4stringslow

In what way? I've clarified that I don't believe Scottish nationalism is a racist issue, I've apologised if I didn't make that clear enough initially, and I've confirmed that I agreed with the result of the Scottish referendum, along with (by definition) the majority of Scots voters. Hardly controversial stuff?

[quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1456142528' post='2985754'] I guess the tone of bass is too bassy, so on any system lacking bass you can't really hear it, and on any system with plenty of bass you just get the boominess. More mids might help. [/quote] That makes some sense to me. I try to eq each individual instrument to get it sounding as good as I can ( to my cloth ears) before even starting to mix, but I'll revisit this and try cutting back on the low end and boosting the miss a bit. [quote name='cheddatom' timestamp='1456142528' post='2985754'] For the drums, some compression, and then maybe a boost at 5KHz or so for more presence. I always like a cut somewhere between 500 and 900Hz on the full kit [/quote] Likewise, I'll give this a try. Thanks for the suggestions.

Interesting point. I rarely play any commercial stuff through my DAW monitoring system so perhaps I should spend a few hours doing just that to 'tune in' my ears?

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1456146838' post='2985830'] Of course you can think that Scottish Nationalism is a daft political position just don't lump Scottish Nationalists in with the racist BNP, EDL &UKIP. Your last sentence is unnecessary. I am a floating voter and don't support everything the SNP stands for. I was merely countering your sweeping statement. [/quote] Colgraff made a good point about nationalists and separatists. I certainly didn't mean to imply Scottish nationalists were racist in the sense of the BNP/EDL (because I don't believe that) so I can see why you got upset if you thought I did. Again, apologies if I wasn't clear enough. As for my last sentence, I was just defending my position by referring to the Scottish referendum result - unnecessary or not, the outcome of the vote is now a fact of life and I, for one, think it was a sensible result.

[quote name='Hutton' timestamp='1456131511' post='2985556'] You see this is the problem. You can't see past your own border to realise that Scottish Nationalism is a legitimate political position. What you describe as nationalist I would describe as racist. [/quote] I'd say you're stretching things to suggest Scottish/English border and sovereignty issues are racist rather than nationalist. I fully accept that Scottish nationalism is a legitimate political position but surely I'm allowed to believe it is also a daft political position? Something I seem to have in common with the majority of Scottish voters.

Thanks for taking the time to comment. I entirely agree about the 'crispness' (lack of) but have been struggling with how to improve it. I'll start a new mix as Dad suggests, although it' s'more or less how I tried to build this version. I'm a little surprised, Cheddatom, that you thought the bass was almost inaudible - I wonder how you were listening to it? My problem is that it sounds ok on my monitors but less so on my Hifi (which I can fix with some bass boost) and when I played it through my smartTV the bass seemed too prevalent - probably because I have a soundbar + subwoofer. Perhaps if I follow Dad's advice to 'crispen' things up that sort of issue may go away somewhat? As for the rhythm guitar, I did reduce it during the guitar solo and it made quite a difference so perhaps I should explore that a bit more. One thing I'm not really happy about is that the rhythm chords are played on acoustic through an amp that had the chorus effect switched on, which I don't think really works. I could have easily added some chorus, if necessary, but I don't think I can remove it so am stuck with it. Still, I'm learning loads (mainly how hard it is!) and enjoying the process (so far!) Thanks again for the comments.

I could point out that tolerance would allow me to use such a descriptor without castigation, especially in a topic about tolerating the intolerable I apologise if my chosen adjective struck a nerve but given the proclaimed agendas of organisations such as the BNP, EDL, UKIP etc, it was the politest one I could think of at the time. Feel free to suggest an alternative. I also apologise for the slight swerve into political territory. My bad.

Good point. I try to standardise on XLR leads and keep a few XLR-to-TRS adapters (among many others) in my 'misc box'.

Isn't this a consequence of the democratisation of music? Not only does the internet allow bands to spread their music around the world for free but recording technology is now so advanced and (relatively) cheap that a bedroom studio can be more advanced than the pro studios of the 60s/70s. In short, music making, recording, production and distribution is more accessible than ever - which can be a good and a bad thing. Having to wade through a myriad of new genres and new bands to find something you like is one of them.

Thanks for the comments. My bass was DI'd but everything else was close miked so there's a reasonable amount of spill on the recorded tracks, which I guess contributes to a 'live' sound. I've playing around with filter and eq plug-ins to try to reduce the 'frequency spill' for each recorded track but am only really following my ears rather than really knowing why I'm doing. I think I now know about 'listening fatigue' though and feel that the more time I spend on it the less I know about it all. Knowing when to stop must be a key skill and my admiration for pro producers has greatly increased - It ain't easy!!

All it means is that you can use this method to make a direct connection into a desk rather than place a mic close to your bass cab. I'm a bit surprised the rehearsal studio can't provide a suitable cable themselves.

He who dies with the most toys, wins. What more justification is needed? (and I'm not just talking about bass gear!)

It's not really 'stereo' as in Left/Right channels, it's a balanced connection using the TRS contacts of the jack. http://www.mediacollege.com/audio/connection/xlr-jack-stereo.html

Buy a smaller combo without a fan for home practice?

OK, this is a bit daunting but here goes: https://soundcloud.com/user-571962751/thebadmen-middlemen-mwmix2 This is our first serious attempt at recording and I'm doing the production (gulp!). It was recorded all together in one take but the lead vocal was subsequently replaced with a separate recording using a vocal booth. BVs were also recorded separately but otherwise there are no overdubs (as yet). I'm finding it pretty hard to get a single mix to work well across a range of playback systems, from phones to PCs to in-car systems and hifi systems - any 'secret tips' for this? Constructive criticism welcomed.

Indeed - there's no such thing as an English, Scottish, Welsh, etc, passport - though it may be on the agenda of the various nationalist nutjobs. I'd be perfectly happy with a European passport or, better still, an 'Earthling' one. One day perhaps.

Trouble is, a half decent cordless angle grinder with a metal cutting disc will slice through the door panel work and simply cut out the locks and hinges . . . If someone really wants to get inside a van A big fierce dog might be a good idea though

[quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1455980973' post='2984227'] Oh yes, I respect and admire West's ability to speak his words quickly in a regular staccato manner; I've been known to do the same myself on many an occasion. But if he was to say "I'm better than McCartney" or "I write better "songs" than Lennon", I should say, "OI!! West!! NOOOOOOO!!!! You're entitled to talk crap in the land of the free, But it'll upset up Blue, And put Hiram off his tea It's been done before By that MC Hammer, So get off my lawn and stay outta my manor! [/quote] Excellent I do hope Blue gets the joke.

That all seems to be an argument against The Beatles being the greatest band ever and suggests they simply touched your raw nerves at a vulnerable time because you happened to be there at the time. That's fine and understandable but on that basis you should understand that, presumably, other bands/film stars/celebs did, and still do, the same thing for every other generation of kids trying to find themselves during their own 'coming of age' thing.

[quote name='lowdown' timestamp='1455882793' post='2983233'] I kinda agree, although 'Wings' were a pretty big selling successful band. [/quote] No disputing that Wings were commercially the most successful of the solo Fab's work, just that I personally preferred Harrison's solo work. Which is slightly odd since I saw Wings live but never did get to see Harrison The 'Concert for George' DVD remains one of my all time favourites.

[quote name='ambient' timestamp='1455839823' post='2982963'] I'm not a fan, and was born long after they split up. I do think that the 'beatles' probably wouldn't have been so groundbreaking if any single one of them hadn't been there. What really did any of them do afterwards, besides the odd moment here and there ? [/quote] Fair point. Given that the majority of Beatles songs were Lennon/McCartney collaborations (even in their later period there was still an element of collaboration) I think it fair to say that, broadly, they were better together than apart. As for The Beatles' solo works, my preference is for Harrison's body of work. All Things Must Pass, released so soon after The Beatles breakup, proved how much material he had accumulated without an outlet through the Fabs.

Would it be too controversial to suggest that their real creative genius didn't come from Liverpool at all?

Not so far-fetched really. My lad went to a catholic school (even though we're not at all religious) run by an order of American monks and one of the Brothers was an ex druggie and bouncer who had found God and turned his life around. He was incredibly popular and well respected by the pupils because of his 'real world' experience and a real asset to the pastoral care system within the school. Perhaps he was an Angel?

It's great that you love what you do. Really. But don't fool yourself it's a lifestyle that everyone else aspires to. That's all.

Yours too - which is the good thing about discussions with an open mind