Dad3353

[color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4] [/size][/font][/color] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]T[/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial]his 'Play of the Day' here …[/font][/color][/size] [url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/dive-dive-dive"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][size=4]'Dive Dive Dive', from Skol303 ...[/size][/font][/color][/url] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]A sub-aqua start ([i]Please tell me that this effect was created using Sonar..?[/i]) 'pinging' a submarine heralds a mid-slow relentless beat from the drums, over which float a slow filtered synth and bass, and an arpeggio synth lead riff. These continue as the vocals enter but for the bass, which takes on a far more active role. The timbre changes for the chorus vocals, whilst retaining the incessant, constant drum beat. A second verse, a second chorus then... All drops away, leaving simply a skeleton of drums and a lone synth, while the delayed and doubled (tripled..?) vocals spread out until the return of the full orchestration and out.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Deep stuff; deep stuff indeed. A sombre mood, in dark contrast to the picture's apparent sunny innocence, but, when the Muse strikes... Fine arrangement and orchestration filling out a steady, staid composition, well recorded and mixed to give a polished production. Effortless contrasting vocals giving an extra dab of colour to an otherwise solemn piece. Not suitable for dance floors, but is that such a bad thing..? Deep stuff; deep stuff indeed.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]My next post in this topic will feature...[/size][/font][/color] [url="http://soundcloud.com/nigel-jewell/divedivedive"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][size=4]'Dive, Dive, Dive', from fingers211 ...[/size][/font][/color][/url] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Until then...[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Have a nice day[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Douglas[/size][/font][/color]

[sharedmedia=core:attachments:167485]

[size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"][/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]T[/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial]his 'Play of the Day' here …[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://soundcloud.com/foolsjourney/sacred-places"][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"]'Sacred Places', from Bleat ...[/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Lapping water, swelling, swirling keys, children's voices... The build-up is subtle, sensitive, resolving into a delicate arpeggio and the vocals. And what vocals..! Top notch, perfectly adapted to the composition, the theme and the arrangement. Augmented by a 'heartbeat' throb, the emotion is felt fully, and given a touch of sparkle by the apt use of violin soars. The mood shifts, taking on a tinge of melancholy as the instruments give way to the beach again, all but a finger-style guitar and soft vocals. In come the keys, levering the vocals upwards towards a luxuriant bountiful orchestration, complete with thick bass and firm drums and a controlled explosion of key layers. The Voice returns, floating like cream topping, taking us through to the suddenly subdued ending with a sigh and a final childish chuckle.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Not much to say about this; it speaks (or rather 'sings' for itself. Faultless. Gold standard. Special mention for the superb use of ultra-discreet voice doubling. Top marks, and more still, from me. Nice one, Rachael. I'm glad that this is a 'Challenge', and not a 'Competition', as this is in a league of its own, and far out-shadows anything [i]I'm[/i] ever likely to come up with. The one that gets more votes than this will be bloomin' good, I'd say.[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]My next post in this topic will feature...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][url="http://soundcloud.com/skollob/dive-dive-dive"][color="#0000ff"][font="Arial"]'Dive Dive Dive', from Skol303 ...[/font][/color][/url][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Until then...[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Have a nice day[/font][/color][/size] [size=4][color="#000000"][font="Arial"]Douglas[/font][/color][/size]

[quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1456260576' post='2987252']... So, 9 votes cast on here, 121 cast on the EU referendum. Is it worth moving the competition to Off Topic on Eurochat? [/quote] Well, I know which one is the more fun..!

[color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4] [/size][/font][/color] [size=4][color=#000000][font=Arial]T[/font][/color][color=#000000][font=Arial]his 'Play of the Day' …[/font][/color][/size] [url="http://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/motion-capture"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][size=4]'Motion Capture', from Bilbo ...[/size][/font][/color][/url] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]A lumpy, muted-sustain solo bass riff, with an unusual syncopated timing sketches out a canvas as backdrop to a rather skittish bass (guitar..?), doubled by a very distant orchestral trumpet, and accompanied with an equally distant pattering of drums (toms, or snare with snare off..?). Fast runs and short, pregnant pauses, an impression of melody, wandering close to oriental scale tones at times, lured into counter-pointing the underlying bass, only to break off again into another fantasy tack. Sudden rupture as the piece closes with a last trumpet and final flourish from the lead bass.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]A technical piece, rather unsettling at first listen, but holding up well with repeats. No mean feat of virtuosity, as the lead line is followed very closely by the trumpet; the timing is excellent. The link to the picture is equally technical, but it works, which is the main thing. I would have liked an interlude, or transition, somewhere, as the work retains its intensity from start to finish; a breathing space may have relieved the musical apnea. Impeccable production, a very clean performance; quite a show-piece. Yet another gem from The Master...[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]My next post in this topic will feature...[/size][/font][/color] [url="http://soundcloud.com/foolsjourney/sacred-places"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][size=4]'Sacred Places', from Bleat ...[/size][/font][/color][/url] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Until then...[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Have a nice day[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Douglas[/size][/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]For anyone interested, here's my 'Play of the Day' topic for this month's Challenge [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] ...[/font][/color] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/279730-play-of-the-day-basschat-composition-challenge-february/"]Play of the Day, February ...[/url][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/279730-play-of-the-day-basschat-composition-challenge-february/"][color=#282828] [/color][/url]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]For anyone interested, here's my 'Play of the Day' topic for this month's Challenge [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] ...[/font][/color] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/279730-play-of-the-day-basschat-composition-challenge-february/"]Play of the Day, February ...[/url][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/279730-play-of-the-day-basschat-composition-challenge-february/"][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color][/url]

[color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Play of the Day...[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Feel free to 'follow' this topic to be alerted (warned..? ) when new posts arrive. I'll be using this same topic throughout for this month's Challenge.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4] [/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Good day, all...[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Here is my own, personal, view of the compositions presented in the monthly BC Composition Challenge, in randomly chosen order. I hope that at least some of you may be inspired to give the pieces a listen, and perhaps vote for your 3 favourites. All of them can be heard here...[/size][/font][/color] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/279691-february-composition-challenge-voting/"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][size=4]February Composition Challenge - VOTING![/size][/font][/color][/url] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]... and this 'Play of the Day' here …[/size][/font][/color] [url="http://soundcloud.com/dredd-and-the-badass-weed/feel-the-burn"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][size=4]'Feel The Burn', from Leonard Smalls ...[/size][/font][/color][/url] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]A 'tappety-tappety' entry, a hip-hop holler and we're away, with a smartly rolling bass riff, floating guitar sustain, lightly percussive keys and a very effective hi-hat back beat driving from the back seat. In comes the vocal, not so far from Cap'n Beefheart in style; not too heavily treated, so almost comprehensible. There's some murky swirling going on in the background as the bass takes on a more pronounced role, filling the foreground with a jaunty riff – solo. A spot of modulation for a 'middle eight', with funky piano stabs; the bass stays to the fore. Back to the original strongly-paced motif, although there is constant variation and ornamentation from divers instruments and vocals; there is no sense of repetition. A change of mood as we reach the finale; the guitars come forward with sustain, almost feedback, until cut short with a sharp trill from the piano.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]A complex piece, which easily bears repeated listening, as there is so much happening that, for a casual 'once-through'; much detail would be missed, which would be a shame. A great gait, fast without hurry nor stress, urgent but posed. A very effective arrangement, despite the rich filling-in of the background; the principal elements find their place very naturally in the crowded soundscape, and the clean production keeps the overall palette easy on the ears. A surprising twist on the picture, but why not..? Splendid playing, more than a wry smile of humour, what more to ask for..? Full marks, lad; full marks.[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]My next post in this topic will feature...[/size][/font][/color] [url="http://soundcloud.com/robert-palmer-1/motion-capture"][color=#0000ff][font=Arial][size=4]'Motion Capture', from Bilbo ...[/size][/font][/color][/url] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Until then...[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Have a nice day[/size][/font][/color] [color=#000000][font=Arial][size=4]Douglas[/size][/font][/color]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1456250202' post='2987105'] I bet it's hefty, too. [/quote] [sharedmedia=core:attachments:167485]

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1456248404' post='2987064'] I believe you, don't know if you missed the point of my post or not but i was just putting things in another perspective for those who constantly defend the all mighty "heft". [/quote] No problem, it's just another excuse for posting a pic of our Hiwatt..!

[quote name='Ghost_Bass' timestamp='1456246946' post='2987030']... It's impossible to get a good clean tone from them. With the volume knob past 1 they start to distort and making farty noises, no definition and detail whatsoever.... [/quote] Ah. You've not played through a Hiwatt, then, eh..? You're right, though; they're heavy. Very heavy. Not so fragile in a flight case, but even heavier of course. Still, if one wants clean, to the roof, some folks find 'em worth lugging around.

Happy birthday, lad, and wishing you and yours many happy returns of the day I have all the basses I need - want - can play, excepting an Epiphone Jack Casady Signature, in gold. One day, maybe; one day...

It's not a good idea to plug headphones into a speaker jack, whatever the amp. Headphones don't have the right impedance for amp o/p, and will certainly be damaged when too much signal is applied to them. An accidental movement of the volume knob and your ears will meet in the middle of your head. Use an amp with a dedicated headphone socket, never the speaker sockets.

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1456138999' post='2985691']...My problem is that it sounds ok on my monitors... [/quote] Choose something for monitoring and keep it, judging all your mixing exclusively through that. How to choose the monitor system..? Play something that you know and like (any music that you'd like to aspire to; preferably in the same vein as your piece...),and go with what sounds best to you. It's more than useful, almost essential, to have reference music to use for comparison to your mix. Not to copy it, but to help home in on the elements that make up the overall sound. Don't mess about with EQ on the mixing/reference system; keep it as 'flat' as possible, once you're happy with the sound of the reference music (using several pieces of music is good, too...). I listened through my mixing headphones, which I'm quite accustomed to, and found the bass quite definitely lacking in presence (not played badly; quite the opposite...) in the mix. Always a matter of taste, of course, and musical direction, but well down on similarly-styled pieces, in my view. In the end, though, it's your view that counts much more..! We have had, in the recent past, mixing Challenges, in which the raw stems are made available for all to have a go at. Maybe you could consider such a move, if there's nothing commercially compromising in putting up the stems..? It could bring up some useful practises, maybe..? Just a thought... Happy hunting, in any case.

Could benefit from taking a couple of lessons from Adam Clayton, maybe..?

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1456011154' post='2984584']... Constructive criticism welcomed. [/quote] Firstly, the compliments (you'll understand why shortly...). An excellent composition, sung with poise and confidence, brisk playing from all (yes, even the bass...); it's obvious that you all know how to play together. it really 'gels' nicely. Now, about the recording... I don't think you'll ever get this to sound crisp whilst you're all playing the same thing at the same time. It's not a question of filtering or bleed; there's just too much going on in the same space all through. I'd either go for a much more sober arrangement, and wind back the block chords and strumming to really distance spaces, or go for a thick, full sound, which is not far from where you are with the current mix. The drums are too muffled, in general, as is the bass. If this is multi-tracked, try playing back just the bass and drums, and get them to sound present, non-aggressive and balanced. If there's a problem with that, then there's a problem with the stems, and new 'takes' will be required. Once the bass-drums are up and running, add in the chords, one instrument at a time, trying to keep them from intruding into the bass-drums established sonic zone. For my money, it shouldn't take more than about half a teaspoonful to get them working, audible, but behind the bass-drums. Pan quite hard, if necessary. When all the rhythm instruments are in place, put in the bv's, then the lead vocal right in the front. I'd personally put the harmonica in last of all, and much more sparingly, keeping the current arrangement for a more whole-hearted 'live' version, where more 'stops' can be pulled. There, that's my tuppence-worth, but only from a couple of listen-throughs, though, so not deeply studied. Great stuff, well done to all involved. What you have there is not so easy to come by, and not so easy to get across on all media, either, as you've found..! Don't go for 'mastering' yet; get it to sound good through studio monitors first. Once that's done, mastering is another, separate, 'black art'. Hope this helps.

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1455805105' post='2982592']... A louder amp. I'd classify what you have as a practice amp. If you want to cover all eventualities you need at least 500 watts ... [/quote] [quote name='The Twickerman' timestamp='1455801674' post='2982546'] ...my 115W [b]Valve [/b]head/15" speaker... [/quote] That's not a 'practise amp' at all. If it's a Fender Bassman or equivalent, all the power needed is there. Maybe look at the cab options, but the amp will be up to it, no problem.

In his day, Paganini revolutionised the solo violin. Although his international career was short (a mere 6 years...), in that time he alone set the benchmark which is still in place today. It's difficult for youngsters to fully appreciate the true impact of his ground-breaking work and immense popularity; I suppose one had to be there to 'get it'. There are many scholars, musicians and historians that would maintain that the greatest of them all, in so many respects, was J. S. Bach. It's difficult to fathom from this far off in time the depth of his influence and creativity, bringing, to cite just a few examples, the solo instrument to the fore as it had never been hitherto envisaged, in composing multi-part harmony of such beauty, depth and intelligence that they are studied still, and have yet to reveal all of their subtleties. We owe him counterpoint (yes, it was unthought of before his extensive use of this art...); even such apparently evident techniques such as changing keys was new and bold. Truly, on the shoulders of giants are the humble songsters of modern times, often lauded for their innovation and impact. We'll see how, 4 centuries later, they are to be judged. I doubt there'll be many standing half as tall still as him. No, I know it's not relevant today; that it's not 'rock', and therefore 'doesn't count', but if we're to talk of [i]real [/i]game-changers, I reckon there's a lot to be considered in being humble as to what 'greatness' really means. Just sayin'.

[quote name='cybertect' timestamp='1455484256' post='2979553'] I am in the process of having the pots replaced on my 1967 Hofner Verithin. They have been terribly scratchy for a while and the volume controls were getting to the point where they simply cut out at some (wrong) points. My luthier cleaned them up before Christmas and things were good again for a couple of weeks, but then quickly deteriorated back to square one again. So they are coming out - I'll keep the original pots in a box somewhere just in case they are ever needed. I'm taking the view that I own the bass to play it, not for it to be an ornament. Besides, I've owned it for 28 years, it's exactly as old as I am and I'm unlikely to part with it before I'm in my grave. [/quote] Same here. All of my Hofners have had replacement parts and/or upgrades, and play even better as a consequence. I've never bought an instrument with the intention of selling it, so 'value' lost is, to me, irrelevant. Same with pretty well everything that I buy, as it happens, from my drums, to my car, the washing machine and chain saw. I buy them because I want them, look after them properly, and only change them if they're really beyond repair. Resale value has never, ever, been even in the back of my mind. Different genes or something, I suppose.

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1455468819' post='2979340'] That's fine as far as it goes and I agree with you. However, when someone says that they can't offer you what you are asking for your bass because it isn't 100% original because of the replaced pot despite it being included in the sale then that is a problem... [/quote] That same buyer would equally want a discount if the pot was original, but scratchy. Buyers like that want a 'win-win' sale, where they get a brand new vintage bass. They are, indeed, top dollar for collectors, but that's all. The way to maintain a new bass in that condition is to store it safely under the bed and never play it. Any played bass, 100% original or not, will be priced down from museum prices, because of reasonable wear and tear, repairs, upgrades etc. If you're selling the bass at too high a price, it's normal that a buyer will point out the reasons for discounting. If you've already taken this into account, just wait for another buyer, that's all. If the bass is fairly priced, it'll sell. Simple, really.