternoon, but clearing later. Have a good one.

[quote name='Tait' post='557297' date='Jul 31 2009, 05:19 PM']thanks, that makes sense. so what are the advantages of an audio interface? i guess it just makes the quality better if its a digital signal?[/quote] Yes. Basically, the analogue to digital converters tend to be a higher spec. Plus, you can use a balanced XLR cable from the mic, and that helps with quality too. [quote name='Tait' post='557297' date='Jul 31 2009, 05:19 PM']you said being able to plug a keyboard controller into it is useful if my brother plays keys, why? is there any difference between that and just using a line out from my electric piano? or am i completely misuderstanding you?[/quote] You can take the line signal out of your electric keyboard and record it into the PC in the same way you're recording your bass - as an analogue electrical signal going down the wire. The sound and the performance are fixed recordings. If you hook up a Midi-capable keyboard (or other controller), the PC doesn't actually 'hear' a sound coming in. It directly captures data about which key was hit, how hard and for how long. The PC shoves this raw data through a bit of synth software which, in turn, converts the data into sounds, which you hear as you play. Change the synth programme - change the sound. And if you fancy expanding your sounds? You could go out and buy software written to model, say, an old Hammond B3, or a vintage Kurzweil, or whatever you like, and even apply to it to a previous performance. Loads of sounds out there. Another benefit is that you can go in later and edit the performance data manually, thus changing the actual performance if you want to. But that's all a bit tech-head for me. And I'm at the edge of my competence here, so for more on Midi, check out SOS mag or hope that someone more qualified than me shows up on this thread!

[quote name='Tait' post='556700' date='Jul 30 2009, 11:44 PM']cheddatom said something about an audio interface, i've heard of these but have no idea what they are. can anyone explain please?[/quote] Crudely speaking, it's a box you plug your mic or bass into. It's got stuff inside that converts your sound to digital, then shoves the digital up either a USB or a firewire cable into your PC / Mac. Quality's generally much better than the mic-in socket on your PC. Some are USB powered, some run off a wall-wart. Usually has one, two or more inputs that accept a line, standard instrument cable or an xlr from your mic. Some have 48v switches which let you run a condenser mic - better quality for vocals, acoustic guitar etc than a dynamic mic. Usually have a couple of line outs so you can run it into a monitoring amp / speakers, plus headphone out. Some also have midi in / out, which means you can shove a keyboard controller into it and run software synths, etc - useful if your bro plays keys. If his electronic kit has a midi out, you could also control software drum sounds. If you're going to get some decent mics, etc, you might as well get one of these interfaces. Basic ones start at £50-60, better ones at £100+. I got a nice emu 0404 usb for £130. The other thing to do is look at your room acoustics. There are some cheap and simple things that can help improve the sound of stuff coming through mics. Check out Sound on Sound magazine's site and forum. Also tweakheadz.com - Lots of good stuff about all of this. As for Reaper - IMHO, much better spec'd than garageband and even some of the big boys, (but more of a brainf**k to learn and can be processor intensive if you're running lots of plug-ins). If you've got this far with it, I'd personally stick with it.

Congratulations, Sir. Nice work and hope it goes swimmingly. BTW, watch out for those dancers. Nasty bastards, dancers. Have your eye out.

Were I in the fortunate position of being in a band at the moment, I'd greet this development with nonchalant indifference, phone the dep with some handy tips and wish them all well. Then I'd go and stick pins in some voodoo dolls.

Hi macp and welcome Post your 4,5 or 6 question in 'Basses' or 'general discussion' and wait for the fun to start. Personally, anything more than 4 muddles me, but as you've been giving your fingers a bit of a break, you'll probably slot straight into the whole multi-string soul-funk thing with no probs! Cheers Skank

[quote name='TheButler' post='554590' date='Jul 28 2009, 11:16 PM']...i'm sure that it'll continue to sound good regardless of having bass in the mix or not - which i guess will be the course of action now, if you're not keen on getting anyone new in?[/quote] Nice touch. That'll have them scratching their heads...

A genuine crook?

As mentioned above, one of the problems with real-world stores is that most (exc specialists like V&R) don't seem to do interesting s/h stuff anymore. Like many people, I buy all my consumables (strings, picks, components) from online stores or off the bay. Recently, I've got most of my guitars, fx and amps off BC, because you often get the chance to try before cash changes hands. It's better value for money and you get to meet nice people. So the shops lose out all round. Which is a shame.

Do they sell many albums? - As with many artists, probably only they and their record companies know the actual figure. And I suppose it depends how one defines 'many'. More than some musicians, but less than others. To non-bass-playing music fans? - Difficult to establish as industry sales data doesn't seem to include fields for purchaser vs musical intrument player vs instrument type. Do they make a lot of money? - Probably only they and their accountants know the actual figure, but between their solo output and any other work, it would seem to be enough to allow them to pursue their chosen career. I suspect your entirely sensible questions may remain unanswered...

[quote name='Zoe_BillySheehan' post='552720' date='Jul 27 2009, 03:19 PM']Just keepin myself busy with recording little clips, and got a few people that are gunna send over recordings, because they want bass added to them[/quote] Session Queen! A Carol Kaye for the webz generation!

[quote name='Faithless' post='552616' date='Jul 27 2009, 01:46 PM']First, I'm glad that there happen to be at least a few people who managed to dig a bit for my point and insisted to discuss all this thing a bit more with me, let it be privately. Now, what was a bit suprising for me, they said, that, at first, it looked (in my 1st post) like I was trying to put down Zoe. For clarity's sake, NO, I [b]wasn't trying to put you down[/b], Zoe! If it looked so for you, I do sincerely apologize. All I wanted was to [i]also [/i]'push' you forward, as others wanted the same (as I assume), but I've done it from, let's say, a bit different way, ok.. Once again, I am really sorry, if my thoughts looked negative, hope, it is all clear now. As for others, if you have any thoughts/questions about all this, feel free to PM me - I'll try to answer as clear, as I can, honestly! That's it for now, as I'm now going to studio (watch it, Silldx !!!) to practice for about another 6 hours.. Cheers everyone! Faithless.[/quote] You can't say fairer than that, people. Nice one, Faithless.

[quote name='BigRedX' post='552432' date='Jul 27 2009, 10:58 AM']It's been running for years IIRC.[/quote] Coupla years at least. I seem to recall it involves something like starting at 8, finishing at 7, working Saturdays - and 6 months or so in Germany for training!

Dusty Hill of ZZ Top used one for a good while IIRC. Keith Ferguson of the Fab T-Birds...

[quote name='OldGit' post='550843' date='Jul 25 2009, 07:52 AM']Moving to "daft things we have worn on stage" ... I was in a WMC band where we all wore tight white jump suits ...[/quote] I used to affect a Townshend-esque white boiler suit with red DM's. The shame....

[quote name='ase_one23' post='550891' date='Jul 25 2009, 09:43 AM']as for the acoustic, yeah i know that jesse keeler from death from above used one, in fact i think it may have been the 370, and his sound rules. are they not pretty hard to get hold of over here tho?[/quote] Pretty rare, but not impossible. I've got a search set up on the bay, and some sort of acoustic shows up every couple of months. About half are from the states. Nearer home, Thornybank had a 220 floating around last year at a modest price. Maybe PM him if you're interested?

B*gger! I used to live round the corner from there! Anyhow, have a really good day, Gents

I reckon Vegashookers got it about right - good idea on using the Sansamp to sharpen - didn't think of that. Although I'm usually the last man to counsel against valve amps, the following thought did occur... How about an old Acoustic SS? Maybe even a 370? Solid State Doom.

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='550665' date='Jul 24 2009, 10:45 PM']While we're at it, would anyone care to look at Macca's right hand and ... Name That Chord?[/quote] A7?

These amps aren't that loud compared to modern valve bass heads. Plus, they deliver a clean-ish, but warm sound. IMO, shoving a fuzz through it might give you more of a compressed 'mushy' tone. But I've never tried that approach, so can't confirm. Also, you're looking at 40-ish year old bits of kit, and reliability is always an issue. And re-valving can be very expensive. Personally, in your band situation, I'd think about a big, modern tranny amp with a valve-driven OD pedal. Maybe give you more headroom to sculpt your sound... One of the BC experts on massive stacks of valve doom is JoeGarcia - maybe drop him a PM and ask his opinion - I bet he's tried one of these sometime.

[quote name='Kongo' post='550508' date='Jul 24 2009, 07:32 PM']... back then bassists were seen as failed guitarists...[/quote] My, how times have changed, eh?

[quote name='thunderbird13' post='549783' date='Jul 24 2009, 09:44 AM']damn didnt think anyone else used my trick . TBH I find it really difficult to hear the bass drum and listening to the hi hat can be confusing so thats my only strategy.[/quote] Me too. Most of them are OK if you with resting a foot on the spike, if you ask nicely. Though one guy asked me to stop, as he felt I was "looming over him, pulling faces and it's a bit scary" FWIW, on a first time out, I usually ask them if we can just play some mid-tempo straight fours, no fills, for a few minutes. Just to start to find a basic pulse. Clever stuff later.

[quote name='Zoe_BillySheehan' post='549625' date='Jul 24 2009, 12:51 AM']i was just excited that i could play it like i can, that is an achievement for me. that is all![/quote] Hon, it's an achievement for anyone. As for you Faith, why not show her how it should be done? Post your version - in a new thread - played over the original at song tempo. 48 hrs long enough to record it and get it up?