Sharkfinger

My PC speakers died recently and was thinking about buying a new pair but remembered I have one of those mini hi-fi's lying about. Now, it would be a shame to have to set up the whole stereo when I just need the speakers but obviously I need a little amp. Came across [url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Channel-Mini-Stereo-Hi-Fi-Amplifier-Silver-Car-Home_W0QQitemZ220541212608QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_AudioTVElectronics_HomeAudioHiFi_Amplifiers?hash=item335947d7c0"]this on eBay[/url], which is ideal because I can leave the computer plugged in but can plug in an external source, like an MP3 player or my bass when learning songs. Anyone know where to get something like this in the UK? Have looked on Maplin, with no success.

[url="http://eusing.com/CDRipper/CDRipper.htm"]http://eusing.com/CDRipper/CDRipper.htm[/url] This simple little program is much more than a CD extractor, it encodes WAVs to other formats as well. Have used this for many years for all my simple MP3 encoding jobs. The ID tagging is also fairly simple and easy to use. Audacity can be a bit inflexible with that. It's free as well, which is nice.

I'm clearing out a few things that I don't use any more: Lexmark X83 printer/scanner/photocopier. Tower PC. Reasonable spec (for about 5 years ago!), good graphics card. Small compact desktop PC (Compaq), fairly low spec. These are either going on eBay or on freecycle in the next week or so, unless claimed. Collection only but might deliver locally (North London/Essex) for petol cost if it's not too much out of my way when going to a gig. Not posting anything, so please don't ask.

[quote name='Shockwave' post='685186' date='Dec 15 2009, 02:01 PM']It seems to be me that every barefaced user is Whiteknighting (for lack of a better word) Barefaced and making it seem like the cabs can do no wrong, which is very similar to what happened when Ashdown gear was popular on here and was first questioned as to how great it really was. (And look what happened to the opinion of Ashdowns on BC) And another thing is that people appear to be passing comment on my minor comments on the cab itself, when the bulk of the problems in my review were in the experience of buying the cab in the first place. I have already said i was going to wait til the speakers bedded in. Probably going to run a few music files through it of low bass tones. Alex has emailed me to sort out some settings i can use to get the tone i want, like i knew he would![/quote] Like almost all other Barefaced owners, I'll put my hand up to being an evangelist. My compact has made my gigging life so much easier, I can't describe it. I gig a fair amout so I'm well out of the honeymoon priod: I got the cab in early April and have done around 60 gigs so far and it gets all kinds of physical abuse. At the risk of labouring a point, I'm also of a generation that equates weight with quality and I've had no issues whatsoever. My Compact is part of what gives me a large chunk of my income and if it was substandard in any way I just wouldn't stand for it, no matter how nice a guy Alex is. However, Shockwave's issues are valid and he feels a bit hard-done-by in some respects and as a paying Barefaced customer, I believe he has more right to have an opinion on Alex's service than those that have not dealt with him. He's handed over a huge wedge and has the absolute right to be completely satisfied with every aspect of his purchase. I'm sure we all have horror stories of really crappy customer service! Alex's company is still young and mistakes will always happen. Obviously, I'm not aware of every detail on this case but I can see Alex is taking responsibility for any errors and working with Shockwave to come to a resolution. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase again from Alex and in fact am saving up for a midget to boost my output, now that my band are no longer using bass bins in the PA. P.S. Hang in in there for that bottom end, Shockwave; it's well worth it!

[quote name='Moos3h' post='683049' date='Dec 13 2009, 03:08 PM']What about your audience though? If it's angled back at you, are they going to hear it? I'm looking forward to trying the loaner when it makes its way over here, but wonder if I'd have to consider running into the PA too, if it's that directional? Cheers, James[/quote] I guess it's because the higher frequencies are a bit more directional and perhaps come out in a kind of cone shape from the speaker and thus angling the cab puts our ear level within that cone. The audience can hear all frequencies because they are within that cone by virtue of being further away. That analogy may be completely flawed, however. I don't actually know what I'm talking about, I've just made observations about what works for me. Any minute now, Alex or Bill F will come along and start talking about stuff like 'off axis' and 'boundry reinforecement', which quite frankly goes over my head most of the time (no pun intended). [quote name='TPJ' post='683742' date='Dec 14 2009, 10:16 AM']+1. Our drummer was always amazed that he could clearly hear the Compact when it was positioned almost evenly beside him. Tilting the cab up is also a good idea.[/quote] Bear in mind that not only is he sitting, which makes his ear level much lower. He's also probably not so bothered about hearing the detail, just the SPL, of which the Compact has in spades.

[quote name='sk8' post='682917' date='Dec 13 2009, 12:17 PM']or it could be that the compact is the problem and not for you?[/quote] Could be but unlikely. I would strongly advise following the advice above about pickup height. What I found useful initially with the Compact is to have it tilted back with a wedge under the front of the cab, which 'aims' the cab more toward your head. These days I raise the cab up off the floor entirely with a fold-away storage crate I take with me to every gig. I have absolutely no problem hearing what I play everywhere on whatever bass I use through this cab.

Howdy. Don't live in Essex but seem to spend most of my weekends there gigging. Welcome to basschat. We're generally friendly, except for the belligerent old fogeys! Of which I am one on occasion

Bought my Markbass 1x12 combo. All went very quickly and smoothly. Thanks for a great transaction.