The Musician's Thread

[Allick]

A place for musos to discuss instruments and theory and such.

I'm considering perhaps over the summer holidays buying a crappy $200 squier strat just to try modding it, changing tuners, pickups, knobs and switches, perhaps refinishing it. I've never attempted anything like this before, and was interested how long it would be ecpected to take. Also wondering if it'd even be worth it, or would the resulting guitar's sound be bad due to the bad quality wood (I think these kinds of squier strats have basswood). Also wondering how difficult a project like this would be to complete, as stated earlier i've never attempted anything like this.

[big_b]

weheeey! A new musicans thread.

*shameless plug*
Plz check out my band. We half way through recording our album with legendary producer Greg Haver (manic street preachers). Theres a sample of one of the tracks on our myspace www.myspace.com/albanydownofficial

Do check it out and let me know what you think! cheers =)

[punkgorilla]

I'm considering perhaps over the summer holidays buying a crappy $200 squier strat just to try modding it, changing tuners, pickups, knobs and switches, perhaps refinishing it.

A Squier Strat will never sound amazing, regardless of what you do to it. However, it will definitely sound better.

Modding a guitar isn't particularly difficult. A lot of it is fairly obvious or just using common sense. If you ever get stuck there are plenty of websites around that can explain things for you, plus lot's of forums and video tutorials.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I think, I have come to a stage in my life where the concept of making my own music is just not something I am interested in. These days it seems all I want to do is play videogame music on a classical guitar, hell I'm hardly even listening to music.

Just me or what?

[Lazlow]

I find myself playing guitar less and less. Possibly due to RIAA's crackdown on tabs making them harder to find.

[punkgorilla]

I thought all of that had already been dealt with? Ultimate Guitar (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/) has quite a healthy tab database regardless.

[big_b]

I think, I have come to a stage in my life where the concept of making my own music is just not something I am interested in. These days it seems all I want to do is play videogame music on a classical guitar, hell I'm hardly even listening to music.

Just me or what?

Id say thats just you.

[sausage]

weheeey! A new musicans thread.

*shameless plug*
Plz check out my band. We half way through recording our album with legendary producer Greg Haver (manic street preachers). Theres a sample of one of the tracks on our myspace www.myspace.com/albanydownofficial

Do check it out and let me know what you think! cheers =)


I think that's awesome big b - really. Which one are you in the band?

Sounds like you guys are nice and tight live too. :cool:

[big_b]

Im the bass player. cheers silly sausage.

[Pauly]

weheeey! A new musicans thread.

*shameless plug*
Plz check out my band. We half way through recording our album with legendary producer Greg Haver (manic street preachers). Theres a sample of one of the tracks on our myspace www.myspace.com/albanydownofficial

Do check it out and let me know what you think! cheers =)

"The Hottest UK Rock Band!"

it's pretty hard to take anyone seriously when they talk about themselves like this :p


edit: nice bass playing :cool:

[Blue]

Not really sure where to post this, but:

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs256.snc1/10330_1230042595091_1349881352_661800_7110268_n.jp g

Thoughts?

[Saxby]

Looks like you're wearing an orange jailbird jumpsuit.

[Lazlow]

and you really really need to get some sleep.

[AranchineD]

Like the design on the pillow, though.

[Lazlow]

I thought all of that had already been dealt with? Ultimate Guitar (http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/) has quite a healthy tab database regardless.

I used to use metaltabs, and they're still systematically seeking permission from each and every band. Found it curious that Darkthrone said no.

Haven't looked at mysongbook in years though.

EDIT:

Just check it out, same story. Tabs that don't have permission are blocked from downloading.

[big_b]

I download tabs from ultimate guitar for guitar pro all the time.

There are other ways of getting tabs that arnt so legal.

[Fenrir]

I find myself playing guitar less and less. Possibly due to RIAA's crackdown on tabs making them harder to find.
Bleh, train your ear - at least with the less esoteric stuff.

[sausage]

Not really sure where to post this, but:

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs256.snc1/10330_1230042595091_1349881352_661800_7110268_n.jp g

Thoughts?

Nice idea for a tattoo Blue. Seems to be pretty well done too.

Now all you need to do is hit the gym and work on those shoulders and guns.

[BB2K]

I got a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive pedal today. It's fairly awesome.

[Blue]

I got a Boss SD-1 Super Overdrive pedal today. It's fairly awesome.We have one. It's nice.

[Allick]

yeah i've got a boss blues driver which sounds soooo good. Kinda regretting not buying a big muff for around the same price in hindsight though:rolleyes:

[sausage]

Kinda regretting not buying a big muff for around the same price in hindsight though:rolleyes:


You should have dived into that one Allick...



eh eh eh...

[Blue]

I keep getting told to purchase one of these large muffs.

[Lazlow]

Bleh, train your ear - at least with the less esoteric stuff.

eh, cbf

[Fenrir]

Well if you can't tremolo along to an Amon Amarth song, you're pretty much a lost cause.

Also, tried 911tabs?

[.StaticA.]

www.tablibrary.com (http://www.hyper.com.au/forums/www.tablibrary.com)

The old Power Tab Archive has re-opened in a completely legal way. Royalties paid for with advertising and all that stuff.
Pretty much the best tabs you can get anywhere.

But still, train your ear or stop playing.

[Blue]

www.tablibrary.com (http://www.hyper.com.au/forums/www.tablibrary.com)

The old Power Tab Archive has re-opened in a completely legal way. Royalties paid for with advertising and all that stuff.
Pretty much the best tabs you can get anywhere.

But still, train your ear or stop playing.Such an arrogant, elitist attitude.

It can take years to learn to train one's ear to the extent that a song can be listened to and then replicated. For those without the natural affinity for music, or those who have not been playing for years, tabs are an invaluable resource. A friend of mine has been learning piano since he was very young, and can therefore pick up a guitar, listen to a track, and replicate it. Another friend of mine, while being a very good guitarist, needs to have a reference. He needs to read a tab, but he's the better guitarist.

Never tell anyone to stop playing. You don't have the right.

[Allick]

Also if you just play guitar recreationally (like myself) then there may never be the need to go beyond playing from tabs just to have fun. Sure i can pick up some songs from listening, but honestly I don't think that it is even that important, especially for a recreational player. I can barely read music, only know like five scales, and my knowledge of chords doesn't stray too far beyond majors, minors, bars, sevens, and power chords, but i still think that I'm an alright player. Not necissarily a good musician, but fairly good at playing guitar.

Basically your knowledge of music and theory and such is really not important if you enjoy playing your instrument. Even if you suck just play to yourself and you'll get better over time, and may accidentally pick up a musical ear, or get to know more theory. That's what happenned to me anyway.

[Blue]

I agree with you entirely. Also, there's an important distinction to be made here: you don't need to be an amazingly technically proficient guitarist to be a good musician or performer. Everybody is capable of playing music, not just elitist Malmsteen wannabes.

[Jobasa]

So who here plays jazz? I'm a jazz musician myself, play saxpohone and a little bit of piano. Kind of stuck with my playing at the moment, I'm getting much better at the stuff I already know, need to learn something new.

Also, @ .StaticA. - you seriously need to learn you don't have to have an amazing ear to play. A friend of mine has got to have the worst ear for music I have ever seen, but I still consider him one of the best jazz pianists I know.

[Blue]

So who here plays jazz? I'm a jazz musician myself, play saxpohone and a little bit of piano. Kind of stuck with my playing at the moment, I'm getting much better at the stuff I already know, need to learn something new.

Also, @ .StaticA. - you seriously need to learn you don't have to have an amazing ear to play. A friend of mine has got to have the worst ear for music I have ever seen, but I still consider him one of the best jazz pianists I know.I've been wanting to learn how to drum jazz for a few months now. I just love the pared-down kits and soft, lively beats. I might have to buy a brush, I think.

[.StaticA.]

Such an arrogant, elitist attitude.


Cheer up honey, I wasn't being completely serious. Perhaps I should have added a little ':p' after that. Sorry I offended you so strongly...

Everyone should play music, and no-one should not play because they don't plan on mastering music. FFS I teach little kids how to play guitar and I'd never tell ANY of them to stop.

Smart-arsery aside, I just mean it's a good skill to develop if you have time. To me, having an ear for music is just as important as knowing how to read notation/tablature. Reading and listening complement each other very well, and I think it's important to be able to rely on both.

[Blue]

If playing is the end result, then the method is irrelevant.

Maybe I'm just really punk, man.

[.StaticA.]

If you play enough music, and actually pay attention to what you're playing or listening to, you're pretty much training your ear anyway. After a while you'll hear melodies or phrases and know exactly what's going on, simply because you understand how to play something like that.
It all becomes subconscious, and that's why it's important. You'll hear people say that there's be a point where you no longer need to 'think' about what you're playing, and playing music (especially improvising) becomes pretty much as natural as speaking about something.

Everyone plays music for enjoyment, so do whatever you want with it. Personally I really enjoy having things come more and more naturally and I simply recommend putting some effort into developing that skill, even if it is just by paying more attention to what you're playing already.

[Xanafalgue]

I am learning guitar :)

[Fenrir]

It can take years to learn to train one's ear to the extent that a song can be listened to and then replicated. For those without the natural affinity for music, or those who have not been playing for years, tabs are an invaluable resource.
Hmm, I've only been playing for ~2 years, and I'd say I've developed an ear for most (EDIT: common) harmonies. There's a lot of harmonically obscure stuff like Opeth and Blind Guardian, and several more dissonant acts, that I have to work at, but I could probably replicate practically any Amon Amarth riff.

You definitely develop it by learning from sheet/tab notes, among other things, though; and I guess I blow more time strumming the axe than most people here spend gaming, so 2 years might be slightly quick.

only know like five scales
Which five? This is always kind-of ambiguous.

and my knowledge of chords doesn't stray too far beyond majors, minors, bars, sevens, and power chords
Bleh, chord knowledge is pretty overrated.
I mean, chordal harmony (ie what several notes played at the same time sound like) is vital; and sure, it's good to know how to play your basic majors and minors in 2 or 3 different ways - but the best chords are usually the ones thrown together ad-hoc. I always found the whole "and this is a C chord, and this if an F chord" crap you get with a lot of tutors, et al, deducted from understanding the underlying harmony.

So who here plays jazz?
I'm not even a jazz listener - I just hear bits and pieces of it every so often, and hear influences from it coming into a lot of metal bands I listen to, and think, "I wish I could get into that genre".
I'd probably find that only the more modern, dissonant and/or obscure brands of jazz would interest me, anyway - I've heard words like "fusion" and "freeform" and liked what went along with them, but otherwise I'm lost. >_>

Reading and listening complement each other very well, and I think it's important to be able to rely on both.
^This - even when I do manage to find tabs for something, they're usually shit.

Maybe I'm just really punk, man.
This is not a good thing. jks >_>

[.StaticA.]

I'm pretty much in the same boat as you concerning Jazz, Fenrir. It's something I need to get myself into a bit more. I really like Jazz (the less boppy, cheery stuff), I just don't know enough of it, and it's not one of those genres that you just hear around every day.

Not too sure I agree with you about chord knowledge. I don't think you need to exactly learn all the chords and stuff, but it's good to at least know how the different kinds of chords work and everything. That way when you do improvise chords and melodies (which I agree often results in awesomeness), you can look at what you've just played and say "alrighty, so I have this note, and that note, and there's this one too which means this is a Dmaj 7". With a better idea of what it is you're doing, it makes developing and refining those ideas a bit easier, and again it also helps develop your ear.

Of course I think it's definitely better to play first and think later. So rather than letting theory and knowledge drive your songwriting, you use it as a tool to understand, refine or add more flavour to what you're writing.

Yeah so if anyone can recommend some really good Jazz, let me know. :)

[sausage]

Yeah so if anyone can recommend some really good Jazz, let me know. :)

Mastodon.

[punkgorilla]

Not too sure I agree with you about chord knowledge. I don't think you need to exactly learn all the chords and stuff, but it's good to at least know how the different kinds of chords work and everything. That way when you do improvise chords and melodies (which I agree often results in awesomeness), you can look at what you've just played and say "alrighty, so I have this note, and that note, and there's this one too which means this is a Dmaj 7". With a better idea of what it is you're doing, it makes developing and refining those ideas a bit easier, and again it also helps develop your ear.


Yeah I agree. A bit of knowledge is also incredibly helpful when you play with other musicians. Once you start taking your music outside the bedroom, you might notice you need a way to communicate your ideas and what you're playing. Of course, this may not necessarily be the case depending on what the other musicians are like.

I always found the whole "and this is a C chord, and this if an F chord" crap you get with a lot of tutors, et al, deducted from understanding the underlying harmony.
People usually teach like that because when most people first pick up the guitar they don't give a shit about 'chord harmony'. They just want to play the thing.

[Cicada]

Yeah so if anyone can recommend some really good Jazz, let me know. :)

Here's a couple of albums that I think are real standouts, and aren't overtly esoteric.

Miles Davis, Kind of Blue - It's the highest selling jazz album of all time for a reason. If you can, get the recently released 50th anniversary edition so you can really listen to how these tracks evolved from such a skeletal, yet elegant framework.

Roberto Fonseca, Zamazu - A fantastic piano prodigy from Cuba, this album has lots of Middle Eastern and Latin folk influences. Seeing as you have the Opeth emblem as your avatar, I think you might like this albums opening tracks, as they sometimes remind me of Opeth's proggier stuff melodically.

Joshua Redman, Elastic - Some of this gets a bit cheery, but it's still awesome in pretty much every regard - solid, syncopated rhythm section, a good exploration of soundscapes, plus Redman's sax playing is the shit.

If you want some fusiony stuff, and don't mind hip-hop or funk, check out Buckshot Lefonque's Music Evolution, which has great grooves and some virtuosic solos, or if you're keen on no holds barred, 20 minutes+ tracks of creative and inspiring improv, listen to anything by Australian trio The Necks.

[big_b]

Jazz Oddessy - Spinal Tap

Surely thats the only jazz that counts? amirite?

[.StaticA.]

Just bought a Jackson SL3 Soloist (http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/products.php?group=Pro-Series&page=2&product=2914000854) of a mate. Extremely new (pretty sure it's less than a month old), perfect condition.
It's glossy black though, not that sexy transparent blue. An absolute dream to play. I need to get it set up a bit better, but man it's awesome.

And thanks for the jazz recommendations btw. I'm starting to check a few of them out.

[Jobasa]

Herbie Hancock is also pretty good to listen to. Don't know how to embed youtube but look up -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Fp_0oj5aQ
and a bit more of a funk style -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcjkA5ZAWQo

Also, check out "The Sidewinder", by Lee Morgan.

[Cicada]

Watermelon Man was the first or second song I performed in front of an actual quantity of people. It was certainly the first song I liked that I performed, so it holds a special place in my heart.

[Allick]

Does anyone know if/when the sonic youth jazzmasters are gonna be released in Aus?

[Afrogamer]

Just bought a Jackson SL3 Soloist (http://www.jacksonguitars.com/products/products.php?group=Pro-Series&page=2&product=2914000854) of a mate. Extremely new (pretty sure it's less than a month old), perfect condition.
It's glossy black though, not that sexy transparent blue. An absolute dream to play. I need to get it set up a bit better, but man it's awesome.


Bloody hell thas a sexy beast of a guitar :D

[Allick]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good, cheap bass? Right now i am seriously considering one of the Squier Classic Vibe basses as they have good reviews and look awesome. I've seen new ones on ebay for around $400 to $500 from stores and they retail for $900. Any other basses worth looking into? Also what would you reccomend out of a P-Bass or J-Bass keeping in mind that i am a guitarist interested in learning bass. Also the genres I'd be playing are Indie, punk, grunge, rock that kind of thing.

[Fenrir]

Roland TD-4. Probably getting one of these for $1000 (rrp $2500). The vids I've seen of it look alright. Considering I've never had a drumkit before and only had about two drum lessons when I was 8 it's probably a better place to start than I could usually hope for.
I might consider getting one of these if I decide to take up drumming - if only because I'll only ever take it up to get a theoretical understanding, and won't want traditional drums cluttering my already-limited space. I'll probably look for a good textbook or something, too.

[big_b]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a good, cheap bass? Right now i am seriously considering one of the Squier Classic Vibe basses as they have good reviews and look awesome. I've seen new ones on ebay for around $400 to $500 from stores and they retail for $900. Any other basses worth looking into? Also what would you reccomend out of a P-Bass or J-Bass keeping in mind that i am a guitarist interested in learning bass. Also the genres I'd be playing are Indie, punk, grunge, rock that kind of thing.

Ive always preferred p basses but Im in a similar position of looking to get a new bass and I am getting tempted by the old jazz models. If you can get a good Squire for a good price then definatly go for it. My Current bass is a Squire 5 string p bass and its served me very well. Looking to upgrade now though.

In other news, Im really excited. 2 months until my band heads back into a studio in the english country side to finish our debut album! =D

[Allick]

Ive always preferred p basses but Im in a similar position of looking to get a new bass and I am getting tempted by the old jazz models. If you can get a good Squire for a good price then definatly go for it. My Current bass is a Squire 5 string p bass and its served me very well. Looking to upgrade now though.

In other news, Im really excited. 2 months until my band heads back into a studio in the english country side to finish our debut album! =D

thanks i was probably gonna go for the classic vibe 60's P Bass. One of the main reasons I want a classic vibe is cos they have glossy necks unlike most squiers. Does anyone think I should try it out before buying online? I dont think it'd really help as i cant really play bass yet so wouldn't know what to look for.

[Pauly]

I'm (still) looking to buy my first good bass guitar. I've been playing with the idea of getting a Rickenbacker 4003 but it's just a tad too much money to get them into the country. I'm only really interested in those and Jazz basses. I've been looking for a while now but just can't seem to make up my mind. Wanna make sure I drop the cash on something I'm extremely happy with.

thanks i was probably gonna go for the classic vibe 60's P Bass. One of the main reasons I want a classic vibe is cos they have glossy necks unlike most squiers. Does anyone think I should try it out before buying online? I dont think it'd really help as i cant really play bass yet so wouldn't know what to look for.
You would look for the same sorta things as a guitar. Make sure there are no problems with it i.e. straight neck and no buzzing frets. If it's just a bass to learn on then it's not much of a problem and that bass should serve you well.

[Allick]

You would look for the same sorta things as a guitar. Make sure there are no problems with it i.e. straight neck and no buzzing frets. If it's just a bass to learn on then it's not much of a problem and that bass should serve you well.

I can't do that though if i buy it from ebay (which I would prefer cos its way cheaper than buying it from a store). Would you recomend me buying a cheaper bass from a store to know it doesn't have any problems or buy a better bass online for the same price or less, but risk it having problems?

[Pauly]

It's a hard decision, and one I'm facing myself. Except I'm looking to spend a couple of thousand dollars from an overseas seller :p

I would recommend asking the ebay seller any questions and checking to see if they have any return/warranty policies. A lot of problems can be fixed at a decent guitar shop but that's just more money to spend. If I was you and saw one for $300 or so I wouldn't hesitate, but that's just me.

[big_b]

If your going to buy online, if its close enough for you to collect you could always ask to try before you buy.

[Allick]

k thanks I believe the store has a seven day return policy. The store is in USA so I wont be able to try it. I'll probably wait a while to get some more money as the store has two left so I don't think they'll both get sold in that time. Once again thanks

[BB2K]

You can find a nice Yamaha bass for ~$500 at most good music stores.

[Pauly]

'Cept they don't look very cool :p

[sheeps]

Hello guys. I like music.

[Blue]

Hello guys. I play music.Fixed.

[sheeps]

That's so true that it hits a little too close to home.

[Blue]

Don't you do some acoustic dabbling from time to time, Richard?

[sheeps]

I do all sorts of things.

[big_b]

so I recently got myself this:

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e292/albanydown/DSCF2383.jpg

Its bloody awesome. =D

[BB2K]

That is pretty much my dream bass, except I want a blue finish.

[Blue]

Nice. The red looks fantastic.

[Allick]

is that an American Standard? I love the combination of CAR with the maple fretboard. Looks awesome

[Fenrir]

Nice. The red looks fantastic.
^This, but white pickguards always seem to detract from the aesthetic to me. I'd say a black one might work.

[Blue]

^This, but white pickguards always seem to detract from the aesthetic to me. I'd say a black one might work.I was thinking that, too. I've always disliked white pickguards. But in the case of this guitar, I think the white works better than black would. I'll always have my basses without a scratchplate though, if possible, and I do use a pick. I don't see the point of basses having a pickguard considering that even if you do use a pick, you won't be strumming.

[BB2K]

Very nice. Put me on the maple neck-loving bandwagon.

This.

[Blue]

Oh, another thing though, I'm not keen on maple necks, personally. I like an ebony fretboard. But the guitar does have a classic look to it, with the red, white and maple scheme.

[Pauly]

I also love maple fretboards. Is it a USA standard?

[big_b]

Yep its a USA standard. Made in California. =)

sounds amazing!!!

[Fenrir]

Has anyone ever keyed that into a score interpreter?

Also, has anyone heard of the "Arina" guitar brand? (that is not a typo, btw - I repeat, "Arina") Google's turning up nothing, and yet I have two of them under my roof, right now.

[Blue]

Ah, those would most-likely be unlicensed copies of 'Alina' guitars, Alina being a Japanese make quite popular in the late-eighties/early-nineties. Proper Alinas are quite a nice sounding guitar, but not quite up there with Daions.

[Saxby]

25VGdNU3nrU

[fishonthecarpet]

i'm playing this at the royal albert hall tonight.
http://media.***ung.net/images/3271/death%20waltz%202.jpg
the beatles quote is a typo (it was ringo, wasn't it?)
WHAT....the****

[Pauly]

Saxby: cool clip ay. Glad someone else here likes her :)

And after about a year of looking, I have finally bought myself a new bass. I bought a new '09 Rickenbacker 4003 in Jetglo. It should be here in a couple days. Pics to follow :D

[BB2K]

Awesome. How much was it?

[Blue]

NEED HELP, PLEASE.

Guys. I'm now the singer in a … Wait, scrap that, it's a bit generous. I'm now the vocalist in a fledgling outfit, and will be doing some light keyboard duties. I've only ever had one of these sort of things, a typical cheapo Casio keyboard:

http://profile.ultimate-guitar.com/profile_mojo_data/4/0/2/8/402854/pics/_c237262_image_0.JPG

But obviously I'm going to need, you know, something better. I want something more compact, obviously without ****ing speakers on it. I want a little synth that can do a bunch of different sounds, from emulating a piano, to really dirty, distorted, artificial shit. I just want to be able to twiddle a few knobs and **** around with the sound until I get something I like, and save some presets. I don't want to use my laptop with a MIDI controller, but I obviously know ****-all about keyboards or synths. I just want something I can jack into my amp, press keys on, and use to add some synth texture to a chord progression, or the occasional short melody on a bridge.

Oh, and I'm obviously looking for something fairly cheap.

Please help, because I've got no ****ing idea.

EDIT: I THINK I want something like a microKORG. Or, more specifically, the microKORG XL. It LOOKS, superficially, like what I want. I assume it is what I want. Is it?

[Spudzilla]

I started slowly writing music again for a bit of fun. The one I'm piecing together at the moment sounds a bit like a King Crimson song.

[Saxby]

Saxby: cool clip ay. Glad someone else here likes her :)



Indeed. Imogen Heap is a legend. I only just realised when watching one of her clips the other day that Frou Frou is her band...

[Pauly]

Awesome. How much was it?
About 2600ish. Worth a lot more though. Just got here and it's freaking sweet. Pics to follow.

Indeed. Imogen Heap is a legend. I only just realised when watching one of her clips the other day that Frou Frou is her band...
Haha yeah. She's a bit of a weapon.

[Jobasa]

I've started trying to learn Altissimo and Multiphonics on my sax. For those who don't know altissimo is a way of playing by using harmonics which lets you play waaaay higher notes. Multiphonics is similar, and you can do it in the altissimo range, but is where you use harmonics to play 2 notes at once. Not easy >_< Still fun though.

[Pauly]

Couple quick photos I took of my new 4003.

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/7540/rick1u.jpg

http://img40.imageshack.us/img40/2036/rick2v.jpg

[Satanarchist]

Sweet jesus, I am in envy of you Pauly.

[BB2K]

What he said.

[Pauly]

haha thanks guys. It looks so much better in person and sounds great. I'm very happy with it :)

[fishonthecarpet]

NEED HELP, PLEASE.

Guys. I'm now the singer in a … Wait, scrap that, it's a bit generous. I'm now the vocalist in a fledgling outfit, and will be doing some light keyboard duties. I've only ever had one of these sort of things, a typical cheapo Casio keyboard:

http://profile.ultimate-guitar.com/profile_mojo_data/4/0/2/8/402854/pics/_c237262_image_0.JPG

But obviously I'm going to need, you know, something better. I want something more compact, obviously without ****ing speakers on it. I want a little synth that can do a bunch of different sounds, from emulating a piano, to really dirty, distorted, artificial shit. I just want to be able to twiddle a few knobs and **** around with the sound until I get something I like, and save some presets. I don't want to use my laptop with a MIDI controller, but I obviously know ****-all about keyboards or synths. I just want something I can jack into my amp, press keys on, and use to add some synth texture to a chord progression, or the occasional short melody on a bridge.

Oh, and I'm obviously looking for something fairly cheap.

Please help, because I've got no ****ing idea.

EDIT: I THINK I want something like a microKORG. Or, more specifically, the microKORG XL. It LOOKS, superficially, like what I want. I assume it is what I want. Is it?

Microkorg WON'T do you piano. It's all synth. A great little synth for a good price, but no piano.

At lower price points you'll have a hard time trying to get a decent piano + synth in one. Look at some cheap Yamahas, possibly Rolands aswell.

[fishonthecarpet]

I have a Nord Stage, I'd recommend that :D Did cost me 4.5k though :D

[Jobasa]

I've been trying to learn alto sax...I ntried doing a altissimo note once and I managed some kind of screechy sound. I gotta say I don't envy the experience of learning this that you'll go through. I'm not looking forward to it myself. Sax is up there in terms of all-time instrument difficulty. How long have you been playing? I read that John Coltrane had been playing for years and years before he discovered multiphonics.:p

I've been playing for about 6 years now. Altissimo is pretty fun to learn imo, but it's very, VERY hard to make notes sound like anything other than a squeal. They are actual notes I'm playing, just the tone on them is terrible. I can play one multiphonic at the moment, high F# and I think A, but that also sounds like arse.

[fishonthecarpet]

Tried doing some recordings through the line in jack on my PC out of my Nord stage.
They went very well!

Piano (http://clip2net.com/page/m23903/1793029)
Synthy (http://clip2net.com/page/m23903/1793012)

[Spudzilla]

Those are pretty nice.

Still messing around and having fun with music. I threw in some 80's synth for the hell of it.

[Allick]

Sooooo I've heard only good things about G&L guitars, but does anyone know how good/bad the G&L Tributes are (the asian made equivelents). Like how do they compare to similar priced Mexican Fenders?

[big_b]

just thought Id drop by with a couple of videos of my band. Feel free to let me know what you think.

uYJEotNRa88
This one was a little ropey as we were kinda winging it.


EyFIJvm6GsE
this one was alot better.

If you want to hear our originals then just check out our youtube profile or our myspace where we have a recording up. myspace.com/albanydownofficial

cheers! =)

[Blue]

Good shit, dude.

What do you play again? Guitar or bass?

[BB2K]

Big bruiser in a pork pie hat?

Anyway, that was pretty awesome. Hope to be hearing more from Albany Down.

[big_b]

haha thats it, bruiser in the pork pie hat. I did have the hat with me at that gig but after I took off the warewolf mask I forgot about it. ah well.

[casual_pedestrian]

good stuff big b

Does anyone know how one would obtain a rickenbacker 330/360 guitar in oz?

Are they distributed here much? I'm in Brisbane and would probably go for brand new if possible. Second hand would be an option too but I'm not too familiar with many vintage/rare guitar shops around town. Any help would be appreciated.

[sheeps]

I need suggestions for an affordable midi keyboard. Preferably 49 keys but may consider 25 if the extras are worth it.

[fishonthecarpet]

Woohoo, I'm officially on iTunes! :D (http://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/my-mad-flow/id339652234)

Alternatively, it's on CDBaby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/MyMadFlow) or physical cd can be bought instore or online from 78 Records. (http://www.78records.com.au/local_release/1529/my+mad+flow-we+can%5Bapo%5Dt+always+pretend+we%5Bapo%5Dre+inno cent/) Wooh!

p.s. I'm the keyboardist.

[Lex]

EyFIJvm6GsE


Woah, that was raucous dude! good stuff.

[big_b]

Thanks guys! was really fun doing them covers!

Only got two more weeks until were back in the recording studio to do the rest our album. Recording 8 songs in this session. Should have an album out on itunes and that at somepoint in the new year! =)

[Lemontime]

So.

I got bored with some notation software last night.

heavy metal...

[Lemontime]

Classic metal?

[Fenrir]

Hyperdrone-doom, easy.

[Allick]

Classicore

[fishonthecarpet]

I want to hear it!

[Patdog]

good stuff big b

Does anyone know how one would obtain a rickenbacker 330/360 guitar in oz?

Are they distributed here much? I'm in Brisbane and would probably go for brand new if possible. Second hand would be an option too but I'm not too familiar with many vintage/rare guitar shops around town. Any help would be appreciated.

Try http://www.guitar.com.au/guitars/electric/rickenbacker/index.htm
which is at the Gold Coast if you don't mind the drive.

Also if you don't mind using eBay you can find some second handers for cheaper like so http://tinyurl.com/ycelkhn.
Just make sure the necks are okay.

I'm no expert on the subject, but I think Rickenbacker have a fair waiting list for new guitars because of the demand/supply. Naturally they are even more expensive in oz.

[Allick]

Well I went to Billy Hyde today with my friend and I got an EHX Big Muff. It's quite awesome. Also my friend bourght a 120 watt amp and we had to carry it to the train station which was quite painful.

[sheeps]

Russian or American? (Black/Green box or Silver?)

[Allick]

American

[sheeps]

Cool. I got a friend who made me a pedal with two different fuzzes in it, one of them heavily based on a big muff he tells me but I haven't had a chance to compare. Always been tempted to pick one up, love the EHX pedals.

[.StaticA.]

My band Tyrian Dawn played first round of Last Band Standing on Friday night at Daisey's in Ringwood (Melbourne).

We came first! Got some awesome feedback from the organisers and won some money. Off to round 2 on Dec 4.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I'm looking for something that will get me descent sound when I plug my guitar into a laptop so I can do a bit of recording, does anyone have any recommendations?

I was thinking of grabbing this because somewhere in town sells it.
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/08/cakewalk-ua-1g-usb-audio-interface-review/

But I can't find any sort of reviews on it except for the link above, which sounds a little bit too much like it's fueled by money-hats.

I don't want to spend too much, preferably under $200. Any links to places where I could buy the things on the internet would also be appreciated.

[Allick]

My friend's got a stealth plug (http://www.ikmultimedia.com/stealthplug/features/) which plugs straight from guitar to PC, no box type things. He seems to like it and makes some decent recordings with it. I'm not sure on the price, but I'm pretty sure it retails for less than $200.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Ended up getting a Yamaha Audiogram 3. First impressions; I'm in love. From the very brief screwing around I did my guitar sounds great through this, a lot better than I had expected, my headphones sound a lot better also just for listening to music. Very impressed, but still trying to figure out how to use Cubase.

[sheeps]

My friend's got a stealth plug (http://www.ikmultimedia.com/stealthplug/features/) which plugs straight from guitar to PC, no box type things. He seems to like it and makes some decent recordings with it. I'm not sure on the price, but I'm pretty sure it retails for less than $200.

At 200 you'd be better off picking up a Fast Track Pro off of ebay because then you have a handy external soundcard too to run some monitors off.

[.StaticA.]

My band Tyrian Dawn played the second round of Last Band Standing. Got through to the grand final on 18th Dec.
Pretty excited!

On a more shit note, during the gig on Friday a string snapped on my Jackson right before a guitar solo. But of course I switched over to my Gibson quickly and got back on my feet.
Then last night I was playing a gig and a string on my Gibson snapped! AAAHHH!!!

Also, I'm not sure how the Stealth Plugs go, but I use a Line6 TonePort, which is now called Pod Studio. The lowest model is pretty straightforward. Tiny little unit you just plug your guitar into it and connect it via USB. The good thing about it is that it comes with PodFarm (amp modelling software like Amplitube) which has some great sounds on it, including an online database of user-created tones, and there's pretty much no latency.

[Serenity]

First post in this thread. I've been really singing for about 6 years, I was trained for a year before my teacher up and left town. I've tried other teachers but they didn't teach me anything I didn't know, I'm a diaphragm breather and really, that's all I need for the moment. I've been trying to extend my range. Every time I'm at a piano (nearly never) I can only manage 3 octaves but that's without warmup. I know I can do better than that, I accidentally stumbled on my whistle register the other week so I'm trying to train it so it sounds less like screeches.

[Cobla]

On a more shit note, during the gig on Friday a string snapped on my Jackson right before a guitar solo. But of course I switched over to my Gibson quickly and got back on my feet.
Then last night I was playing a gig and a string on my Gibson snapped! AAAHHH!!!I almost never break a string at rehearsal, but on stage? It happens way too much! Something to do with playing them harder or something. It's entirely subconscious of course, but over the years I've gradually moved to thicker strings and it does happen less. Plus thicker strings sound better and are less inclined to go out of pitch if you're rough with the fretboard like I am. ;)

Also Serenity, 3 octaves is heaps, most people only have 2! I'm a bass (that's right, the one below baritone... right down to E2) and can get 2.5 octaves with falsetto. To be honest I don't so much care about extending my range so much as getting to its extremes a little more comfortably.

Like anything above G4 or below G2 I find tough unless I warm up to it, and because most male singers are tenors I usually have to sing covers down an octave. If I could only get down to E2 more reliably this would be soooo much easier! Maybe I need lessons, I dunno, but one thing's for sure... it will be hard to break my 20+ years of doing it wrong! ;)

[Serenity]

Also Serenity, 3 octaves is heaps, most people only have 2! I'm a bass (that's right, the one below baritone... right down to E2) and can get 2.5 octaves with falsetto. To be honest I don't so much care about extending my range so much as getting to its extremes a little more comfortably.

Like anything above G4 or below G2 I find tough unless I warm up to it, and because most male singers are tenors I usually have to sing covers down an octave. If I could only get down to E2 more reliably this would be soooo much easier! Maybe I need lessons, I dunno, but one thing's for sure... it will be hard to break my 20+ years of doing it wrong! ;)

I don't know the exact notes I can do, but I start at middle C, work my way down and try to go back up. Yeah, I think the average is something like 2 and a half. I'm surprised I remember what I've been taught because my lessons are from when I was 13.

But yeah, I'm easily a soprano even though I have a naturally low speaking voice. I should probably try and record something and put it up here.

[Cobla]

Yeah I should get around to recording something too. I've got like 20 unrecorded songs just floating around my head. Stupid work means I'm either too busy or too dog-tired to be bothered mostly, which is pretty slack of me really. It's just so easy to collapse into the couch at the end of the day! ;)

Maybe I just need to find a new job...

[Serenity]

Whenever I try to make up something it sounds all stilted to my ears, it just doesn't flow.

[Cobla]

Yeah I know what you mean. To get around that problem I usually make up melodies by first getting a bunch of chords and then just singing random stuff over them. The rhythm of the melody will then be more natural, and you can even find tunes you might never have come across if you were just playing them with your right hand.

Oh I should mention that this technique works best when there's no one else home! ;)

[Serenity]

I only sing when there's nobody else around! :p

[sheeps]

I'm playing solo opening for a friends bands residency at the Evelyn on the 22nd. I promise to be interesting if not good.

[.StaticA.]

Just played a gig last night at the Ferntree Gully Hotel. We were supporting my mate's band The Grand Arcanum.
Sounds of Sirus, Samurai With No Sword and Mama's Rejects also played.

Anyway was an alright night. Biggest gig we've played. Security got real shit and cops blitzed the joint for NO REASON and kicked anyone out who looked drunk - including many who weren't actually drunk.

[Fenrir]

Anyone else stumbled upon this (http://www.guitarrising.com/) before? Apparently there hasn't been a lot of info on it going around lately, but I've been waiting for something like this for a while now, so ****ing finally.

[big_b]

My band finished up in the studio yesterday. All the tracks on our debut album are now done. Just got to figure out the album cover and how were going to sell it. The easy part right?

Was an amazing experiance though. couple of photos from the studio...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e292/albanydown/DSCF2388.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e292/albanydown/DSCF2419.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e292/albanydown/DSC_0210.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e292/albanydown/DSC_0270.jpg
http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e292/albanydown/DSCF2064.jpg

[.StaticA.]

My band Tyrian Dawn WON the grand final for Last Band Standing on Friday night!!!!
We had quite a huge crowd, managed to get about 145 people there, and it went off!
Happy as!

[big_b]

congrads dude! nice stuff!

[DenMcShitBurger]

well done mate... 145 aint huge though ;)

[DenMcShitBurger]

some of my recent studio pics

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/denn0/DSC00214.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/denn0/DSC00500.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/denn0/DSC00241.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/denn0/DSC00498.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v698/denn0/DSC00244.jpg

built my vocal booth a couple of weeks back too, dont have a pic of it as yet though.

[sheeps]

Is that an Edirol usb audio interface?

[sheeps]

I'm playing solo opening for a friends bands residency at the Evelyn on the 22nd. I promise to be interesting if not good.

I didn't mention that the gig was cancelled because the toilets were overflowing or some shit. First cancelled gig ever.

[DenMcShitBurger]

indeed it is an edirol usb

[Allick]

so when it comes to drum kits how much should a total drums noob pay for a kit, is it worth buying a decent all round kit, or getting a fairly low cost kit then eventually getting better cymbals and stuff?

[drzaius]

Woohoo, I'm officially on iTunes! :D (http://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/my-mad-flow/id339652234)

Alternatively, it's on CDBaby (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/MyMadFlow) or physical cd can be bought instore or online from 78 Records. (http://www.78records.com.au/local_release/1529/my+mad+flow-we+can%5Bapo%5Dt+always+pretend+we%5Bapo%5Dre+inno cent/) Wooh!

p.s. I'm the keyboardist.

just out of interest, how did you end up getting it on itunes?

[fishonthecarpet]

Our singer arranged it but it's a fairly easy process by all reports - just can take a few weeks for them to sort you out. Check out the itunes website and you should be able to find some info.

[punkgorilla]

so when it comes to drum kits how much should a total drums noob pay for a kit, is it worth buying a decent all round kit, or getting a fairly low cost kit then eventually getting better cymbals and stuff?

Depends on how much money you've got and how committed you are to it.

As a general rule I'd recommend buying a bare bones, basic kit, then upgrading as you work out exactly what you need/want.

[Allick]

Right now it'd probably be a toss up between these three as they are the cheapest full size kits that come with cymbals:
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=ASTPF522
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=MX90-DK-Q5244
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=YAGIGMAKER
From my experiance I don't really like Ashton products, and the Yamaha is pretty pricey, but comes with upgraded cymbals.

[Gnomey_g]

My band now has a myspace, only one song up mind you. It's just one of our rough recordings that we were using to learn the songs, we're re-recording all 6-7 tracks for our first demo at. Check it http://www.myspace.com/yearsofpestilence

[sheeps]

Right now it'd probably be a toss up between these three as they are the cheapest full size kits that come with cymbals:
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=ASTPF522
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=MX90-DK-Q5244
http://www.onlinemusicstore.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=YAGIGMAKER
From my experiance I don't really like Ashton products, and the Yamaha is pretty pricey, but comes with upgraded cymbals.


I had an Ashton kit for my first kit and it was a piece of shit. I upgraded to a Yamaha Stage Custom, I've never heard of "Gigmaker", must be a new range. Yamahas are generally well made though. They don't always have the latest bells and whistles but they're solid kits with a sound of their own.

I haven't really been in the game of purchasing drum stuff in a long while but Sonor were always a good bet. Their cheaper sets were still pretty good. I'd look out for second hand kits too, you can probably pick up a great kit on the cheap.

Also bundled cymbals are usually shit anyway. Paiste is a known brand but that doesn't mean they'll be good Paistes (and I never really found a Paiste cymbal I liked anyway but that's just personal taste, some people swear by them).

[sheeps]

For instance:
http://www.drumpower.com.au/store/sonor-force-507-fusion-drum-kit-cymbals-available-in-wine-red-black-new-brushed-blue.html

Comes with double braced hardware which you'll probably use for the rest of your life. Sonor make some nice shells and while the hardware is mounted right on the drum it really doesn't have THAT much of an effect, especially when you're just starting out and learning how to get the nicest sounds out of your kit.

Even better:
http://www.drumpower.com.au/store/sonor-force-507-fusion-drum-kit-ufip-m8-14-hi-hat-16-crash-cym_pack.html
Comes with Ufip cymbals which I adore. I haven't tried the M8 Series and they're probably pretty cheap but UFiP generally make great cymbals.

[BB2K]

I had an Ashton kit for my first kit and it was a piece of shit.

Uhh, yeah, this. My mate has an Ashton kit, and it's a big piece of shit. It has just about the worst hi-hat you've ever seen.

[Beinkasaurus Rex]

Do we have any singers here? Is it possible to teach yourself how to (properly) sing? If so, any resources you could show me? :~)

[Blue]

My band now has a myspace, only one song up mind you. It's just one of our rough recordings that we were using to learn the songs, we're re-recording all 6-7 tracks for our first demo at. Check it http://www.myspace.com/yearsofpestilenceHaha, that's pretty funny!

[sheeps]

http://richardhunt.tumblr.com/post/337299231/look-at-me-im-aoki-takamasa-story-my

[Allick]

I'm trying to teach myself keyboard and eventually get a synth. What kind of exercises should I be practicing? Also how difficult is synth to play? are there any sites or books that could be recomended to help learn all the components of playing synth?

[Lazlow]

My band now has a myspace, only one song up mind you. It's just one of our rough recordings that we were using to learn the songs, we're re-recording all 6-7 tracks for our first demo at. Check it http://www.myspace.com/yearsofpestilence

Buy a metronome. :p

Or maybe it was the recording, dunno, sounded out of time.

[JimmyKane]

Yeah the guitars and drums sounded out of time to me too. mainly at the start.

Every time I hear an edit I cringe and remind myself it's just a rough demo.

Think it will end up sounding a'ight.

[big_b]

Ok so my bands website has had a bit of a update. At the moment were streaming a sample of one of our songs on there so please check it out and let me know what you think. Its called 'the morning after' and its basically a song about drinking.

www.albanydown.com

also, join the mailing list for updates on when the album will be released. =)

[.StaticA.]

Not bad big_b. The mix is pretty damn good. Who did it?

I was wondering if anyone knew of a good place to get band shirts printed up.
At the moment, we're getting ours from Red Bubble, who are based in Melbourne. Their shirts are made to order one at a time, so we don't have to risk buying in bulk and trying to sell them all. The problem is, it's more expensive (costs us $25 per shirt), and we've already sold nearly 50 shirts. So now we're really keen on ordering like 100 made up. I've had a look around and a few different places can print them at less than $8 per shirt, so selling them for $15-20 would be perfect.

So yeah if anyone has any suggestions about which company to go for that'd be sweet.

[big_b]

It was produced by Greg haver (he did one of the manic street preachers albums) and mixed and engineered by a guy called clint murphy who's from new Zealand and worked on the opshop albums over there.

[Gnomey_g]

New songs up + we need a new bassist if any Perth based metal bassists are reading this >_>

http://www.myspace.com/yearsofpestilence

[Allick]

I ended up getting my friends old drum kit for free. It's in pretty bad condition, but it seems ok for a practice kit.

[DenMcShitBurger]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccxeRuBGE8c

Denbryonic Productions Presents: Da Vinyl Intervention

An album of soulful guitars and scratch driven ambient trip hop. Mixed together as one flowing, organic piece of instrumentation. Featuring Aria nominated and award winning artists from the Australian hip hop scene.

Coming 2010, but heres a sneak peak (minus vocals)

[big_b]

My Band, Albany Down, covering Im Leaving You Woman.

qkk7QtU7o6Q

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Anyone use fruity loops? Thinking about picking up the producer edition for $200 but I'd like to hear peoples criticisms first.

[big_b]

Full version of my bands first single is on our myspace (was just a sample before).

Called 'The Morning After'. All about drinking. Check it out and let me know what you think =)

www.myspace.com/albanydownofficial

[Pauly]

what synth are you using? i played with a korg r3 the other day... want!

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Can anyone recommend a descent midi controller for under $250?

[sheeps]

I'm playing a gig Saturday, 5:30 at IDGAFF on Hoddle St, in Abbotsford. Cool beans.

[Lazlow]

Anyone use fruity loops? Thinking about picking up the producer edition for $200 but I'd like to hear peoples criticisms first.

If anything, try the demo. I used FL Studio 5 a little while ago and found it overwelming. That said I was flying assisted, so I guess tutorials and manuals will help.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

If anything, try the demo. I used FL Studio 5 a little while ago and found it overwelming. That said I was flying assisted, so I guess tutorials and manuals will help.

I've downloaded the trial and given it a run, but the more I read about this stuff the more my mind changes about what I want. Currently on the verge of picking up Ableton Live and an Akai mpk49.

[Fenrir]

Hmm, I need a site for practice guitar riffs and such, arranged in some sort of incremental order of difficulty. Practically any style will do. Anyone know of such a site?

[Rambo]

I tried to play Stop! by Jane's Addiction on drums. Only been playing for a couple of months, learnt how to play from guitar hero and rock band. :D

3i7byPybIVM

[big_b]

No one checked out my bands single ='(

[Patdog]

Hmm, I need a site for practice guitar riffs and such, arranged in some sort of incremental order of difficulty. Practically any style will do. Anyone know of such a site?

Try this http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/advanced_search.html

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

No one checked out my bands single ='(

Well no offense but I feel the kind people of the internet have hit a stage where someone posting a link to their song will be about as popular as aids. We have been burned too many times listening to the crappy songs people post to even bother clicking the links anymore.

Honestly I'm rarely (probably never) going to check out a forumers bands myspace unless they are opening for Daft Punk.

On an unrelated matter, isn't anything doing bands better than myspace yet? People have moved on and are using facebook and twitter, myspace still has the whole 13 yr old girl stigma about it.

[DenMcShitBurger]

Honestly I'm rarely (probably never) going to check out a forumers bands myspace unless they are opening for Daft Punk.


Never know what a forumer is capable of mate. I've opened for the likes of Ice Cube, Method Man, Redman, De La Soul, Westside Connection, Paris, Percee P etc etc etc. Shit I even played at the veronica's birthday party.

does this mean you checked my link?

here it is again in case you missed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccxeRuBGE8c

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Never know what a forumer is capable of mate. I've opened for the likes of Ice Cube, Method Man, Redman, De La Soul, Westside Connection, Paris, Percee P etc etc etc. Shit I even played at the veronica's birthday party.

does this mean you checked my link?

here it is again in case you missed it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ccxeRuBGE8c

I don't know..... opened for any good musicians?

I kid. But you did kind of prove my point, no chance I would have clicked your link if you didn't bring up those musicians

I'm thinking of picking up Ableton Live, do you recommend it? You seem like the guy to ask, also if you could point me in the direction of an Australian musician type forum, I'd like to have a bit of a lurk.

[DenMcShitBurger]

abelton is awesome and you can get an incredible akai midi controller for it. search for the Australian DJ forums, thats got some stuff up there and have a look through inthemix.com as well. might have an au at the end, not too sure. I dont really suss the forums myself. do most of my research on youtube

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

That's good news, I ordered an Akai MPK61 earlier today and plan on getting myself a copy of Ableton when it arrives. Thanks for the help.

[Rambo]

Fair enough no one checks bands, but not even covers?

I'm a musician seeking guidance! I need the feedback!

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I guess, if someone has the youtube vid in the actual post I'm a lot more likely to click on it and let it play till I'm done in the thread. I don't know are you guys clicking on every link that every posts to their music or am I alone here?

[Rambo]

No one checked out my bands single ='(

Just checked your main song (the morning after?)

The riff is a little simple. Sounds tight, love the tom play. But the lyrics are ****ing stupid. The singer sounds great, love his voice and the break.

Try for something different. Don't go for staggered beats per se, try playing something riff related over a chord pattern. Too standard.

Either way, the song sounds real tight, but too samey to be of any interest. The quality is good though.

Have a look at The Novacaines, a Perth upcoming band that supported Them Crooked Vultures.

Nothing wrong about your band, I love every instrument it's just it's nothing over the rest of the bands trying to take their place in the world's music.

And lastly, I'm drunk. Don't listen to me hey.

[DenMcShitBurger]

I guess, if someone has the youtube vid in the actual post I'm a lot more likely to click on it and let it play till I'm done in the thread. I don't know are you guys clicking on every link that every posts to their music or am I alone here?

Well you see, it's a thread about musicians. Musicians are best experienced with audio.

I click links, but I also know when it's appropriate to keep my opinions to myself.

[big_b]

Just checked your main song (the morning after?)

The riff is a little simple. Sounds tight, love the tom play. But the lyrics are ****ing stupid. The singer sounds great, love his voice and the break.

Try for something different. Don't go for staggered beats per se, try playing something riff related over a chord pattern. Too standard.

Either way, the song sounds real tight, but too samey to be of any interest. The quality is good though.

Have a look at The Novacaines, a Perth upcoming band that supported Them Crooked Vultures.

Nothing wrong about your band, I love every instrument it's just it's nothing over the rest of the bands trying to take their place in the world's music.

And lastly, I'm drunk. Don't listen to me hey.

Well were hardly going to go and change the song. Thats what was written and recorded for our album to the tune of £30+ grand.

Obviously not expecting it to be everyones cup of tea. Its just a little rock song that we figured was the most radio friendly (based on being a fan favourite) for a single release.

thanks for the constructive feedback though! =)

[sheeps]

lolol.

[Saxby]

Wait... 30 grand?

[sheeps]

Pounds too!

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I would have recorded it for you for a couple of cheeseburgers.

[big_b]

obviously not one song. hardy ha ha.

that was the budget for the entire album. 13 songs. We wanted the best. So we got the best (that we could afford).

I would have recorded it for you for a couple of cheeseburgers.

And it probably would have sounded like them too.

[Rambo]

So you spent 30 000 pounds yet Myspace is the best internet based outlet you could do?

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Don't people set up decent home studios for that price?

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Drum machines are the way of the future.

[big_b]

So you spent 30 000 pounds yet Myspace is the best internet based outlet you could do?

Were actually in the process of sorting out how and when were going to release the whole album. Should be some time in June. But we need to get all the artwork, marketing, promotion and tour in place.

One step at a time.

Guys, blues rock requires the very best production.

Just look at The White Stripes.

Why do something half assed if your able to use the best resources you can afford?

if anyone is interested we recorded here:

http://www.modernworldstudios.com/#about

[sheeps]

Thirty thousand pounds? Surely you're exaggerating.

[Rambo]

I could buy a band to make that AND record them.

And send me a buzz when the album comes out. Get your band to sign it and I'll pay another $10 on top. :D

What? It's still good music.

[Rambo]

Oh and Jimmy? Setting up a drum kit isn't that daunting.

If you've got a drum key, you should be able to do it all yourself. Even the tuning is easy, just look at a quick tutorial online.

My kit just bought the crash for, had a ride to begin with. I'm going to get a second crash but I don't know what to get. Any suggestions?

[JimmyKane]

Yeah I ended up setting most of it up last night. Just have the floor tom left. I'm totally gonna do one-man-band yt videos now.

[DenMcShitBurger]

50,000 dollars to record something without a label's backing is retarded. are you expecting to make this money back on the release?

[sheeps]

I still don't see how they could've spent 30,000 pounds. Surely he's exaggerating.. by like.. 25,000

[big_b]

meh, im not exaggerating.

Its not our own money that was spent anyways. We might not have the backing of a label but we have backing from a Investor.

And actually when someone is paying for a world class producer and world class studio thats how much it costs.

The album should be out just before the summer time here in the UK. Were just sorting out the Cover art, marketing and all that jazz.

might have been a mistake saying how much was spent. I can see its making me look a bit like a dick. But meh, im really ****ing proud of what we have worked on and achived in the studio.

[Pauly]

I think you can definitely justify spending that much money if you actually have the fan base, which I'm not sure if you do or don't as I don't know anything about your band. But good luck to you on your album release and hope the tour following is successful!

[.StaticA.]

Bleak by Opeth? Firstly, that tab's wrong. Secondly, it's actually not that hard.

If you want to learn from good tabs, download PowerTab, sign up at tablibrary.com, and get them from there.
Or you could just learn by ear.

[Fenrir]

Yeah, I tried making sense of that just looking at it - seems broken to me.

[JimmyKane]

I...kinda already learned it that way. http://uyac.com.au/forum/images/smilies/1.jpg

It sounded fine to me. But that said, I'm not most dedicated Opeth listener. Will check out other tabs and have a good listen later, probably. I'm gonna learn this ****er!

[.StaticA.]

There's a bunch of slides and otger stuff in there and some notes are on the wrong string. Also the timing's pretty out.

[Allick]

Today I bought a Fender Super Champ XD ($699rrp) and the footswitch that goes with it ($70rrp) for $599 total, not to shabby. Also the amp pwns.

[castr8or]

Why do something half assed if your able to use the best resources you can afford?

if anyone is interested we recorded here:

http://www.modernworldstudios.com/#about

because its a waste of money?

Its 30,000 pounds you have to make back.

Put it this way, you are going to be making most of your money from live shows at this stage, you aren't a famous band. You'd be better off spending a couple of grand on the recording (and I don't care what you say, you will get something sounding pretty much the same) and using the 28,000 to tour around and actually get fans...

[big_b]

because its a waste of money?

Its 30,000 pounds you have to make back.
And whos is to say we wont?

[sheeps]

Who wants to start taking bets?

[Patdog]

They should have recorded it in a dilapidated building on an 8 track reel to reel recorder. Lo-fi is totally in.

[Lex]

And whos is to say we wont?

the completely generic and boring music your band plays tells me you probably won't.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

A band that is releasing their first album should feel privileged if someone goes to the hassle of downloading it for free.

[Patdog]

Anyone got a leek yet? :D

[Allick]

I heard big b does

[castr8or]

And whos is to say we wont?

i'll happily lick your balls if you do, but given the likelihood of success in the music industry, and the fact that you guys play pretty generic funk fused rock, while your stage presence is that of a high school band comprised of music nerds, I suspect the odds of you making back anywhere near that figure are low indeed.

Simply put, there are million bands out there that play your music better than you do, and none of them are stupid enough to blow 30,000 pounds on their first album, especially when you don't have a major label backing you.

[^gR]

im a total tard and just made a thread about guitars ..then i saw this one

so i'll just post what I said here and if it doesnt make sense..then just nep

Hey all. So in the past few days I've just picked up a Fender acoustic steel string geetar :)

Been teaching myself the basics via this DIY book I was given, and so far it's been hell fun.

Who else plays? Got any cool tabs or propergood websites that makes it easy to learn popular songs?

http://www.normansrareguitars.com/images/P/SquierAcousticPak.jpg

Thats the exact guitar there..picked it up reduced from something like $230 to $150. Been having so much fun playing it that I thought i'd post and see who else owns one and how long theyve been playing for..

[sheeps]

Snap.

[BB2K]

I have to learn Rammstein's Engel in class. It's pretty easy, but it requires using a pick and alternate strumming semiquavers AND I CAN'T ****ING USE A PICK

[JimmyKane]

Oh shit BB2K is Maxi.

[Allick]

Guitars that come in those boxes are generally pretty crappy >.>

Hey, Washburn D10's come in those boxes and they pwn hard

[Spudzilla]

because its a waste of money?

Its 30,000 pounds you have to make back.

Put it this way, you are going to be making most of your money from live shows at this stage, you aren't a famous band. You'd be better off spending a couple of grand on the recording (and I don't care what you say, you will get something sounding pretty much the same) and using the 28,000 to tour around and actually get fans...

One of the first things I learned in my music class is that there is no point in putting out an LP that costs, say, 30,000 pounds of your own money so you can get noticed by a record label. The reason is because the record company will want you to record another version of that same music so that they own that particular recording and can make money off it. They can't make money off a recording that they don't own.

So pretty much all you should do is just throw forward a few grand at most, get it recorded and start distributing it and hopefully some bigwig will pick it up.

Also it looks like I've been completely shafted to drums now.

[sheeps]

Umm. Surely they could just buy the rights to the music... Doesn't really matter who originally paid to have it recorded.

[Spudzilla]

In a typical independent artist/production deal, the artist will pay the studio up front to produce songs or an album of songs. In this deal, the artist, having financed the project, owns the master. If the studio, production company or record company finances the master, sometimes called a "spec" deal, then that studio or company owns the master.

Major record companies and their major indie satellite labels will not offer the artist the option to finance the production of their own master. This is because major labels have an interest in building and maintaining their catalog of albums, and as a result, will likely own the masters indefinitely.

An independent artist may also do a distribution deal where the independently produced master is temporarily licensed to a major label, and then returned to the original owner; the artist, manager, producer or investor as the case may be.

A recording may generate revenue for the artist and studio/record company simultaneously, regardless of who owns the master. The breakdown of revenues from CD sales, also called "mechanical royalties", is determined by the terms of the recording contract. Mechanical royalties are divided between the artist and the studio or record company in accordance with the terms that the artist has negotiated with that company.

Sale of the master refers to a buyout of the intellectual property, usually by a major label. If an independent record becomes very popular, a label could consider buying the master. In this instance, the buyout price will usually be several times the raw cost (recoupable cost) of producing the recording. It is rare that an artist will purchase the master recording after its release. This may be possible under the terms of an independent release, but major labels do not normally sell their masters.

Can happen, but it's unlikely.

[Rambo]

http://www.muziboo.com/RamboAz/music/song3/#

I quickly recorded an idea of a riff that came to my head. I play all 3 instruments. I know its out of time, but you can get the idea of it.

Obviously I have to make it longer and add vocals, but what do you think?

[JimmyKane]

Could be worse.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

Could have cost 30,000 euros to record

[JimmyKane]

*Should have

[Allick]

*pounds

[Rambo]

Haha.

All recorded with a GH4 mic :D

[castr8or]

thats the great thing, 30,000 pounds is like the most expensive possible currency outcome that i can think of

[Rambo]

I don't know if you know, but big B recorded his bands EP for 30 000 pounds. It's not just a random number.

I just can't pick sarcasm out of text.

[Lazlow]

go back a few pages, he knows.

[Spudzilla]

I told the guys in my music class about that and their reactions were "WOOOOOOAAAAAHHHHHHAHAHAHAAHAHA"

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

So it took me a few hours to do it, but I've made my first full song with Ableton Live. It's a remix of the Cosmo Canyon theme from FFVII, I'm pretty happy with it because I've never made anything like this before, at the same time though I know nothing about mastering and production so I feel like there is a whole lot to improve there (that fade out around the middle, aggh).

Any tips/criticism would be much appreciated, but go easy on me I'm learning.

http://www.muziboo.com/mitchell/music/cosmo-canyon-techno-remix/

ps. I know the drumbeat is terrible, I will fix it in the future.

[JimmyKane]

If anyone can find me a tab for Into The Water by Dethklok that hasn't been taken down by THE MAN I will jizz pep on their face.

Already tried learning it by ear ftr

[Lazlow]

Guitar tab (http://www.911tabs.com/link/?3865964)

[Allick]

Does anyone know how much a music store is likely to buy a second hand guitar for? eg How much do you think they'd pay for an electric guitar with a retail price of $1200 in good condition?

[BB2K]

$5.95

[punkgorilla]

Yeah, not much. You'd be better off selling it privately.

[Patdog]

Heh, I don't think Big_b is coming back.

[Allick]

It's and Ibanez SA:
http://www.mveducation.com/assets/products/48741_l.jpg
made in 2008 and I'm pretty sure they've been discontinued. I probably won't be selling it until the end of the year. I basically want to upgrade to a guitar more suited to the genres I play (mainly 80s & 90s alternative and indie stuff). Also I really don't know what type of guitar to get so if you guys could recomend one that'd be kool. The only thing I really know is that I prefer single coils (preferably ones that can handle medium or even high gain well) and I would also like a fixed bridge, but that's not too important. also my limit is probably around $2000.

[igotnewsuper8systemWRONG!]

I'll give you $200, not including postage

[JimmyKane]

I'll give you slightly more and I don't live on the other side of the country so it'll be easier for you to deliver.

[Allick]

Well I'm not actually going to sell it until the end of the year. Also I too thought about fender. I played a japanese jaguar at a music store not to long ago and found it really comfortable to play and unique sounding so I may consider one. However my friend has one and says it has the worst bridge ever made.

[JimmyKane]

I've always wanted to try a Jaguar or a Jazzmaster.

The Rock Inn has one of them Starcasters o:

[sheeps]

I'd recommend a Fender for that kinda stuff. A Mexican one, they're pretty much as good as the Americans and cheaper.

Then again, I know nothing about anything.

I'm fairly sure there's a big gap between Mexican stuff and the American stuff.

If you're keen on buying a Mexican strat I'd recommend checking out some of the G&L stuff because I think it's pretty sweet and would be around a similar price.

[Allick]

There are those new American Specials which are around $1600ish. But I have heard basically nothing about them and never played (or even seen) one.

edit: Does anyone (JimmyKane) know where you can get G&Ls in Perth???

[Pauly]

I'm not a guitar player but I love telecasters. So sexy :)

[sheeps]

In Perth? Not sure man. Hit up http://www.guitargear.net.au/discussion/ when it's back up and someone may be able to help you out. I think there's a guy on there who owns a rad music store somewhere not in Victoria but I'm not sure if it was Perth or NSW, or even somewhere else.

[Allick]

For anyone interested I've found a site with every Pavement song on tab and from what I've played of them they seem to be good quality http://sites.google.com/site/pavetabs/

Really digging the CGDGBE used on most of their songs. Also used on some Sonic Youth and Thurston Moore songs I think.

[punkgorilla]

There are those new American Specials which are around $1600ish. But I have heard basically nothing about them and never played (or even seen) one.

edit: Does anyone (JimmyKane) know where you can get G&Ls in Perth???

Ask here (http://perthbands.com/forum). They should be able to help.

[Allick]

At school today there were meant to be two bands playing, one at reccess and one at lunch, but the reccess one never showed up. I was dissapointed as my friends had told me that they are pretty good. My friends' band played at lunch and were soooooooo much better than last time I heard them. Only problem was the vocals were way to quiet and not many people watched them play. There's another band playing on friday, and maybe one tomorrow, but not too sure.

[Beinkasaurus Rex]

All due respect here etc but that is perhaps the most pointless post I've ever read on this forum.
<_<

[Allick]

I realised that immediately after clicking "post reply".

[Beinkasaurus Rex]

See when it ended all I thought was 'so where's the point?' =P Doesn't matter!
ps; guyz, need a cheap distort pedal, I can't believe I haven't picked up one yet. Any reliable ideas? Thanks!