TimR

[quote name='4stringslow' timestamp='1470188074' post='3103976'] I agree that the frequency of the light is irrelevant (any frequency, or colour, of light could be used) but there is most definitely a combination of the signal and the light, because how else could the signal from the pickup be conveyed along a piece of plastic or glass? Look at it another way; the pickup electrical signal cannot be directly conveyed along an optical fibre because it's an insulator. The only way to transmit the signal is to somehow combine it with the light. In this case, by AM. [/quote] It's exactly the same as a radio wave. Just, in this case the frequency of the electromagnetic carrier wave (light) is so high that you can see it. You're still generating a carrier wave, it's just that you're generating light instead of an invisible radio wave. .

[quote name='blue' timestamp='1470160661' post='3103747'] True, here in Milwaukee you'd never see an ad from Greg Koch or Daryl Strummer (Genesis) looking for a bass player. Blue [/quote] That even happens in semi-pro bands around here. I was in a pretty good band but we couldn't get a decent singer through advertising. One night we had a dep trumpet player in. He suggested a singer, I left and he suggested a bass player, the guitarist left and by then the band was half made up of pro musicians who had a huge number of contacts. The band was started by a bunch of very amateur mates, they're all gone now and it's a pro level band with no original members.

[quote name='bassman7755' timestamp='1470166270' post='3103822'] I didn't say change I said modulate (by amplitude implicitly). I disagree, yes light has a frequency but thats an irrelevant innate property of the transmission mechanism and there is no overt combination/splitting of a signal ergo the claim that its not AM is fair and reasonable IMO. [/quote] In this case light is acting as a wave, not particles. You are modulating the intensity or volume or amplitude of the light. The light is fixed frequency. AM. You are not altering the frequency of the light or digitally pulsing it. So it is not FM or PWM.

You don't need a balanced line for a guitar. The longest run is going to be 5m max. Balanced lines are for long runs. That's why you use DI boxes. Short run to amp, then DI for long run out to mixer. The optical cable could replace the XLR at that point, other than that it's just unnessecary. You don't even need an optical cable.

None of those bands appear to be replacing a bass player apart from 3. They all seem to be 'start ups'. The female fronted band looking for guitar, bass and drums to complete their lineup? So, plenty of people who want to be in a band.

If you modulate the frequency then it is Frequenxy modulation. Sound doesn't have a carrier wave. It is a wave of its own (compression wave) and doesn't require any encoding, decoding. You could argue the encoding is done by speakers and the decoding is done by the ears but there are no electro mechanical waves involved at any point. Here, it's AM, it's just that you're using light wave frequency THF instead of radio wave frequency or VHF/UHF. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_spectrum

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1470077518' post='3103125'] Maybe if I was in a proper orchestra I would go the whole hog and have in rehaired with real Unicorn hair, even then I would try and get it from wild Unicorns if possible. [/quote] I am 100% certain you won't hear the difference.

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1470056375' post='3102934'] I'll give them an uncompressed sound as bass is one of the most likely areas they'll compress anyway and I don't want them to do it twice. I get a compressed sound thru valves ....driving the amp hard and the cabs. Very peaky when required. [/quote] If it's already compressed they have no need to compress it again? It doesn't work like that. It's like you saying I'm not going to EQ my bass because I don't want it EQ'd twice. If it sounds good already why would any engineer fiddle with it. As the article says it's a very fine line between too much and just enough. If you've got just enough then there's no need for anyone to add more. PA should be all about sound reinforcement. .

[quote name='RockfordStone' timestamp='1470052989' post='3102892'] this. offer to cover the gig with the band you know, and then audition for the other one and get a clear idea of what you will be dealing with. i'll echo what others have said tho, if you don't like the songs now its unlikely you ever will. [/quote] Yes, but it's only a few songs he's been given. Maybe ask to see the whole set list, that might even give an indication to whether they're a serious band anywhere near gigging.

Provisionally accept the second one and do the gig. Learn the few songs for the first one and audition. There's no guarantee they'll offer you the gig and there's no guarantee they'll like you. Then after the gig and the first audition you'll have a lot more infomation to base your decision on. .

[quote name='Bobthedog' timestamp='1470050429' post='3102864'] This is what happens. Further, some people do not really want investment but use the show as free publicity. A old mate of mine was going to do just that with a clever bicycle mirror. [/quote] "As seen on Dragons' Den."

Presumably the Dragons make an offer based on the pitch. If something comes to light that wasn't in the pitch they have a get out. I suspect they have a lot of crossing of T's and dotting of I's to do after the pitch and offer.

[quote name='MrDaveTheBass' timestamp='1470043245' post='3102806'] All you ever wanted to know about compression: [url="http://www.ovnilab.com/"]http://www.ovnilab.com/[/url] [/quote] Excellent resource. Here's the nitty gritty. http://www.ovnilab.com/articles/howto.shtml

Missed it was a 212. Run the cabs in series. That'll give you a 12ohm load.

You can get dummy speaker loads. A 4ohm one I series with th 4ohm cab. It's not an ideal situation or solution. Can you change the speaker in one of the cabs.

I suppose ultimately it doesn't matter how or when you get paid. The important thing is you have something in writing setting out; how much you'll be paid, when you'll be paid and what you will be paid for. Then everyone knows exactly what's expected before you accept the gig.

Yes my concern would be it reacting with the original finish.

Are you just talking about a clear varnish over the existing finish?

[quote name='JTUK' timestamp='1469958916' post='3102236'] What does the engr think when you put a compressor in line [/quote] How do you mean

Strung tension is an issue on basses. Other than that you can make an electric bass out of absolutely anything. I've seen one made from a length of scrap 2x4. Actually sounded quite good.

Yes. Depends on how you are using each compressor and what you want to achieve. The compressor on my amp has a single dial that affects level. Everything else; ratio, break point, make up gain etc is fixed. You can have hard knee and soft knee compressors. Nothing wrong with compressing the signal going into your fx loop and then compressing it again after it has been subjected to all the effects. After all, that's what happens in the studio. Compressed at source, then the final mix will be compressed as well. Then it'll all be compressed again when the radio plays it. It's not surprising people can't find their 'tone'.

A small amount of compression will also give you slightly more control over your sustain. You can't do that with technique.

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1469895058' post='3101870'] Yes, it's a pedal... EBS multicomp So you think it should be first in line after the bass? [/quote] Depends what your trying to do with it. I'd start with EQ -> Comp -> FX. But also try putting it right in front of the Amp. Use your ears.

[quote name='gs_triumph' timestamp='1469885473' post='3101780'] Exactly what I'm pondering just now. Got ale bass preamp with an effects loop and can't decide where it should go. Originally has it after my octave but moved it to before as this helped the octaver. Then I tried it last in chain just before the amp and it sounded better for general playing (don't really use the octave anyway)... However since getting the le bass I can't decide if it should go in the effects loop of after the preamp... Complicated business this 😜 [/quote] Again. It depends what you're using it for. Normally it's part of your pre-amp so it goes before the FX loop. Unless you're using pedal effects when it would then be after them. Unless you're using a compressor pedal in which case it goes before your pedal FXs.

[quote name='Kev' timestamp='1469875517' post='3101652'] Interesting. My own view is it enhances poor technique. String noise, bum notes, fretting where you shouldn't etc all a helluva lot more audible with a compressor. . [/quote] That really depends on your make up gain setting. If you use the compressor to allow you to play louder, then yes, EVERYTHING will be louder. If you use the compressor to reduce peaks then the sting noise etc will be the same. In the second case you're just going to catch the odd time when you accidentally hit a string with a bit more drive than you planned. So yes, covers certain bad techniques. Then there's multi-band compression...