lurksalot Posted March 1 Posted March 1 MoonBassAlpha takes a deserved win for February and of course, has the honour of the picture choice for March. He muses... "I've been thinking about the photo and this came to mind. I was working a short contract in Oxford with a group who make instruments for satellite and lander missions and had a spell in the clean room. I thought this could suggest more sinister stories though..." ✅ Entries must be <5 minutes and recorded between now and the deadline. ❌ No illegal samples, copyright infringements or other snide goings-on ❌ No Bagpipes, They would be impossible to decontaminate for a clean room! ❌ No voting for your own entry. We'll know. And we'll shame you.. Deadline-wise, we will go for Midnight on Starsky's birthday, the 25th March A line or two of blurb as usual for the vote thread will be super duper smashing lovely. Good luck, Have fun 2 Quote
Baloney Balderdash Posted March 1 Posted March 1 (edited) Just recorded this: As last time recorded through this setup (bar the added Orange Juice overdrive in place of clean blend with the Turbo RAT distortion) : 5 string 28.6" scale Ibanez GSRM25 Mikro Bass (strung with Elixir Nanoweb guitar strings, of the gauges .080 - .062 - .046 - .036 - .026, tuned in G# standard tuning, that is one half step bellow the upper 5 strings of a 7 string bass in regular B standard tuning) -> ->> XVive Undulator (tremolo pedal, but never actually engaged and used exclusively for its great buffer) ->> EHX Black Finger (tube driven optical compressor, with 2 preamp tubes operating at proper high 300V plate voltage, primarily functioning as a tube preamp stage, driven to just at the edge of the tubes's breakup point, but with some very subtle compression dialed in as well) ->> TC Electronic Sub'N'Up Mini (for adding a 1 octave up, mimicking an effect somewhat similar to that of an 8 string bass, using a custom made Toneprint) ->> DigiTech FreqOut (feedback generator) ->> Boss LS-2 [A+B Mix <-> Bypass] (parallel effect loops mixer/switch) ={ [Loop A Send] ->> Mosky Black Rat (RAT clone, in Turbo RAT, LED diode clipping, mode, quite raunchy, high gain distortion, always used blended with the Orange Juice overdrive from parallel effects [Loop B]) ->> [Loop A Return] ->|+|<- [Loop B Send] ->> Orange Juice (Orange amp like medium gain overdrive, always blended with the Black Rat distortion from parallel effects [Loop A]) ->> [Loop B Return] ([Loop A] + [Loop B] mixed at an approximate 70/30 ratio) => [LS-2 Output] }=>->> Boss LS-2 [A+B Mix <-> Bypass] (parallel effect loops mixer/switch) ={ [Loop A Send] ->> Joyo Oxford Sound (clone of the Tech 21 Oxford, which is an all analog emulation of an Orange Amp type preamp, dialed in to deliver a high gain overdrive, always used blended with "clean" signal from parallel effects [Loop B]) ->> [Loop A Return] ->|+|<- [Loop B Send] ->> ([Loops B] empty, used to blend in "clean" signal) ->> [Loop B Return] ([Loop A] + [Loop B] mixed at an approximate 50/50 ratio) => [LS-2 Output] }=>->> Zoom B1Xon (used predominantly as reverb and delay unit, including my always on {very subtle Plate Reverb -> subtle Spring Reverb} subtle reverb patch) ->> Mosky XP Booster (Xotic EP Booster V.1 clone) ->> NUX Tape Core Deluxe (amazing digital emulation of the legendary Roland RE-201 Space Echo tape delay, most of the time dialed in to deliver a lush reverb like effect) ->> NUX (NBP-5) Melvin Lee Davis Bass Preamp + DI (loaded with a digitally emulated Aguilar Tone Hammer amp, and an Ampeg SVT-212AV IR cab simulation, with HPF @40Hz, LPF @14kHz, and a subtle low gain overdrive blended in at a 50/50 clean/drive ratio) -> ->> ART Tube MP Project Series (tube preamp and DI, with build in HPF, fixed @40Hz, engaged, tube driven to just on the verge of breakup point) -> Zoom H4n (handheld recorder) With all units being engaged through the entire recording (bar the tremolo at the very start of the signal chain, used exclusively as a buffer). Sunn O))) -esque feedback-laden (thanks to the Digitech FreqOut) drony solo bass doom sludge. And as last time a first take. Exactly as recorded, with no post-production whatsoever. Edited March 1 by Baloney Balderdash 2 Quote
Baloney Balderdash Posted March 14 Posted March 14 (edited) Is it allowed to swap out the track I contributed with with another recording? Same track, just a different recording. Edit!: Never mind, decided to keep the original first take anyway. But might still be worth knowing for another time. Also while I am flattered that I apparently managed to scare all competitors away, it would be nice to hear other people's take on it still. Edited March 14 by Baloney Balderdash Quote
Leonard Smalls Posted March 14 Posted March 14 3 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said: I apparently managed to scare all competitors away, You were just a bit quick... My song is meant as accompaniment for our Grand Theft Auto hero's getaway which was top-fuelled by nicking the large cylinder of nitro (*).... *I know it's not N2O, but this is artistic licence - The Funk not only moves, it can re-move! Anyway, bass is Wal with a touch of chorus. Guitar a Squier Strat. Drums EZ and Ableton sounds. Keys AAs and Iris Jupiter/Juno. Lots of Raum, Objeq and Dubstation delay. Compressors, Universal 1176, Supercharger and Neutron. Mastered with Ozone 9. 3 Quote
Baloney Balderdash Posted March 14 Posted March 14 (edited) 25 minutes ago, Leonard Smalls said: You were just a bit quick... My song is meant as accompaniment for our Grand Theft Auto hero's getaway which was top-fuelled by nicking the large cylinder of nitro (*).... *I know it's not N2O, but this is artistic licence - The Funk not only moves, it can re-move! Anyway, bass is Wal with a touch of chorus. Guitar a Squier Strat. Drums EZ and Ableton sounds. Keys AAs and Iris Jupiter/Juno. Lots of Raum, Objeq and Dubstation delay. Compressors, Universal 1176, Supercharger and Neutron. Mastered with Ozone 9. A somewhat diametrically different take on the subject than mine, at least as far as goes pace and energy, though still rather filthy. I like it a lot! You indeed hit the car chase theme right on the spot! Edited March 14 by Baloney Balderdash 1 Quote
lurksalot Posted March 14 Author Posted March 14 3 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said: Is it allowed to swap out the track I contributed with with another recording? Same track, just a different recording. No problem choosing a different recording as long as it is done in the time frame of the challenge . 1 Quote
AndyTravis Posted March 15 Posted March 15 (edited) (Embedded by edit ...Lurksalot ) not sure what I was thinking… In my head it worked…I’d best describe it as a challenging listen. Gretsch Baritone Jet Gibson LPB-2 yup. Ok. i’ll not chose April’s picture just yet 🥴 Edited March 16 by lurksalot 1 1 Quote
Baloney Balderdash Posted March 16 Posted March 16 (edited) 17 hours ago, AndyTravis said: https://on.soundcloud.com/gc33PLdzt12L7xBv6 not sure what I was thinking… In my head it worked…I’d best describe it as a challenging listen. Gretsch Baritone Jet Gibson LPB-2 yup. Ok. i’ll not chose April’s picture just yet 🥴 What the hell are you talking about? This is freaking awesome. ❤️ Perhaps could have been mixed better, and perhaps it drags out for a bit too long, but otherwise this is an amazing track! I suppose this might not be your usual style, but trust me this works great! Noisy post-rock. Do copy/paste the proper link for the track though, so people don't have to click a link to hear it. Edited March 16 by Baloney Balderdash Quote
AndyTravis Posted March 16 Posted March 16 22 minutes ago, Baloney Balderdash said: What the hell are you talking about? This is freaking awesome. ❤️ Perhaps could have been mixed better, and perhaps it drags out for a bit too long, but otherwise this is an amazing track! I suppose this might not be your usual style, but trust me this works great! Noisy post-rock. Do copy/paste the proper link for the track though, so people don't have to click a link to hear it. I have issues with the copy/paste on iPhone…no idea why. It’s worked once in 2 years. mixing wise - I didn’t take much time on it. 😆 Quote
Baloney Balderdash Posted March 16 Posted March 16 (edited) 7 minutes ago, AndyTravis said: I have issues with the copy/paste on iPhone…no idea why. It’s worked once in 2 years. mixing wise - I didn’t take much time on it. 😆 Simply click the "Copy Link" button under the track on Soundcloud and paste it in here. And in my opinion it is a shame you don't take the track serious... It deserves it. Edited March 16 by Baloney Balderdash Quote
AndyTravis Posted March 16 Posted March 16 3 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said: Simply click the "Copy Link" button under the track on Soundcloud and paste it in here. And in my opinion it is a shame you don't take the track serious... It deserves it. Yes. That’s what I’ve done but for whatever reason it doesn’t work. as for the effort/seriousness involved; I did it in about 40 minutes start to finish so it wasn’t really about presentation of a polished work. if I get some free time before the deadline I’ll re-record it 👍🏼 Quote
lurksalot Posted March 16 Author Posted March 16 (edited) I’ll edit it for you Andy when I fire up the PC , I don’t like to try it on the mobile , it’s too easy to F it up Edited March 16 by lurksalot 1 Quote
lurksalot Posted March 16 Author Posted March 16 Here is mine Its a soundscape as a theme to a scene that may be transpiring No great technical things to say , piano main with undercurrents from a couple of synths, a few percussive throw ins and some sound FX from my phone. 2 Quote
AndyTravis Posted March 16 Posted March 16 2 hours ago, lurksalot said: I’ll edit it for you Andy when I fire up the PC , I don’t like to try it on the mobile , it’s too easy to F it up Thanks mate - every method I’ve tried has failed…although I managed it once (most likely by accident) Quote
Leonard Smalls Posted March 18 Posted March 18 Check out https://circl8radio.com/ - they're actually playing my entry for this month's compo preceded by one of the tracks off Weeds' e.p at 1720 today. It's an awesome station with generally impeccable musical choices, though they obviously have lapses 😁 Quote
Jean-Luc Pickguard Posted March 20 Posted March 20 (edited) Our gowned-up hero is actually an undercover Roman Catholic scientist working under direction of the Pope in the top secret research laboratorium deep below the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican City. In the Eucharist Magnification experiment, scientific methods are used to electronically multiply the benediction beam, and exponentially amplify and concentrate the consecration field generated during the sacrament of the Eucharist. The objective of this experiment is to transubstantiate a loaf of sourdough bread into the reanimated head of the Messiah. Edited March 21 by Jean-Luc Pickguard 3 Quote
alibabu Posted March 24 Posted March 24 I have been away from the compo challenge for quite some years, busy with kids and work and life in general. I recently bought a new Mac Mini, and am currently in the process of relearning Logic. This months entry is more of a short interlude than a full song, but it is a start! Track info: Guitar track: GL S-500 2 Bass tracks: Both with a Sire V7 5 string Synth solo: Midi keyboard into a Logic ES M synth lead Drums, strings, piano: Logic session player Enjoy! :-a 3 Quote
upside downer Posted March 24 Posted March 24 (edited) This is my attempt at sounding like The Pixies 🙃 A dystopian tale of chilling proportions. An exploratory way of dealing with miscreants is underway, conducted by scientists at a secret governmental location. It's all so clinical and a frosty reception awaits the poor souls who are the recipients of this cryotherapy. Words hidden below. Spoiler I'm led into a stark, sterile room “A photo for the archive” he demands "And don't smile!” Huh! I notice he's not smiling, either “Make it easy for yourself" "There's no point in struggling” But he's not the one facing this purgatory This scientific horror show They strap me down securely Tanks activated And I begin my sentence An unknown private hell Cryogenic, cryogenic, cryogenic man I'm a, I'm a...cryogenic man, cryogenic Cryogenic Against my will! Westfield P-bass, HB Tele, Epiphone Les Paul, MT Drums, Digitech RP80 FX, Apogee Mic+. Recorded with various levels of assistance from the trio of Wavepad, Audacity and Ableton. Edited March 24 by upside downer Added a bit more 3 Quote
MoonBassAlpha Posted March 25 Posted March 25 BassChat composition challenge March 2025 There's a very non-benign alien secured in the lab. We found an annoying frequency that it doesn't like either. It's dark sticky mass squirms in discomfort until it expires. Or does it... And, yes, I did watch Venom recently! 12 string guitar (GS-1) and fretless bass through NuX Mighty Plug Pro, Gretsch drums, Vintage UK Rogers snare 3 Quote
lurksalot Posted Wednesday at 06:58 Author Posted Wednesday at 06:58 Great stuff , I’ll get on the vote thread when I get back from work. Quote
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