Musicians check in here. If you play, tell us about it!

[Pipeous]

My mandolin and acoustic use 9v for built in pre amp, I use an external pre amp with 9v for the octave mandolin and mandola (a baggs gig pro, made a huge improvement on sound)... the uke uses those round ones. my guitar pedal has a power supply. I actually don't use any of my amps anymore, just the PA. even in the band I joined I will bring the rack as it is so much easier having everything plugged in... I even added an instrument hanger off the mic stand because I was running out of room lol

https://www.long-mcquade.com/1038/B...lin_Mandolin_Hanger_Clips_onto_Mic_Stands.htm

in the celtic band I will be playing mandolin, octave mandolin, acoustic guitar, my midi guitar and probably have to get a clip on mic for the banjo... we haven't discussed harmonica yet (and I won't admit I played accordian as a kid LOL)

oh I like the idea of lithium 9v's except they die fast if over discharged. we have cutoffs on our e cigs, but those don't seem to. though I can tell when the guitar or mando battery is getting low just by the tone changes

I have the fender mustang amp and it has the fx stuff but my car is pretty full of crap. I will use them at home for recording but chances of packing that stuff around anymore is getting too bulky and inconvenient

just noticed the forum won't let me type Ka la ... it's a Ukulele brand for pete's sakes

 

[suspectK]

Lol...I don't know what that could mean in slang, pipeous..

Thanks for the responses!

Is everyone on the same page as me? by just replacing the pickup to prevent this from happening again? I feel like an idiot with the looks I've gotten for telling or asking people about it...but even just a little wood damage is bad in my head.

Midi guitar...mmmmm.. that sounds like a great idea to look into. I don't know why I forgot about those..I was actually going to get the korg ms20? to use with string instruments, but one of the many programs that would work with a midi would be way more versatile..

Had a really good night with everything..hen I was on guitar, my 16month old would freak out when mom wasn't holding her.. she started out helping on drums, but eventually fell asleep...but pretty productive day none-the-less..

Dark, but that mop of hair floating around is her trying to face plant..can't help but be thankful for a kid that is angry unless they're part of the music... very well tempered otherwise.

 

[Hypnophone]

Howdy y'all! Happy New Year!
Danged 'ol geetar players!
Y'all need a drummer to come by and give you a hard time occasionally!

 

[Pipeous]

Installed the power pins on the acoustic... got some videos to show...
Before installing

 

[Pipeous]

Installation of one pin

 

[Pipeous]

playing after installation

 

[DaveP]

Pipeous, I first listened to both cuts through my laptop speakers and it seemed that there was more presence after installing the pins. Then, I put on my headphones and the difference was definitely there. You have more presence, more definition in the string vibrations, and it sounds like there may be a little more sustain, which is always good in any instrument.

I'd say the new pins made a definite improvement in the character of the instrument.

 

[Pipeous]

Thanks Dave. I think so too. I am surprised such a small change could make a sound improvement. I am just giddy I don't have to mess with those stupid pins anymore

 

[DaveP]

Thanks Dave. I think so too. I am surprised such a small change could make a sound improvement. I am just giddy I don't have to mess with those stupid pins anymore

Bridge changes do make a difference. Mass of the metal, the fit of the parts in the height adjustment posts, overall precision of the adjustable saddle, and just about anything that can fit loosely will make a difference in tone and sustain. Luthiers are fussy about bridge design and parts fit. Bone, graphite, and other materials for nuts all have their own personalities and characteristics, too.

Come to think about it, we are all fussy about how our main instruments perform. It's part of the fun of creating a personalized instrument. Once we get the mechanical parts right, then we start looking at custom pickups. It's a never ending hobby. It's what makes custom shops continue to exist.

 

[Pipeous]

there is a big discussion (argument) going on the mandolin cafe about breaking in instruments. so many don't believe it. I know myself after refinishing my mandolin it has been opening up as I play and I changed my bridge for a thicker ebony one long ago. I hear those changes. I just didn't expect a lot from pins behind the actual saddle. but there it is. that is why I tried to use the same pick, strings and pattern. my hands are pretty sore the last few days. I play the electric stuff more now to compensate. dang cold weather plays havoc with the arthritis, especially my gimp pinky left hand. next string change on the acoustic I have a set of lights. oh and I need to hold my pick deeper in my fingers. that tick on the pick guard drives me insane

I have my first rehearsal with the Kailyarders tomorrow. really looking forward to it. these guys are booked pretty steady for gigs.

 

[suspectK]

Well, after having time, and inquiring more, I discovered my bass is too cheap for all this bs.. getting the next level up, or so, but I know the 5string corvette's neck feels like my friend's 4 string fender, but pickups are blatantly more durable and recessed more than my model..and I guess mine is the only bass they made that has a bolt on neck..I don't think I'll be looking into another bass outside of Warrick..

Hypnophone, have you messed with akai mpc's? Not just a beat pad, but to me it is the best for beat making - mainly from the velocity triggered pads, and how you have to play them..all that tapping I did on my desk while at school paid off, didn't help change any first impressions with class mates though.. I would be playing drums tonight, cuz I feel in that mood specifically, but I have a friend over that only plays drums..but I'll get a session in just for you on my set tonight.

 

[DaveP]

I do think that the vibrations of a wooden acoustic body become more pleasing over time and it's reflected in the tone. Maybe the vibrations mellow the wood out over time. Wood in an electric guitar body also determines a lot of the tone that emerges from the amp.

I tend to try out lots of the same guitar before buying "the one". My last Les Paul choice was a no brainer when I finally played it. I tried out every Epiphone flametop on Guitar Center's wall until the one with the woody tone and the best sustain turned up. I knew it when I played it. They all looked good and most sounded nice, but one had that special "Chinese Mahogany" and Maple top body that made the tone and the sustain just right. I actually prefer its tone to my real Gibson LP, even though it's not the real African Mahogany you get in a U.S. Gibson. Maybe the SD Pearly Gates pickups make the difference.

I have naturally dry calloused hands versus when I was younger. I reach for things, my fingers slip, and they go sliding across the table. For a long time I used some oval emery pads with peel off sticky backings designed for pick grips. Then, I discovered "Gorilla Snot". It's a pine tar product that is kind of like Tacky Finger that people who handle paperwork all day use, except it's more tacky. Drummers also use it to prevent stick slip. I just touch my pick fingers to it and then rub the excess off onto several picks. It dries to something like rosin used in sports. I keep those on my amp stuck to one of those silicone sticky pads designed for cell phones.

 

[suspectK]

Thank you dave...I just switched to a little thicker sticks, and I keep losing them...they float away, sometimes saved. I like the sticks, but it was an issue yesterday.

 

[Pipeous]

I scratch cross hatch sections into my picks... I hadn't on the one in videos. good ones are still in the mandolin case because i am playing tomorrow morning. no sense unpacking it. ok I am just lazy and have too many picks LOL

I don't drop them much anymore... and the triangle big stubby has an indent each side in the middle. love those picks. 1.5mm... I also have 2mm but they are super thick and only good for mando when I round off the corners

 

[Javamon]

I just got some power pins for my acoustic. arrived yesterday. I am going to do before and after videos to show response etc. putting them on the fender acoustic today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oykXWr8PviY

I went in to rent a tenor banjo and they had none, so they ordered one in from gold tone. so I am buying one. I am becoming an advertisement for gold tone it seems
https://www.long-mcquade.com/13515/...Creek_4-String_Tenor_Banjo_with_Resonator.htm

and a new mixing board is on it's way too. should be here next week. I was having issues last gig using Y cables in the vocal harmonizer since I got the new baggs pre amp. I had to constantly plug and unplug stuff. and using my zoom r24 recording board for live was silly. this was a good price and the aux send will work to send all instruments to the harmonizer with one in and out to board. so much crap I need to simplify setups
https://www.long-mcquade.com/43585/...le_Sound/8_Channel_Stereo_Rackmount_Mixer.htm

Been pretty lucky with my battery powered stuff, though I carry a lot of 9 volts now, and the tuners and uke use the little round ones and they last surprisingly long

oh I played a couple basses yesterday too. Those new micro basses. Gold Tone and the ..... They have a kind of nylon string with pickups. surprisingly decent acoustic volume and a stand up bass sound. I am impressed. I personally liked the gold tone better because the scale was a bit larger and wider fret spacing. I think I have to add one to the collection.

That Power Pins demo was impressive. Quite easy to hear the beautiful difference.

 

[Javamon]

Thanks Dave. I think so too. I am surprised such a small change could make a sound improvement. I am just giddy I don't have to mess with those stupid pins anymore

I can hear a significant difference. Plus, it's Such an improvement to pins. I have always had a bug about plastic pins - which is why I always loved Ovation type bridges.
I wish I had thought of this. That's fantastic.

 

[DaveP]

Thank you dave...I just switched to a little thicker sticks, and I keep losing them...they float away, sometimes saved. I like the sticks, but it was an issue yesterday.

It's $7.44 at Amazon, but one container can last a year or two easily on picks. It only takes one finger swipe to last a set or two.

http://www.amazon.com/Gorilla-Snot-...8&qid=1420804908&sr=8-5&keywords=gorilla+snot

 

[DaveP]

I scratch cross hatch sections into my picks... I hadn't on the one in videos. good ones are still in the mandolin case because i am playing tomorrow morning. no sense unpacking it. ok I am just lazy and have too many picks LOL

I don't drop them much anymore... and the triangle big stubby has an indent each side in the middle. love those picks. 1.5mm... I also have 2mm but they are super thick and only good for mando when I round off the corners

I've settled on 1mm standard shape Dunlop Ultex picks. They are thick, but they wear like iron and refuse to break. The surface is textured with a slightly rounded tip instead of a sharp point, although they also come in sharp tips.

 

[suspectK]

Just want some more cents on this matter... thinking about getting two good mics.

I just need some more opinions on recording in the room we have... 12-14' ceilings, beside a room with a fire place - the back of which is exposed in our jam room... I'd like to change those dimensions, and stone reverb wall, but it's a rental, and I may not be here much longer..

What mics should I look into for this application? I may have 2-3 in the room, and maybe one outside the room- just in case, cuz it can get weird.. I have no idea about mics though.

All I need is someone behind banging coconuts together..

Www.soundcloud.com/suspect-k repost, cuz the first two are pretty noice.

 

[Pipeous]

I am going to copy and paste something from another forum from a really smart guy in this field who records a lot... great info... more about fixinf the room than what mic

This is worth relating, I think, as it is a very common problem, though not everyone goes quite as far as the person involved in this case.

A guitar playing friend contacted me to ask for some advice on choosing a mic preamp because he said he was not happy with the results he was getting from his existing Focusrite Saffire Pro. Now, I have used one of those in the past, and I found them really pretty decent. I had no problem getting very good tracks out of them. He said they sounded really bad, however.... OK. Maybe he has better ears than mine! He wanted something to track both vocals and acoustic guitar. I happened to suggest the Universal Audio 4-710d, which is a really nice unit that also has a very good 1176-style compressor on each of the four mic channels, and has a pretty unique option to 'blend' from a very high quality solid-state or high voltage (not starved plate) tube section in each preamp. It is a very easy to set compressor, in addition, ideal for quick working and is great with vocals. Not quite as flexible as the full 1176, but great for 'set and forget' and it turns in very nice results 90% of the time. The preamps go from super clean to nice and warm, or anywhere in between. It also has top class A/D conversion for 8 channels, and ADAT output, so he could just hook this up to his existing interface. I have one in my own rack, and it's very, very nice.

Anyway, he ordered one and I heard nothing more for several months. Then, I hear from him again. Still not happy. No great improvement from the 4-710d! Could it be the mics, he asks? Turns out the mics he "did not rate much" included some pretty good stuff!!! Microphones in the $150-1200 each range.... several of them, and according to him, none of them sounded any good. He was now seriously thinking about ordering up a $3,000 mic in the hopes that might help. He sent me some sample tracks, and he was right. They sounded horrible. Thin. Muddy. Just plain not good at all.

Finally, I asked for some photos of his recording space. NO ROOM TREATMENT! Nothing. Just a spare, square bedroom... with thousands of $$$ worth of recording gear, and not one cent spent on dealing with the awful room acoustics.

It turns out he had been going through near constant "gear upgrade" cycles trying to get decent recordings, but had completely ignored the room acoustics for both tracking and monitoring/mixing. He'd spent a fortune buying/selling gear... none of which helped in the slightest. The room was terrible, and the equipment was pretty much irrelevant, as even the best mics and preamps and converters could not do anything about that.

The fix was very easy (and very cheap compared to the money blown already). I suggested an SE Electronics Reflexion Filter Pro for the vocal mic, and sent him off to the bedding store for a nice thick duvet. In addition, we arranged delivery of some Clearsonic absorber panels and some more 'DIY' materials to help sort out the room. After some experimentation with all of these, he was finally able to get really nice recordings that satisfied him. He also discovered that there was nothing really wrong at all with the Saffire preamps he'd previously dismissed as "terrible", and even that $150 MXL mic that he'd been on the verge of selling as "junk" actually now sounded fine.....

Moral of the story: Equipment alone is not the only answer to getting great recordings. You need to know how to use it properly, and pro studios take as much trouble (if not more) with room acoustics than they do with other aspects of the signal chain. Indeed, even modest gear in a great space can sound terrific, while great gear in a lousy space is no help at all. Don't ignore simple things like getting the room set up right.