xilddx

Have a great one, Ad!

Really pleased it went well, hope you get to London at some point!

Excellent! Thanks Sean

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1338568935' post='1676610'] Yeow! With Royal Mail and An Post at the wheel I should get it by Tuesday week, probably [/quote] I don't have that message yet.

Well done for growing a bag and making the call. It's all about the comms. Wasn't as bad as you thought right? Anyway, if you are now in a signed band, and haven't been in a band before (congratulations BTW), you may need to consider such things as tool kit, spare stuff, routines, etc etc. I'm sure you'll be fine, but ask on here. Best to be on the safe side Glad it's all worked out. Remember to leave your ego and sh*t in the bedroom, serve the song, support your bandleader, be nice to be around, keep that new bag clean and hygienic, you'll be ok. Cool!

For live, I set my Warwick active bass and treble flat (no mid sweep on mine), the active level is set to more or less match the passive level. I also combine this with the pickup sweep control though, which sort of acts like a mid sweep. I use the bass and treble controls to cut and boost in parts of songs that need it, and use the pickup sweep for mid tone changes. For recording I mess around with them a bit to see what feels nice in the raw mix, the pickup sweep is amazing for subtle tonal changes, even a couple of mm can make a great difference. Then there's how all this interacts with the string brand, age and gauge. I've recently switched to Warwick EMP 100-40 (from DR Black Beauties 105 - 45)and they made a very big and pleasant difference to my overall tone character and increased the effectiveness of my tone controls and pup sweep, so a little readjustment was necessary.

[quote name='Hamster' timestamp='1338458762' post='1674792'] Thanks for the links - but most of our members can find their own way around the internet and are aware of album releases. Why not go to the Introduction section and say hello properly? [/quote]

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1338453718' post='1674683'] Well ok it can be very cheap depending on your moral standards. You have to know what you're doing though. You've got to spend a lot of time tweaking things like guitar rig to get them to sound good. [/quote] Well hey! Welcome the the world of the musician, where you sort of need to be a little bit competent.

I only heard the TCat album and couldn't stand it, thought it was horrible, but again, I think that live his outfit would be pretty thrilling. I think some music is meant to be heard live. I'm really enjoying the ES album, I even got past the lyrics on Black Gold and like the track now

Is this the one WoT posted a few weeks ago? It's pretty good. I pre-ordered the Classic Rock pack. Looking forward to hearing it.

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1338410803' post='1674300'] It's nice to be able to record your own parts at home if possible but having the capability of getting a decent sounding recording at home is not always possible for most people. [/quote] It's easy if you have a decent laptop. Not expensive either. It's a lot easier and cost/time effective if you the sorts of constraints the OP has, and he wants to do sessions right?

[quote name='AttitudeCastle' timestamp='1338409893' post='1674275'] Working in a band is all about give and take, yes this guitarist wrote the majority of the music and landed in a position of success so should be allowed more control and "take" but if he wanted a part to be different or changed, would it really be too difficult to ask "Can we do things more like this?" Or to outline "This is for me, this is my music and I'm asking you to be part of that help me to help you" sort of thing. Obviously Silddx you work and earn from bass almost for sure more than me and have more experience than me in that field but as a musician that's my view and I understand to work as a musician there are many times when you to do what you're told to make sure you earn your keep and your place. [/quote] It seems to me the OP may not have the wherewithall to record at home and fly in rerecorded parts by file transfer to be dropped in to the DAW. Otherwise he would not have needed to go all the way to Bradford to record, and book days off etc. I earn naff all from music. I have a nice well paid day job thank you, so I only need to play with bands I love, playing music I love. Music costs ME money, although I do have one pro gig but I love the gig anyway and it doesn't pay much as gigs are infrequent.

[quote name='EdwardHimself' timestamp='1338409190' post='1674257'] +1 (although without the smiley). [/quote] Done.

[quote name='Gust0o' timestamp='1338408216' post='1674231'] ... or become the songwriter, eh? I see this thread hasn't moved on, lads [/quote] I think the OP admitted he couldn't come close to the guitarist in terms of songwriting ability. Musicians, try writing and orchestrating a song, spend time on it getting it right, reflecting your thoughts and personality, and see how much you feel like letting someone 'have fun' with it.

[quote name='S9_S12_Bass' timestamp='1338405489' post='1674157'] The fact in the OP he said he feels like a failure as a bassist which is why i said he shouldn't be made to feel like that and to me it sounds like the guitarist is an arse for making him feel this way. [/quote] I don't see it that way. The OP said he tried to be 'clever' and that he knew the guitarist would have laid down simpler lines that were 'in the pocket'. The fact he's had some of his work re-recorded by the guitarist (who is his mate and also a decent bassist) doesn't mean the OP is a failure. The OP has chosen to feel this way, the guitarist did NOT make him feel this way. We have a choice about how we feel about things, the OP decided to feel a bit like a failure. I've had this situation too. A producer replaced or augmented my bass with synth bass on some songs on an album I recorded a few years ago. You know what, he made great decisions, those songs sounded 'right' that way, they sounded 'better'. I could have felt like a failure, I could have been pissed off, I could have barked and squeaked about the effort I put in to get those lines right and how I wasted my time in a f***ing studio recording them, been angry that any radio play won't generate PPL for me .. But I didn't. I decided much earlier that for me to realise my musical potential, I must recognise the song is king, and the songwriter's and producer's decisions are the right ones, and I am there as a MUSICIAN and NOT there as a bassist or guitarist, to help them realise their vision.

[quote name='El Bajo' timestamp='1338403291' post='1674111'] Yeah I know. My job is actually in sales hehe so from a business perspective I'm ok, its just that we're friends also so i guess I'm blurring the lines a little which from experience is never a good thing to do. [/quote] He's your friend and he won't listen to you on the blower?

[quote name='Doctor J' timestamp='1338401738' post='1674064'] You know something, the older I get the more I see that as an admirable quality, that every band needs someone like that. [/quote] Absolutely. Half the band woe threads on here are about lazy unmotivated f***ers who can't be bothered to even practice, let alone rehearse. Bands need people with vision, and the determination and uncompromising attitude to make it happen. I know my place in the bands I'm in. And I do what is right for the songs and the bandleader / songwriter. I never abuse that position and sling in the latest fiddly sh*t I learned off the Claypool album a couple of days ago. I used to try to be 'clever', and my sphincter goes when I think about some of the sh*t I would try and sneak into a song in the past. Serve the song, not your ego, you've got Soundcloud if you want to bugger about in public.

[quote name='S9_S12_Bass' timestamp='1338399591' post='1674010'] But then it's all well and good being 'signed' but if the blokes an arse why put up with it? I agree it sounds like he has an ambition, but no-one should be made to feel like that. Yea there will be disagreements but if every one is on the same page who's to say you can't enjoy it and be ambitious? It's not a case of one or the other In my experience [/quote] Why do you think he's an arse? Feel like what?

[quote name='El Bajo' timestamp='1338395412' post='1673923'] Not quite sure where that came from silddx, you've summed all that from my posts! I don't resent the songwriter, I was angry, theres a difference. On the advice that was given I understand more where he's coming from and now I'm not angry. I emailed becasue I AM rubbish on the phone, always have been, I get talked down easily and clam up. and as I said I made sure the email was light hearted. [/quote] I typed it on my BB and missed your other posts saying you didn't really do this, that and the other. Stop being rubbish on the phone. You are not a 12 year old. If you are seriously considering a career in music, you are going to have to deal with comms in all its forms. Someone talks you down on the blower, you clam up and agree to all sorts of sh*t you can't deliver, you will get a crap rep very swiftly. Get some help, and follow it. I suppose I should add that someone saying they're sh*te on the phone, and then complaining about comms from their bandleader makes my shake my head and chuckle a bit

I think we get the idea mate. If you feel this level of resentment towards the songwriter who needs artistic control, and are no good on the phone, and pay no mind to the advice you've had so far and proceed to fire off an email with demands in it to the artist, then how in gods name are you going to fend off the competition in the session arena? You need interpersonal skills as well as being able to shred on your ERB.

[quote name='El Bajo' timestamp='1338393082' post='1673847'] Sent him an email. It started of scathing, that got deleted, then it got re-written in a light hearted manner but with an emphasis on 'next time let me know', and 'in future lets work together more closely on our parts to save time and money'. And I made sure to put in that if its for the greater good of the song then ok, bit dissapointed but ok. I also put in a background object with very very faint grey text saying D*CK in capital letters. Subliminal I'll dive into it further next time I see him, I'm not very good over the phone. If he ever pulls this kind of thing again though I'm gone, and I'm sure to have my guard up from now on. [/quote] Don't make things easy for yourself do you. Being a musician is mostly about you as a person, not your playing skills.

[quote name='El Bajo' timestamp='1338389872' post='1673774'] Hi all, some great responses and advice, I feel over welmed, it seems many people have been in similar situations. I'll just clarify that he used to be a bass player, he's actually pretty good in a Duff Mackagan kind of way and his rhythm guitar has a lot of groove to it. The producer did want to use some of my parts but the Guiraist made a judgment call and re-recorded The one thing I am hearing alot of is communication, I do need to sit down with him and find out what he expects of me, or expects from the bass. In the past he's just said in the middle 8 go crazy...so I did but it looks like it hasn't worked out like he wanted. It would be different if from the outset my role was defined I can handle being a session player just fine, if anything it would probably suit my lifestyle (job, family etc..). Can I just say I feel I've cast him in a bad light, as a person he's a great guy...just a bit ruthless when it comes to music and views people as expendable if they don't pull their weight...I just hope he thinks that I haven't. A few of you have mentioned money, he's listed us all as song co-writers (which makes me feel like a fraud). I do expect to be paid for gigs if payment is offered by the venue/promotor. He's also included me in all developments so far and asked for my opinion...which he's never followed (meow). This is is baby (and money) and he's been let down in the past so I understand why he is this way. I'm going to reply and express my dissapointment at not being notified at the time and the need for better communication. Also if he does want me to contribute, and that if we go into the studios again, I want to work and develop parts together so this kind of thing doesen't happen. If not then what kind of expectations does he have of me, am i considered part of the band? Or just a live player. Still gonna feel a bit daft handing out CDs to friends though. [/quote] Well, he sounds like a jolly decent chap. And of course he's going to be a bit ruthless with his songs. Like Skank says, if you email him, it will sound very serious and intense and you may misrepresent how you feel. Call him, you need speech here, preferably in person down the pub.

[quote name='Dave Vader' timestamp='1338390035' post='1673781'] Poking up my head here, and saying no. There's plenty of us guitarists on here who would disagree with you. Sorry to interrupt your thread EB, as you were.... [/quote] Quite.

Great to see you back! How you doing?

[quote name='skankdelvar' timestamp='1338387217' post='1673700'] Sounds to me like this started out as a sort of loose affiliation, couple of guys in a room, matey sort of situation, we've all been there. Suddenly, it all gets a lot bigger, the 'talent' sees the act taking off and the social graces fly out the window. That's business, I suppose. Yes, it's right that the mainman pursues his vision and that he crafts the best possible product. But he should not forget that the OP made some personal sacrifices to help him out when he needed it. Some professional tact would have helped ease this through. Sort of thing (some) managers are good at. So, lessons for the OP drawn from the wise advice posted by others. * Keep your chin up - the music biz is a cruel mistress and you've learned a hard lesson. What does not kill you makes you strong. * The song is more important than its component parts. No reflection on you. * Don't give up on the bass, you're obviously quite committed to it. And it's probably too late to learn the mandolin. * Stay involved with the project, but keep your guard up. Time to start getting things in writing. * Develop your own side-project where you can do things your own sweet way * Keep a diary. Note the mainman's [color=#000000]idiosyncrasies, sexual habits, etc. Publish prurient 'warts and all' memoir after he croaks. Rake in cash and laugh madly.[/color] [color=#ffffff].[/color] [/quote] and also a lot of good sense