Truckstop

A lot of people in metal bands on this forum, no-one screams or does backing vocals? Truckstop

A-ha, got myself that Samson Mixpad for £20! A little 8-channel doo-dad and it does the trick perfectly. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone. Alex

Hello all, Wondering if anyone else here screams? I used to scream in my old band and I've kept it up at home and when I'm out driving. I'm looking for a new project at the moment because I've been out of the loop for a couple of years and I want to get involved in metal again. I love screaming. It's quite cathartic! Also, you can write utter gibberish for lyrics but screaming gives your words some authority. I have quite a high scream, sometimes going into shrieking territory but only on occasion; my throat can't handle it for long! I can do growly, Max Cavalera style but I think it sounds naff and old-fashioned. Never bothered to learn how to do death-core style growl or squeals. Anyway, as I'm looking to start 'singing' again I'm looking for some tips that I might have missed first time round. The main thing I've learnt is basically to drink or eat anything you like before screaming except milk and/or chocolate. Dries my throat out and my voice turns into a dry, gargling mess. I also always warm up now; in a singing sense and a physical sense. The key to good screaming (ie power and projection) is to use your entire upper body as a tool to get that scream out. It doesn't come from the neck, it comes from your guts and your chest. You use up a lot of energy so it's important to practice regularly and increase your stamina whenever you can. Anyone else got any thoughts or any questions? Alex

Holy thread resurrection, Batman! Yeah I ended up buying that Vox cab I was banging on about and it's perfect for my needs. In reality, he combo on its own is fine for smaller gigs. I only really bring the cab out for rehearsals and large stages (which isn't often!). I also experimented with the line out before I bought the cab and I wasn't really very happy with it at all. Sounded really brittle through the monitors and I couldn't get over it so I overcompensated with extra bass which ended out sounding sh*t FOH. Thanks again everyone for all your words of wisdom. Truckstop

Funnily enough a mate of mine asked me if I wanted to buy a Samson Mixpad the other day for not much money; might see if he's still got it! Truckstop

Ooh, looks good! A bit more expensive than what I was thinking of but I like the idea of being able to use it as a DI/pre also. Cheers! Alex

I used to own a singlecut Peanut 6er and I wish I still had it actually. I bought it off someone that had modified it slightly with a new electronics cavity cover (he made it flush with the surface of the wood and out of wood), varnished the fretboard and painted it sunburst; looked gorgeous and sounded just fine. Truckstop

Hello all, need some pointers! I'm looking for a small effects-type box that's got an aux-in (for iPod, laptop etc) and a headphone out so I can practice along to songs in, and I quote, "complete and utter silence" (Mrs T!). I think a lot of the larger multi-effects and outboard pre-amps have this feature but they're a little big to bring downstairs and I just want a basic bass signal, don't need any tone shaping or effects. Over the last couple of years I've had a GK MB500 and an Ampeg PF500 which have both already had the feature and I've just noticed that my SWR Workingman's doesn't! Obviously I don't want a new head, so just looking for a gadget-type thing. Anyone know of such a thing? Cheers Alex

Ah, I see. Yeah, good singers with a good working attitude are really difficult to find. The best singers I've ever seen have been on the holiday camp/cruise ship circuits! A great voice isn't necessarily the most important weapon in a front persons arsenal. Someone with charisma, gravitas and personality is what you need. Again, not many people like that around! I wish you luck on your search! Truckstop

You should get a piano or a guitar and write your own songs. Learn a few chords and some technique and you're well on your way to putting your own songs together and doing things your way. I've found it really hard to get seriously involved in any originals projects solely as a bassist. Truckstop

Out of all the Floyd I watched that night, my favourite part was Cymbaline. I was disappointed there wasn't any material from Pompeii Truckstop

I literally just put up a wanted ad for a SansAmp and I don't know why I bothered as I already have a BDI-21 that I'd completely forgotten about!! I used to use it every week in place of a backline and it sounded awesome and, provided you don't actually use it as a stompbox, will last ages. Truckstop

Yeah, Marshall Jackhammer!! Truckstop

Yeah!

+1 John's (kiogons) wiring kits are the nuts. I think I have three now! Bought two off here and one custom harness from him direct. Well worth the trouble of asking! Truckstop

Just bumping this again. Now that I'm band less I'd quite like to get my teeth into something funky. Totally casual, no frills, not looking to gig; just want to jam some NIN! Alex

Sanctuary's a good studio. Good gear, good value and the guys there are very friendly. Beware of the room with the sofas though; you'll spend all your time 'trying it out' instead of working! Truckstop

Morrisey (iPhone spellchecker changes Morrisey to 'Mortuary', funnily enough) is hilarious. I got his sense of humour straight away; very dry, droll and straighfaced. Makes the songs listenable! It's very morbid, sort of like Johnny Cash's earlier stuff. I'm not really a Smiths/Morrisey/Marr fan, but I look forward to reading it. Truckstop

I'd love to have a list of 200 songs to get stuck into! Just get on with it and then start a new thread when you've learnt them all! Truckstop

Yeah I'd love a Yamaha 2024x in sunburst/tobacco burst. I already have a white 424x and a black 1024x; I think I'd be getting it just to complete the set! Seeing as that's a bit boring my other choice would be a Roscoe Century 4. Truckstop

Very cool! Any info? Truckstop

WHY DOES EVERYONE USE TWO SUBS?? Two decent powered tops and one powerful sub will be fine. All that'll go through the sub is a bit of kick so why bring two when one is all you need? All you'll need then is a little 6 channel mixer and a crossover (I'd imagine at the price points we're talking, the tops and sub will have built in crossovers). The Behringer monitors slave into each other so you don't need loads of aux outs etc and you only need ins for two vox and kick. Maybe snare and overhead if you're feeling decadent. I know the OP has a massive budget, but that's no need to go off and get a massively overpowered and over complicated PA rig. If you have lots of money, the thing to do would be to invest in quality cab and drum mics. What's the point in having a £3k PA and sh*t mics? Truckstop

Thanks for all the links folks! Alex