All Activity

When someone gets around to staring a thread for it. Usually doesn't start until tail end of December.

When can I sign up for the 2026 Challenge?

Now, with two PC monitors, a self-built rack unit (which also serves as a monitor riser), a new Behringer UMC1820 interface, and a new-to-me Behringer rack tuner. Those rack mounted units keeps the desk clear.

Do It Again - Beach Boys

I couldn’t help myself and the SSL channel strip 2 for £15 on the SSL site. it doesn’t do any fancy analogue preamp overdrive but from first impressions the EQ is really powerful and clean and the compressor is really nice. Would a stock plugin also be as functional? Probably, but this one says SSL on it.

Or link: https://entertainment.ha.com/itm/musical-instruments/bass-guitars/james-brown-bootsy-collins-1969-fender-jazz-bass-natural-electric-bass-guitar-serial-266610/a/7407-85221.s?ctrack=4455887&type=featured-3-ent-hlite-7407-Guitar-tem112525#

Over And Over - Space Opera

Repeater - Fugazi

Everyone's experience is different but my solution to this problem is to walk away and let them get on with it. You don't need that level of cr4p in your life.

That’s a good shout, may well look into that

I should have but as I knew we’d have to go out to get grub was dubious about leaving it without my beady eye keeping an eye on it, even though we did grub run in shifts.

It's been a long time since I tried it so my memory might be a little rusty but how I remember it is that it sounded great when I set it up at home, I was going for more of a B15 vibe than SVT, with a relatively flat EQ and enough drive to add character without sounding obviously distorted. But when trying it with the band I found it too squashed even without adding my compressor on top. It's hard to explain but I couldn't get it to poke through the mix. But that was me, with my gear and playing style. So your experience could be very different. And at the risk of sounding like a cop out, it's hard to second guess whether adding a compressor in would work with you and your gear. For me, it didn't, but Linus has said that it definitely adds something to his set up. So maybe try it and see. A transparent comp would work if you want to retain the character of the VT, although they're harder to dial in until you get your ear in. Something more coloured may add or take away from what the VT is doing, and only you will know if you like what it's doing. How about grabbing a Spectracomp and trying a few tone prints. You mentioned it being a bit of a faff to change them on the fly and that's fair comment, but once you have the app loaded in your phone it only takes a few seconds to switch. Don't worry about diving into the editor to create your own, you don't need to. But you can pick one up for around £50 and if you don't get on with it you'll be able to move it on without losing any money. Out of interest, what style of music do you play? What other gear are you using and what type of tone do you use? Knowing what you're aiming for might allow me to suggest something closer to what might work for you.

Not the new Lionel, then Lozz?

That's a handsome looking bass Lozz, with so much of everything, character, mojo, presents and a real keeper. What about a dark red tort pick guard?

I was thinking of DIY building something along these lines for myself. I have an acoustic that I have to detune the strings to access the battery. I have a trs cable and a multimeter to check it, but it's less than optimal! If it works out ok I will post on here.

Thanks for this. I've got some router bits with a decent curve 6mm and 12mm from memory. [Nope 3mm and 6mm after checking] I've also got my identically sized spray booth to practise on so I'll see which size works best. I'll probably round the plywood, put the Armacab on and then design new 3d printed corners to fit. Redesign should be relatively easy. The only area I'm slightly puzzling over is the front as it's just 12mm of ply sticking out. Will look at what other people have done here.

Down Down - Quo

Last week’s gig for my band was in an almost square room with the stage in the corner. It really was the easiest sound check we have ever had. The sound out front seemed well balanced everywhere and especially on stage, despite us using the passive mains and monitors. As some will know, I have a shiny new system waiting in the wings but my shoulder injury means I cannot lift the Subs until the New Year. I wonder whether the positioning of the stage has as much to do with the sound as anything else. With the corner stage, the wall reflections are quite different to a central stage in a square/rectangle. Of course these corner stage setups are not the norm but as this was the first time at this venue for us, I am hopeful we can return next year. The nice touch was that we were paid more than the agreed fee .

Unfortunately we weren't able to play last night as our synth player had picked up some lurgy from his kids and was too ill to play. A pity not only because the gig was sold out, but because we'd spent the last few weeks learning how to play our "Christmas Song" as a band. The recorded version had been assembled in the studio, and I think that before we started practicing in order to play it live I'd never played the Bass VI part all the way through in one go. Still the other four bands played and Social Youth Cult who headlined were enough of a draw to have sold most of the tickets, so I don't think we let too many people down. It appears from our social media comments over the last few weeks, that most of the people who wanted to come and see us play had left it too late to buy tickets anyway. Unless something really good comes in at the last minute, we don't have any more gigs until 2026 now. December Snow will have to wait until this time next year.