untune

I'm still using the mk I version of the ultralite, something like 5 years old and still going strong. Always thought it was great and never seen much need to upgrade, they are a bit iffy with their windows drivers though. Do the newer ones support 24bit sound in windows? (it has always been in the driver, ie you can still use it in your DAW but windows is limited to 48/16). What are the advantages of the mk iii, is it worth the upgrade?

Ahhh I see - either way I don't think I'll be needing any more, just nice to have a little bit of history and it really suits the kindof music (in an electronics sense) I like. Nice to be able to stick an external input through it - I've got an old Casio keyboard that might sound interesting through it...

We had a few of the Nord Lead racks in the studios when I was at uni but I never really had the chance to play with them - I honestly can't seem myself getting anymore true analogue synths as the reliability (and size) is too much of an issue, but it's nice to have one for some genuine analogue sounds. I do have a Novation XioSynth which I bought a few years ago when they were released, but it has barely had any use - mainly because I found it really fiddly to adjust the patches and such having to work out how to get into various sub menus and such. That said it is very versatile and good fun. That's the one thing I really like about this CS-5 - straight to the point and simple to edit, a knob or a switch for everything and you can hear the difference straight away. I remember there was a little program developed by a French guy that mapped out every control for the XioSynth in a VST style interface and you could adjust everything on the fly with USB/MIDI but it didn't always work properly!

I'll be avoiding the CS-15 then, cheers for the advice

Just picked up this little analogue monosynth from a local when it popped up on Gumtree. I'd drifted away from electronic music a bit but lately having gotten back into recording and really enjoying the process, I've been thinking about it again. Years ago an analogue synth was the holy grail but I could never really afford one, so when this came up I thought why not! It's certainly not the most versatile machine but it sounds great and is really good for bass, I have it sat on top of my Ashdown and I feel much better about that now - since the amp wasn't getting a great deal of use since I've been DIing everything recently.

It's in good nick for it's age, one or two scratchy pots and what appears to be a loose connection under a switch - nothing major. It's also drifted out of tune considerably and the pitch slider had to be lowered to get things in tune but the actual scaling of the keyboard note to note seems to be absolutely perfect (apart from the first 3 or 4 keys being ever so slightly sharp but not really noticeable - that might also have been the notes being too low for the tuner plugin I was using to cope with!). Not quite sure how to go about sorting that, I assume the whole thing needs to be re-capped but I'd be worried about messing something up... Perhaps a power supply cap needs changing to stabilize the voltage?

Either way it sounds really good, had fun fiddling around with it, wouldn't mind a CS-10 or 15 now Anybody else sporting analogue synths?

Out of curiosity I had a look about, seems a lot of people favour a hard case but the costs can be a bit daft. You could get a large flight case from Maplin like this:

[url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/flight-case-with-foam-36796?c=maplin&utm_source=gcs&utm_medium=gcs_search&utm_campaign=N70AP&utm_content=Flight+%26+Rugged+Cases"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/flight-case-with-foam-36796?c=maplin&utm_source=gcs&utm_medium=gcs_search&utm_campaign=N70AP&utm_content=Flight+%26+Rugged+Cases[/url]

and cut the foam to fit it, you might have space in there for a few cables and loose bits too. Although for the same price I'd prefer this:

[url="http://www.maplin.co.uk/rugged-case-large-225744?c=maplin&utm_source=gcs&utm_medium=gcs_search&utm_campaign=N79GG&utm_content=Flight+%26+Rugged+Cases"]http://www.maplin.co.uk/rugged-case-large-225744?c=maplin&utm_source=gcs&utm_medium=gcs_search&utm_campaign=N79GG&utm_content=Flight+%26+Rugged+Cases[/url]

Looks a bit sturdier, the internal dimensions are slightly smaller in the WxD (434(w) x 314(d) x 133(h)mm) but there's a tiny bit more height in it, and it's big enough to store the REDDI in (about 90mm x 90mm x 368mm) and have about half of the case for cables, pedals or whatever...

It's an option at least!

Damn, I ended up buying an SD SPB-1 a couple of weeks back otherwise I would of had this

Heads up gentlemen, a BCer has kindly offered me some spare multicore that he has lying around - will this be ok for the patchbay application? Not foil screened but I can't imagine it'd be a problem?

[url="http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/20521/31-462_CANFORD-HSJ-CABLE-12-pair-Black"]http://www.canford.co.uk/Products/20521/31-462_CANFORD-HSJ-CABLE-12-pair-Black[/url]

Cheers

I thought so, I may even put the patchbay at the bottom so avoid any cable hang, and yeah it's only a short distance, not quite 50m cables I'll be running

Thanks, it's born of necessity really - quite a few bits of outboard gear have amassed over the years and most don't get used - I'm making an effort to get everything set up so that it's easy to use, I'm getting tired of tripping over/swapping cables and need to be able to just plug in and record when an idea strikes! Besides I quite enjoy running sound through various bits of gear to see what will come out the other side

I've pretty much decided that the multicore is the way to go - thanks for the info bremen and flyfisher btw, I couldn't get on to reply with the site being down yesterday and all.

BigRed - The breakout is my concern too - but this is literally going to be to link my audio interface (MOTU Ultralite) to a balanced patchbay in my rack, it's too much faffing to keep plugging/unplugging cables into the back of the interface and it's risky because I might catch the firewire cable! Plus with a few effects and units in the rack now i need a quicker way to run things in/out of channels when mixing etc. So naturally durability isn't a massive factor because it's never going to move, and there only needs to be about 2 metres maximum due to the physical distance of the units. The individual cables will be going to standard TRS jacks at each end

Cheers folks

Not so sure about the scratchplate but there's something about it as a whole, looks like it'd be a joy to play. I learned on an Ibby GSR200 and for a 'beginner' instrument it's just so comfy and light - don't want to get rid of it even though I don't really have the use for it these days!

In fact recently I was trying to identify what the bassist was playing in a Snot video - this actually might fit the bill!

Hope it's ok to post this in this section as it's not strictly bass related, but I need a 16 way balanced loom and thought I might be better off making my own as opposed to paying roughly the same for a lower quality one. I've no problem soldering cables and connectors but I'm wondering if anyone has cable recommendations - I know to get cable with the foil shield ie something akin to this stuff [url="http://www.studiospares.com/cable-miniature-/sommer-isopod-so-f22-instkabel-33mm-dia/invt/546700/"]http://www.studiospares.com/cable-miniature-/sommer-isopod-so-f22-instkabel-33mm-dia/invt/546700/[/url]

The thing is they also offer multicore cables with 8/16/24/32 pairs and the sheer amount is bloody confusing! I can't tell if each individual pair is shielded or what and my eyes hurt from looking through them all!

What's the best option - a multicore cable from the get go or lots of individual ones then just whack some heat shrink round them all?

Funnily enough I was thinking about something like this the other day... I've downloaded the stems and already had a crack at balancing everything before the fun starts... should be good!

Hi all,

Been doing a lot of experimentation on getting a very Motown style tone and I've almost got it nailed... Using a P, just stuck a Duncan SPB-1 in it and it sounds lovely and vintage. I know Jamerson and the like had covers and there was a mute under the bridge cover - but without the cover I've got no choice but to jam something under the strings rather than over them.

I have a hardcase that is a bit lacking in padding so I bought a couple of foam inserts intended for making cushions and lined the case with those. I had a ton left over so I cut a strip and stuffed it under the strings next to the bridge. It's not too pretty but it's functional - question is does anyone have recommendations for an alternative? I'd like to try some of that denser black foam stuff you usually get under pickups but I don't know where to look for it... Not looking to make any permanent alterations either so a bridge cover is out.

I might try to make something covered with felt, a little mute cushion

Also, I seem to remember reading that Carol Kaye said that whether the foam was under or over the strings made a big difference to the sound - any comments?

Cheers!

The one my grandad played was even more rare than that... probably had a set neck, which had a black headstock which was shaped differently and had binding I think. Don't think the likelihood of seeing either, or parts, is very high but wasn't going to be a perfect replica like I said... just a tribute, done my way

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110970401186?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110970401186?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649[/url]

Found this earlier in the week, 4 or 5 days before it was due to end, thought I'd see how it went then put a bid in if it didn't get to a stupid price. Was in London for the beginning of the week and the internet was down in the hotel. Came home, had forgotten about it then when I remembered - OUR internet was down. My grandad used to play one VERY similar to this and I've been pondering for ages about making a tribute, but the neck would be too tricky to do. This would have been perfect but alas... stupid internet

I'm gutted I didn't get a look back in August - my schedule for the rest of the year puts me in London, Ilkley, Leicester... but not Birmingham unfortunately! Maybe next year!

I've got the rack version of this, it's very a 80's digital synth sound and great as mentioned for strings and pads. I remember quite liking some of the percussive patches like vibraphone etc. I'm the same, not used mine for a good while since I've drifted away from doing a lot of electronic and it's just sat in the rack gathering dust Good luck with the sale!

Now that's interesting - mine is a CIJ PB70 as you know, and I was thinking that it could use a bit of a mid boost - maybe I' should try a Fender original 62. But then again my CIJ is from 2004-5 ish, it's hard to say what spec they were even wound to!

Hi all,

I was just curious if anyone knows - was there any specific character to certain pickups as the years went by and things were revised and improved and such? Like a Precision pickup in 1962 - how would that one differ from say, 1970 and onwards?

I was just listening to mine and was thinking on the recording, it'd be nice if it had a little bit more output and was maybe a tad thicker in the mids. But it just got me wondering how the spec must have changed over time, and if there's a specific 'character' for each period... magnets, wire gauge, insulation, inductance etc

You hear all the buzzwords being thrown around like 'vintage sounding' and such when reading about modern ones, how much truth is there in that?

Cheers, drop me a PM if you have any info!

Have you found your A string to be a tad louder than the rest?

Looks great! The good thing about a relic is, if it takes a few knocks and bumps in transit, the worst case scenario is that it'll look more authentic

[quote name='Pow_22' timestamp='1351089510' post='1847193']
Another PB70 in Bolton, who'da thunk it. I had the same revelation with pups, hought i had USA's but looking under the bonnet and think they are japs. Want it to be as 70's-ish as poss hence the upgrades (inc chrome covers, F neckplate, thumbrest etc)
[/quote]

Maybe they're drawn here, some kind of PB70 magnetism...

I was quite surprised when I opened it up considering the pickup is one of the main selling points of this version (along with the ash body of course!) but hence it costs a bit more than the regular ones. I had the same idea as you, and would love to get an authentic 70s in there - but as for tracking one down! You've done well to get that I like the sound of mine, strung with Roto flats atm... but I keep thinking I'd like to take a bit of the zing off the high end and have a little bit more punch in the low mids.. I've stuck an ebony thumbrest on mine, but I'll be leaving the covers off. F neckplate might be interesting though...

I've got the PB70US/ASH and I love it - lovely grain on the body. Recently had a bit of an accident - broke off one of the bridge screws in the body but managed to drill it out with absolutely no damage whatsoever. I rewired everything with vintage cloth wire etc, shielded to solve some buzz issues and put a new PIO cap in there, sounds great. It has a very 'sharp' sound, it apparently has a 'US vintage' pickup in there which isn't ACTUALLY a US vintage as it turns out... but a Japanese version. The bobbins are rounded and the wires are plastic coated as opposed to cloth on the proper US ones. I'm pondering whether it's worth upgrading the pots and the pikcup or if I'm just wasting my time? The neck is lovely though!

Ooooh looking good!

I always liked playing 'Stoopid', I thought it was an 80's Ibanez in the video like a Roadster or Blazer or somesuch, but I've just watched it again and it's not at all. Now I'm curious what it is. Something with single coils and a scratchplate that has the look of an Ibby ATK...