Dad3353

How are your bass and the PC connected..? Are you using the 'mic' input socket..?

What latency..? I use the built-in metronome when putting down a first track, then add more tracks using this same metronome. If necessary, I listen to a previous track, and if it turns out to be mis-aligned, I just move the track along slightly to line it up. For simple stuff (basic chords, a bass line, a drum track, some singing...) there's no issue at all. It's true that in a major studio, the equipment is better spec'ed, certainly, and needs to be, but for writing a basic song, you've all you need to get going, I'd say. Don't forget a good headset, too, though, for monitoring and mixing.

I think there's a bit of confusion creeping in, here. 'Lest we forget' is one thing, but 'We were 40,000 short' is quite another, and not connected. Remember, and respect, if you will, but equating the victory against all odds in other, different, circumstances doesn't cut it, in my view. The 'WWII' spirit is not useful in present times; a 'present times' spirit might be more appropriate. Just sayin'.

This will do nicely for quite a while, and will get you started; my PC was much lower spec than that in the beginning. I use Reaper as a DAW, which will work fine on such a machine, and costs nothing to trial. Pay for a license when you're ready, if you've found nothing better since. You'll need an interface, though, to plug the bass into. The Focusrite entry-level stuff has a very good reputation on this forum; there are others, but that one is a sure-fire bet. A guitar is an option, but you may want to consider a mini keyboard, which offers many possibilities for composing backing stuff, with piano, organ or synth sounds from Vst instruments (there are many free ones that are more than useful...). Yes, such a keyboard plugs into a MIDI socket of an interface, but it's very easy to set up, so no fear of getting sucked down a rabbit hole. Just my tuppence-worth; hope this helps.

I don't think that that bass has been 'reliced'; it's been worn that way through use.

Apprehending and 'falling down stairs' are quite different, I'd say. I'm glad you never make mistakes, though, and 'apprehend' the wrong person.

I had to learn how to inject myself with daily insulin doses, as a life saver. It took me all of five minutes, a few years ago now, given the right equipment, and I've been doing it ever since with no problems, despite onset of old age. I reckon most ornery folks could get trained up for vaccinating quickly and easily. Here in France, it's the pharmacists that carry out flu shots. Are there no pharmacists in the UK able to assist..?

Send a link to Lurks to use, please..? Pretty please..?

No stands for the basses and guitars..? I know that they're Yamahas, and won't break easily, but I wouldn't want to lay any instrument against a wall or bench in such a fashion.

Indeed, it's a refreshing change to read this overflowing 'half-full' glass. There's doubtless more 'stuff' to come, down the road, but Shirley even a little light at the end of this tunnel is a Good Thing..?

I'd like to see him playing that same song in twenty year's time. And maybe those that need some 'special' bass because they have 'small hands' could learn something from watching this..? (It's still sad to see the 'frightened rabbit' look flash by when he makes those tiny mistakes. )

MIDI signals are what connects my keyboards and electronic drum kit to my PC, to trigger Vst instruments and Fx. I also use, occasionally, a MIDI converter to record MIDI signals from my bass and/or guitars, to play brass or woodwind lines that I'd struggle with on keys, for instance. They allow me to play, recording the MIDI, and, if required (quite often, as it happens..!), edit the recorded MIDI signals to remove duff notes, tidy up the timing, adjust velocities and other Fx parameters. It's not difficult to do easy stuff; it only requires the PC to know on which MIDI channel to expect the signals to come in on, and this is done in my Reaper DAW. If you've no need, ignore it, but I have found the MIDI connections to be of great utility.

Good afternoon, RBB, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

Good evening, Bastien, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

@codhead : Go, go, go..! No time to waste...

And this is symmetrical..?

Stop it..! I'm almost exactly halfway through The Complete Fiction Of H P Lovecraft, and, true to my policy of not reading several books at once, need to finish this before embarking on Alfie's journey. I don't think I could cope with alternating chapters of these two. No spoilers, then, please ("I especially liked the bit where his amp suddenly..." No, no; just shut up..! ).

Intrigued by your, apparently knowledgeable, description, I actually went to see what's at the other end of the kind invitation to world stardom. I see a quite different persona as an avatar (I wasn't enamoured by the chest I saw...), and the latest posting on offer is, it would seem, a lengthy monologue from a world-famous astrologue, to judge from the description. I'd have listened through it, but I have some paint that needs attention whilst it dries, so I'll forego the pleasure. Feel free, though, but I think the chest will disappoint.

Must be both daft and deaf, I'd say.

... and in less time than it takes to actually play this short track, 'Naomi' finds it 'awesome', and wants to give it worldwide exposure..! I've not bothered to find out how much this promotion would cost me..!

Here is my contribution to the November 2020 Basschat Composition Challenge, inspired by a picture chosen by the previous winner: Upside Downer..! Modern Times, indeed; this is an interpretation of Electronica, whereby things will buzz and whirr up close, then fade away. We should no longer be surprised by what we encounter in our daily promenades; just be thankful that, for the moment, Little Green Men are not among us (or are they..?). No batteries were harmed in the making of this piece. I often use these occasions to try out new stuff I've acquired, and here there is double innovation. All the tracks were played on my tiny Keystation keyboard, triggering a new (to me...) Iris 2 synth, from Izotope. The drum track was, for the first time, played 'live' on my electronic kit, triggering Superior Drums 3; one take, no editing, and so warts'n'all. Mixed in Reaper (what else..?), with a smattering of Ozone and Rich presets as 'polish'. Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy.

I'm trying it out now, seeing what I can come up with for this month's Composition Challenge. S'looking good, so far, so well pleased with my 'purchase'. Will it do well in the Challenge..? Given its qualities, it could well do, but given mine, it's rather more doubtful. Well worth twice the price I paid, though.

I agree, The Band are excellent. They raised the game for Dylan on many occasions, too. I can't help hearing 'Knocking On Heaven's Door', here.