clauster

Protools s a bit of an industry standard in high end studios (where they've got an engineer to drive the thing anyway).

And although the software front end looks the same there as on the home versions the audio engines behind them are very different. Logic will give you similar results to protools m-powered, but you can use it with most brands of interface (I realy wish I'd gone for presonus or even edirol because of the latency you get with maudio drivers) and the express version is a fraction of he price.

[quote]Again a really dumb question, but what kind of different sounds will i get from different brands... Surely if i wanted a deeper/warmer tone i'd boost the low end of the EQ, and conversely id i wanted a more slap/pop sound i'd excentuate the mid/high frequencies?[/quote]

Not a dumb question at all - but each manufacturer has a "signature" tone (a bit like basses really)

Ashdown seem to be a love it or hate it sound Some people describe it as vintage rock.

Warwick - modern rock - quite bright but with a bit of growl too, accentuates the tone of their basses.

Hartke - as its got both SS and valve preamps its perhaps the most flexible, heard it described as the poor man's Ampeg!

Using the eq (and different cabs) will let you tune the tone to your taste, but an Ashdown is never going to sound like GK.

He's using garageband, so I wouldn't assume he's using a PC

I'd also consider logic express as an alternative to protools m-pwered

The solo's proper instrument and mic inputs as well as line level.

If you wanna record more than two tracks at a time then you'll need more ins than either of these - the firewire 410 perhps or if you can stretch to it their firewire mixers are excellent (we use one for recording rehearsals).

One caveat - the maudio drivers are hefty! Even on a new mac book pro with the solo I get a noticeable latency when monitoring through software (monitoring from the inputs is fine though of course)

I'd say you're looking at all the right brands, but they all sound very different from each other - try and try some out. Have you got any good music shops near you?

+1 to Machines' advice.

Gstar, are you sure that 611 is 8ohm? According to the Warwick site the 611 is 4ohm. It will work better with the profet5.1, but really wants one of the big xtreme or tubepath heads.

If you like the Warwick tone I'd recommend the profet 5.1 with the 411pro 8ohm - you'll get the same sort of power as you would with 3.2 into a 4ohm cab and you've got the facility to add another 8ohm cab later to release the full 500 watts (if you really need to).

Jacko, there's an MXR bass auto-q in the for sale section (not mine I hasten to add) at a great price (I'd have had it if I hadn't already spent over this months budget on pedals).

Hello from an ex-west sussexer!

Protools is hardware specific, you can't just get a copy and away you go, there is a version that'll run on some m-audio stuff tho, otherwise you're looking at digidesign hardware. TBH I'd ony recommend protools if you intend to invest serious cash in a protools hd system one day, otherwise Logic, Digital Performer etc are probably better cos they work with most hardware.

garage band is prety good for newb, and'll keep you entertained while you work out Audio Unit effects and instruments. Once you've got your head round GB, I'd recommend the new logic express (if you plan on staying with apple)- its cheaper than pro-tools, has a more modern interface and will lead on nicely from your gb experience.

Go for separate midi controller and audio interface (the macs behave better this way). You've plenty of 2in 2 out firewire audio interfaces to choose from too - which ted to have slightly better latency than the USB stuff.

If all goes to plan I'll be posting 3 audio clips -

1) Standard cs3
2) After the opto mod
3) After the plus mod


You'll be able to judge for yourself whether the mods make a significant difference. I've had the cs3 for a months so a for few quid it's worth trying to get to sound a bt less crap.

Not got the DI but..........

While clearing out drawers our spare room late yesterday, I found an old Digitech RP80 that belongs to my wife which she hasn't used in ages, so I've got the tuner and occasional effects part now (the effects are a bit digital "fizzy", but not complaining for free) . Gonna get a cheap DI to tack on the end of my chain.

Off to scour ebay for a case that can be used as an fx board.

I'm not much of a slapper, but I'd say plenty of compression and a scooped eq.

Cheers guys, tis good to the tuner works.

Nik, thanks for the heads up about the DI. I've downloaded the manual so I'll have a read to see if its adjustable. I'd rather bit hot than too low tho so not too worried. Or is TOO hot?

Hamster, thanks for the heads up on yours, but the DI and USB are two of the things that draw me to the 2.1. I'm sure you'll find a taker - there's a lot of FX in that box for £20!

[quote]One tip is to coat the FB with super glue[/quote]

I am guessing you should give it plenty of time to cure before playing

I'm in need of a new tuner and a DI box to run to our band's PA.

I've got a vague memory that one or two folk on here have Zooms that they use for the tuner function, and the 2.1 also has a DI. The unit comes in at about the same price as a tuner pedal + DI and would give me access to those effects that I occasionally want (modulations and delays, wah, etc) but not enough to justify buying a deicated pedal. Just seems to good to be true.

So is the tuner usable?

What's the DI like (I'm not after studio quality)?

Finally ordered the monte allum kit - went for the opto plus.

Reviews to follow asap

[quote name='steve-norris' post='101779' date='Dec 9 2007, 04:39 PM']If your looking for a good overdrive check out the Humphry audio modded digitech Bad Monkey, I've had a little more time with mine now and LOVE it! , Must haves? comp and tuner, for me a nice envelope filter as you can only get 'that' sound with one.[/quote]

Cheers for the heads-up on that Steve - I hadn't come across this one before. Might have to get myself one as a late xmas present.

Edit - Just ordered one

I'm a member of far worse fora for this sort of thing (my favourite motorcycle one has some serious flaming issues).

Personally I think the more views there are in this world, the more interesting the place becomes. I've only ever had passive four stringers (and have never owned more than two at once) and minimal FX in 26 and a bit years of being a bassist - I can see why others want and have actives, five strings, ERBs, uprights huge pedal boards and large collections of instruments. I like a wide range of music (but not all) so can understand why some feel the need to sound off at certain styles or artists (for myself I recognise that I know very little about genres I don't like so I keep my mouth shut - a lot of people say they don't like country - I always ask which style(s) they don't like, it's a hell of a journey from bluegrass to neil young and round to gram persons). I think that most people round here are the same - its a friendly and helpful place for st of the time and members.

Whereever y0u go in life you come across people that can't cope with the fact that some others view things differently and feel the need to make it an emotive issue, others maybe just enjoy a good barney. Whichever I'll listen once then move away to someone more reasonable.

Bought a copy yesterday, first time I'd seen BGM in WHSmith. Great mag. Burning Organ are locallish to me so I'll keep my eyes open and pop along to a gig.

Nice to see a review of DHA's pedal too.

+1 (Oh the shame)
222

Man, I'm loving that FP/DM3 Jam!

not usually a fan of anything more than a bit of compression, but that snippet is proof that too much is sometimes just enough!

Lee, the Irish variety is whiskEy. I'd love some too but SWMBO says no

I'd love a Lakland Bob Glaub (but it ain't gonna happen) (SWMBO has just confirmed that one too)

I know I'm getting some cookery books - cooking is my other passion. I'd love a set of Global knives (but that ain't gonna happen yet either - SWMBO just said I might get a couple for my birthday tho ).

Another +1 for tuner and comp. But I'm starting to GAS for a nice overdrive.

[quote name='Cantdosleepy' post='99621' date='Dec 5 2007, 02:49 PM']Is a blend control a good idea on a passive?[/quote]


[quote name='ped' post='99626' date='Dec 5 2007, 02:54 PM']There may be a reason you can't use a blend on a passive bass[/quote]

You can have blend controls on a passive - I've got one on my passive Warwick. BUT I'm thinking about changing pickups and going over to VVT controls (Or twin humbuckers with twin volumes and a rotary switch offering various coil tap and series/parallel options)

[quote name='walplayer' post='99215' date='Dec 4 2007, 09:23 PM']How about you get picked with someone then you have to go and find and listen to/buy/get hold of the last 5 tracks/ 5 different artists tracks that the person you are matched with bought? An review them!....
or does that idea suck?[/quote]

I like that idea!