lowdown

[quote name='cheddatom' post='1138246' date='Feb 23 2011, 10:10 AM']is it that you're getting loads of reflections? I guess there's no room for bookshelves etc but you could buy some proper diffusers.[/quote] There are some great videos knocking around on-line [just google] about making your own. I have just a small room for Media Music writing, and i was knocked out how diffusers made a difference to listening. knocked up my own with a short trip to Wicks. Not up to big boy standard i know, but none the less made a difference. All for about £60.00 Garry

You should have ended the Email with that famous quote... " I suppose a fkuc's out of the question" If i do recall correctly - A Trumpet player to Dame Shirley Bassey after she gave him a rollicking. Garry

[quote name='bigjohn' post='1137129' date='Feb 22 2011, 02:28 PM']I'm not sure CPU is that important for DAWs or similar. Video encoding... yes, audio, hmmm, maybe not so much.[/quote] I am not sure why you think CPU is not important. CPU is up there with motherboards, FSB, RAM speed, Disc speed , graphic cards etc. And always has been. Just one link from many available worth checking out. [url="http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/Build.aspx"]http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/Build.aspx[/url] [url="http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/article.aspx?Page=Intel-Core-i7-Processor"]http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/article...re-i7-Processor[/url] [url="http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/buy.aspx?Type=Laptop"]http://www.cakewalk.com/PCResource/buy.aspx?Type=Laptop[/url] Half of the problems people have with there DAW's is not the software, but budget under performing machines. Thats why for years Mac's were the way to go, there was no budget hard wear in the machines. Different story of course these days. Garry

[quote name='Earbrass' post='1136897' date='Feb 22 2011, 11:31 AM']Thanks for your replies. My current laptop is about 10 years old, and is a maid-of-all-work, so I'm not going to try to upgrade that one. So is the consensus that 8GB RAM is overkill? I would have thought that it would more than compensate for a slightly slower disk spin speed by providing more buffering room. (??)[/quote] 8 gig might not be overkill if you are using sample libs, or sample based Romplers. Another thing to remember is CPU is important. The cheaper/domestic ones do struggle with some heavy duty synth's. Its worth going around the DAW forums, Cakewalk/Sonar is particularly good. Lots of good advice on CPU's, Ram speed [DDR3 1600 etc] AMD.Intel - motherboards etc. It all helps. In the end i went Desktop W7 64 bit AMD Quadcore, 8 gig of Ram, dedicated graphics 1 gig card. All from taking advice from The Sonar forum. My system is very stable. Might be worth leaving SONAR X1 alone until all the updates are out - it seems they have been having big problems. One other thing with 64 bit [If you are going to run a 64 bit DAW] some of the older plugs won't run. But there is a small very cheap programme called [b]J-Bridge[/b], its a must. Bridges 32 bit plugs to 64 bit. Not all work but a big amount do. [url="http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/"]http://jstuff.wordpress.com/jbridge/[/url] Garry

[quote name='Jerry_B' post='1136829' date='Feb 22 2011, 10:34 AM']You could say the same thing about a lot of stuff played by other bass players - [b]most of it could be played by a guitar.[/b][/quote] Wrong octave comes to mind, but hey whats taking it up the octave amongst friends... Garry

[quote name='skej21' post='1136771' date='Feb 22 2011, 09:49 AM']but they are targeting people who can use it to create their own backing tracks/karaoke tracks...[/quote] Re- Mixing and re- hashing producers/sound designers etc will find this a great tool. Like you say, shows promise. Garry

[quote name='steantval' post='1136447' date='Feb 21 2011, 10:39 PM']I have some stuff in my BACK PASSAGE that's better than this [/quote] Very good. Garry

Not sure this should be posted in 'General Bassists Discussions' Or...erm....Basses for sale. Is this man a legend? or something else? Garry

[quote name='leschirons' post='1135975' date='Feb 21 2011, 06:52 PM']She was terrible. One pattern for everything and couldn't even keep time within one bar. Stopped playing three times as she'd got lost and obviously had not listened to the three tracks.[/quote] And her Drum teacher, calls him/herself a Drum teacher? The teacher should have known she was not ready - even for Audition experience. [whatever that means] Not good for her confidence at 18. Garry

[quote name='ezbass' post='1135682' date='Feb 21 2011, 04:08 PM']GP channeling Pino quite nicely there. And here he doing the same from about 4:15 onwards [/quote] Oh dear - these producers will make you do anything for money & fame. Went to one of his stand up shows last year, and thought he was very funny. Garry

Love the writing of LS, some of those big band funky themes are just amazing. Some top arranging going down there. Garry

[quote name='51m0n' post='1135571' date='Feb 21 2011, 03:06 PM']But convolution reverbs work much the same way.[/quote] I have tried a few VST Amp plugs, and got far better results using SIR 2 and cabinet IR's, and there are plenty knocking about the tinternet free. But to be honest my Avalon U5 just out does any of it. A good set up Bass and a decent Pre-amp will get great results to start with, Then maybe some minimal EQ for the mix. If you can not get a good sound that way, no plug in the world will make it sound any better. Garry

Ain't no doubt he can play a bit [Kocc or not] Plenty of them in the Music business, and indeed on forums. Garry

There are a few above already said. But i will add. Smooth - Santana/Rob Thomas Chicago song - Sanborn. Rosanna - Toto. I keep forgetting - Michael Mcdonald Night in Tunisa - Dizzy Gillespie. [ And the Chaka Khan cover] Garry

Yep a great album... Another one who was getting into Robben Ford at the time. A very melodic album. Garry

[quote name='skej21' post='1132656' date='Feb 18 2011, 07:43 PM']Wasn't this shortly before reknowned (and very under-estimated IMHO) percussionist, Homer, decided to leave? It's a great shame to lose such a great instrumentalist, but they continue to be fantastic as Homer-less, Still Broke, Norfolk n Tallent![/quote] Not long after Homer left the outfit, Roadie/Driver and backing singer Van Morrison left as well, but things went down hill then, and they became... Van-less, Homer-less, Still Broke, Norfolk n Tallent. Garry

All of Doddy's advice.... And remember you don't have to play 4's all the time - 2 sits good under some of those vocal tunes. Garry

[quote name='topo morto' post='1130882' date='Feb 17 2011, 12:34 PM']I just thought that it's funny that "a man/woman with good ears knows if he's/she's in tune; a man/woman with a decent stage tuner is never sure"...[/quote] Fixed. Now you wont have the PC brigade and the ear police on your back. Garry

Thats great - no noodling going on there, you can hear the changes all the way through. The art of a good solo, even if you are going in and out and substituting. Garry

[quote name='thumperbob 2002' post='1129204' date='Feb 16 2011, 08:10 AM']The OP was referring to a full time covers band in the post- Its a young mans game.[/quote] And i did say on my opening line - Its not at all a young mans game. [[b] Maybe a full on covers band[/b] - if they still exist] Garry

[quote name='jakesbass' post='1128887' date='Feb 15 2011, 08:48 PM']It really depends on whether you want to simply read music in order to learn a set/songs or whether you want to go into bands that sight read regularly eg cruise ship bands or pit work. If you want to sight read then it will probably take a bit longer because there is a big difference between reading when the stakes are low and reading when you are there, onstage in the moment. You also (in a proper sight reading situation) have the conductor to deal with... learning to play with a baton is another element to the skill. [b] The hardest thing about reading for bass is the fact that if you make a mistake EVERYBODY hears it.[/b][/quote] Yup - the chord changes, and you have made it your own inversion, or diversion..... I think there are two types of reading. 1] In the living room etc, at your own pace and no pressure. 2] In the real world in a working situation, looking ahead for time/key changes [presuming you are reading on the spot] signs and codas, DS etc, watching the moves of conductors or MD's, listening to the other players so as to keep it tight - and still trying to make this all into a Musical performance. Number one can be achieved in a year i should think [ like others have said - a teacher is a great idea]. Number two takes longer, assuming you have not been sacked a few a times and have not thrown in the towel. None the less its an interesting journey and a very good lesson in discipline and strict concentration. Have fun. Garry

[quote name='thumperbob 2002' post='1128855' date='Feb 15 2011, 08:25 PM']Lots of pro musicians I know -some name successful chart acts too- struggle after years in the business with not much to show for it. I still think it is a young mans game being pro.[/quote] Its not at all a young mans game. [ Maybe a full on covers band - if they still exist] Look at any TV band [not that many granted], look at many the of show/pit/ bands/Orchestras, Classical Orchestras...full of people up to their retiring age. Being a full time Musician has many sides to it these days. At one time it was easy just to play only Bass or what ever and earn. Gigs , shows, sessions, tours, 6 night a week Residencies, pub Residencies, cruises, name act tours or being in their bands, hotel residencies, millions of holiday camp gigs, they were all easy available. Now days folks do all kinds besides just their first instrument. Some teach, some do arranging, some turning midi files into school band charts, some orchestrating parts for films and shows, some supplying media music for broadcast and production/library companies [earning broadcast royalties], some writing for TV etc, some fixing or agents even, Music techs, the list goes on. Its all part of being a full time musician in this day and age. Just being a pro Bass player alone in the traditional sense is not going to sustain you a great life span in the business of music anymore, unless you are something very special, or just want to get by financially. Look at Guy Pratt these days, Bassist, Media Music writer and part time [music business stories] comedian. To the OP , good luck with it all. If thats what you really want, work hard and go for it. I did at 17 and 35 years later still living nicely, Oh and with a wife and family including the holidays, own house and a decent car - and have never eaten a pot noodle in my life. Garry

Play in a Staccato style - like Rocco Prestia, then its to short to notice.... Garry

[quote name='Eight' post='1125902' date='Feb 13 2011, 01:16 PM']It's been a little over two years since I bought my first bass (and registered here).[/quote] Thanks, you have just reminded me to register all my Basses here. Garry

[quote name='cheddatom' post='1122483' date='Feb 10 2011, 12:06 PM']I'm not really into mastering in a big way. I know that I don't know what i'm doing so I try not to mess up my mixes too much. I thought T-Racks would be an easy way to a "polished" master, but, yeh, it just destroyed my mixes. It sounds like I should give it another go trying to be much more subtle. At the moment, i'm using the Stillwell Audio Major Tom compressor. If you set it to forward feedback, and set the ratio to limit you can get a lot of "transparent" compression before it starts to mush up.[/quote] If you are crap at it [as most of us are] Ozone 4 a great tool. Plenty of presets [or a starting point] to make anything presentable. There is some great tutorials here for at least understanding the process. [url="http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/ozone/guides.html"]http://www.izotope.com/products/audio/ozone/guides.html[/url] Garry