Dad3353

If you're anything like me, the 'didn't make the final cut' bin is very rarely solicited. As proof, and by sheer coincidence, this month's entry is quite literally noise. OK, grey noise, but noise none the less. On the other hand, I might be more likely to be tempted to vote for a 'story without words' from your stable (and I'm more than half deaf, so...). ...

A bit of a shame, that; I was looking forward to hearing that winning composition. We have a Roland D110 that has gone wild, emitting only random sounds. Useless for 'live', but odd snatches can be fun for finding inspiration when the skies are grey.

Here is my contribution to the January 2022 Basschat Composition Challenge, inspired by a picture chosen by the previous winner: SkankDelVar. An audio exercise, capturing (more than...) fifty shades of real Grey Noise, representing the neutrality of The Universe, and literally pitching this beside a Human Condition notion (somewhat dark, maybe...) and a more potentially joyful version, both stemming from a deep cultural heritage going back eons. I'll freely admit, with no apologies, that it's not the most EDM of my stuff, and will not garner many votes, but that's where the picture led me, so... The fundamental key is the genuine grey noise, playing a theme from an operatic piece by Massenet thanks to Sforzanda, flanked on each side by a set of Kontakt voices, to render a human aspect, and another set of Kontakt balafons, to bring a touch of light-hearted optimism, all through Reaper, naturally. Little in the way of Fx; just a liberal sprinkling of reverb, for distance, and delay, for depth. A NY Glue compression polishes it all (all Cockos stuff, bundled with Reaper...). Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy.

Can't live with 'em; can't live without 'em, eh..? Still, seeing the picture for inspiration, a computer might not be necessary. I think it could be matched by recording yourself whistling tunelessly into your 'phone. Just a thought; no need to thank me.

And the winner is... @xgsjx ..! Here, then, is your Winner's Certificate (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ... BC_Chal_Cert_2021_12.pdf ... which looks like this (but bigger, of course..!)...

If I'm composing with samples, either my own or from elsewhere, I'm not noting the date of creation of the samples. The composition is to be of the current month, from either stuff played live for the creation, or from bits'n'pieces from wherever, whenever. Short answer: Yes, you're over-thinking, and well done for doing so. Now get back to the lab and carry on composing. 'We're good', as I think our trans-Atlantic cousins are wont to say (whatever it's supposed to mean...). And it'd better sound good, or you'll get no votes. Hope this helps.

Merry Christmas, season of generosity and goodwill towards all men (and women, naturally...).

Yes, it's eligible, no issues. Carry on, lads...

Here is my contribution to the December 2021 Basschat Composition Challenge, illustrated with a picture chosen by the Master of Ceremonies: Lurksalot. Not a lot to say about this one; it's all in the song. A long-time favourite, it's become sadly more apt and poignant as Life deals out its cards. They're not all aces. I had intended playing the instruments myself, but decided after many attempts that it would not be fair to inflict that upon you all, so I fell back on a choice of Vst's (somewhat limited due to the loss of a 3Tb USB disk...). For the vocal, I couldn't (and still can't...) find my Superlux mic, so had to buy another (Marantz MPM 1000...) which has proved to be very satisfactory. My voice, however, has not. As I said, it's not all aces. Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy, and Merry Christmas to one and all.

And the winner is... @skankdelvar ..! Here, then, is your Winner's Certificate (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ... BC_Chal_Cert_2021_11.pdf ... which looks like this (but bigger, of course..!)...

I use my PC for everything (composition and recording, but also 3D modelling and 3D printing, and more...). I have a refurbished HP8200 (low profile, so limited in choice of video card; I use an NVidia GT710...), an i5 with 12Gb of memory, with Windows 10 Pro for an OS. It does all I ask of it, and is not under-speced. A 120 Gb SSD 'C'-drive helped; next time I'd use a bigger SSD, as I have to manage what goes onto the 'C' drive. I have several USB disks hanging off it, and two NAS drives, just because of the storage needs (I throw little away...). The PC cost about 250€ or so. There are several suppliers of refurbished PC's of the sort. I'm not afraid of the Internet; my PC is always connected, but I've cut off the Windows Updates, as they walked over my drivers. Windows Defender is my Anti-virus, and works well. S'been a very long time since I had any infection at all. I do not 'surf' scabrous sites, of course. Hope this helps.

Here is my contribution to the November 2021 Basschat Composition Challenge, inspired by a picture chosen by the previous winner: Upside Downer. A celestial sculpteur, modelling a new vision for the night sky, after a fashion. Giving a fresh shine on an old, friendly face; somewhat daft, maybe, but with Good Intentions... A jazz-standard feel for the base, upon which various textures have been woven, putting my BIAB Big Band through the mill. I wasn't confident enough to do the recital myself, so Brian T'Web helped out. A bit dry, but I would have done no better, so... Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy...

And the winner is... @upside downer Here, then, is your Winner's Certificate (download and save as pdf file, then proudly print and frame...) ... BC_Chal_Cert_2021_10.pdf ... which looks like this (but bigger, of course..!)...

OK, OK; I'm on the case. We'll see what I can do. (No peace for the wicked, eh..? Still, keeps me fit'n'active, up to a point. Mustn't grumble, and it's good to feel wanted...)

You will not have noticed my lack of attendance of late on this forum. Attitudes of the sort are the reason. I'll get back under my rock. I still moderate, but my modest contributions are apparently not appreciated. Never mind; I've other hobbies. Carry on...

Why so touchy..? It's a genuine question; do folks really find this level of detail that important..? OK, I play drums, but I've several basses and guitars; not once have I considered the nut width, even less measuring it. I'm pretty sure that they're all different, though. Does an 1/8th really make a bass unplayable..? Maybe; what would I know..? No need to go off in a huff, though, no kittens have been hurt.

Do people actually sweat over these things..?

@Jack... I can't see why you'd want to inverse polarity. There are no phase issues in sending sound to left and right of the stage. Keep the volume as low as reasonable to reduce 'slap-back' echo from the end walls and that's about it. There's no issue, really. Enjoy the event. Hope this helps.

Would something like this do the job..? ... I printed this, and the p/up surrounds, on my 3D printer for @PaulThePlug (his photo...); he attached them with double-sided tape. I can print any (reasonable...) length or size; any use to you..?

Good evening, @Basschateric99, and ... Plenty to read and amuse you here, and lots to learn and share.

If it wasn't driving the Ampeg, maybe..! I have other small powered monitors I could have brought, but the idea of the cut-down kit was to be a simple, plug'n'play rack, and it's our first time out with e-drums, so it's part of the learning curve (who'd 'ave thought it, eh..? Still learnin' at that age..!). If I have to go complicated, I might as well bring the whole caboodle laptop an' stuff and have Superior Drums to play. Or bring the Camco back into the swing of things and give everyone a treat..!

Not last night, but last Saturday, a three-hour afternoon 'invitation only' private do, organised by our 2nd guitar/keys. The hall, originally, in bygone days, a stable for coach and horses, it's quite spacious enough for the fifty or so folks attending. Firstly, though, a clean sweep... Plenty of access from the wide-open side door... S'not as easy as all that, this 'ere keys stuff... ... but it all works come the sound check ... A first outing, too, for the newly-built and as yet unpainted, Hartke-driven bass combo (more on that in the Build section of the forum...). Unproven for 'live' work, we'd hedged our bets with the Ampeg, just in case, and just as well, as the combo isn't up to the task on its own. Maybe with the planned 4x5 extension cab..? The Ampeg was fine, of course, so no worries for the evening... Some pre-gig ambience from our LED PAR lights... An unusual format for this, our first outing for a couple of years, with a two sets alternating two or three as The Daub'z, with all five of us, and two or three songs as a solo or duo, giving a sort of cabaret feel to the occasion. A first outing, too, for one of my e-drum kits, for a more cut-down, one-hand set-up, which worked quite well. No need for a massive FOH for such a small room; it's the Behringers on sticks that you see in the corners. This meant, however, no foldback, which makes e-drums a little... erm... 'delicate' to play. All I hear is the clickety-flack of the nylon tips on the pads, and nothing at all from the bass pedal..! The event went off well, with a good turn-out, despite hard rain all day, and a splendid time was had by all. If I get any decent shots of us playing, or, even better, any video, I'll add them here. As a group we shared a marine choucroute for evening meal after breaking down the gear and I was home at half-past ten. A format to be repeated, with some slight technical adjustments. I'm not sure it would work quite so well with a 'cold' audience, but we're unlikely to be playing out again for some time yet, in any case. Altogether a very satisfactory, if modest, event, so 'Happy Daze'.

This would be a starting point; I often use it as a 'baseline' bass line, as it's so darned easy and simple ... 4Front Bass Vst ... For splendid ones, I'm afraid some monies have to be disbursed; Spectrasonics 'Trilian' comes high on my list, but we're up in the 200€ stratospheres (it's worth it...) ... Spectrasonics Trilian ... Toontrack's EZBass does what it says on the tin, too, at 150€ ... Toontrack EZBass ... Ah, but 'Free...', you said..? OK, AmpleSound offer this one from their excellent range ... Amplesound Bass P-Lite ... There, that'll keep you busy for an hour or so...

Here is my contribution to the September 2021 Basschat Composition Challenge, inspired by a picture chosen by the previous winner: Doctor J. Introspection again, I'm afraid. Taking stock, reflection, inspired by the (apparently...) more simple life led by (apparently...) more serene sentient creatures. Are they telling us something..? Can sentiments be transmitted..? Yes, they can (apparently...). Mostly Oliviya Nicole (Ghosthack...) samples knitted together, E minor vocals underpinned by G major guitar work. Tempos have been adjusted to create the overall feel. The drums are... absent; there are none..! I played the basson 'live' with my tiny MIDI keyboard, and all mixed in Reaper, with no treatment at all, save my usual Cockos NY Glue on the master track. The lyrics are further down (originally titled 'Alone'...)... Thanks for listening, if you already have; if you're about to, enjoy. Lyrics... All we have is now Yesterday is gone We have so much time Let’s not stay alone Alone No one should be on their own Alone There’s light after every storm Let it go You’ve got to move on With your life No time to wait Find a new someone Love is not to waste Let it go Love is the cure