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I love writing bass parts to fit interesting drum/percussion patterns, but I'm not the greatest when it comes to drum programming, so it'd be nice to have something that can just throw drum grooves at me and that I can react to. So I was wondering, is there such a thing as a drum plugin or other piece of software that can generate patterns and grooves that change over time, that you can jam along to, and that your DAW can record so you can pick bits out of later and assemble into songs? Any suggestions welcome!

Does anyone have any insight into Guy Pratt’s bass tone in the first of the three barn jams with David Gilmour? Obviously he’s using a Precision bass, but I’m wondering whether he’s gone for rounds (with tone rolled off) or flats? It has a lot of depth and fatness without sounding at all brittle. Barn Jams - David Gilmour

You'd spend more time plugging and unplugging the USB lead than replacing a battery once a year.

I sometimes ask about things, sometimes not. As the most recent one was a swap for a bass that's been sitting in a wardrobe for about 15 years, I could make a good case for it. However, I operate on the general principle that it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

First rehearsal for a while - singer has been quite busy rehearsing for his part as the monster in Young Frankenstein (at the Core Theatre in Solihull from 22nd to 26th July). Successful run throughs of three songs that we're putting in the set (we've played two of them live once apiece but wanted a further brush up) and then we had a go at Hotel California, which our singer was a bit reluctant to do but after we'd run through it he was pleased with it. Seeing as we hadn't planned to do it and were doing it unpracticed, it was rather good. Guitarist had had the bridge replaced on his Variax JTV-59 (the Les Paul-ish one) and only just got it back, and we're not sure if this was related but he broke the top E twice. Feeling pretty ready for the next gigs, successive nights in Polesworth and Gloucester on 11th and 12th July.

... to those of you who joined in on tonight's Live Chat on my YouTube Channel. We shifted to a new format for the first time tonight, so to then be joined by Lee Sklar of all people, for a 45 minute chat, was a little 'headspinning' to say the least. But if you watched or joined in by video or on the text chat... THANK YOU! Legends!

I can't sleep so I've been drawing wiring diagrams. I wonder if anyone is able to validate what I've drawn please? It's my first time working with these things, and the documentation from the pickup manufacturer doesn't seem to quite include everything you'd need to know. My aim is this: A jazz neck pickup paired with a MM bridge pickup Vol/blend/tone But before the blend, the MM pickup has a four-way switch to choose either single coil or series/parallel Pickups are Delano JMVC FE/M2 (neck) and Delano MC 4 FE/M2 (bridge). Documentation for that is here: https://www.delano.de/downloads/installation guide_2018_1.pdf. The J is a 'shielded 2-conductor' and the MM 'shielded 4-conductor'. I've omitted shielding wires from the diagram as I understand they just go to ground. Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't worry about it until you are getting gigs. That gives you plenty of opportunity to see if the 200w is enough. 20W is twice as loud as 2W 200W is twice as loud as 20W 2000W blows up your cab way trying to be half as loud again. 500W is just a bump up.

Was a bit disappointed that the BBC didn't have Roy Harper's performance on the iPlayer ... either they thought he is irrelevant or he'd cause more trouble than Bob Vylan! Luckily we live in an age of smart phones so I can watch Roy's set from every single angle on Facebook. Some of the footage I'd say is better than the BBC's own work... especially that annoying shaky camera during Neil Young's set. I rarely enjoy Glastonbury on the box these days due to the onset of musicwasbetterinmydayism in my mid 50s but after watching Neil Young/Old the beeb put Doecii on (hope I've spelt that right?) and she blew my greying grey matter. Great staging, choreography and a couple of "how is she doing that?" moments. I avoided Rod the silly old sod on Sunday, I jumped in the river instead... perhaps I'm not as old as I thought I was 😁

Don't sleep the Klon on bass either. I've had an MXR sugar drive and I really like the models in helix and qc.

Perhaps Carol Kaye set up the bridge😅

Completely agree.

Hi all, I had a thought (steady!) at rehearsal tonight and now I can't stop thinking it. I usually play through a David Eden amp and I really like it, but apropos of nothing, I've used my Elf the last two weeks. Now, at present there's just me and my mate on guitar, so volume's not been an issue when using my 4ohm 2x15 cab, but I think adding a drummer, possibly another guitarist and at least two vocals might be a bit more than the wee Elf can cope with in the volume stakes. So, here's the thing - do/did Trace make anything that sounds similar (because I love the toanz) but that will kick out about 500w into that same 4ohm cab? At the moment it looks like the Elf and the TE-1200 are their only offerings. Any thoughts etc gratefully received. Cheers, JRK

Aah yeah, great point - thanks!

I have friend who was a Bbc engineer and is also a bassist. He says the same thing about the shortage of engineers with live music experience within the BBC.

Marvellous...It's been a while since I listened to that gem!! Not everyone's cup of tea, but for me, it has everything. A killer groove, surrounded by hooky melodies and tight harmonies. And of course, top playing with a super feel from all. I think that's Hailey Niswanger, who usually plays Tenor, Alto and Soprano, but plays some of the Kinga Glyk gig on a Roland Aerophone (I think that's what it is or was announced as). There are two Synths in the band (or there was) playing similar sounds, so yeah, it can sound a bit boring and does sound a bit pedestrian note wise. Maybe she hasn't been playing it long? Certainly not as exciting, moving, or a big wow moment like when Michael Brecker played 'In a Sentimental Mood' with his EWI, accompanied by Mike Mainieri, leading into 'Trains', live in Tokyo back in the day. But then again, those guys were another level of musicianship, so maybe I'm being a tad unfair comparing. Just my opinion, of course. But back on track with the OP... yeah, I think Kinga plays great and will be worth the admission fee at Ronnie Scott's.

It sounds like you can send just dry bass into it so no reason why the filter can’t be used on that. (There’s an explicit option for the dry to either go through the filter or to bypass it.)