velvetkevorkian

Well, the Apple support site basically says "Buy an interface"- from poking around in the settings it looks like the jack is switchable from input to output. So it goes, I guess.

[quote name='51m0n' timestamp='1323297436' post='1461857'] How can a single 3.5mm port do in and out combined at the same time exactly? Sounds very dodgy to me! Do you have a USB port on it? Do you have a budget for a soundcard? I'd look into an RME Babyface if I were you, not cheap but superb quality and exceptional latency on a Mac, but it does require a USB port.... I run 64 bit Reaper and have had no issues running 32 bit VSTs on it. However I didnt think you could run VSTs on a Mac - I could welkl be wrong but I thought Mac fx were au's? [/quote] I assume it works on the same principle as things like a hands free kit on a mobile phone. There are USB ports but I'm not going to invest in a soundcard for this machine- I have a 6 month old very powerful Windows desktop with a decent dedicated soundcard that I'll use for recording, it's no real loss (it's not what I bought this laptop for anyway). Most VSTs seem fine bridging with 64 bit but there are a couple that don't like it, nothing significant though. From what I can gather there are OSX compatible VSTs but they have to be compiled for Mac; at the moment when I add a virtual instrument I get both the VSTs bundled with Reaper and some AUs (from GarageBand I presume) showing up.

OK, looks like VSTs have to be rebuilt for OSX, so PC versions don't work. Sadface.

No, it's brand new, running Lion (which I think is 64 bit compatible, although a quick Google has left me more confused than when I started )

Hey folks, I just got hold of a 13" MacBook Pro and had a couple of questions about using it to record with. I've been using Reaper on both my previous Windows laptop, using the built in soundcard, and on my Windows desktop using an M-Audio PCI soundcard. I run a wee mixer for the ins and outs and that's fine for what I need. However, there are a few things I'm not sure about... Firstly, it only has a single 3.5mm audio port, which is meant to be in and out combined. I assume this is something like a TRS cable- has anyone managed to record and monitor using this port? I presume in theory it's probably just an adapter required, but I'v never come across one like that. I know in the ideal world I would get an external FireWire (or Thunderbolt, if they make them yet) interface but I'm not spending any money on it at this point as I have a perfectly good recording machine available (albeit non portable). Secondly, I have a bunch of VSTs installed on my desktop. As I understand it, VSTs are meant to be cross platform; does that mean I can just stick them in a folder and tell Reaper to look for them, as on Windows? Finally, for Reaper users, are you running the 32 bit or the 64 bit version? On my desktop I'm using the 64 bit version to take advantage of the 8gb of RAM, but using 32 bit VSTs with it can be, shall we say, interesting. I've installed the 32 bit version on the Mac for now but I'm interested in experience/suggestions regarding either OS. Cheers!

If by "bright" you mean "absolutely monstrous" then I agree with you

I wasn't there, but my gf managed to knock over a double bass during a uni music workshop. This time the neck did snap clean off. She's not allowed to touch my DB now...

+1 for leaving it as rosewood (if indeed it is rosewood). IME the ebonising process is pretty much cosmetic- a non black fingerboard can look quite striking. I would expect varnishing it to change the sound as well, maybe?

Interested in the Jean Baudin book too- from memory I think it's transcribed for 5 strings but I'm sure you could get most of the value anyway. In the meantime, try playing with one hand only, e.g. scales with only the left hand, no picking or plucking. Then try it with the right hand only. Then you can try putting them together. That's a start at least

Viking styling FTW.

[quote name='citymariner' timestamp='1323004164' post='1458111'] Is there that much of difference between 4 and 5 stringers? Obviously I'll go in to a shop and try etc. Got to admit in trying to keep things similar yet having something slightly different the VM range does seem to be calling. My MIA is very similar to that Matt Freeman model although mine has a P/J pick up config and Kahler bridge - a little too similar! [/quote] A lot of people find it really difficult to make the transition from four to five+ strings, but IME it was very straightforward. If I were you I'd probably skulk around the BC classifieds for a while and see what five strings pop up second hand. I'd go for variety rather than something very similar to your main bass.

[quote name='Vinny' timestamp='1322664799' post='1454140'] Well, that's just me confused now, I didn't know it was on other stuff. I always thought the Dyna was different, so is it a Dyna model then? [/quote] I'm afraid it doesn't get any clearer... I have seen these referred to as DynaBasses, but I don't know if that's correct. IIRC the only references I could find to DynaBasses online were about the late 80s model(s), which are totally different. The upshot is I haven't a clue, but I agree that they are excellent basses for the money, so that's what counts, innit?

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1322605513' post='1453567'] If I took up guitar, I'd tune it in 4ths, precisely because I could relate fingering patterns to the bass ones. I'd tune it FCGDAE. Based on that line of thought, I can see where the OP's coming from. As for cello scale length, I always thought it was about the same as a bass guitar. Maybe it's the string length we're confusing it with (given the extra distance from the anchor point to the bridge on a cello)? [/quote] I don't know, but if you ever get the chance to watch a cello player you can see that part of their normal technique is the first and fourth finger extension- this lets them cover the equivalent of 6 frets without moving their thumb. This is kind of feasible on a bass but it's a big stretch!

See, I thought that the "International Series" label was just signifying that they were non-US made. I also have a Milestone 3 (jazz style) and that has the International label on it as well as the model name. edit to add: there are also International Series guitars, drumkits etc.

I have a fretted 5 and a fretless 5 of this model- never managed to pin down the exact model though. It's not a Grind or a Millennium; it might be a DynaBass although I think various models have gone by that name- I think these date from the late 90s/early 2000s. Nice basses for the money IMO- I picked mine up for around £100 each. £140 would be on the high side but not out the question if it's in decent nick.

[quote name='essexbasscat' timestamp='1322596736' post='1453378'] The Cello is tuned CGDA (in fifths) and also has a 34" scale length, the same as a majority of four string bass guitars. Like the idea of tuning a bass in fifths though. Very, very, interesting idea that. Think I'll give Newtone a call as well [/quote] I stand to be corrected, but I'm pretty sure a cello's scale is significantly shorter than 34"- although they aren't as standardised as bass guitars [url="http://thinkns.com/instruments/cello-spec.php"]NS Design's electric cello[/url] is listed as using "standard cello strings and scale length" with a 27" scale. /end pedantry There are double bassists who tune in fifths (on a 38-40" scale!) so it's certainly achievable- it's an interesting alternative to adding more strings to get more range,

Have you compared the premium and standard strings? Which do you use?

Just got a reply from Rob Green confirming that all their strings are wound, including the.020, so that looks like the winner for now. Thanks eddiehoffman!

No, I bought it from Finbar on here three or four years ago now. It's been well loved!

[quote name='eddiehoffmann' timestamp='1322271326' post='1448916'] [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html"]http://www.status-gr...index_home.html[/url] Go to 'on-line shop', 'bass strings' and check the custom options. You can make a set with any gauge you want. The best bit is the strings are great! Can't use anything else these days. Hope it helps. [/quote] Thanks! I don't suppose you know whether the .020 strings are wound or plain do you? I've emailed to enquire but not sure how long they'll take to reply.

Hello! It's been a while since I was around here, and by gosh it's all a bit different. I'm looking for recommendations on where to get sets of strings for a 7 string bass (Conklin Bill Dickens sig)- I'm looking for a B-F set, with a wound top string, light to medium gauge. Currently I'm using Elixirs with a guitar string for the top string, which is good, but a bit tight on the top string. It's also expensive. Previously I had some Overwaters but they don't seem to sell 7 string sets any more? Any recommendations appreciated. Cheers

Have a look at the angle your fingers are striking the strings- if you're getting excessive fret noise you might be hitting the strings down, as opposed to across them (think of the direction your pick moves in- across and "through" the string, not down towards the pickups).

Yes, I had a wee handheld Korg that was great. Would probably still have it if I hadn't lost it on a gig.

Is it bad that I have/recognise most of the CDs he was looking at for research?