kwmlondon

I couldn't put it better (I mean, that, if I tried to say the same thing, it would not make sense), and I very much agree. It's also really resonant with the zeitgeist right now. Streaming services have upended the record industry, live music is in crisis with Ticketmaster in control of most of the big venues and events and medium venues closing down alarmingly, MTv just went off air, AI is scouring all creative material so it can reproduce our art... it feels like we're out of control so pehraps the whole Giacomo scandal is really giving vent to a lot of frusration and anger about a changing musical landscape.

I am thinking about recording a reaction video to all of these reactions to the reactions to the reactions to the original Danny Sapko video. What do you think?

When I went to the Yolanda Charles bass clinic a few weeks ago she played the pre-recorded vocal track that she and the live orchestra had to follow when she toured with Hans Zimmerman. it had variable tempo because the singer performed live to the movie - the click was just constantly varying and it was incredible to think how anyone could follow it. Yolanda and her guitarist demonstrated how they had to speed up and slow down from somewhere around 60 bpm to about 140 over just a couple of bars... in perfect sync with the orchestra and the pre-record. Honestly. It was one helluva feat of musicanship from those two and I grew another level of respect for pro musicians who do that kind of thing.

That was a really good take. Enjoyed that. Cheers for sharing. If you can stretch to a nearly 55 min video, Adam Neely's PhD thesis-level discussion of miming and authenticity is incredible. It also shows all the tricks of how you can knock up a faked video - it's an eye-opener. I knew about comping, that's been done since the first days of multi-track recording, but this is amazing:

Yeah this x100. Ripping off other people’s work and monetising it is what he’s been caught out for. If being a crap guitarist was a crime I’d be in prison with a double-sided criminal record.

I’m not a fan though. I didn’t like his music that much I just believe that in a venue where I’m close to the stage I would spot someone miming guitar where you can see so clearly what their hands are doing. I guess I think because in the past I’ve been able to spot a mined performance I’d have picked it up.. but I can’t be sure. It does bug me now though and I really want to know for sure! I don’t mind a mess up though, that’s half the fun of seeing a live show is when a good musician pulls a mistake into a save!

You’re must be right. I probably can’t tell a live musician from someone faking it when I’m standing in front of them. Nobody could.

Look. Maybe he was miming but I just don’t think it’s likely. Nobody has ever called him out as a fake for his work with his band and he’s been touring for years but…. I would love to hear his isolated playing from the desk. That would be fascinating. I think it’s more likely that he’s put a live set together of pieces that look flashy and sound impressive but are not that challenging and have runs and riffs that don’t show up flawed playing. That would be was easier than running the whole gig to a click and miming playing guitar. But I could be wrong. I often am.

Maybe. Maybe, but honestly can’t believe that any of them were. I think that in a live context but playing a very heavily rehearsed set they were a tight, and very competent band. I was more focused on tue bass player but he was outstanding as was the drummer. I was there with a friend who has been a session guitarist and works professionally as a gigging musician and neither of us thought anyone was miming. AND I had my glasses on! I really think that miming to that standard in front of a live audience would be harder than playing it live!

Yeah but I saw him with a full band. They were really good … the drummer did a helkuva solo. They were not miming.

Jeez. I saw Rick Beatto‘s response video wheee he said he’d done a video with Giacomo but his playing wasn’t good enough to be featured on the channel. Blimey. I honestly though he and his band were very tight, as did the mate in with who is a professional guitarist. I really don’t know…

Roof rack….

I do enjoy writing basslines for original songs. Really interesting. Not done much collaborating though, usually either write the whole thing or put a bassline to someone else’s…. If they want!

Sounds like a reasonable goal. Do you have your own material or would you want to write it as a band?

That’ll get the audience going for sure!!!

Which ABBA song? They have some of the best pop basslines ever IMO.

I think that if we carry on improving at this rate we will be within touching distance distance of being mediocre! We have a name… Premium Economy!!!

Blimey!!!! It’s the most technically advanced this I’ve ever bought! Initial impressions very impressive but it’s clearly all centred around the app. Have barely got it working so far but will do a review when I’ve had more time with it.

To be fair though, those 40w rumble amps are a bit miraculous. Not very nice sounding but they do get the notes audible which is incredible for what they are. That was at an open mic setup though and from that point onwards I made a point of bringing my own rig to those sessions, even though I carted it on the underground! This is why portability is really very important for me.

That does make total sense, but from what I understand the Positive Grid amps use cab sim to reproduce the 4x12" or open back or whatever and get closer to a characterful guitar sound. One of the issues with a nice guitar amp is that it generally has an optimum volume operating level - I'm mainly playing in a small room with people the other side of the wall, but from time to time I take an amp to a rehearsal space. I've got a lovely little Laney LC15r which sounds fab in a rehearsal space, but honestly at quiet practise levels it's just not that nice. Anyway, the Positive Grid is on its way and will arrive tomorrow and I'll see how it performs - will look forward to giving my thoughts.

Had a quick look at the TV12 - it's quite the thing! It's really not something that would work in my context to be honest. The Vypr ... not seen much about it, but the Postive Grid app looks to be quite alluring. Will see how I get on!

I've not seen a bass AND guitar Katana. They seem to be designed for one or the other which seems odd as you'd basically just need to have a FRFR cab and an amp that could model either/both. I do have fond memories of the Polytone Minibrute from the 80s though but those are bonkers heavy and rare and kind of collectible now.

I can see the point but it's not a stretch to imagine they've squeezed a 75wpc stereo class d amp in the box. It's not going to go particularly low, but in a small space it ought to sound as good as a decent HiFi. I once managed a gig with a 40w Fender Rumble and you could hear my bass above the drummer! Admittedly, I rolled off all the low bass and it was mostly honk but you could tell what notes I was playing! Having tried one out in a store I think this could probably hold its own in a rehearsal space if I absolutely had to use it (well, with our current drummer, maybe not the last one - he made a LOT of noise) but where it really comes into its own is if you want to do a cafe gig. Anyway. Will report back!

Okay... well... I recently sold my MarkBass CMD121p as I have an NY121 cab and BH800 amp and kind of prefer that setup for loud situations. So... I had a bit of cash spare and a bit of space in the study and I've pressed the button on this https://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/product/240119418322008--positive-grid-spark-live-4-channel-smart-amp-pa-system Paying with PayPal I got £20 off for signing up to their credit agreement so it came in at £460. I tried one out in the GuitarGuitar store in Camden and it was impressive but I'll do a proper review when I get my hands on it. Looking forward to New Amp Day tomorrow!!!