Blink

Have a look at the RCF Evox 8 (or 12). I use a pair for a 6 piece covers band playing rock, pop etc. Very impressed with it. N

You don't mention if you had insured the items and if yes, did the insurance company pay your claim. If yes then the items belong to the insurance company and you should notify them. N

Bireli Lagrene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGdiE-Ssfx4

Bands are generally booked by the MD for the show. Go to shows and introduce yourself and buy a few drinks. Don't be too pushy as it is usually a case of "deadman's shoes" and the person you want to replace my be a longterm personal friend of the MD.

Most of the set was to recognise the 25th anniversary of Images and words. They did the 2 "singles" of The Astonishing which came across as the leased rehearsed. There were some interesting modulations at the end of one of Petrucci's solos. LaBrie's vocals were the best that I heard them for a long time, in tune with plenty of power although dipping out of some of the higher stuff (age??). The low spot was Myung's tribute to Jaco (Portrait of Tracy) which was technically impressive (I can't get close to it) but musically flat. A very enjoyable 2 hours and 40 minutes of entertainment.

Any thoughts on the recent UK gigs. I saw them at Hammersmith last night and the best way to describe the gig is "epic". Excellent sound (clarity with plant of dynamic range) and the band were on top form with just enough mistakes to prove that they are human like the rest of us. N

Status Hotwires. Good value for money and last well.

+1 for the advice from bassjim. At your next rehearsal start by having all the eq flat on the amp and bass and no effects. Turn up the volume till you can hear yourself. I assume that you stack the cabs one on top of the other rather than side by side as this will give a better dispersion patten. If the room is suitable stand your rig just in front of a wall as this will enhance the bass and help soundprojection into the room from the reflection off the wall. Standing the speakers in a corner will enhance the effect even more. Buy a long lead or go wireless and get out into the room as the balance may be fine where the audience are. You mention that DI'ing helps. Check your settings and if you are "pre eq" then you are loosing clarity through your amp eq. The pa will also have better sound dispersion and is probably enhancing the mid frequencies. Then add eq and effects to your taste but if you loose clarity then you have gone too far. Experimentation is the key to sonic happiness. N

I thought Pino played for Paul Young not Nick Hayward? N

Musicguard and you get £1m public liability insurance thrown in. Silly not to really... N

Thank you. I shall do some research. N

Evening All I have searched the forum and the last time this subject seems to have been covered was in 2014. Looking to move my paper collection of crib sheets onto iPad. Any recommendations on apps to use, more for rehearsal than live but the occasional crib sheet for a new song in the set would be welcome. N

If you are asked for PAT certificate make sure you ask for a copy of the venues 5 yearly fixed wiring installation certificate. It's no good having the best equipment if the circuit you are plugging in to is dodgy. If you buy good equipment and look after it in proper flight cases etc Please get it insured. If you use a company like Musicguard then you get £1m Public liability insurance thrown in, and it can be extended to cover other band members at an additional cost. Makes sense doesn't it...... N

Most insurance companies will only pay out the market value regardless of the value you place on the instrument. If you over value your premiums will go up but the pay out will not. You may be able to get an upfront agreed value with the insurance company but that will require an independent third party issuing a valuation certificate in the absence of any other form of valuation evidence.

Anybody else see the gig at the Rah Rah Rooms, London last night? Throughly enjoyed it and the time flew by. Three very talented guys making great music. **Minor rant alert** There should be plenty of YouTube footage available soon. I never cease to be amazed at the number of people who watch a live gig through a mobile phone screen!!!!! One chap in front of me last night would take a dozen or so photos and then spend the next 3 to 4 minutes reviewing them. Dennis Chambers had at least two cameras pointing directly at him for the whole gig, from about 1 foot from his kick drum. Why? Put your phone in your pocket and enjoy the gig.

Heads up - Snarky Puppy are playing some dates in the UK next May. See website for details (as they say).

I'm not an expert but I thought that Tinnitus and hearing loss are different things. Tinnitus a whistling are humming noise which can be heard when there is no other noise to block it out. I thought that tinnitus is caused by exposure to high frequencies and bass players that suffer from it generally blame standing next to the drummers cymbals which generate an enormous amount of high frequency sound energy. Prelonged use of headphones, particular in-ears, also generate a lot of high frequency sound because they are rubbish at producing bass and people tend to use them in noisy environments to have the volume way too loud (yes I am a train commuter). Nearly everyone suffers from tinnitus as they get older and the trick is to learn to ignore it. Not being able to hear conversations above back ground noise is a different problem and to some extent increases with old age (hearing dialog on the tv over the soundtrack). Also in age related deafness you generally loose the top end of your hearing. Always use good quality earplugs when playing and if you are worried get your ears tested. I got mine tested at Specsavers (yes really) who also supplied the moulded earplugs. Don't give up playing!!!!

Learn to use your ears rather than you eyes and a whole new sonic world will open up. Just do it...

11 in the current band. But the punters love them all and i'd rather play to a packed dance floor…...

Status Streamline 5. Light weight, stays in tune for the whole gig, headless so unlikely to whack the singer on the back of the head during one of my more flamboyant moves. N

I got mine from Specsavers Hearing Centre. Last a long time and are excellent value.

You mention that the kick drum mic was near the monitor. Only put the bare essentials through the monitors such as vocals and any acoustic instruments (sax etc.). This cuts down the potential for feedback, reduces the on stage volume so the guartist doesn't feel the need to compete and reduces the vocal mics reamplifying the monitor mix.

Mackie do a conversion kit to change the 30 pin dock to the Lightning dock. Not sure how much but all you need is a screwdriver. B