Sibob

Still a great time to start, after Jan 1st lol Si

Wow, leather plectrums? That is.......niche lol. I guess, if you’re a pick player, then it’s a consumable....and if not, you need one to practice the technique. What it’s made from is your own business 😂 In other news, my paid-for-in-2018 Lakland is ready, so will ship in the next day or so apparently, yay! Si

It's brilliant, often for the wrong reasons, but it ultimately is a film about the toxicity of the music industry (thanks to Mr Lawson for that perfect summation), 'making it' and how they've both managed to survive. When you consider that when most 90's popstars became old news, they fell into obscurity, yet these two managed to maintain careers to a lesser or greater degree, in LA and Vegas. Now, I agree, they don't come across particularly well, with both of them way too serious, although it really is Matt who comes off the worst. That said, it probably shouldn't be said that they don't work hard, because I think they do. I think they deserved to have one last arena show (not sure if anything else came of it?!), but they probably employed a fair few people as a result of the film and the show, which is always great for the music industry. Not least the hired band REALLY deserved to get a cool arena show out of it after what seemed like a horrendous rehearsal period. Favourite bit? When Matt is getting particularly passionate about how you can't now play conkers in the playground without safety goggles. Luke, in the background but still looking at camera, hasn't quite heard him so asks what he's talking about. Matt then restates his case to Luke, equally as passionately (the world has gone mad etc). Luke's reply? "....I'm alright with that". Excellent TV, pinch of salt here and there (it's all in the edit), very strange duo...........enjoyable. 8/10 Si

Didn’t buy anything today, so off to a strong start . I am somewhat shielded from it all by having a couple of pre-paid arrivals in Jan, so we’ll see how tough it gets in Feb lol. Si

So what got sold to pay for her? 😁 Very cool! Si

That is correct. Line inputs are for things that output line-level, so perhaps synths or a drum machine, lots of outboard gear does. Typically, if you’re only recording guitar/bass/drums etc, you’ll usually want mic or instrument inputs. Si

It kinda sounds like you already know what you want to do?! Ie experiment with more mics, so you would need more XLR inputs to do that. That said, I think it’s pretty rare to record guitars with anything more than 2 mics?! I’m not sure what you’d really be gaining. I guess it would allow you one DI, plus a close mic and ambient mic. With the 18i8, there are 4 XLRs on the front, the first two of those can also operate as instrument or line inputs, the last two can act as line inputs. The 4 inputs on the rear are purely line inputs. Si

Just over 48hours until we start Who got new bits for Xmas? Who’s got new bits on the way before NYs? Si

It’s unlikely that Joe records using his amp rig, nor the same bass each time, so attributing it to those things is a little pointless. Even with his bass, I think he sounds very similar with his Jazz as with his MusicMan. Much of his sound on record will come from the production process (or lack thereof....it’s all really lo-fi) I reckon, and his live sound will be processed to match that. You recognise Joe for the way he plays, so it’s all characteristics I reckon, we just attribute it to ‘tone’. Si

Good good 😘 Si

Top 3 I agree with, and are allowed within the rules. Last 1 is not a ‘need’ in my eyes, it’s a nice to have (in some cases), definitely not key to bass (but that’s another thread). Not having a compressor pedal doesn’t stop you doing a gig, or learning to be a better player. You can learn about compression without buying a pedal for your bass. Only take part in the tier 1 challenge and download a compressor vst (although most DAWs have them included), record your bass, learn how to use compression. Then in 2020, you’ll be set to include it in your gig rig Si

So allow me to usher in a new era.....no acquisition of gear in 2019, buy or trade, aside from the exceptions outlined already....themes the rules. No-one is forced to take part 😜 Si

Define need? 99% of us don’t need the gear we buy/trade. To me, what you’ve laid out is simply a concession ready to be bent/flaunted Si

The point is that you’re still dealing in gear, the excercise is to get away from it. I would argue that if you’re selling something, simply say ‘cash only’, it’s for the buyer to then shift their gear/come up with the bunce, rather than you take a part-ex. You do you obviously, i’m just outlining what I’m going to be adhering to. Si

If you need any advice on the Novation stuff, just let me know Si // Novation

Thread here. Si

There is no 'better', there is only what you like. If you fell utterly in love with a Stenback, you would pay the price to get one. As it happens, you fell in love with a Sei and it was cheaper.......there's nothing more to it than that. Si

Regarding trades, it’s still seeking and acquiring new gear, it’s not necessarily about the money :). Trades remain illegal Si

Yup, fine to sell Si

Ok, edited the first post with the following, let me know if I missed anything: Off the back of this becoming more popular than I had anticipated....here are the RULES: Tier 1 Challenge During the calendar year of 2019 (01/01/19 - 31/12/19): - No bass gear purchases/trades whatsoever, be that amps, pedals, basses, accessories. Tier 2 challenge (should you play other instruments, engage in music production etc) - As above, but extended to your other musical gear Allowances in both tiers: - Strings (sticks, skins, reeds etc) - Maintenance/setups that only involve work on existing aspects of your bass (ie no purchasing a preamp to add to it) - If something breaks through no unusual intervention of your own, and is unable to be repaired, you may replace it. - Educational purchases, ie tutorial books, lessons, anything that furthers your playing is permitted. - If you have purchased something in 2018, you are able to take delivery of it within 2019. - If you have put down a deposit on something before committing to this, which then requires a final payment within 2019, that single payment permitted. However you may wish to explore whether you can pay the balance early (if you're a little OCD like me). I think that about covers it, please also treat this thread as a bit of a 'support group', any funny stories about near misses, discoveries about your current gear that you might not have focused on before, things learned by spending money on learning over gear etc etc etc. Finally, I would like to say that THIS IS JUST FOR FUN, if someone falls off the wagon, no-one cares. This initially just started out to see whether I can achieve it.....a rather extreme exercise in really appreciating the amazing gear I already have.

Any setup/maintenance work comes under strings as an allowance I would say. But yes, preamp would be a stretch.....but that’s paid for so..... And with regards to having put down a deposit before committing to this, just whistle and look the other way when handing over the balance ......that doesn’t work for those who are aware/committed to this though lol. Si

Everyone has exactly 2 weeks from today to get their 2019 purchases paid for in full Si

The guy is just wired very differently to most people, with his wife being complicit, there’s even some telling characteristics of psychopathy in there. He’ll never have a meaningful music career.....maybe a ‘viral entertainment’ career, but not much more. Si