Dood

Hey! Hi all, well - I thought it might be a good time to share what I've been doing recently since all of you have been sharing your superb musical exploits! I've recently finished recording an EP with the brilliant Amadeus Awad, a guitarist and composer from Beirut. Also on board in the band is Elia Monsef, a producer and singer as well as keyboard player and programmer Danny Bou-Maroun. These guys are all amazing, but we've also recruited Porcupine Tree's drumsmith Gavin Harrison who has been brilliant. We're all really proud of the results - and this is just the start of something cool I think. I've linked up to the tracks and to some sites talking about the release as well as where to get hold of the digital version of the EP. I hope you enjoy it and of course welcome your thoughts! The creation of the EP was actually a really fast turn around. I wrote all the bass parts and in some cases had such a bare framework to work with, a lot of the chord changes have been heavily influenced by my chord tone choices. Something that we were all really pleased with. It became a very cohesive project that we all really enjoyed dipping ideas in to. It was a great exercise in using a variety of techniques, such as 'multi-finger tapping' BUT no shredding or overplaying for me!! That's what I have loved the most: Stretching my musical palette yet staying in that all important pocket. Enjoy! http://powerofprog.com/profiles/blogs/amadeus-awad-releases-schizanimus-ep [color=#3C3939][font=arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif][size=3][i] 1. The Poetry Of Time. 2. Noir. 3. Song For A Loner.[/i][/size][/font][/color] [b] credits[/b] [color=#3C3939][font=arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif][size=3] released 03 September 2013 Amadeus Awad ~ Guitars, Programming & Keyboards Elia I. Monsef ~ Vocals Gavin Harrison ~ Drums Dan Veall ~ Bass & Danny Bou-Maroun ~ Orchestration & Additional Keyboards. Recorded at Broken Records Production Studios (Except drums and bass), mixed by Karim B. Sinno & Mastered by Simon Laham Artwork by Bernard Bou Kheir[/size][/font][/color][color=#3C3939][font=arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif][size=3] [url="http://melodicrevolutionrecords.com/album/schizanimus"]http://melodicrevolutionrecords.com/album/schizanimus[/url][/size][/font][/color] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBU01oC9pVI[/media] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2xzuplZE2E[/media] A review: http://www.ladyobscure.com/albums/amadeus-awad-schizanimus/ http://schizanimus.wordpress.com

If you want to go for the full Pino effect with chorus in there too, look no further than the Zoom MS-60B. The octaver effects are really good.

Oh and on the subject of pedals - There's a Catalinbread SFT for sale on BC too. I've not tried one myself, but apparently they do a good job of adding some grind to bass! (I appreciate you are asking for a 1u preamp, but I thought I'd offer options!)

I guess if you wanted a smaller form factor then hooking up say a DarkGlass BxK or Vintage pedal to any other preamp would give you some Grrrrrr

Cheers for the updates - I'm well versed in Nolly's set up already which is cool. I've reviewed the B3K and Vintage pedals, a superb Dingwall 6er and a prototype F# Dingwall brought over for me by Sheldon Dingwall himself. The guys have discussed their reasons for live backline again which is cool and I have to say I agree and a reason why I like a rig behind me too. The Matrix GT I have and it really is superb. Really, the only thing I've not been able to do, is get my hands on the AxeFX to demo. I mean, they do wanna sell these things right? Lol i'm after basschatters personal experiences with the unit - but it seems no one has one! Maybe we're far too sensible to splooge such "crazy money" on a processor?

Unfortunately the Hydrive range doesn't include a 2x10, only the current XL range. If you're not going for a 4x10 then maybe the Hydrive single 15?

Cool! I'd even entertain alternatives, especially 1u but there doesn't seem to be anything close, even guitar only.

Excellent! I like the sound of this! I'll be checking back for sure!

I'm very interested in pairing one of these up with an AxeFX as the GT power amplifiers are designed to work well with Fractal's processors. I'm also needing a rig for both guitar and bass duties so this 'one box solution' may well be the way forward. Just waiting to hear back from Fractal.

[quote name='AttitudeCastle' timestamp='1382344411' post='2250743'] Leo Tomasz Dorsz from Red Seas Fire uses one of these for bass, but anyone really tried one of these out for bass in anger? Dood? [/quote] I've not tried one out in anger yet - but I can tell you that they do have some serious 'booty'. I love the form factor as the whole thing fits neatly in to a shallow rack. Really cool at under 5Kg too for the 1600W model. They are loud but as I say, there's a real 'meat' in the bottom end that I've not experienced in a number of lightweight heads. The only other power amp that I was seriously excited by was my ole Powersoft rack - but that was a serious beast too at 2x 1Kw.

Thanks guys, yeah I'm gonna chat with Nolly about it, but I think other than the price - i've pretty much made up my mind. I know that its not the easiest unit to program, but AE3 software is a huge improvement. I'm an IT geek and can easily get my head round the most annoying of menus. So it only has to wow me with it's brilliance and I'll be set... Just... As...soon.....as...i... Can.... Try ..... One!!!

I guess the main problem is that the chances of road-testing one before purchase is practically zero unless you have a kind friend who is likely to lend it to you. I've mailed Fractal but no response yet.

It is quite an expense new I have to agree. I think i'd be looking at the second hand market unless I can get a good deal on a new price. The Kemper idea I like, but not so much the built in power amp. I think I'd really need to try one. It's the only thing that will make me want to sell my Zoom kit to help fund it. I really love the Zooms!

P.s. i'd really like to try one!

Well, it was going to come to this one day huh? I really need to downsize operations as I am playing a lot more guitar these days too - but unfortunately I can't have the usual 'big rigs' around the house these days. My little girl needs room for her things So, I'm thinking that other than cabs I can use one unit for both bass and guitar duties - The AxeFX seeeeeeems to fit the bill so far strapped on to a suitable power amp. I am after some views on this and what others are using. TC Electronic G-System? or what rack? Must be 2u or smaller and I'd prefer not having floor mounted pedals. I am preparing to sell lots of gear if this unit covers all bases (excuse the pun). Let me have your thoughts,

[quote name='Thunderbird' timestamp='1381913923' post='2245221'] Not good I checked out there site and it looks OK was thinking of trying them out but not so sure now lol Hope they turn up today for you. [/quote] I'll spare the details but this service has very badly let down a customer and I am retracting my recommendation.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1381828658' post='2244154'] They sound almost too good to be true! Have you used them? What is their insurance like? [/quote] Further to my last comment... they didn't bother to pick up yesterday or let me know why. Lets see what happens today!

Another vote for a soft material plectrum. I've one here that is made from leather. I'd probably never use it myself, it was a gift. Nevertheless, it does a really good job of sounding like fingers instead of a pick. The only downside is that it is about 5mm thick. Not ideal if you are after serious speed.

[quote name='Conan' timestamp='1381828658' post='2244154'] They sound almost too good to be true! Have you used them? What is their insurance like? [/quote] Yup, I have and have nothing bad to report so far. The insurance as an example is £7.50 for £1000 worth of kit. The T&C's look ok too and I'd recommend both buyer and seller read them to ensure they are covered properly. (But then again, I'd expect that with anyone using any courier for kit of a high value).

http://www.directcouriersolutions.co.uk/musical-instruments.php

I feel MarkBass are missing a trick by doing a separate bass and separate guitar versions when the likes of Kemper and Fractal are not limiting themselves to one side of the fence or other. As the Dragons would say, for that reason, I'm out