lowdown

Donation for Basschat is a good idea. Garry

[quote name='thebrig' post='1172480' date='Mar 22 2011, 07:26 PM']Why would reputable manufacturers produce USB audio interfaces with up to 16 ins/outs, if they don't work properly?[/quote] They do work properly. But the better one's are a bit more dosh wise. RME being one of the best and most respected around with really really solid Audio & Midi drivers. [And excellent converters] You will not see one bad review around. [url="http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_overview_firewire.php"]http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_overview_firewire.php[/url] Garry

Shame Jaco ain't around these days, You two could have made babies together. Garry

[quote name='steve-soar' post='1170043' date='Mar 20 2011, 09:13 PM']No, it has a fanny fretting it.[/quote] Wey hey - and we are off. Garry

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='1168156' date='Mar 19 2011, 12:54 PM']I've never had any problems with rouge plug-ins myself,[/quote] I can't say i have had any problems with make up plug-ins either.... Garry

[quote name='EdwardHimself' post='1168023' date='Mar 19 2011, 10:30 AM']actually recent DAWs such as cakewalk 8.5 and newer come with an in built bridge app so you can use 32 bit plugins on the 64 bit version.[/quote] They do , but the J-Bridge has much more options for dealing with rogue plug ins... And can also do reverse bridge - 64 to 32 bit if needed. Garry

[quote name='Rumple' post='1167986' date='Mar 19 2011, 09:51 AM']The reason for Reason (sorry ) is I thought it might be more intuative when working with loops and samples. R.[/quote] All good DAW'S should be good for using loops and Samples and Midi. But Ableton Live really shines when using samples and loops. Comes with a huge library of sounds, loops and instruments. Garry

[quote name='OldG' post='1167944' date='Mar 19 2011, 08:24 AM']To use the full 8 gig of RAM, a 64 bit OS is needed (Windows 7x64) - and a 32bit DAW to be able to use all those free third party VST/VSTi's.[/quote] 64 bit DAW's would come with its own 64 plug fx, and 64 bit VSTI'S etc However you can run 32 bit plugs and synths in a 64 bit DAW using J-Bridge [very cheap] [url="http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/"]http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/[/url] For what its worth i am running Cubase 6 on W7 and a quadcore 64 bit machine [all x64] with no problems or crashes. I went desk top rather than mobile, because i could use the PCIe slots for Audio cards. [url="http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_overview_pci_express.php"]http://www.rme-audio.de/en_products_overview_pci_express.php[/url] If you want to tune W7 for Audio have a look here. [It says for Vista - but is also used for W7] [url="http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/ts/detail.php?Index=31969&Keyword=vista+optimizedfalse"]http://www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/ts/det...+optimizedfalse[/url] Garry

[quote name='Oscar South' post='1165777' date='Mar 17 2011, 02:18 PM']Well?[/quote] Wishing.

[quote name='lettsguitars' post='1165282' date='Mar 17 2011, 01:52 AM']i'd strongly recommend the [b]waves[/b] and nomad factory plugins. also you mention singing, well autotune is a fantastic bit of stuff. d[/quote] Unless you want to use Torrents etc, the Waves plugs are very expensive, as are Nomad & Autotune/Melodyne. [url="http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=90"]http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=90[/url] The OP is better of investing in Soft synths/Modules. He made a point of wanting good composing sounds. If he is using Reaper, that has plenty of good usable FX, but does lack in The Synth/Sounds department. He would need to use 3rd party vendors for [good - realistic - Orchestral] sounds. Dance/sound scape sounds are easily achieved with the plenty of good free ones out there. There are also some good free drum samplers about. If you are on a tight budget just check the 'Free VST's' in the Recording sticky on this site, people have posted up some useful stuff. [url="http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=90"]http://www.waves.com/content.aspx?id=90[/url] Just a thought really. Garry

[quote name='Bloodaxe' post='1165229' date='Mar 17 2011, 12:37 AM']I'm not a fan of Disco either.[/quote] Larry Graham = Hardcore Funky Mother Village People = Disco. Garry

[quote name='JayPH' post='1165278' date='Mar 17 2011, 01:33 AM']I don't want to spend a penny if the midi controller won't give me realistic sounding instruments. [b]Midi Controller[/b] [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/53609-akai-mpk25-portable-keyboard-controller-free-hip-hop-sample-pack.html#sterling_uk"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/5360...tml#sterling_uk[/url] [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/28890-akai-mpk49.html#sterling_uk"]http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/2889...tml#sterling_uk[/url] T[/quote] A midi controller will not give you [realistic] sounds. It will just transmit the midi data. Some keyboards [and the ones you are quoting] might come with sounds, but they will not be great sounds, just General Midi sounds. And they will have to be recorded via the Audio out. Garry

[quote name='keeponehandloose' post='1164686' date='Mar 16 2011, 05:46 PM']Slapping the old upright is great- the styles of music where its used most very often dont have drums,that can only be a good thing surely[/quote] Agreed. And you don't have to change your strings. Garry

[quote name='thebrig' post='1164618' date='Mar 16 2011, 04:42 PM']As previously stated, I've just bought a new laptop, quite high-spec too! But I am going to try a Firewire/USB adaptor first, to see if it works with my existing firewire interface, as it only costs a couple of quid for the adaptor. If that doesn't work, then I will have to look at USB interfaces. Any suggestions for a minimum 8-track simultaneous interface would be most welcome. £400/500 budget.[/quote] To be honest on that budget, there are plenty of great USB interfaces around. And you have a good spec Laptop as well. Not sure what ins & outs you are looking at, but RME stuff is top notch. Really good stable Asio & Midi drivers that work great at ultra low latency, with direct monitoring as well. Garry

[quote name='geoffbyrne' post='1164600' date='Mar 16 2011, 04:29 PM'][Pedant Point] Is that BIG {girl's pants} or {BIG GIRL'S} pants or what? [/Pedant Point] G.[/quote] What a horrible thought either way. Slim girls no pants all the way. Garry

[quote name='Jobo Pooks' post='1164203' date='Mar 16 2011, 11:13 AM']Your 5th fret would be A D G C "A Drain Guy Comes"[/quote] Should get a snigger from the ladies. Garry

What about that old ancient technique on the Double Bass..... 'Slap Bass'.... Is it still ok to do that? Thought i might check before i get all polled out. Garry

[quote name='ezbass' post='1164480' date='Mar 16 2011, 03:01 PM']I saw/heard her on the Yamaha stand![/quote] I misread that at first, I thought it said... I saw/had her on the Yamaha stand..... Garry

Everyone up for a "Thunder Thumbs" fest then? Or will it be the Vicar and Cucumber Sandwiches? Garry

[quote name='xgsjx' post='1163859' date='Mar 15 2011, 11:06 PM']Be prepared for at least 10 different answers per 4 members [/quote] Yep, technology changes faster than Charlie Parker flying around the changes to "I've Got Rhythm"...... Garry

[quote name='barneyg42' post='1164213' date='Mar 16 2011, 11:17 AM']Surely a demo should cover all genres to give a good impression of the product! IMHO of course![/quote] Ah.....But a demo of Various genres might include something from the great Jaco ..... Then...well... we know how the rest goes. Garry

[quote name='algmusic' post='1163931' date='Mar 16 2011, 12:52 AM']Sorry mate, I have to disargee. Its annoys me when drummers use playing in 'groovey' can't be done do a click. You put steve gadd to a click and it still sounds amazing. It's the players ability to be able to make the click feel good. If i'm playing to a click I use in-ears, as it helps you to lock into the click, but your timing comes from being a good player and practicing playing to a click in a relaxed way. At the beginning, I used to have my click very loud, now it's just like one of the other instruments in my mix, like walking down the road with a friend. You don't chase, you just move along with it. The players around you start to realise they need to need to be more sensitive to time and lock into the drums.. which is a miracle for guitarists and singers.. In the long run the band benefits from it. I'e played gigs to clicks and the band didn't the difference to the ones that I used it from the ones I didn't and that's how it should be.[/quote] I agree with all this, after years of playing shows and stuff to clicks, it all becomes second nature..... Even with the click, some musicians play in front, behind, on it etc... retaining a natural live feel. The only thing is that.....it don't speed up or drag - just how i like it.. If you do not want to mess with Laptops etc. Just record the stuff into a DAW, then bounce it down to Mini Disc or MP3 etc - It will be the cheapest way. Garry

[quote name='thebrig' post='1163987' date='Mar 16 2011, 07:18 AM']Most laptops these days don't have Firewire, but most of the audio interfaces I'm looking at are Firewire. So would a Firewire IEEE 1394 6 Pin Male to Male USB 2.0 Adapter do the job, or would it be affected by the limitations of USB? I have just upgraded my laptop to: Intel Core i5-450M 15.6" HD LED LCD Intel HD Graphics 4 GB DDR3 Memory 500 GB HDD DVD-Super Multi DL Drive So I'm hoping I have a decent enough computer for the job, but it does not have Firewire![/quote] I needed to transfer some Audio data from a external Firewire hard drive to USB input on a PC. I tried using a Adaptor, and in my case it did not work, so i think it might be hit & miss. [if it works at all] OldG's method would be the best bet, unless you re think and go the USB route. Garry

[quote name='ezbass' post='1162845' date='Mar 15 2011, 10:37 AM']When I got to the slap part I actually stopped for a second or two to consider if it was necessary.[/quote] I hope you are a bit more decisive on the gig.... Garry

[quote name='willyf87' post='1162794' date='Mar 15 2011, 09:53 AM']In fact i'd love to try pro tools just can't justify the cash.[/quote] When people talk about Pro tools, its not just the software...thats pretty cheap to buy. Top end studios and media broadcast will be using Pro tools HD. [If they use Pro tools] Not a Mbox or M-Audio interface running the Pro tools sequencer. In project studios any software on Mac or PC will get the job done. Then its down to how creative/musical the operator is. Garry