SteveK

Just to update:

I tried the Chordbot Lite app yesterday evening, it's exactly what I needed. I've now paid the £4.99 for the full featured version. Thanks again, Bix.

1 hour ago, Bix said:

I use an app called Chordbot Lite. Allows you to plug in chords, time sigs, tempo, basic instruments etc. Pretty basic but good for practice.

Thanks Bix. That looks to be the kind of thing I'm after. I've installed it on my phone, I'll give it a go for a day or two, If it fulfils my needs I may pay the £4.99 for the full version😉.

Cheers.

Thanks alibabu,

I'll take a look at that, although It does sound a little more complex than I need.

I've taken a look in the Android app store, but can't really find what I need.

I'm looking for a simple "play along" app: Just tap in the chords, select keyboard type, set tempo, repeat, and off we go.

All the apps I've tried seem more about teaching piano and are overly complicated.

Anyone got any recommendations?

Cheers.

On 13/02/2025 at 08:03, EBS_freak said:

Hopefully you'll get a better result next time around the loop. re: open jaw would suggest a bite block - make sure you have a bite block though - don't sit there just holding your mouth open.

 

Oh... and expect droooooool. 

A quick update:

Even though the moulds are technically past their 3 month warranty ACS have agreed to make new IEMs using new impressions at no cost to myself. I have an appointment at their London office on Friday 21st.

This morning I received a reply from ACS.

They say that "the next step is to remake the plug from new Open Jaw impressions in order to resolve this". Hopefully, this will require bite blocks.

They also suggested that I go to their London or Banbury offices for the impressions to be taken.

I note on the ACS website that "ACS warrants the fit of its custom-made products for 60 days from the date of delivery." So, technically out of warranty. I would argue that the impressions weren't correctly taken in the first place.

I should say that the few communications that I've had with ACS over the years has always been helpful, fair and productive.

I'll post any further updates here.

45 minutes ago, EBS_freak said:

ACS haven't heard of bite blocks? Behave!

I can only tell you what she told me.

I read this thread after my call to ACS. I didn't know the term "bite blocks" until today.

I told her that our professional sound crew were surprised that I didn't have to bite on anything when having the impressions made. She said, "I've never heard that"

Anyway, she suggested that I email them explaining the issue, which I have now done. I expect a reply in the next day or so. I'll post their response here.

I live in East Sussex.

Cheers

I've been attempting to use IEMs for the last several months.

I say "attempting" because I'm really struggling with them.

A bit of background:

I had been using ACS custom ear plugs for quite a few years with no problem. Unfortunately, my tinnitus has been getting worse, this necessitated the use of more effective filters - going from PRO17s to PRO20s. Unfortunately, while the PRO20s reduced the level to an acceptable level, everything sounded dull. I couldn't hear the Hi-Hat or ride cymbals, making it near impossible to lock-in with the drums.

To the main point:

Early last year I decided to go for ACS Evolve IEMs. There were a couple of issues initially: 1. First moulds weren't acceptable by ACS; 2, Left side not working; 3, IEMs didn't fit tight.

It's that last issue that I'm having an ongoing problem with: No matter how much I push, poke and twist the IEMs, no matter how much gel/saliva I use (or not use), the seal is constantly breaking!

EBS_freak says in his original post that "... a one inch bite block should be in place when the impression is taken".  Whether for earplugs or IEMs, I have never been asked to use a bite block when having impressions taken, either by ACS or Boots HearingCare (who made the impressions).

I called ACS this morning to report the problem and mentioned the bite block. The lovely lady said that she had never heard of that, and it wasn't ACS policy.

The "bite block" makes sense to me, but now I'm in a bit of a quandary... In order to fix my IEM problem I will most likely need new impressions - as ACS don't recommend using a bite block, do I forget about them fixing this and move on to another company? This will probably result in me being several hundred pounds out of pocket, but the protection of what's left of my hearing is worth rather more than that.

1 hour ago, bass_dinger said:

It's real. The Torzal Twist bass.

 

Read more here 

https://www.torzalguitars.com/natural-twist

 

Edit - they seem to also supply a fan-fretted twist bass. Look at the headstock end for the twist, and the bridge for the fanning.  My brain hurts.

 

It's great that someone's made a twisted neck bass, to solve the problem of... er... er... mmm... 🤔

Can't really offer anything to the discussion, other than... Fanned fret basses mess with my head and look, to me, like they're suffering from serious neck twist.😕

1 minute ago, meterman said:

Nah, I'm not clever enough for that 😂

Okey dokey😉

I've heard it described as a looking like a "frying pan" many times... but, I think I prefer your "toilet seat" description😂

1 hour ago, meterman said:

I think the pickguard works really well when it's the same colour as the bass, like black with black, white with white, etc...

I assume you're being ironic😉

Since I can remember, I've loved the sound of a Music Man Stingray! However, being a shallow bass player I couldn't get past the criminally non descript scratch plate - It put me off ever buying one.

It's as if Leo had forgotten about the scratch plate and had 10 minutes to come up with something before his deadline was up.

Years later, I did buy a Stingray 5, which has a slightly improved(?) scratch plate design. Unfortunately, I couldn't get used to the extra string, and didn't like the dull sound of the B string. I think I used it 3 times on stage.

Is there a 2024 remaster/remix of the full Seven Seas of Rhye, mit vocals? All I can find on Amazon Music is a 1:17 instrumental version.

Maybe a light hearted approach is needed. Although, I've seen many bands where this would have been appropriate.

Unless you're banging tympani drums, blowing a tuba or got a violin under your chin music stands shouldn't be anywhere near the stage. It simply looks "naff"! Do your job and learn the lyrics and music.

"Appearance" is hugely important in rock/pop music. If you went to see Sir Ian McKellen in a play would you be happy if the actors were clinging to, and referring to their scripts?

As others have said, stage left (assuming right-handed drummer)! It probably stems from my days playing pubs and clubs with no monitors and needing to see the hi-hat. If you're using monitors, it's not so important, but it's still nice to see as well as hear the hi-hat.

My school music lessons helped me a whole lot more than my art, chemistry, biology, algebraic, trigonometry, French, technical drawing, history lessons. I always assumed that most of the subjects are taught to expand the mind and as an introduction, in the hope that a particular subject will appeal to some students and will pursue it.

I found music lessons to be quite helpful: Bass/Treble clefs; Quavers, Crotchets, Minims etc. Note names and positions on the staff. This all turned out to be very helpful in my musical life.

3 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said:

A mix of about 79% pure clichés and 21% pure cheese, complete with absolutely terrible mix and sound quality as well, where everything is mushed together. 

 

 

I agree... It's got "Hit" written all over it🤘

3 hours ago, Baloney Balderdash said:

 

I fear for the future of music too, that is if that really is the future.

 

Absolutely horrible in every possible way.

 

A mix of about 79% pure clichés and 21% pure cheese, complete with absolutely terrible mix and sound quality as well, where everything is mushed together. 

 

Toe cringingly bad.

 

 

2 hours ago, Kiwi said:

I'm looking forward to your much better alternative!

To be fair, you did ask😳

16 hours ago, Jonesy said:

Bombay Duck - Rick Wakeman. Sounds like a clown soundtrack if the clown has done lots of acid

 

 

Prog does have more than it's fair share of whacky moments - early Genesis, anyone?😉 Although, when it comes to prog, I think the correct terminology is "whimsy"😄

19 hours ago, EliasMooseblaster said:

 

A particularly moo-ving piece of music...

Does he have any udder suggestions?

19 hours ago, Jean-Luc Pickguard said:

I think this is called 'Ode To A Dying Cow' by Steve 'Wishbass' Wishnevsky

 

 

Not quite what I was expecting when I clicked on the thumbnail. Don't think I'll be adding it to my playlist😂

2 hours ago, miles'tone said:

You must have some real players in your band. That's very cool!

It was Tom Fowler who broke his hand. He's the bass player on the live "Roxy..." album I posted above.

Listen to it and imagine your mate depping with that band for a night 😂 He must be a great reader! 

Thanks,

Si

It was indeed, Tom Fowler👍

My bandmate (Mick) is probably as far removed as it's possible to be from a "reader".

https://wiki.killuglyradio.com/wiki/Mick_Rogers

17 minutes ago, miles'tone said:

 

This whole album, but especially "Echidna's Arf (Of You)/Don't You Ever Wash That Thing", followed by "Cheepnis".

There's also 120+ other albums by Frank that are full of whacky excellence 😁

I did think of Frank, but thought it wouldn't be too long before someone mentioned him🙂

Incidentally, my band mate (guitarist) played bass with Zappa in the mid 70s, for one show in the US, when his regular bass player busted his hand😬