SamIAm

Thanks @tauzero, it's nice to have something (hopefully) interesting to share. Previously I had thought that Elk was dead, but whilst their forum is quiet, they had a large investment (apx 2.6 Million USD) back in May and seem to be dropping new code; a bit like Mod audio they have a mixed commercial/OSS licence model and seem to produce one hardware device, for jamming over the internet. I'm in the process of trying to build their Pi image (It's yocto based and new to me) at which point I can try incorporating Qt into the image for the onboard UI. Cool that you have the various bits of the hardware stack ... If you might be interested in trying out some of the stuff or even some joint development drop me a PM? S'manth x

Rather a long time since I've done any work on this (or indeed done much at all; serious bout of depression following the impact of the fire and some other life affecting stuff, but it's clearing). I stumbled across another audio unit called Proteus so will be referring to this as BOME until a better moniker comes along. I've done some playing over the past couple of weeks and I think I have closed out on the tech stack for the BOME prototype. Hardware Raspberry Pi 4b - I have one that I salvaged from the fire and whilst they are in short supply at present, this should hopefully change in the next few months. It is a cheap unit and well documented; it also supports the software stack I have selected. HiFiBerry DAC+ADC Pro - This is a good quality, reasonably priced, Pi add on board to allow stereo (or two mono) audio input and outputs (Again something I was able to salvage from the fire). It is supported by the software stack I intend to use. Touch Sensitive Display - This will allow for configuring BOME without needing a computer to do so (Tho BOME will also be configurable using a web browser) Rotary Encoder/Switches - Used to supplement the touch display when configuring BOME as well as tweaking pedal settings on the go. Footswitches - To allow handsfree control of BOME whilst playing; select defined pedalboard layouts, activate/bypass 'pedals', load setting snapshots, activate tuner, etc Expression Pedal In - Allow connection of a 1/4 Jack TRS expression pedal to control pedal effects. Pi Pico - A low cost microcontroller that will be used to interface between the Pi and the various input controls; It will offload some of the load from the Pi as well as providing some capabilites the Pi does not have (such as ADC for the expression pedal) USB Host Port - Allow the connection of a USB MIDI Device to control any plugins. USB Device Port - Allow connection to a computer to allow BOME to act as an audio capture/playback device. Software Elk audio OS - This lies at the heart of BOME. It is based on linux (so allowing the use of linux capabilities and development tools) with some added goodness: ElkOS has a realtime element that interfaces with the HiFiBerry Audio card that has an extremely low latency, this means that the likelihood of experiencing audio artifacts like jitter or dropout is significantly reduced Elk Sushi is basically a DAW and allows for the use of both LV2 and VST3 (linux based) plugins. Sushi hands over all responsibility for the user interface to BOME, allowing for both touch panel and remote web control. BOME-APP - Bespoke code running on the Pi that ties everything together and provides the logic and user interface for BOME. BOME-IO - Bespoke micro-controller code running on the Pico to make the various switches and controls available to BOME-APP. With my 3D printer still being out of service (The fire melted most of the plastic elements and I've yet to replace them) I resorted to a heath robinson approach using cardboard and duct tape to construct a prototype enclosure. Currently 250mm wide (constrained by the spacing required for the footswitches) 140mm deep (Driven by the 5 inch touch sensitive display) and 60mm high, not counting the knobs. I may lose one of the footswitches to allow me to reduce the width to 195mm, but I'm going to run with this setup for the time being. Thus far I have been able to assemble the Pi, HifiBerry and some audio in/out; install the Elk software; configure a pedalboard with both a MIDI synth VST3 plugin and a guitar f/x chain using LV2 plugins for a compressor, chorus and room reverb; with a bass guitar plugged in and a midi usb keyboard attached I've been able to play both synth and the bass, driving a bass combo cab ... and it sounds pretty good! I've been able to use an app called Open Stage Controller running on my laptop to send OSC commands (A bit like MIDI but much richer) to change pedal plugins settings over a WiFi to the BOME unit. Next to start on the BOME-APP, to allow web based management of pedalboards (A set of effect plugins connected together), pedals (An individual plugin that provides a single pedal type of effect such as compression/overdrive/chorus/reverb/etc), connections between them (Virtual equivalent of patch cables). In parallel to this I need to start looking at how to achieve as many of the same capabilities using the onboard display and controls, Elk does not provide any display libraries so I need to figure out how to incorporate them to drive the touch screen as well as accepting input from the rotary and foot controls. S'manth x

I now listen to more multigenre music, trying to focus on the sounds ... (and of course some thumping bass lines!) In our band we use lead-sheets and I've managed to get to the point of sightreading root/3rd/5th (even some walks) without embarrassing us (as the only one in the band who has an amp .... every wee mistake is HEARD! Thankfully f/x tech such as compression and loads of practice is helping) Scenario One: At the end of a band practice, my very skilled bandmates will just break into song, J on his uke, D with her amazing voice, S with her amazing ability to do twiddly bits and so on .... Scenario Two: I've been told that there is a monthly bass jam session not far from here that I would love to join Scenario Three: I hear an amazing song on streaming and want to simply play along. BUT, I pick up a bass and listen ... hard ... and then join in, and am only able to achieve acceptable notes about 3% of the time When I arrange band songs I use tech like Chordify, a DAW, Lilypad, Chordpro, Musescore etc ... and eventually end up with a good result. But this is all done in advance in the studio (OK in my case on my dining room table lol) Live jamming, recognising what notes/chords ... even the key .... of what is being played on evades me! HOW does one develop this ability!? Are there recognised approaches or is it ... "Sorry S'manth, if you were not born with this ability then ..." As an intermediate crutch, does anyone know of something like Chordify but that runs in real time on a smartphone/tablet/laptop even? I mean, when we consider the tech in tuners/chorus/octavers etc ... real-time recognition of notes/chords is obviously not beyond us ... I mean the Polytune can identify multiple notes!!! I am failing to locate either a) A structured approach to learn how to recognise what is being played (if this is even possible) ... ear training I think it is called b) Any app/gadget/etc that I could "cheat" with, which in real-time (or near real-time) would display what it hears and analyses through it's mic and throws this up on the screen so I could at least get a bit more involved and maybe even develop an ear for. My rhythmic sense is ... better than average, but I really struggle to hear/identify notes/chords/keys. And when I watch the chord positions that my band mates finger ... well ... total fail for me! Any experience/ideas much appreciated. S'manth (frustated tone deaf it seems bass player) x

An ECG that is not not quite right ... I'm on it!!! But sadly I am poor at recognising chord shapes in my bandmates ! S'manth xx

Would you be so kind to send me any links as the ones I find on google "are not the droids I'm looking for!" S'manth xxx

A set of screwdrivers with at leat 30 bits (IMNHO) are essential to build anything worthy! S'manth xx (An ITU nurse of 5 y and a geek of 35y!)

And I can't just get enough! lol S'manth x My poor attempt when I only played the uke! If you care to damage your ears ... check out about 4:36 S'manth xxx

Oh PLEASE do more, it sounds fantastic! xxx

AWESOME!!!! xxx Please share it all x

cool!

Then perhaps a higher spec (check out CEX) is required!? S'manth x

Happy to try to help. If you are considering to replace it, then I can highly suggest installing something like Ubuntu Studio. I'm running currently on a Lenovo X260, an old beast, but it seems to be snappy! Under 8 seconds from start to being to login and Ardour 7 runs sweet as a nut! And despite being a dedicated Mac Girl, the UI is ... well ... pretty damn good! S'manth x

I would not! S'manth x

Bloody BC reaction limits! So this post (which doubtless uses more resources!) S'manth x

thank you for such insight! I wonder if you might have a suggestion for my particular challenge!? Old ears and so often find it hard to actually pick out a bass line! Tone deaf ... I would love to just sit in a jam session and bash, but I never can identify the notes/chords (Always seem to have to rely on lead sheets) Other in my band just seem to be able to pluck stuff out of the air, but I fail to recognise it and thus my "input" is rubbish. How to "ear train"!?!? S'manth xx

I mean, is this guy not insanely fantastic! If could play even 1% as well I'd be delighted! S'manth x

My initial idea was a single bit of wood for all of Phoenix. I had considered recessing the "body" section to effectively raise the fingerboard. I now wonder if I should just bite the bullet and add a seperate fingerboard, it could look amazing and would make my truss/carbonfibre rod supports easier to install .... hmmmm, will need to ponder!! S'manth x

Love this question, I can manage a basic root/3rd/5th on sight .... even the occasional walks, but it feels weak and I would love to play better! I look forward to the suggestions of those with more experience! S'manth x

Piezo under the neck, that never would have occurred to me and will solve the challenges I've been facing in trying to figure out where to put them! S'manth xx

Maybe on a Uke or a Cello ... but on a Bass ... I think in this case we do not see eye to eye (or is that string to string) Simple maths ... 5 fingers ... five strings lol S'manth xx (Often wrong but hopefully amusing at times!)

Wish I could offer a sensible suggestion but that setup is SO far removed from any I've used it would be like Greek to me! You do say a couple things that spark some thoughts ... "I've noticed recently" - has anything changed on your system recently? "Limited RAM" - How limited? If you are having to swap to disk a lot it will bash system performance. Are talking 2Gb or 16Gb of RAM? I wonder if trying a different DAW might be worth considering, for instance Ardour which is quite fab. It might be worth running an OS that is less demanding on resources, several linux variants are very Windows like in behaviour but use a fraction of the H/W to do more! The latency numbers you mention seem high to me, I recall that 1ms of latency is about the same as a foot of distance for sound to travel ... so that's 50feet of delay! https://www.homemusicproducer.com/what-is-considered-good-audio-latency/ Sorry for the vague nature of these comments ideas but it might spark something S'manth xx

Simply gorgeous! On an earlier point about locking strap thingies. I recently got a Hohner Headless, (as per my profile pic). It would sit wonderfully level on the two strap buttons, with the tuners kept safe from floor contact. I then fitted an S-Lock, whilst the strap button on the bass is not that different from the original, when I've got the strap on the strap mechanics protrude about 12mm an the whole rig leans at a jaunty (even worrying) angle now! Not sure if any of the fully recessed strap lock systems might avois this issue. S'manth x

I've considered body chambering in Phoenix to help keep the weight low, but I'm a bit concerned I might then end up with an unbalanced bass with bad neck dive! Is pimping up your shortscale (strings/pups/electronics) worth considering to try to get the sound you want? S'manth x

Totally unable to sleep last night, my idiot brain just would not switch off and most of what it did was nonstop nonsense. Mindfullness meditation, counting sheep, reading the most boring medical articles ... nothing helped and I just grew more exhausted by the minute. I even got dressed in the middle of the night and started packing my gear i the hope that it lull me off to sleep and I would then awaken, perhaps a little unkempt, but ready to bash away But ... I am not sure I'd have the energy to waddle to my car, I know for certain I would not be able to drive safely! So sadly no S'manth at today's bash Hope you all have a great time! xx