Gunsfreddy2003

Ha ha - I felt old on my birthday in November and I feel REALLY old now!! Can see some shopping coming on in the new year. [quote name='poptart' post='1066658' date='Dec 22 2010, 12:18 PM']Dan The scheme is being changed - as of April/May 2011 the scheme will only be available for 16 - 26 year olds. So you old gits need to get a shake on if you want to use it! Mark[/quote]

Wow that certainly looks the business - very smart indeed. What are the jack connectors that you are using between the 3 MXR pedals? [quote name='Simo' post='1066856' date='Dec 22 2010, 03:09 PM']This is my DIY (guitar ) pedal board which I made a few months ago. It's mdf, covered with black acrylic, alloy trim and a pair of Ikea's finest cupboard handles There's a Diago power supply hidden in the tier, with a couple of Scythe Mini Kaze LED fans to keep it cool. I've also fitted a brush cable tidy (made from a letterbox draught excluder) in the front face on the tier, which allows the patch/power cables to be neatly routed from pedal to pedal. Pedal wise it's pretty simple... Polytune, MXR Octave (which sounds great with guitar), MXR Zakk Wylde Overdrive (soon to be replaced with an MXR Delay due to lack of use), noise gate, Ernie Ball wah and the footswitch for my Blackstar S100 head. [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The_Fretboard/133746999-4170676594064d3e48a07cf14fde30794c488720-full.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The...488720-full.jpg[/url] [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The_Fretboard/IMG_4389.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The...rd/IMG_4389.jpg[/url] [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The_Fretboard/IMG_4433.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The...rd/IMG_4433.jpg[/url] [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The_Fretboard/IMG_0383.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The...rd/IMG_0383.jpg[/url] [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The_Fretboard/IMG_0417.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The...rd/IMG_0417.jpg[/url] [url="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The_Fretboard/IMG_0420.jpg"]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v228/The...rd/IMG_0420.jpg[/url][/quote]

Mark does talk a lot but does talk a lot of sense too! I bought a new Mark Bass head and Berg cabs earlier this year from him and whilst he was quite forthright in what I needed he also let me try what I liked and let the gear do the talking and help me get the tone I was looking for! I would highly recommend the shop but also don't envy anyone working in a retail environment and having to deal with gits like us!!

The Cheltenham scene is non-existent!! Bristol is quite a bit better but still not the best. I am involved in a Bristol based band and just make the trip up and down the motorway for gigs and rehearsals as needed which suite me fine these days. Going back to your original question I would say that you have the chance to try this now and should take it whilst you can - otherwise before you know it you wil have far too many reasons why you can't go such as girlfriend/wife, good job, house mortgage etc etc! I had some good opportunities to go to London or Leeds to study music and opted to stay here as I was in a good band at the time and my brother had a recording studio too and I felt that I had everything at that time that a big city could offer me. Sometimes I wonder if I made the right decision and how different things might have turned out for me if I had followed the music "dream" properly. I still dream of world tours and playing music for a living (who doesn't) but I met my wife at one of our gigs at Cheltenham University and have gone on to become a Director of my own media company and to be fair have a pretty decent lifestyle and way of life that I feel I am lucky to have. Like others have said go and see what you can find and if it doesn't work out then you can always come home again but at least you can say you gave it a go and who knows you may find exactly what you are looking for! [quote name='nick' post='1062984' date='Dec 18 2010, 09:23 PM']TBH don't know the Cheltenham scene, but not entirely sure Bristol's is that much more kicking(?), but another Bristol based BCer may correct me. You're only half an hour up the motorway from here anyway.[/quote]

I wonder if the Q-Tron + sounds any different to the regular Q-Tron? It's great that you are getting some good sounds out of it - can you post any clips? I am hoping to get a USB interface for Xmas and if so I will put some Mu-Tron III clips up for those that like this kind of thing!! [quote name='dumelow' post='1059803' date='Dec 15 2010, 06:00 PM']I got it in the post a couple of days ago, really loving it. I used to have a mini qtron, which is a poor version of this pedal IMO. Still getting to grips with it, and havent played about with the FX loop yet, but it gets a pretty good Bootsy sound. No idea what its like in comparison to a proper mutron.[/quote]

I used these guys this year and found them to be very helpful indeed, they gave us loads of advice on which pack to go for and artwork etc. I liked them because they were in the South West! [url="http://www.discmanufacturingservices.com/"]DMS[/url] [quote name='BurritoBass' post='1051287' date='Dec 8 2010, 08:19 AM']We're putting out our next album in the new year. It's going to need an 8 page booklet & digipack is favourite at the moment. I know that format is far from the cheapest option but so far I've been quoted; 1000 cds with digi- pack and 8 page booklet £949+vat 1000 cds with jewel case and 8 page booklet £609+vat Can anyone recommend a decent company who aren't too expensive? I reckon I could shave at least a couple of hundred off that first price, especially in the current market.[/quote]

I had one and don't think it lasted on the board for more than 2 weeks - just couldn't get the sound that I wanted out of it. How are you getting on with it? [quote name='dumelow' post='1047526' date='Dec 4 2010, 04:47 PM']I thought the Q-tron was just a mutron ripoff but came pretty close to its sound. Ive just bought a q-tron plus off ebay im hoping I can get a bootsy-ish sound out of it =D[/quote]

What is the Slap Bass pedal? [quote name='bobbass4k' post='1052201' date='Dec 8 2010, 10:35 PM'] All my dirt pedals and the OC-2 and GR thrown in for good measure. I'm trying to decide which ones to get rid of. Ath moment I'm thinking Mastotron and CP, the UF-01 just does everything they can and more.[/quote]

My advice to you - just do it! I bought a lovely Sterling in NYC whilst I was on holiday, sent all the paperwork home in the mail and just walked back through customs looking as innocent as I could!! I figured if I got stopped I would just say that I have been out playing gigs in the States and hoped that I would get away with that. It was worth the risk as with the good exchange rate a few years ago and not paying VAT and import duty it was a very cheap way to buy a nice shiny new bass! [quote name='Soloshchenko' post='1033077' date='Nov 22 2010, 07:16 PM']I'm thinking of purchasing a beautiful big fat Rick 4003 bass when I'm over in Canada during Christmas time but was wondering about whether I'll get any hefty charges when coming back through customs. Anyone have any experience of doing this kind of thing? Any experience with bringing basses back from over the other side of the pond welcome.[/quote]

Welcome to the club!! [quote name='Jimmyp28' post='1045532' date='Dec 2 2010, 07:43 PM']I ordered my spit fire 4 string this week wahooo! Really cant wait, when i do the pics will be up here. Its going to be a long winter though am playing a squire jazz till then but god that spitfire will feel good.... Just want time to go quick roll on mayish time [/quote]

No - this is the real deal original 70's version and not the HAZ labs re-issue. I did try the Haz labs version and can honestly say that I could not get a useable sound out of it but there are some people over on Talk Bass who have put up some clips using them and they sound brilliant! Not sure what I was doing wrong? Anyhow, the 70's version is purely a plug and play affair and straight away you are into some awesome funky squelch. I did try the AF-9 and it was not for me - too thin in the bottom end. I also thought that the Q-Tron is the only descendent of Mu-Tron as it was the same guy that worked on both. Never tried an AW-2. [quote name='The Twickerman' post='1045123' date='Dec 2 2010, 02:18 PM']I guess you are referring to the modern "replica" of the Mutron? If so, there are snobs who thumb their noses at them (and the Maxon AF-9 is allegedly the true descendent), but I have played with one and thought it amazing! I also have an AF-9 - it's pretty cool, but I actually prefer my Boss AW-2. Trust only your own ears![/quote]

So I finally took the plunge and bought a vintage Musitronics Mu-Tron III as I wanted to find out if they really are the holy grail when it comes to envelope filters. I had a rehearsal last night and used the pedal for the first time and wow what a sound! It is the wettest, dirtiest and funkiest filter that I have ever used. I had the pedal modded by L-Sound so that it is now true bypass and they also re-calibrated it which I understand make it sound better. I have tried a lot of other filters and the 'tron certainly gets me the sound that I have always been after from a filter. If anyone is going through the dilemma that I was over these legendary pedals then take the plunge and buy one - you wont be disappointed.

I have sold a few pedals recently and also bought a few as you do - current set up just been wired up and working fine now!

In 1995 I went to the now defunct Phoenix Festival at Stratford-on-Avon and on that day I was lucky enough to see the following all on the Jazz Cafe stage! Freakpower Raw Stylus Jessica Lauren JTQ Brand New Heavies yet to find another festival with a line up like that all on one day! [quote name='bubinga5' post='1034353' date='Nov 23 2010, 08:15 PM']yeah it is a good un Pete..... bit old now but do you remember these... im sure some have got "Pushing against the flow" from RS, but if not its essential...still in my top 10 after so long.... Raw Stylus... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_JYgnpcWn0"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_JYgnpcWn0[/url] Galliano... [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx0mc5fa15k"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zx0mc5fa15k[/url] i couldnt find "Jazz" from Galliano...the 12" is killer from Joyfull noise....[/quote]

Yep on itunes. [quote name='bubinga5' post='1034207' date='Nov 23 2010, 06:46 PM']Cool GF havent got it yet...i Tunes..?[/quote]

Hi Nathan, You have confused me now - I was all set to go for the Line 6 USB interface as I had heard good things about it but now the Apogee stuff looks good. Is the Line 6 not better because it has the option for amp modelling and effects etc? Mark [quote name='NJE' post='1033524' date='Nov 23 2010, 09:03 AM']Hi Mark, There is so much about both in terms of software and interfaces. If you already have a mac I would suggest using Garageband as a strating point. The older version I have is more than capable of making good quality demos and basic tracks and I have actually heard people do some incredibly well produced tracks on Garageband. The more recent versions are incredibly good and the amp simulations are very capable. I have friend who is in the business and does a lot of jingles, session work etc and he always reccommends Garageband as a starting point and then Logic as a next step up. He runs Protools as well but really doesnt like it so a lot is just preference. The other thing is to get a good quality interface. Personally I swear by Apogee, either their 'One' or 'Duet' as do a few friends of mine. It is superb quality and very intuative. I am pretty sure they both only work for Mac but that could just be the 'One'. Between me and my friend we have been through Line 6, Tascam, Lexicon, M-Audio and various other interfaces over the years and the Apogee just stomps all over them in terms of sound quality and if you get more involved in recording you wont need to upgrade. Recording is great fun, even just getting down bassline ideas, have fun. Nathan[/quote]

Cheers guys for all of the advice coming back here it really is appreciated. Ok so it would seem sensible to stick with garage band and I am going to buy a sensible USB interface as suggested. How do I move on to get different drum loops or programme hits and accents etc - do I need a dedicated drum machine? Also if I wanted to add basic keys is it sensible to get just a keyboard module and use the standard sounds in Garageband? [quote name='ShergoldSnickers' post='1033534' date='Nov 23 2010, 09:08 AM']I'd be very tempted to stick with Garageband for now. This should possibly be the most immediate plug in and record DAW out there. The last thing you need when beginning is complexity - much of which you won't use or will find time-consuming and ultimately off-putting. Garageband does reward exploration, and it is deceptive in it's simplicity. It does have some depth once you start using a few workarounds. I haven't yet found a compelling reason to upgrade to Logic Express for example, this after years of use and having used a few other DAWS in the past. Having said all this, if Garageband still doesn't fit you personally then there is no point in suffering the pain. Find something that does fit you - there is a reasonably wide choice. [url="http://www.reaper.fm/"]REAPER[/url] commercial but not too expensive at around £95 [url="http://www.apple.com/logicexpress/"]Logic Express[/url] - around £130 [url="http://ardour.org/"]Ardour[/url] - freeware and open source [url="http://www.motu.com/products/software/dp/"]Digital Performer[/url] - commercial, around £220 [url="http://www.mutools.com/"]MU.LAB Mutools[/url] - commercial, €25 or €75 depending on version [url="http://ntrack.com/"]n-Track Studio[/url] - commercial, €65 [url="http://traverso-daw.org/"]Traverso DAW[/url] - freeware and open source [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_audio_workstation"]More on here[/url][/quote]

Just got the JD73 album Zeros and Ones and it is fantastic - a welcome addition to my ipod! [quote name='bubinga5' post='1029844' date='Nov 19 2010, 08:05 PM']Discovered a wonderful soul groove band called JD73 from a very dear friend.... very classy band...what you think...love the horns... i frickin love this music.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTH8LpFwO0&feature=player_embedded#"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTH8LpFwO0...layer_embedded#[/url]! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w62EICN4Qz4&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w62EICN4Qz4...feature=related[/url] why do i adore music like this soo much..[/quote]

Thanks for the suggestion - I will have a look at their site and the products on it. I have tried Garageband before and found it a bit difficult to use - I do like the look of the Riff Works stuff and have downloaded their free trial to see how I get on with it. Have you used their stuff at all? [quote name='Skol303' post='1032719' date='Nov 22 2010, 03:08 PM']Depends on your budget here, but I personally swear by Propellerhead software's Record: [url="http://www.propellerheads.se/products/record/"]http://www.propellerheads.se/products/record/[/url] Retails at around £200. It's a dedicated DAW for home audio recording: very easy to use, incredibly stable (i.e. never crashes) and produces great-sounding results. This would be my pick of the crop. A cheaper alternative (if you have a Mac) is Garageband, which comes installed free of charge: a good place to start delving into the world of home recording, but obviously limited in what it can do. There's also plenty of freeware software on the market, which you can pick up for - free! Too many to detail here, but I'm something of a home recording geek and would be happy to comment on any that you're considering. Best of luck.[/quote]

Evening all, I am looking to set up a very small scale home studio for song writing and working on songs sent to me by band mates etc. I have a MacBook which has Garage Band on it although I have never really used it. Questions is would it better to use this a starting point and buy a USB interface to record into Garage Band or is a hardware option better such as the Belkin 4 track recorder which records direct to an ipod or the Boss Micro Studio etc? I am not a fan of programming drum machines but am pretty computer literate. Any advice or guidance on this one would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

Oh man that stuff is gold - thanks for turning me on to it! [quote name='bubinga5' post='1029844' date='Nov 19 2010, 08:05 PM']Discovered a wonderful soul groove band called JD73.... very classy band...what you think...love the horns... i frickin love this music.. [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTH8LpFwO0&feature=player_embedded#"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwTH8LpFwO0...layer_embedded#[/url]! [url="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w62EICN4Qz4&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w62EICN4Qz4...feature=related[/url] why do i adore music like this soo much..[/quote]

Cheers James - I am sure you told me that in the first place! [quote name='Higgie' post='1028792' date='Nov 19 2010, 02:30 AM']The element used in them is Cadmium I believe - Now illegal to use as its not RoHS compliant![/quote]

It arrived today!!! Awesome simply awesome. Does the calibration by Lingenberg make that much difference? Have you tried a non Lingenberg Mu-Tron III as a comparison? [quote name='Toasted' post='1010214' date='Nov 2 2010, 11:52 PM']You're going to love it.[/quote]

Before I committed to buying my Berg cabs I took my existing rig up to Bass Direct and was able to A/B the Epi UL210 against the 1x12 Berg's and I found that the 12" Bergs were a lot warmer sounding and had a much better bottom end. That is why I changed cabs rather than a whim - perhaps Berg's just work better with Mark Bass heads than Epi cabs? [quote name='Rumble' post='1023642' date='Nov 14 2010, 05:41 PM']I actually sold by Berg HS210 in favour of the Epi 410UL. I had the opportunity to directly compare the two in a gigging situation and found that whilst the Berg had what can only be considered as an absolutely amazing low end for a 210 cab, it's mids were discernably more nasal. I just find the Epi a warmer cab.[/quote]