All Activity

I've been learning classical double bass recently (because that's what you do at 44) and that – and these transcriptions – have helped hugely. Just picked up a gig in a blue note jazz band and I was able to sight read the heads which impressed my friends, which is always good to see. Just wanted to express my thanks, that's all.

Bass players: I'd never take my favourite bass out to a gig, it might get a tiny scratch on it and that would be really upsetting. Also bass players: just taking this one out the back to go at it with a rusty bike chain and an angle grinder for a lovely authentic-looking relic finish.

Thanks all! It was a special night for us. That's also the first time we ever played that song live - it's about the time in hospital following the stroke.

Anyone familiar with Scott’s Bass Lessons will have seen Sharon Renold. I knew she was a great bass player, but only recently (thanks to my YT feed) realised that she also sings. Here‘ what YT sent me, followed by a link that Ben from SBL sent me. She‘s well good

I don't recall getting your text...and I'm not a guitarist.... Oh, hold on...

Turned on briefly and the prodigy were on... Gees they've got some energy!!

I was there too with my wife. We were rear standing. Got as far forward as we could for the first part, not far from the mosh pit behind the mixing tent. Sound was so-so there, but could see bugger all of the stage. My wife started to feel a little claustrophobic towards the end of their main set, so we made our way to the back to get an overpriced drink from the bar. The sound at the back was a blurry mess, reverberating throughout the whole stadium. If we do a big arena or stadium gig again, I'll pay the premium for front standing or seating close to the stage like we did for Queen and Def Leppard several years ago - much better sound. Otherwise, the show looked great... what we saw of it on the big screens. We left just as the encores started to beat the rush to the train station - hundreds of others were doing the same thing - a bit of a shame, but we heard the ones we wanted to hear (although I would've liked to have heard the crowd joining in with 'Fear of the Dark'). We really enjoyed Halestorm's set too. I've never really listened to them before - the wife said she sounded like a heavier Lady GaGa... she's not wrong!

Problem solved if anyone cares! Bought a new HX Current Doubler - did nothing. After lots of searching through various sites found that other people had had issue with power pedals using a Strymon Zuma and Y power cables like the one for the HX Stomp. I had a look in to the Joyo but it seemed like it wouldn’t be able to handle the current of the HX Stomp. In the end I bought a Cioks DC7. Bought the extra cables for the HX Stomp and everything is perfect no issues at all. It’s a bit of an expensive fix but I just want everything powered from the same place. The Cioks DC7 is great though. Lots of options for different voltage and also the USB will be perfect for charging a GoPro or other stuff on stage! Also fits under the pedal train metro boards so more space on top of the board too! Thanks to Jakester for the help too!

Some odd conclusions being drawn here. The nominal impedance of a speaker is just the lowest resistance. At its resonant frequency it will have max impedance. In practice speakers are receiving complex AC waveforms and their actual impedance seen by the amplifier will be tens of ohms. The wire that a speaker is made from is extremely thin, and will burn out well before any connectors or 1.5mm² flex will. And that will be for a different reason. For long runs you should be using powered speakers, not running tens of metres of twin flex.

Pair of side cutters. That's the best mains detector. They make a flash, a bang and a cloud of smoke to let you know a cable is live. And develop a neat notch to provide a permanent record.

It must be irony, I don’t think he’s the best songwriter in the portaloo when he’s the only one in it

I've enjoyed a lot of acts this year - Four Tet, Alanis, Maribou State, Chic, Black Uhuru, Rod Stewart, Prodigy so far,a nd still a good few I want to catch up on. I have to say the broadcast mix and sound quality has been consistency unbelievably good. I've done it myself on a smaller scale and It's a very tough job, especially on the fly, and they've suffered in previous years, but this year has been quite spectacular!

Well there we have it! Thanks for the peek behind the curtain 😊

It is... As an ex BBC sound recordist and Post Production manager I can assure you that, especially with current budget constraints, only the bare minimum number of staff (or contractors) are sent there. I never went on a beeb junket! In contrast, I remember when I was training; I did 3 months on Keeping Up Appearances in Kenilworth... We got pay, plus overtime for while we were there, plus travel allowance, meal allowance (even though there was location catering) and overnight allowance for being away from home, and hotel... I bought a motorbike with just my overnights! But it's not been like that for 30 years or so. My old department doesn't even exist anymore!

Manic Mechanic - ZZ Top