Woodwind

Do you know what you want to do and how you want them to look in your head?

This is important as diving into software will be enough of a distraction.

Not wanting to teachnto suck eggs, but spending a bit of time with pen and paper experimenting with layout sketches etc will help when trying to translate your ideas into the software.

Adobe products will do everything, but you will pay handsomely and I loathe subscription models rather than one off payments so have looked at alternatives for a while.

Gimp is effectively a free photoshop.

I have an older version and as I'm used to photoshop it's fantastically annoying. However it will do what you need and I believe more recent versions are less irritating.

You can do all your poster design with this one piece of software and there are loads of YouTube tutorials etc

If you want to get into vector graphics, which can be handy, but by no means essential for posters, the freeware equivalent of Adobe Illustrator is Inkscape.

I haven't used this, but have friends who rate it.

Finally Adobe Indesign will do all your layouts, again you can make a poster without this, but this opens up other possibilities.

Freeware equivalent is Scribus, but this is a bit compromised in relation to publishing programs you pay for.

Good luck and have fun!

Well I give up yet again.

The ghost of my previous registration with spotify still exists, so it's my photo, my biography, but not my music and I have no way to change this.

It's potentially damaging as anyone that is genuinely trying to find me on Spotify will then hear singer songwriter stuff with my photo attached.

No one could sort this out 4 years  ago and all this effort just to get one new bit of music on there is looking a bit daft.

oh well

3 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

You are an interesting cat. Obviously not a bassist at present but that's by the by. I am curious what strain you previously caught and when? Also what your vaccine history has been.

 

You are very exposed to whatever is going around in the gig environment ie Delta, Lambda..... Xray Zulu.... this thing is going to be around for a while yet.

 

In my case I think I got the original back in March. Although I tested negative I was definitely exposed to a positive case and I had a full set of mild symptoms. Looking at the timings I think the guy I was exposed to was likely patient zero in one of our March 2020 outbreaks, before we knocked it down.

 

There was a Brazilian village that got smashed in the original outbreak. Just about everyone got Covid with some dying and the rest recovered. Then months later they got the UK version iirc. It was seven shades of stinky poo again.

 

Keep in touch!

 

Yeah I too caught Coronavirus very early on - late march 2020.

The part of London I in was absolutely awash with it. 

My symptoms were mild apart from the pain in my lungs when breathing and it took a good while before I'd got my lung function back to its normal level. 

Vaccine wise I have had two doses of Pfizer.

My Mother was hospitalised due to an adverse reaction to her first dose of Pfizer , has been advised not to have a second dose and after tests has no antibody response, so protecting her anytime I visit is a priority for me.

Had it for 18 years, caused by a gig I was recording and unusually I'd left my ear  plugs at home - I'd always been especially careful about protecting my hearing since being a teenager in the late 90's.

The gig was painfully loud and the next day I woke up with bad ringing in my ears.

It has never stopped.

I have done everything I can to prevent it getting worse.

Moulded ear plugs.

Changing the type music I was involved with.

Avoiding loud environments.

minimising headphone usage.

Double protection (plugs and overear defenders) for the few times I'm using power tools in my dayjob.

I've also found diet can have a big effect on the level of my tinnitus.

For example it's been pretty bad recently, but I have been eating badly to fit around jobs. I know from when this has happened before drinking a lot of water, less booze and upping vegetables has a big effect on bringing the level down over a few weeks. A diet rich in anti inflammatory vegetables can work well in helping with tinnitus - reducing the intake of deadly nightshade family of plants and increasing ginger and turmeric for example.

One the trickiest side effects of tinnitus for me has been the cognitive/aural processing.

In normal hearing our brains do a lot of filtering to diminish the importance of background sounds when we're concentrating on something or someone.

The tinnitus has thrown this out for me to the point where backgroud sounds feel deafening, yet I can't "hear" (process) the person talking next to me. 

Good luck.

Being able to talk/write about it is a great help in dealing with it and avenues like this site can be vital.

2 hours ago, Downunderwonder said:

Does a RCD still work if there is no ground?

Good question!

I have played in some venues with absolutely shocking (excuse the literal pun) electrics and was worried my cut off unit like the one @TheGreeklinked to wouldn't work.

Just Googled now and found this on electriansforums.net:

"...No, an RCD does not need an earth to work, but as above, current has to "leak" out of the circuit(s) protected by the RCD for it to operate. This leakage current is at the most 30mA (0.030 amps) before the RCD trips, although a healthy RCD will trip well within that. To clarify further, leakage current is, for instance, someone accidentally (or otherwise) coming in contact with a live wire in which case some of the current will flow through such person down to the earth. The RCD will then pick up that not all current leaving the line conductor is returning in the neutral and will thence operate because of this imbalance. Hope this helps too, I tried to make it simple but not sure if I've succeeded! Cheers..."

Anyone who is required to show they are double vaccinated, but doesn't own a smartphone or doesn't want to install the app or whatever can get their NHS vaccine certificate here:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/covid-pass/get-your-covid-pass-letter/

This is also valid for international travel, the little card one gets after being injected is not regarded as proof.

Or get this in addition to the app and keep it in your gig bag!

- removed text to keep this politics free -

I'm a solo performer, so take all this accordingly.

I have just received my NHS Vaccine form to say I'm double dosed (as opposed to using the app) as I predict venues I perform in will start asking for this in the next couple of months.

If I was in a band I'm afraid I would be insisting in lateral flow tests before rehearsals and shows.

However I would rather be in band with careful unvaccinated people, than utterly blasé vaccinated.

I know of several vaccinated friends who have been whacked by corona recently and frankly I'm not surprised as they have completely given up on any behavioural care.

As it is I test every 3 days and will test and provide result if asked to do so by clients or employers.

I REALLY do not want to catch Corona again and will do everything I can to protect my lung function.

Similarly One of my parents can't have the vaccine so I will do everything I can to limit exposing them.

The interplay between the sound of bass and cymbals is perhaps one of the most vital in the sonics of the rhythm section as it acts as a bridge to the higher frequency and melody instruments. As dad says especially in the recording of music

19 minutes ago, cheddatom said:

very true. I had terrible cymbals for ages. One night in London at a fancy hotel bar, I heard a drummer sounding amazing. My ears could hear hats, crash and ride. I turned to look and all he'd got were a pair of hats with a bit black K on them. I asked him in the break, turns out they're K Custom Session hats (Steve Gadd). I saved for 3 years until I finally bought them, and that was the start of it for me. The rest of my cymbals let the hats down and I just had to upgrade. 

Years ago, my then drummer spent a lot of money on an amazing large, dark ride. I can't remember the make.

We'd gone together and spent hours trying cymbals while I played my double bass looking to find a combination that sounded magical.

That ride transformed his whole kit, consolidated his drumming and I miss hearing him play.

This is a good question.

When bass guitar was my primary instrument I had manageable gas. 

When the double bass took over as my main instrument I was always saving and looking for a better bass, but every time I tried basses I decided to up my budget to get something appreciably better. This went on for several years and was driven by deliberate ignorance to the fact that my bass was not the limiting factor to my playing.

Now my primary instruments are woodwind and I can't ever afford to get "better" ones. I'm fully aware that the instruments I own are not the limiting factor. I just wish I could practice even more.

However, despite my bass only being used for composing, I'm always looking at what instruments are around that offer something different/better etc etc.

So, a drawn out way of saying, my bass guitar gas is perhaps greater now I practice and play the instrument less.

31 minutes ago, BigRedX said:

...

I will be seriously considering for the next album length project I do only having one or two tracks available on-line. If you like the music enough to want the whole album you'll have to buy a physical copy.

This is exactly the path I'm taking.

When my music has been played on BBC radio3 there's a noticeable spike in traffic to my website which then trickles down to bandcamp sales.

I would only want a few tracks available to stream and the rest exist as the full version physically for those that then come to my shows etc

6 minutes ago, Al Krow said:

Absolutely NOT too negative and thanks for sharing. Facts are facts. 

They are both OK and it was an observation ward rather than ICU, but the whole experience really shook them up!

26 minutes ago, PaulWarning said:

we still use Soundrop, no problems and no fee when we signed up, of course the payments aren't as high, but then we don't get many plays so it doesn't matter

Nice one Paul, I will check out Soundrop.

I've lost momentum a bit as mastering is taking a while. My plan is to have the full Ep available on bandcamp and one track from it as a single on Spotify et al.

3 hours ago, Cuzzie said:

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand this is the problem I didn’t want to say without being touted as an empty glass fun police person - some double jabbed people are really quite ill - even if not hospitalised if staff get ill, transport people get ill so we can’t get to work, logistics for equipment, deliveries etc. 
 

Stay safe, stay oot the way and enjoy your hols.

There is Covid, a coming seasonal RSV and ‘normal’ flu.

Birmingham this week shut down elective operations for a period including transplant and cancer operations, A&E is heaving, forget 4 hour waits, if you get seen in that time it’s a luxury.

The talk of bets, wagers and placing your money where your mouth is seems all a little crass.

(Disclaimer - I do want live music back regularly)

I will delete my post if it's seen as too negative, but just as a word of caution for all - I personally know of two people (one a musician, the other at my workshop building) who both had to go to hospital for a few days after catching coronavirus recently.

They both had coronavirus last year and this was far more severe. 

One is double jabbed, the other one jab. The former late 40's, the other mid 30's.

Please everyone be very careful out there!

On 02/06/2021 at 17:25, calduggan said:

I’m looking at having a removable neck mechanism fitted to my double bass for travel reasons, just wondering if anyone has had this done in the UK and how it went!

If you're in the south I seem to remember Laurence Dixon doing this work for people, but I stopped playing double bass 10 years ago so he may well not do this anyore.

Best give him a shout -

https://www.laurencedixonbassplace.com/

Another big fan of Phil Jones equipment here.

I'd be inclined to go with 2 cabinets than one larger, but that's just a reflection of the practicalities of traveling to and from my shows (first floor flat etc etc).

If lugging one 26kg cabinet around as opposed to two 13kg cabs presents no problem then go for it.

I would imagine an Orange little bass thing through eight 5" Phil Jones speakers would sound wonderful.

13 minutes ago, mcnach said:

Emubands.

One off payment. Been using them for around 8 years.

Thank you @mcnach I hadn't heard of Emu Bands before.

I'll be putting a two track "single" on spotify released in October so will need roughly 6000 plays to recoup the £25,

I shall investigate further, cheers

I really like the P bass body shape.

My guess is they'll be comparable to the cheaper Sires.

On 01/07/2021 at 19:34, Woodwind said:

 

...

What's the current state of play with aggregators for Spotify these days?

...

I don't want to pay an annual subscription.

 

Who is everyone using?...

Well to answer my own question, as it may be of interest to others, I think I'm going to use Routenote as an aggregator.

They take 15% of Spotify payment, but no upfront fee or annual subscription.

I'm happy with the percentage cut as I'm not imagining I'll get a huge amount of plays - I want a track on Spotify as reference and to catch people who wouldn't hear of me otherwise.

Thought I'd Necro-dredge this thread rather than start a new one.

What's the current state of play with aggregators for Spotify these days?

A few years back I signed up with Distrokid, but the whole thing was an absolute disaster. I was linked to another artist with the same name, which neither spotify or distrokid could do anything about. Between the two of them they mucked about with the two accounts over the course of a year with the end result being I became the other musician permanently... All my music vanished and I was sent his monthly figures.

I can see I need some music back on spotify so will be starting the whole process again. I will not be using distrokid.

I don't want to pay an annual subscription.

Who is everyone using?

Cheers

Thomas

1 hour ago, SteveXFR said:

... and come to terms with my place as the least experienced member of the band.... I do need guidance from other band members because I don't have their experience to immediately know what will work. During discussions around song writing I tend to keep quiet and listen to their ideas so maybe I come across as not being as interested or not wanting to contribute. 

I'm putting in the practice time...

I'm not seeing a weak player here at all. I'm seeing the essence of a really good band bass player, a supportive player.

These are qualities that will always get you into bands despite or irrespective of your technical ability.

And Experience is one thing, ego is another. I've played with many experienced musicians and they exhibit a humility despite their knowledge and technical excellence.

I've played with some musicians who have been going a long time, but due to their enormous egos I wouldn't call experienced at all.

Being aware of how you want/need to improve is an asset in itself. Take confidence in this. We can always improve, no matter how long we have played or how "experienced" we are.

Your approach sounds great!

1 hour ago, knicknack said:

Often I'm the least talented in the room but it's rare that i'm not the best-prepared... this goes a long way! 

This!!! And once again that word talent is relative. I would want to play with prepared musicians, not musicians who are prepared to wing it because their ego makes them lazy

First show of the year properly confirmed now.

1st of October at Kings Place supporting Ex-Easter Island Head

A band I like a great deal and a venue I've wanted to perform at for a long time, so I'm especially happy. 

https://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on/contemporary/ex-easter-island-head-kelly-jayne-jones-thomas-stone/

Fingers crossed London isn't back in a tier system by October 🤣

Great combos, but heavy by today's standards.

I've seen a few on reverb (there's a Polish seller selling a 12 and a couple of 15s) for around the £320mark.

With postage, VAT and import etc etc that gets towards 400quid which is a lot of money for an old 100watt combo.

In theory these amps are infinitely more repairable than modern class d offerings which is something to seriously keep in mind and could offset the weight penalty.

If you could get one in the UK for around £300 I think you'd be happy.

Also one to look out for, but will go for considerably more than the workingman, is the Baby Blue.

Another really great amp.

On 22/05/2021 at 07:27, Doctor J said:

Bonzo's squeaking bass drum pedal features on a number of songs but is particularly clear on Since I've Been Loving You and The Ocean. Be warned, though, once you hear it, it gets louder every time 🙂

The squeaking bass drum pedal on James Brown's Sex Machine makes the track unlistenable for me.

On 21/05/2021 at 21:49, AndyTravis said:

‘My life is brilliant…’ at the start of “you’re beautiful” by James blunt, came in a bit early, they left it in.

Is that doubling up/repetition of my life is brilliant a mistake? I had no idea.