Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

tedmanzie

Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    924

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Posts posted by tedmanzie

    Bootsy all that good

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1464425663' post='3059330']
    Over time Bootsy's focus changed from bass player to bass playing front man and then star of the show.

    I think people can like all of them or one and not the others without it being a problem.

    Bootsy Collins wasn't with James Brown very long but I was fortunate to see that band. What a night. It was at East Ham Odeon and their second show of the day. They came on at about 2 am and played all night.
    [/quote]

    Seeing the Bootsy/Catfish era James Brown band live is my first request if Dr Who ever gives me ride in the Tardis :)
    Jealous!

    NDMD: New Drum Machine Day! Elektron Analog Rytm

    in Other Instruments

    Posted

    [quote name='bartelby' timestamp='1464348558' post='3058680']
    When I was in a band that used a drum machine I used to midi my SR16 and R8 together. Using the R8 as the sequencer (and sound module) and the SR16 as a sound module only.
    It worked pretty well, but needed additional ROM cards for the R8.
    [/quote]

    The R8 and the R8 mk2 were really great, still quite fancy getting a Mk2 (which has all the ROM cards built in I believe), super tweakable for electronic music but I think the pads have a habit of going wrong.

    For me drum machines are best when they sound like machines and worst when they sound a bit like a drummer.

    NDMD: New Drum Machine Day! Elektron Analog Rytm

    in Other Instruments

    Posted

    [quote name='ped' timestamp='1464345123' post='3058619']
    Thanks - yeah I have the drummer package in Garageband which is pretty flexible and fun. Where possible I like to avoid using the computer when I want a quick jam and prefer using hardware. It would just be for practice... I checked out that little Korg which looks great but a bit synthetic sounding. What didn't you like about the SR16? My only concern is how easily you can programme your own loops in, as it doesn't have that 'sequencer' look like the 808 etc..
    [/quote]

    The sounds, the tweakability and the programming method were not for me on the SR16. I expect for quick jamming it would be fine, it has certainly stuck around through the years!

    I've had a Roland R5 and used an R8 both of which were really great and used the step sequencer display which I much preferred, but I expect something by Boss would be the way to go these days rather than by an old digital machine. One of the Boss ones let's you put chord progressions in to jam with, I can't remember which one.

    NDMD: New Drum Machine Day! Elektron Analog Rytm

    in Other Instruments

    Posted · Edited by tedmanzie

    [quote name='ped' timestamp='1464343339' post='3058587']
    Cool - I was looking at drum machines the other day but I want one which sounds like a real drum kit rather than electronic funkyness. Not sure what to look for, Alesis SR16/18 crop up a lot but what else?

    The Elektron looks great. Will you use it for practicing along to or mainly for recording/playing as an instrument in it's own right?
    [/quote]

    I'll be using it as an instrument in its own right - I'm a big fan of the very old beatboxes like Korg Minipops, Bentley Rhythm Ace, Hammond AutoVari64, Roland CR78 etc, and I've been looking for a machine that could reproduce those early analog sounds (or at least get close) in a modern programmable machine. Apparently the Rytm uses the same kind of analog synthesis as those early machines, as well as a lot more besides I expect. So the intention is to use a very modern machine to take me back in time, if you see what I mean! :)

    I looked at the Tempest too but Rytm seems more useful for me. I didn't want an 808 / 909 thing either so that ruled out a few. I've got a tonne of old samples from early machines but I fancied a bit of hardware action!

    So basically we are looking for [i]exactly[/i] the opposite from our drum machines :)
    If you want one that sounds like a real kit then there are lots of options but depends on budget and how 'real' you want it to sound. Do you just want to play along for practice? How about one of these (£53 new!)?
    [url="http://www.korg.com/us/products/drums/kr_mini/"]http://www.korg.com/.../drums/kr_mini/[/url]

    I had an SR16, worse drum machine I've ever owned for me, but a lot people seem to like them.
    The Boss ones are probably worth a look (DR3 ?)

    p.s. or use Garageband on iPad.

    SOLD: Maxon OD9 Pro+ mint £115

    in Effects For Sale

    Posted · Edited by tedmanzie

    Virtually mint condition, just some tiny marks on the side, light studio use only, original box.
    Superb guitar OD pedal, a modified and upgraded version of the OD9 with boost switch, switchable 9v / 18v.
    £115 delivered

    More details:
    [url="http://www.maxonfx.com/nine-series-effects-pedals/od-9-pro-plus-overdrive"]http://www.maxonfx.c...-plus-overdrive[/url]

    [Maxon say] [i]In 9-volt setting the Pro+ sounds and functions like the standard OD-9 with the added option of a +3 dB of midrange boost at approximately 800 Hz (actual frequency is dependent on Control settings) – great for cutting through a band during solos.[/i]
    [i]When set to 18-volts the OD-9 Pro+ becomes an 800-pound Gorilla, offering up beefier lows, tighter saturation, improved dynamics and a chunky, aggressive pick attack. [/i]

    [i][/i]

    Vestax PMC-05 Pro III DJ Mixer - £60 delivered

    in Accessories & Other Musically Related Items For Sale

    Posted · Edited by tedmanzie

    £60 delivered (uk)

    This was Vestax's classic premium scratching mixer when released but I'm selling it cheap as the crossfader and the channel 1 up/down fader is a [i][b]little bit[/b][/i] catchy/sticky - meaning that although they are functionally working absolutely fine (i.e. passing the audio signal) they don't slide quite as smoothly as they did when new due to physical wear, so they aren't really suitable for full-on scratching/turntablism. Standard 'dance' mixing or indeed just home use would be 100% fine, and the faders are user-replaceable if you are so inclined.

    All works fine, leds all work, eqs are great, has FX send/return and mic channel. Both line/channel switches were replaced with genuine parts so they are also working fine. Original Vestax PSU included.









    Bright Onion Bypass Looper SOLD

    in Effects For Sale

    Posted · Edited by tedmanzie

    [color=#000000][font=Arial, Verdana][size=3]Bright Onion Bypass Looper [s]£19[/s] £15 delivered[/size][/font][/color]

    [color=#000000][font=Arial, Verdana][size=3]Hardly used, nice bright blue LED!
    True bypass I believe.[/size][/font][/color]

    [color=#000000][font=Arial, Verdana][size=3][/size][/font][/color]

    Any drummers here with some tips on improving timing for an old newbie?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    [quote name='Davo-London' timestamp='1462914496' post='3047006']
    I am a drummer and it takes many years of practice as far as I can tell. Eventually muscle memory takes over and you can focus on everything else.

    Useful tips include:

    1) Tap your left foot heel on the ground to keep rhythm
    2) practice with a metronome that can be silenced for a bar. SO you start playing along with it and then you need to keep rhythm during the empty bar. Then you can tell if you're on track when the metronome cuts in again.
    3) Practice as slow as possible that you can bear, such as 50 bpm. Count one-ee-an-er, two-ee-an-er etc, which splits each crotchet into four parts (1/4 notes or semi-quavers). This also helps you to keep in time and enables various off beats to be executed accurately.

    In my opinion playing along with tracks drumless or otherwise is great fun, but I'm not convinced it does much. Playing to a metronome is more telling and you can spot errors more easily. Beginners usually mess up the tempo during fills. So either keep the left foot rhythm or practice these against the metronome.

    Learning the drums is a lifelong activity. However, you will be in demand if you can keep it simple and keep it rock steady.

    Best of luck
    Davo
    [/quote]

    Good advice, thanks.

    'Simple and rock steady' is my new mantra :)

    Any drummers here with some tips on improving timing for an old newbie?!

    in General Discussion

    Posted

    I've got a friend's set of drums in my studio and also my daughter has a cheap & cheerful set at home - I've tinkered on and off, and for the past few months I've found myself having fun by teaching myself some rhythms. I've never had any lessons but I can do some basic kind of grooves. I'm late 40s, I've got no illusions about being the next John Bonham - my [b]ambition[/b] (!) is very simple - I'd like to be able to play like one of those old Roland/Casio rhythm boxes - simple, metronomic, tight, basic. I tried recording myself the other day and although it wasn't too bad, it's plainly obvious that I'm not 'a drummer' (yet?! :)

    Having slugged away at guitar and bass for years I'm used to practicing with a metronome or playing along to records, but tiny rhythmic flaws are so exposed on the drums that another level of super-human tightness is required. Has anyone here got any tips for improving towards that tightness and feel of a drummer? What exercises pay best dividends? Is it always best to play with a metronome? Etc.

    Jack of all trades master of none I know, but it's fun :)

×
×
  • Create New...