Sean

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1397835958' post='2427814'] Sean... I've given 'em a quick listen through, with headphones; they're not as bad as your description (imo..!). Not saying that they're perfect, but I've heard (much...) worse on the radio. Yes, the bass is quite far down in the mix, the guitars are a tad over-powering and the lead voice is not as far 'out front' as I would expect, but having listened equally to the 'raw' mix, there's been some work done. The drums sound quite suitable for the genre; perhaps a touch more kick..? All is a matter of taste, of course, but it's not a complete train wreck nor sabotage. If the stem WAVs were available, any DAW should be able to re-mix, although the fx and treatments used would be different (a Good Thing..?). Can you not get the original fellow to go over it all with yourself and/or other band members, to get an overall sound you (jointly...) prefer..? Will these be re-mastered before release..? That, too, will affect the final result. An interesting case (although that won't comfort you much, I shouldn't think..!); I've 'tagged' for following... [/quote] I think the first solution will be for the singer to go and sit with the guy for a while and try to make some changes however I think they'll need quite a bit more treatment before we'll be happy. How will the mastering change the sound? < complete noob question and not facetious btw. Currently scrambling all over the internet trying to soak up as much info on recording, mixing and mastering.

[quote name='SubsonicSimpleton' timestamp='1397834563' post='2427795'] If it isn't broken, then you need to ask yourself why are you trying to fix it? [/quote] The BBOT wasn't broken but until someone came along and made it better...

Thanks for that. Here's the unmixed tracks on bandcamp [url="http://outlandsmusic.bandcamp.com/"]http://outlandsmusic.bandcamp.com/[/url] - when I say unmixed, I mean that I asked for the mix as it was sitting on Logic when we left to be bounced to disc so I could listen on the way home. Here's the tracks as mixed, which we got back a few days ago: [url="https://soundcloud.com/seanfunk1/build-me-up-1st-mix"]Someone Like You[/url] [url="https://soundcloud.com/seanfunk1/harder-we-try-1st-mix"]Build Me Up[/url] [url="https://soundcloud.com/seanfunk1/harder-we-try-1st-mix"]Harder We Try[/url] The band has got what I would say is a big but airey sound when we play in rehearsal rooms. My bass always sits well up in the mix and cuts through - I'm fortunate enough to be in a band where the leader (vocalist) loves bass driven songs and likes it to cut through. The guitars sound weak and the drums have no punch. The backing vocals seem to dominate and are way over the top. To me at the moment, sharing this stuff feels a bit like getting your puss-ridden tackle out on that [i]Embarrassing Bodies[/i] TV show. Any advice gladly received

My band has recently recorded three songs and the guy that recorded them has done a first mix for us which is pretty horrendous to say the least; even the unmixed tracks sound better! The recording process was absolutely fine and the individual tracks sound ok (I think), it's just that when he's done the mix, it's weak weedy, bass and drums sit too low in the mix, and my bass sound has been turned to mud. Lots of other issues too. It's not complicated stuff, straightforward rock originals with just bass, live drums, vocals and a few guitar tracks so I wasn't expecting the guy to make such a pickle of it. Can anyone recommend someone or somewhere that we can use to get our stuff mixed properly and without costing the earth? I guess the guy wouldn't be bothered about burning the stems on to disc for us. Would anyone anticipate an issue with this? If anyone would like to hear them I can upload to Soundcloud.

[quote name='Mark Dyer' timestamp='1397574299' post='2425279'] Does anyone remember a Flea tuition vid where he arrives hungover and plays really badly, then teams up with Chad at the end for a lesson in playing 'really simply' whilst imagining dancing girls are in the room with you. I really would love to see that again, I could do with a good larf. [/quote] Is that the one where River Pheonix is hanging around him? Those two had a bizarre relationship. Too much pharma not enough tuition!

[quote name='cocco' timestamp='1397676399' post='2426432'] I don't see what the point would be. The Lakland bridge is bomb proof and more attractive. Plus mass wise I doubt there's a lot in it. [/quote] +1000

[quote name='redstriper' timestamp='1397334619' post='2423011'] The funk's in the gunk [/quote] James Jamerson would agree. I'd leave it in there.

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1397657105' post='2426144'] Never used cryo valves myself. Can't say I'm really convinced by the whole argument myself but I stand to be corrected. Slight whiff of snake oil in my opinion but there's no evidence to support that view. [/quote] Exactly my thoughts until I asked one of the research boffs in work who knows all about metallurgy; he rolled his eyes in disgust and started to draw some digrams explaining crystalline structure in metals and I felt a bit embarrassed at not knowing as I had a large chunk of Metallurgy as part of my degree. It's not snake oil, it's all good and the claims are proven. The only questions are, will you be able to tell the difference and if so, is it worth the extra dollar? For me, I'd go non-cryo and spend the extra cash on more exotic pre-amp valves. And saying that I might just go cryo...

Unfortunately most blokes in the UK have no muscles and whinge continuously so have to have class D amps that are lighter than but sound worse than tea bags. We're the second most obese nation on earth and need nano technology to help us overcome our denial. Good to see our Southern Hemisphere cousins loving and embracing the valvey goodness, even if it is American-made. I'm a proud owner of a Mesa 400+ and have a Brit 4 x KT88 monster on the way and I had the transformers made extra heavy not to sound better but to upset weaklings and sanctimonious w£&@ers :-)

[quote name='Bassman Steve' timestamp='1397587794' post='2425486'] I would read the 6L6 reports on Watford Valves. They recommended winged C 6550's for my Bass 400 and they're brilliant. [/quote] Unfortunately you can't fit the 6550 valves in a 400+ as the 6L6s are crammed in and there's not enough room.

How long do I need to play through it and at what volumes to break the speakers in?

Get in touch with Matamp and Jeff will make a custom case for you

Hi Jim, Get the cryo ones from Watford :-) I'm running standard Mesa valves but will be switching at some point this year. After talking to an expert, I'm led to believe that as long as it's good quality valves in the power section then it doesn't make too much difference on these. And the pre amp valves make the most difference to sound. There are a few experts here so I expect someone will put us right sooner or later. I'm always looking on TB at Chef's posts about his 400+ but haven't got that much insight as to what to put in as replacements. Randall says MB valves only but then again he would.

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1397379235' post='2423260'] Ew. Isn't that like rummaging through his pants drawer, or something? [/quote] It's fine, we have a special bond [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1397377584' post='2423245'] wooo pretty bass, I'm going looking through your old posts to see if you've a photo of more of your stuff! [/quote] Find anything I wish I hadn't sold?

I'm just about to get into Logic Pro X after having used GB for a few years and I'd like to know what experiences anyone's had. I'm recording keys, guitars, bass and using the amazing Drummer feature for drums. I've not got a proper interface yet but do have a Zoom H4 and a Zoom B3 that both cover all bases as basic interfaces but don't really do multiple tracks. I'm running a mid-2007 iMac with 6GB Ram, 2.4 GHz, 500GB SSD. So, what can you tel me? Thanks Sean

I'm still a bit wary especially after Handwired's experience but so far it sounds fantastic. Punch like nothing else and real trouser-flapping air movement. The Roqsolid cover I have for it fits better than any other Roqsolid cover I've ever had too.

Build quality and finish is amazing. It sounds great at home at different volumes, it'll be interesting to know what it sounds like at rehearsal.

Next job is to run the Walkabout through it - now where's that screwdriver?

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1397229076' post='2422041'] Wow, I bet that 400+ has got some serious [u][b]heft[/b][/u]. Are you going to break in the cab by sticking a 30Hz tone through it all night, or the traditional way - by playing your bass through it..? [/quote] "Heft" is one of my favourite words and is so beautifully descriptive of what big valve amps deliver I think I'll stick with traditional and just plug a BB into it and play some party bass lines - I don't care about the neighbours, one came round once to complain (mid-afternoon) and said he sort of understood because he played guitar but said that I was taking the piss. I told him to @£$% off and grow a pair. Just to clarify and so that you don't get the impression I have a collection of ASBOs, I only ever play through my amp at home when I get a new one or am trying out a fix and need to hear it, which amounts to cumulatively probably two hours a year; otherwise I'm on headphones through my B3.

It's much louder than the Matamp 2x12, which is next to it the picture. The Matamp has new Eminence drivers in that have't really been run in so it's a fair comparison. The BT2 makes the 400+ sound like it should and compared to the Matamp cab it seems more comfortable with the master on 6. Any more than that it going to cause problems with the house or windows or something. Still too early too decide if it's right for me and I won't get an opportunity to try with the band until next Saturday, we're having a Saturday off this week.

[URL=http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/Stoker1/media/photo_zps4f59081d.jpg.html][IMG]http://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd462/Stoker1/photo_zps4f59081d.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

My BT2 arrived half an hour ago.

[quote name='cetera' timestamp='1396908998' post='2418753'] Sean, do you still have the US preamp? If so, please PM me as I'd be interested in buying it off you. Cheers! [/quote] I'm on a ferry to France right now but I'll check when I get home at the weekend. I can't remember if I sold it. A search through the for sale forums might reveal the answer though. Poor signal ahoy so I can't really check.

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1396731841' post='2416942'] Hee Hee, the joys of auto correct ; I suspect this should've read "dial out the harshness". Sorry, it made me laugh, pleae carry on the discussion re Spector vs Warwick. For the record I've never owned either so have no useful input (nothing new there then) [/quote] Hilarious. http://youtu.be/TJamLyRMS-A

Still waiting for mine.