TimR

Its always gone on. Sponsorship, not necessarily signature instruments, that's a more recent phenomena with mass production making it simple to do a run of 1000 instruments all exactly the same. Certainly bands sponsored by strings companies, some BassChatters have got free strings for tours etc. I imagine Paul McCartney got given a fair few basses.

One tip is not to have bright lights pointing out at the audience from the stage. It makes you difficult to see. If you're going to have lights for the dance floor, have a good think about their location. If lights are to light up the band, they need to be at the front, as high up as possible, down onto the band. Side fills are ok, but they will put the band into silhouette if there's nothing from the front. You're not a disco, people want to be able to watch you.

Don't overthink it. I left a band because people who knew my situation were too immature to recognise how it was affecting me mentally, even when I told them to cut me some slack. If you are not aware of things going on in his life that are preventing him from picking up the phone you can't temper your response accordingly. If he has always been rubbish with comms, that may be why A wants to get rid of him. If it's a new new thing then it probably needs a chat, or he will walk anyway.

Yeah, but what's with the thumb over the top of the fretboad? Everything else pales into insignificance compared to that heinous crime. Even the faux leather engine driver's hat.

I have Chauvet Obey 40 4x QTX LED parcans (4 channel) 4x Mini Led spots (6 channel) Galaxian Gem LED Moonflower and Lazer (5 channel) 2x 8 Led Moving Head lights (7/12 Channel modes) With the wireless I'm ulltimately planning on having 2 pairs of parcans either side of the stage linked locally by cable with a wireless receiver on each pair. The Moving Heads just linked with a single cable and wireless reciever to one. 4x mini spots along the front all linked via cable with 1st one wireless receiver. The Laser/moonflower to light the audience I'm thinking it can go anywhere now, where previously it was behind the band - not ideal. But it doesn't seem to have many useful modes. Just speed and direction of rotation of the laser and 8 preset chases for the moonflower plus speed. I'm likely to operate the moving heads by switching between sound mode so they pan and tilt on their own, and then stop with a set colour as a chase. Programming in a slow pan and tilt is a mission that I haven't got to grips with yet. The kit comes with 3 receivers, but can add more later.

Learn Binary, you may find some fixtures still have dip switches for addressing. But it helps if you can visualise the assignments. Try and assign each DMX fixture 8 channels (or one page) even if they only need 5 or 6. Some may need 12 or more, but most seem to need at least more than 4 but less than 8. Then set them out logically before plugging any DMX cables in. Parcan 1 - Address 1 - 00000001 Parcan 2 - Address 9 - 00001001 Parcan 3 - Address 17 - 00010001 Parcan 4 - Address 25 - 00011001 Etc. Although if you are using software this is probably less important.

I have a Chauvet Obey 40. It's only been used at home so far but I did use one in a band about 20 years ago and setting up 5 simple chases and using the 'rate' slider to vary the speed of the chases was all I needed. Select a different chase each song. About to buy some WiFi transmitter/receivers as the amount of long cables that have to be run and packed up. It'll pay for itself in cables and time. Currently only DMX control is 4 mini spotlights linked together with one as master (and sound to light) and everything else is just sound to light solo. It can look a bit manic.

I have 4 8" led Par Cans 4 mini Led spotlights 2 Moving head lights. We have a laser with coloured lights in it as well. I link the 4 mini Led lights together spread across the front to illuminate the band. 2 of the par Cans on stands either side. The 2 moving heads linked together and they mimic each other in reflection. It's ok but the sound to light just means random flashing lights all over the shop. I also have a Chauvet Obey 40 controller. I've played with the controller at home with everything connected but it's too many cables to connect. Next purchase will be WiFi DMX transmitter and rechargeable receivers. My plan is then to take everything off sound to light and program some simple chases where everything is a bit less manic. Will leave the moving heads in auto as programming sweeps with them is challenging using the Obey.

I am eagerly awaiting his forthcoming video where he quotes from a load of old blokes on one of those old fashioned forums, and finally answers the age old questions; What bass is best for metal? Which is the best Jazz or Precision? Rounds or Flats? Can I mix cabs and heads?

I went to the tip today with a load of polystyrene. No one asked for it. I Didn't even ask for it, it came around a cupboard my daughter bought. If you wanted it, too late, it's gone.

This is a really good demonstration of exactly what rubbish is. One thing that, to one person, is no longer usable, or fit for purpose, so they are going to throw it away. The same thing, someone else would possibly be prepared to buy from them. The real question is; whether Jean-Luc has thrown it away, sold it, or put it in their spare parts box... I see this sometimes at the local council tip. Wonder why people are throwing things away that look perfectly useful. And I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason for it, but you're not allowed to buy and sell things at the tip. Although I have seen people taking items off people as they're emptying their cars. So is it rubbish, or is it ready to be recycled? A lot of rubbish music seems to have been recycled by various people.

Ha! I have Lozz's Keeley compressor, which I bought from him 4 years ago. It's brilliant. Always on.

I am not tiny! I am still in. Truss rod adjusted last month - seems the saddles are at the lowest they'll go. Still plays well.

A friend of mine died last month. 65. Our drummer is going in for stents next week. 60. A manager at work had a heart attack- has been off for 4 weeks so far. Stents fitted. 48. Stay safe everyone.

What is B doing wrong that is preventing you from progressing? Where do you hope to progress to and when? Is everyone else 100% on board and capable of committing to playing at that new level? The best musician is the one that can make the gigs.