SumOne

Perhaps, but right now (after days of faff, vs all those other products that work fine), I'm not sold on that! The UA Volt 2 is one of the most popular Midi interfaces, probably only second to Focusrite. It is about £130 so should be decent enough to do this. I dunno, I don't think I have anything too unusual going on with my setup. The FI updater recognised the UA Volt but then does not connect and does not give any reason for it/sollution/check list. I've used DAWs etc for about 25 years, and like I mentioned - lots of digital pedals and Midi etc but this one connection seems impenetrable to figure out, I've just about given up. If there is a second 'virtual Midi' running or something, well - nothing online or from hours of searching seems to show how I can see it/turn it off.

It is, Reaper is closed when trying to run FI, I was just going via Reaper for the screenshotys as that is shows the UA Volt is readable as Midi in/out and shows more info like the Buffer/Sample rate etc status. The Interface also has aduio inpits/outputs (e.g. audio cable from Bass guitar, outputs ro monitor speakers) which is what it is showing. It also has Midi in/out, and the usb interface. This might be it. However, 'interface problem, not an FI problem' is kinda my beef with the FI using a system that can have so much 'user error' potential. I do have another interface arriving from Amazon tomorrow, hopefully that sorts it. I've recently used Midi DJ Equipment (Rane One), a Midi keyboard (Yamaha), multi-fx with Midi (Helix and Boss) Midi controllers (Luminite and Akai), as well as digital pedals (Boss, Source Audio, TC Electronic etc.) and all worked fine with this Laptop and UA Volt as an interface and did software updates etc with minimal faff. None used Midi as the interface for updates and patch editing etc, probably for good reason.

Analogue pedals do get outdated in some ways too though. Parts get worn out and can't always be replaced or technology just moves on (e.g. massive noisy pedals with odd power requirements). Nothing lasts forever, I think if I got 10 years use out of a pedal (digital or analogue) it would feel like I got my money's worth.

Thanks @Quatschmacher, that is much appreciated. The interface shows in the editor: ....but then moving the FI sliders does not do anything on the FI. (I have tried swopping Midi cables around, and this is while not in the 'update'mode). There is a simple app for my interface, and ASIO setting changes via Reaper DAW, but no options for sysex messages: The interface usb is going direct to the Laptop (no USB hub), and everything else is closed - no other USB things plugged in, no other programmes running. Perhaps the Midi thru functionality is the issue, but the UA Volt app only has simple Status/Sample Rate/Buffer things that can be changed, Midi thru isn't an option. I might order a second Midi interface from Amazon with free returns to see if that solves it. A cheap Bespeco one worked for me with FI v3 (I don't have either any more), but I remember a certain amount of un-intuative faff needed (something like the order of turning things on, only working with Chrome, not other internet tabs open) and then it was still a bit hit and miss. It reminds me a bit of a time I worked for a mining association - miners kept jumping over a dangerous rock conveyor to get to the break/smoke area instead of the long walk around, some got hurt, the mine response was put up a big sign saying 'do not cross the conveyor', people still did it and got hurt and the mine response was 'user error - we told them not to' and then they spent a lot of money on fences which mysteriously started getting human-sized holes in them. The issue was the lacking human centred design. I dunno, but FI editing and updates via Midi just seeems a bit fraught with 'user error', things like Source Audio, TC electronic, Line 6, Boss etc (admittedly much bigger complanies) all seem to be relatively simple via usb, 'plug into Laptop and it works'. The only other thing I've had so much connectivity faff with has been the NUX MLD Preamp.

It's a bit of a mystery. No other Midi connections open, all other Chrome tabs closed, no programmes open (includes the FI editor), Midi cables correct, FI in pairing mode, interface recognised and selected (in and out).....and still 'FI not present'. This has now been about 4hrs of muck about. Gotta say,this is the biggest downside of the FI (and I've seen many others with the same issue). 'user error' or 'wrong interface' 'not FI's problem' stops being a reasonable on a version 8 years after v1, clearly it isn't very user friendly/foolproof, could really do with a usb connection or something. I'm going to have to fork out for another midi interface, and if that doesn't work then I'll be selling the FI - as good as it is, it isn't worth the time/faff.

The UA Volt interface is the only thing physically plugged in to the Laptop, I'll look into that though - perhaps a virtual connection, or a competing driver or something else buried.

'fraid not. definitely correct out to in, in to out (and swopped just in case)

Exciting times! I've gone and got a full sized v4 from here and it all works well but I'm having trouble with the firmware update/connect for editor. I think I'm doing everything correctly: Midi Out to Midi In and vice versa Selected the Midi in/out on the FI firmware page (it recognises my 'UA Volt 2' interface)('auraplug' wants to make changes to your Midi device - accept) Turn off/on FI with switches held down so the light is flashing for 'update' mode Click update .....'FI not present or communication error detected' Editor doesn't connect to the FI either. Any ideas? I did have a v3 and seem to remember there was something needed like not having any other Chrome tabs open (I have closed all), anything else simple like that I should try? The UA Volt 2 is a relatively new interface for me and isn't what I used when I had the FI v3, so it could be that - I'm hoping not though as it is a decent Midi interface that has worked with other things and I'd obviously like to avoid having to buy another interface just for the FI.

I wouldn't mind it on a 4 string....but then the SR 4 strings are 19mm (which does make me think - if 16.5mm is better then why aren't the 4 sting ones that width?) My main issue with it is slapping on a 5 as it means trying to get between B and D strings to hit that E string (the main 'slap' string I use) within quite a small space - it just feels a bit cramped and fiddly (33mm space between the B and D strings on a 16.5mm spaced 5 vs 38mm on a 19mm spaced 5, that 5mm feels surprisingly different to me and gives quite a bit more leeway).

Ah nice one! As a 4 string equivalent is it all good?

One issue I have with the 5 string SRs is the tight string spacing, the odd one out is the SR1605DW that has 18mm spacing though. Odd it's not on the Ibanez European website (only the USA one), and out of big range of 5 string SRs it is the only one with 18mm spacing - so not just a new paint job, I'd guess quite an investment for that one bass to have a different neck/headstock/fretboard/pocket/body but it is only on the 'specs' on the USA Ibanez website that mentions 18mm. It is available in European shops but none mention the 18mm. Almost seems a typo on the USA Ibanez website but I assume not as the 'W' is probably for 'Wide'. Scan GuitarGuitar Gear4Music None of them mention string spacing, odd as it is the unique selling point. I like a loud paint job, but am not too sure about this. And at about £1,500 there is a lot of other competition. Still though, I am quite keen. Edit: Video of it from 4 years ago - so I guess this isn't a new Bass at all and is perhaps why it isn't on the Ibanez European website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua2rtDiPTdE

You might like: Fila Brazillia Nightmares on wax Lemon Jelly Kid Loco Aim Maribou State Bonobo

I'd like to go to one that is actually what I'd consider a Jam: informal free-flowing improvisation. All the ones I've been to have basically been karaoke with a backing band that occasionally swops musicians.

It definitely seems ironic for Global Radio (Capital, Heart, Gold) to be complaining about repetitive poor quality music.

Yeah, the gain wasn't a really a problem on mine, and not a volume drop other than certain settings: "I think for the Band Pass has some decent sounds if Range is set 'low', but for me the gain needs to be low to get a decent sound with the drive set 'up' - meaning the output is quiet. Drive 'down' can sound good if peak is set low and gain high, then it has a decent volume and nice squish, clean blend with it would be useful though."

Perhaps one of these ACGs as a 4? I'm quite keen to get this 5 myself: https://www.bassdirect.co.uk/product/acg-047s-j-type-5-34-greenburst-pre-owned/ They are about £1,700 new, but in your price range second hand. For the 5, I like the string spacing, preamp, tuners, weight, and the look of it, (and I always like a front facing jack but active preamp - quite a rare to find though), I would like to give it a play to check the pickups and ergonomics though and how the neck feels. I'm not too fussed that it's UK made, but I suppose it is a bit of a selling point, and nice to have something a bit more rare than a production line fender/ibanez etc.

Cheers all. As I've been through dozens of distortion pedals and always come to the same sort of conclusion I think before buying anything new I'm going to try some of the suggestions like using clean for the rowdier bits, perhaps moving about where I have compression, and possibly it is something to do with my Amp/Cab (or at least the EQ I have on the Amp) as they have remained constant while I keep swopping distortion pedals - they sound good clean, but perhaps need something different going on when it's distortion time (e.g. distortion in the fx loop). There is probably an element of the fact I'm stood right in front of the cab when playing live with the band - so what I'm hearing in those rowdy parts is a mix of that and the stage monitors, the audience might actually hear something quite different (I only have crappy phone recordings of that so can't really tell). I do think it is something other than 'use pedal XYZ' or 'use a clean blend'.

I came to the conclusion of distortion not really adding the extra oomph that I want on a gig this Saturday and ended up not using it. Playing at loud volume through an Amp/Cab and along with drums, 2x distorted guitars and the rest the main thing the bass needs in this band at those rowdy points is a clear pulse/thump/definition of notes within that I guess <400Hz sort of range. The rowdy parts of songs have the guitars going distorted, if I also click on distortion it just makes the fundamental thump of the bass get more mushy and distorted and actually loses impact, it adds mid/high distorted noise - but they are lost in with the guitars. Can turn up the bass but that doesn't bring back the 'tump'. In isolation it sounds big and heavy, but I think almost by definition it looses that when distorted. So yeah, I think it might well be more of an issue of where the compression is, what is going on with my Amp/Cab and the mix with the rest of the band rather than needing new distortion pedals.

I think compression and where it is in the chain might be a good call. I currently have an idiotbox blower box and there is no problem with the amount of bass it can produce - it's more that the defined 'thump' is lost and that seems to happen with almost all distortion I've tried. So yeah, perhaps it is something that the right compression after distortion can sort out, or a blend and changing the clean compression. I've tried so many distortions and it seems the same thing always once playing through Amp/cab and with a band, so I'm starting to think it isn't actually the distortion pedal as such - it's down to something else.

I can't get one a third time! ......or can I?! 🤨

Yeah, I recently got one and it is really good for that. My only issue is I use it as 'always on' for the lower-gain EQ mode and I need to stomp somethign on for a few more distorted parts. Another DCX would do nicely...don't think I can justify that extravagance though!