Dad3353

[quote name='barry021574' timestamp='1454256093' post='2967887'] Thanks for the replies, guys. I was thinking of something more like a self-contained unit. I have a Tascam MP-BT1 which can hold MP3 tracks and I can plug my bass into it and play along. I bought it years ago and it's no longer made. I was planning to replace it, but would like to be able to record my efforts too. [/quote] Ah. As a self-contained unit, I have a Fostex MR-8HD, into which I can record 4 tracks simultaneously, with 8 tracks available. I can import MP3 converted to WAV. It's very good indeed, but no longer made (which makes it more affordable, heh heh..!). There are flash card models, here's one on t'bay at the moment ... [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fostex-MR-8-Digital-Multitracker-Recorder-2GB-Memory-AC-or-Battery-PC-Mac-/201511799650?hash=item2eeb0a0b62:g:9nkAAOSwqYBWncDY"]Fostex MR-8 on t'bay ...[/url]

It ain't over till ...

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1454255448' post='2967873']... And I think somebody must have just dropped this £50 note! [/quote]

[quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1454097896' post='2966502'] I think it's the smart decision for the station. Its mission statement isn't to play interesting, clasic, or alternative music, but play what's popular. Figuring out what music that is, is a job beat don't by a computer. I'm still not going to located to it, but then I'm not the stations key demographic. Im shure that those that are will find the station the better for the change though. [/quote] Is this the redactional standard with which computers are going to better us..? Hmm...

[quote name='fingers211' timestamp='1454251970' post='2967841'] I come back after a month away, (yes,a fabulous holiday in 'the land of the long white cloud', thank you), to find the standard this month is sky high !! Is there a connection ? mmmmm !! Have a top five at the moment...time to put kettle on, grab paper,pencil and have another listen !! Top marks everyone...... Nige [/quote] Good afternoon, Nige... You do realise the importance of your conclusions, don't you..? Are you sitting comfortably..? Another cushion, perhaps..? Tea..! Excellent idea..! Perhaps a biscuit or two..? Any preference..? No, no, don't get up; I'll get the cups. You just settle down and enjoy... ([i]Scuttles into kitchen, frantically opens and closes cupboards looking for Earl Grey and Bourbons... Calls out 'Sugar..? No..? How wise..!' Hunts around for a silver platter; has to resort to the plywood tray with a print of Tower Bridge. Shuffles obsequiously back to the settee.[/i]..) Edit: Ah..! Almost forgot... [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Don't forget now, folks ...[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Vote For Lenny..! You know it makes sense. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]

[quote name='barry021574' timestamp='1454240773' post='2967721']... Has anyone got any suggestions? [/quote] If this is for simple home use, it can be done with as little as a USB cable from bass to PC ([url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Alesis-Guitar-Link-Audio-GuitarLink/dp/B002IDTPB2"]Alesis[/url], very low cost, and perfectly acceptable quality...). More control can be had using a dedicated interface, such as the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (I use a Tascam US144; there are many others...). Using software such as Audacity (free, simple...) or Reaper (free to try, $60 to license, easy enough to use and powerful...), the tracks can be played and you can record any number of tracks alongside. Does this helps..?

Single Cut Camphor and Alder PJ, the thread that keeps on giving...

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1454229907' post='2967585'] With real hair and everthang! [/quote] ... but with the girth of a Bouncy Castle, I'm afraid.

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1454236839' post='2967667'] We have minimum wage in Britain. In America (particularly waiters/barstaff) they are paid under the minimum wage with the assumption that they'll make enough tips to bring them up over that minimum. [/quote] Street beggars live in similar hopes.

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1454198189' post='2967519']...I understand bands in England look down on tip jar use... [/quote] In general (there are always exceptions...), the very concept of tipping is antithetical to most Britons, I'd suggest.

[quote name='LayDownThaFunk' timestamp='1454186843' post='2967412'] I require three monitors just for myself! [/quote] Then you're a passed-it, washed-out has-been, old bean. It's all digital in-ear stuff with wi-fi and rj45 nowadays, don'cha know..? Ah, these amateurs..! How they ever get gigs I don't know. Monitors, indeed..! Hah..! They're soooooo [i]passé[/i]...

Yes, indeed; live music is here for ever, but it won't necessarily be rock. Opera and ballet still draws enough to keep going, pianos (joannas..?) were essential fittings in pre- and post-war pubs, and folk clubs have been around since... well, since folks, really. All this loud jangly stuff has had its fling, and will go the way of Morris dancing. Yes, indeed; some people continue to perpetuate Morris dancing. Rock musicians are the 'modern' equivalent, and just as quaint.

A field..? A [i]field[/i]..? That, young sir, is our front garden, I'll have you know..! Cheeky sod..! ...

Well, not that it shows much...

[quote name='Schnozzalee' timestamp='1454171199' post='2967229'] Excellent - Thanks Happy Jack! Yep, it's a 500/1 1962 Reissue from after 2000. Sounds good to me - I just don't where to start with adjusting the bridge and I can't seem to find a Youtube video. I always have this Precision vs Alternative dilemma nowadays. Thanks again [/quote] With these instruments, it's not really useful to even try to compare with other styles of bass, in my view. Think of classical guitars, even high-end ones. Is there an adjustable bridge..? No. It's not [i]that [/i]necessary. Same with Hofners. Many arch-top guitars are the same. Fixed bridges are not [i]that [/i]much of a problem, unless one has bat's ears or suffer from auditive OCD. Similarly with playing the things. Not the same physical sensation, not the same 'rapport' with the instrument. A solid-body electric violin is different to a traditional one. Double bass is not like electric. Not that one is [i]better [/i]than another; they're different enough to not bear comparison, that's all. Compare a Hofner to another Hofner (or similar builds...), but not to a Fender. It's pineapples and fridges (is that right..? No..? Chalk and cheese, then..? Apples and pears..? Yin and yang..? Whatever..!). Just my tuppence-worth...

Posted elsewhere, but repeated here for context (and it's so very rare that we gig at all..!), so ... Just in from out first gig of the year, in a local youth centre. Here's some snaps, and a comment or two roughly on topic... Just for fun, and too late for the Basschat Photo Challenge on Pink Floyd cover covers, here's the loaded truck... ... and again. Only local, so not 'optimised' loading..! More to the point, here's a stage view of the place, capacity about 100 or so ... Here's the stage layout; the HK tops and subs in the foreground. He's busy cabling up the mics... A view from the console, slightly eccentric so as not to take up audience space... ...and the final stage. The acoustics are for the opening act, a couple of blokes doing '70s hits revisited. They sang well... There we are; a pretty average venue for the stuff we do. The sound man put a pair of overheads, a kick and a snare mic. Two mics on the Mesa-Marshall half stack stage left, another on the Marshall half stack stage right and a DI for the bass. Two vocal mics, 3 wedges for monitoring; two in front and one for me beside the drums. About 1/2 hour for the sound check, running through a pretty dynamic number (Walk Unafraid, REM...) to check it out. Yes, our backline is quite meaty. Yes, Some of our repertoire has cracking rimshots, a bit of 'blast beats', some cymbals crescendos. It's not that loud that ear defenders are required (although the venue does provide 'em for those wanting 'em...). The bloke on the console didn't ask any of us to turn down (nor to turn up..!); he handled it from the modest but satisfactory console. Our foldback was excellent (basically, just the vox...), the evening went splendidly, the 30 or so folks that came out on a wet Friday evening to attend a free concert were enchanted, and the organisers were equally well pleased with our prestation. No snags, no technical hitches, no swollen heads; a modestly great evening was had by all. We were well fed and watered, too ('dip' aperitif starters, fish or classic lasagne, several cheeses, green salad, home-baked apple tart... Yum..!). So... Yes, we have around 500w of valve backline. Yes, we play pop-rock that sometimes can get noisy (Highway to Hell as an encore following on from Killing in the Name Of..?). No, it's not too loud; that would be silly. Do we need all of this..? We think so, as this is the sort of places we normally play. Do we send out a tech sheet with our needs..? If it'll help, yes, but our needs are extremely modest. Do we need uber gear supplied..? 'Twould make no difference if we did, as we wouldn't ever get it. No, HK is fine for us (that's what we rehearse with...). If there's less than that, we'll do without; we play the same, anyway. The only thing we need to have right is getting the vocal across, as our singer is excellent, and deserves it. There you are, then; a rare glimpse into the murky world of The Daub'z. Others may have other needs, and that's fine too, of course.

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1454156961' post='2967015'] I suspect foul play... Since Douglas became my campaign manager - which gave me time to write my over-long,teary, and rather gushing award-acceptance speech - I've not had a vote and he's caught up! At this rate I'll have to go back to the funk... [/quote] Just up and recovering from our first gig of the year (yes, it went well, thank you very much...) only to come across these dark aspersions. I'd like to put the record straight, and ask, in all honesty, where could I have been able to drum up video sequences for a 'Vote for xgsjx' campaign, or even 'Vote for Bilbo' (much as I think it a worthy cause...)..? No, it's purely a matter of fortuity and having a more readily available moniker. Honest, guv. Really. Still, if, as a consequence, a reversion to 'funk' (yes, the inverted commas are there for literary reasons...), 'twill all have been worth it. In my perpetually optimistic manner, I remain stoicly convinced that there is yet a path to Salvation for this poor lost tormented soul, and that the joy of 'real' music could, once again, grace his outpourings. OK, I hear you object, it's too late, the damage has been done, the road too rocky... Maybe, but if I can light just one small torch on his way and save what's left, I can sleep more easily. I may be wrong, of course; the last time, if I remember correctly , was in 1956 over the outcome of the Suez crisis, so I'm not infallible by any means. Time will tell...

Just to say that a 'low cost' or zero cost band is not [i]necessarily [/i]a bad band. i play in one, for instance. I'll admit that the odds may be a bit more 'stacked', but I've seen and heard quite a few 'ropey' bands that cost a fair chunk in my time. Some folks play well for free, or little. Just sayin'.

Just in from out first gig of the year, in a local youth centre. Here's some snaps, and a comment or two roughly on topic... Just for fun, and too late for the Basschat Photo Challenge on Pink Floyd cover covers, here's the loaded truck... ... and again. Only local, so not 'optimised' loading..! More to the point, here's a stage view of the place, capacity about 100 or so ... Here's the stage layout; the HK tops and subs in the foreground. He's busy cabling up the mics... A view from the console, slightly eccentric so as not to take up audience space... ...and the final stage. The acoustics are for the opening act, a couple of blokes doing '70s hits revisited. They sang well... There we are; a pretty average venue for the stuff we do. The sound man put a pair of overheads, a kick and a snare mic. Two mics on the Mesa-Marshall half stack stage left, another on the Marshall half stack stage right and a DI for the bass. Two vocal mics, 3 wedges for monitoring; two in front and one for me beside the drums. About 1/2 hour for the sound check, running through a pretty dynamic number (Walk Unafraid, REM...) to check it out. Yes, our backline is quite meaty. Yes, Some of our repertoire has cracking rimshots, a bit of 'blast beats', some cymbals crescendos. It's not that loud that ear defenders are required (although the venue does provide 'em for those wanting 'em...). The bloke on the console didn't ask any of us to turn down (nor to turn up..!); he handled it from the modest but satisfactory console. Our foldback was excellent (basically, just the vox...), the evening went splendidly, the 30 or so folks that came out on a wet Friday evening to attend a free concert were enchanted, and the organisers were equally well pleased with our prestation. No snags, no technical hitches, no swollen heads; a modestly great evening was had by all. We were well fed and watered, too ('dip' aperitif starters, fish or classic lasagne, several cheeses, green salad, home-baked apple tart... Yum..!). So... Yes, we have around 500w of valve backline. Yes, we play pop-rock that sometimes can get noisy (Highway to Hell as an encore following on from Killing in the Name Of..?). No, it's not too loud; that would be silly. Do we need all of this..? We think so, as this is the sort of places we normally play. Do we send out a tech sheet with our needs..? If it'll help, yes, but our needs are extremely modest. Do we need uber gear supplied..? 'Twould make no difference if we did, as we wouldn't ever get it. No, HK is fine for us (that's what we rehearse with...). If there's less than that, we'll do without; we play the same, anyway. The only thing we need to have right is getting the vocal across, as our singer is excellent, and deserves it. There you are, then; a rare glimpse into the murky world of The Daub'z. Others may have other needs, and that's fine too, of course.

Not so imaginary in my case, and all the more troubling as I'm the drummer..! These 'senior moments' crop up on odd occasions; I have to bear the mild approbation from the others and try to turn my inappropriate fill or ending into some sort of sense and get back to the essentials. Doesn't happen often, but too often for comfort. Blast this advancing age..!

[quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1454073303' post='2966108'] I don't mean to knock Lesh, who is also an interesting player, but he never makes me sit up and take notice the way Casady can. [/quote] Back then, it was more a case of 'lay back and let it all flow'. The Dead fulfilled that role to perfection.

[quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1454072392' post='2966094'] It's like you're inside my head. [/quote] There are modern treatments, but they're expensive, and invasive. Probably worth it, though... [quote name='Skol303' timestamp='1454072434' post='2966097'] Interesting! So the inspiration could be a famous bass player...? (at least famous enough for people to go online and find examples of their playing)... [/quote] My current BCC entry was, indeed, based on a 'Jaco' notion of style for the fretless part. This probably explains its lack of outright success. One has to choose carefully one's inspiration; this is Basschat.

[quote name='Leonard Smalls' timestamp='1454056371' post='2965772']... Unfortunately I can't view the vid - tis private?... [/quote] Indeed..! A cunning ploy to incite interest and create one of these 'ere 'buzz' things. Naturally (and for your eyes only...), I've now allowed vision to the select. Plus, of course ... [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Don't forget now, folks ...[/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Vote For Lenny..! You know it makes sense. [/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] [/font][/color]