GregP

I would agree with that, but it's not the high action that gives inherently better tone; rather, as mentioned, it eliminates fret buzz and "fretting out" as easily. Another trade-off is the risk of sacrificing accurate intonation, but in runs of notes you wouldn't notice it as much as in chorded playing. Greg

The full version of Tracktion also includes Mackie's Final Mix plug-in, along with the other stuff by MDA (which is actually freeware available for any host at MDA's website, so nothing host-specific there). Computer Muzys is another option; however I have a few problems with it-- 1. Difficult interface, or at least I found 2. No audio from hard disk. That causes limitations when your audio has to be loaded into RAM. It's more of a MIDI sequencer. 3. It is no longer supported, as the company that makes it has gone under. As Dugz says, Tracktion's not necessarily for everyone (I, for one, LOVE the GUI and think it's the best out there), but for free it can't be beat. Since this is a guitar forum, a few necessary (in my opinion) add-ons, which are also free to download: Simulanalog Guitar Suite TubeBaby amp sim Kjaerhus Audio VST plug-ins. Click on the "Classic" series for the freebies, but I wanted to point out that the Gold Series are highly regarded, as well. There are many many others I could list, but that'd get most people started. Greg

Just to give this a quick bump and make sure it's clear to everyone-- This is a fully-featured sequencer; if you have a reasonable computer, it has more potential than a hardware 8-track or what have you. This full version is legal and free, which will give ANYONE here the power to start recording themselves in a more or less professional environment (definitions of 'professional' may vary, as no pro studios that I'm aware of actually use Tracktion). My advice is to register now, before the deal goes away. Greg

Hey all, For readers of Guitarplayer and MusicPlayer, there is a free promo for an NFR (Not For Resale, but FULLY functional) copy of Tracktion, which is a legal license that you may use on 2 computers. The starting point is the following link: Click Me . There are a few hoops to jump through-- first, making a Mackie Account, then downloading the demo, then registering the demo as a licensed version; however, all told it took me 10 minutes to install a copy for my dad, so it's worth the scant amount of time. Obviously anyone can download by following that link, but I'd strongly urge anyone who downloads it to buy a copy of Guitar Player or one of the affiliate magazines to make it more legitimate. That's just a suggestion, though, so take it or leave it. This is a deal not to be missed, for people who want to give Tracktion a try (don't forget to check out Rack Filters to understand one of the main areas in which it is a pretty awesome app), for people who have been using freeware and Magazine-ware, or for people who have been curious about it. One hint: when it's time to download the demo (which must be downloaded-- the full version is just the demo, unlocked) make sure you take the full install, even if you don't want the demo songs, because it includes the Acuma FinalMix plug-in. Some of you will still be using regular old sound-cards instead of specialized ones, in which case I encourage you to download and install ASIO4ALL which is a universal ASIO driver that works particularly well with "AC'97" (SoundBlaster, many on-board codecs) soundcards. Make sure you select the ASIO driver in Tracktion in the Settings page once you're up and going. Enjoy! Greg

I personally don't see much reason to combine the two systems-- just use a zero fret and most of your intonation problems will be minimized; and use the fanned system for the tension and ergonomic benefits. Greg

Thanks for the reply! I was expecting anywhere between $100 and $250, so that helps narrow it down for sure!

Hi all, A guy who's an aquaintance will be painting my guitar whenever I get around to finishing building it. He's made his living (meagre at the time) doing airbrush work and finishes on motorcycles and helmets, and is now a tattoo artist. Anyhow, since he's an aquaintance, he's implied (there hasn't been an actual business discussion yet) that I'll be able to set my own price for the job, and that he can either be involved or just let me use his equipment. I haven't a holy clue how to use his equipment, so I'm going to ask if we can do it 'hybrid' style-- He applies the coats and 'stores' the guitar while it dries. I then take the guitar and do the sanding myself. He then applies the next coat, and when it's dry I do the sanding again. Depending on the stage we're in (if it's a "let dry for a few hours" or a "let dry for 4 weeks") I'll either stay on-site or I'll just come back for the guitar when I have time. The paint will be solid black, with a glossy clearcoat for the body. The back of the neck will be black as well, but I want to do a matte finish. He will source the needed materials, as well, but I will pay for those. * thoughts, opinions on the process in general? * what would be a fair price (CDN funds would be great, but I can convert from US if need be) to pay the guy? I want it to be a bargain, but I also don't want to abuse his offer and rip him off. Greg

I understand the beauty that is a simple but TIGHT bass line. My dad is a bass player, and whenever I use a bass, it's his J-Bass that I'm using. However, and not to take too much away from bass musicianship in general, there's no mystical secret to staying in the pocket. Have a good sense of rhythm, and know when to lag behind the kick, when to jump ahead of the kick, and when to join up with it. It's more of a sense of rhythm than a highly vaunted skill... he may indeed HAVE that sense of rhythm, but frankly I don't think it makes him any more special than any other bass player in any bar band out there who's able to lock down a rhythm. I'll retract my implied message that Michael Anthony sucks, and replace it with a "Well, he's nothing special." And sure, yeah, I WOULD think he was something great if he was Stu Hamm. You can't just say he's 'good' because 'relative to other drunk bass players who use a Jack Daniels bass, he's good'. He's passable and has good rhythm. At best. Hopefully it was his management that convinced him to do a shoddy bass solo; in which case, I'd regain a bit more respect for him. Greg

Right, but the way most of us loop it by the strap pin is pretty sturdy and it's not likely to come out that way, either.

Exactly, No bracing, just BOOM.

It has to be Alex. Anyone who voted Mike probably thought that his 'solo'... what the hell was it called... something about deep something.... was actually something other than him just farting around on the strings with some major effects because he wanted some attention, too. He's not a quality bass player, though his harmonies are a distinct part of the sound. Greg

Jer, My acoustic is a Guild D25, and I can tell you that the tone is wonderful. It has a strong bass presence, which I favour, and this thing positively booms. You've made a good purchase. The price is reasonable, too. Greg

Fair enough, Dugz, and true. I would, however, add that Jules Storer (creator of Tracktion) is no slouch when it comes to coding algorithms. And even then, many users of even 'top name' sequencers will rely on third-party dithering plug-ins for final mixdown. Greg

Whoah the bus, Dugz... I respect you, so I don't want to sling mud. You know way more about the business than I'll ever know, and that's a simple fact. However, it does not mean that your recommendations are the only ones, or that mine don't come from a fairly extensive knowledge base (as a hobbyist only! I'll gladly leave the pro talk to you!), or that I'm unable to use critical thinking skills in order to form an argument. George Bush or John Kerry may be the top politicians in the States, but that hardly makes them the final word in knowledge of politics. There's no harm approaching a problem from 2 different angles... there's more than one way to skin the cat... all that stuff. I just don't think it's responsible to send a neophyte who was originally enquiring about an 8-track machine to go out and start spending thousands of dollars. <shrug> The real business of learning the recording industry is to learn to record, plain and simple. Also, I agreed with your Sonar recommendations. It's a great app. I was just defending my own recommendation, which was NOT out of left field, and was perfectly suited to this user's needs. Regarding audio quality and the maths involved, I'm not clueless at all. It's simple logic and fact. Even professionals will tell you that the sequencer itself does not have a different 'sound'. We're not talking about tape machines here, we're talking about digital. On a final note-- just because I like to debate differing viewpoints does not mean that I respect you any less. From what I've seen, you've gone out of your way on a personal level for many of the users here. You seem like a great guy. If you'd extend me the benefit of the doubt in the future, you'll see that I'm not half bad, either. Greg

Of course it's as good! It's substantially better! Think about this, though-- Let's say you want to record... oh... I don't know... 24 tracks of audio with some effects and a virtual drum machine or two. A modest (but modern) system can easily handle 24 tracks. So, you get a system that is twice as good and can handle 48 tracks of audio, all with effects, and some drum machines or other virtual instruments. But... you're still only recording 24 tracks. Was paying 2.5X the price ultimately worth it, or are you accomplishing the same goal? Honestly, even horribly old systems can handle that much audio-- it's the effects and virtual instruments that put a hit on your CPU. There are 2 solutions-- either render (bounce) the track to pure audio (so that the effects aren't being processed in realtime) or get a faster machine. And it's not like you have to render ALL your tracks, just the really consumptive ones. Don't get me wrong... we'd all like a better machine with the best software. What you have to understand in order to get anything out of my posts is that I'm not -recommending- a lesser machine, I'm just trying to get you to evaluate your needs so that your money is well spent. If you discover that your needs are not met unless you have the fastest, then by all means go for it. No point cutting corners if you don't have to. If the machine will also be used for 3D gaming and high-end multimedia, then you have other reasons to get a powerful machine. But if it's only as a substitute for a BOSS 8-track machine, for example, why pay $2,000? To your other question, though-- The motherboard spec will tell you if the CPU is compatible or not. If you buy it online, you can either get the mobo and CPU as a bundle (to ensure compatibility), you can check the 'recommended items' that show up when you select a processor, or if the site doesn't have those things, just do a quick bit of online research. If you buy it in-person, the guy will sell you the right motherboard to go with the CPU. With a bit of effort, you'll get the right match. Greg

For THIS, I recommended the correct software. Whoever (originally) said anything about wanting to be taken seriously by the pros? Who cares what the studios in Nashville are using? Why would the above quoted person need Nuendo? I still doubt that ANY home users and many studios would need Nuendo. Pro Tools is the de facto standard. Doesn't make it 'sound' better. They're all still operating at 32-bit, until the 64-bit apps come along. The 'sound' of each will be identical, right from Pro Tools on down to Tracktion. Now, about all this university and job experience stuff.... I doubt any of them would care even if you HAVE pro tools experience, because you're going to be making them coffee, sweeping the control room, and working your way up from there anyways. Still, you're right that getting experience on other apps like Reason or N-Track or Tracktion won't matter one little bit on your resume. Back to my original point, though-- I recommended appropriate software for the original question... all this talk of "professional" apps is a whole other discussion. Greg

I half in complete agreement with Dugz and half in vehement opposition. Dugz, you seem like a knowledgable guy, which is why I'm flabbergasted that you would recommend Sonar or Nuendo to a guy who has some pretty obvious needs from a setup that do NOT include professional-level video editing (Nuendo) and that cost $1000+. Things started making sense when you were talking about Cakewalk and Audition/Wavelab, though... and since that's the more recent of the posts, I have to give you credit for bringing your advice back on track. On the other hand again, it's insane to dismiss products because they aren't known or don't cost much. At the end of the day, price is arbitrary. I can name a few regulars at K-v-R who have ditched Cubase, Ableton Live 4, and Sonar in favour of a little guy named energyXT which costs $39 US. I can name another bunch of people who switched to Tracktion once they realized how powerful and intuitive it is. When it's for a user who has such clear needs, how could such good software be eliminated from the list of possibilities? And if we ARE on the subject of slightly more expensive apps, many people absolutely love Ableton Live 4, though I admit I don't get on well with it. Demo, demo, demo.... or, your other options if you're not in the mood to think: -Get Tracktion. It works. It is stable. It is brilliant. It is inexpensive -OR, Get a Cakewalk product and possibly upgrade to Sonar (as per Dugz' advice). It's brilliant. It is stable. It is tried and tested. It comes with cool stuff. Did I mention that it's brilliant? Oh, but Sonar costs a bundle, which is a consideration. -OR, Get Cubase SE. It's more limited than Cubase SX, but I doubt you will run into the limitations it presents. It's capable, industry-standard, and finally stable. It's the middle road for price. I'm not against any of the other suggestions... but my biggest concern isn't with "what is the best package" but rather "what is the best package for this person." Greg

If you're not going 64, it's probably because you're budget-conscious. Therefore, the 3200+ doesn't add bang for the buck. I'd just go right down to 2800+ and get bang-for-the-buck, but that's just me. Or a flavour of XP-M (2500+ is cheap), because even without the overclocking you'll get a cooler system, which means you can bring the noise levels of your DAW down a bit. Seriously, you don't need extreme amounts of processing power unless you're running several virtual instruments at a time with complex effects. For mostly audio (ie. guitar, bass, vocals, and drum loops if you're using loops), ANY system you can get will handle it. You can go to the local computer shop and say, "Give me the most power you can for $500" and you'd have a more than capable machine. As for motherboard... if you do any sort of search at all, the first thing they'll tell you is "for Intel Pentium processors" or whatever... in your case, it'll say, "built for Athlon XP processors." Greg

Both are EVH without being EVH.... and I can't honestly say that I love either. The neon would be too garish and just god-awful. The splatter would be better, but at the end of the day, I'd look at it and go, "I shoulda just done the stripes." Greg

Best value for money is the 3000. Motherboards... who knows? Almost anything should be fine. ASUS K8V SE Deluxe will sort you out, but remember that it doesn't have PCIe if that's a feature you're looking for. Frankly, I wouldn't bother with PCIe right now, since not only is the motherboard going to be more expensive, but the hardware made for it will also be expensive, and suddenly you have a monster machine that does more than you needed it to do. It's a matter of finding value for money.... When I referred to the Trailing Edge, I meant that by the time 64-bit windows comes along, the 3000 will be considered an "old" processor. But it'll still run the OS fine, so I wouldn't worry about it so much. The thing is-- It's easy to simply recommend the 'best' system that's out there and have you pay big $$$ for it. But while you've spent all that money on a machine instead of a guitar, there will still be someone making music on a P3, with their new Music Man Axis. In terms of value for money, you can't beat: -Mobile Athlon XP2500+, which can be overclocked easily to perform as at least a 2800+ if not a 3000+ -Almost any mainboard that is known for overclocking, if this is part of your strategy (Asus A7N8X-X worx fine for me) -2 7200 RPM hard drives (if someone tells you that you 'need' 10,000 RPM SATA, tell them to check their head) -A modest but 'pro' sound card like the Audiophile 2496 or the EMU 2496 -A small mixer like the Behringer UB802 -1 GB of RAM, though you can make do with 512 -Inexpensive software like Tracktion or Cubasis -A decent case like the Antec Sonata -Almost any video card. Matrox G550 worx great for DAW Let's see-- $100 for the CPU, $50 mainboard, $130 drives, $100 soundcard, $50 mixer, $120 RAM, $80 software, $110 case, $40 video card For a complete system (keeping in mind this includes EVERYTHING you need including software and proper soundcard) that's $780 for a dual-hard drive system with 1 GB of RAM. That's American pricing, though I've simply 'estimated' so it's not scientific. You could come up with an accurate real-world price if you wanted to spend 30 minutes tracking down those components, and you might even find that some of them are cheaper than I say. <shrug> It's easy to get caught up in processing power hype, but that's a powerful enough system to keep you very comfortable in 24-tracks of audio, and even when it starts getting slowed down by so many audio tracks, you can 'bounce' some of the tracks down and free up more power. With a system like that, and MINIMAL resource management, you could easily make a song with hundreds of parts, if that was your intention. Most of us only get up to a dozen or fewer audio parts anyhow. If you're still set on the 64-bit AMD, simply add another $120-150 or so to that price, for the processor and mainboard upgrade. Greg

For a total hobbyist, you don't even need the 1204. A Behringer UB802 will provide the same number of outputs, with fewer hardware send/fx/monitoring options (but still not the bottom of the heap), bringing your total expenditure to $150. You may not 'need' the physical mixer, but trust me you'll want it sooner than later. And, with a card like the 2496 or the EMU 0404, you need the microphone preamps that the mixer provides. It's very important to adjust your levels so that you're not sending too hot a signal to your sound card and 'clipping', and it's far quicker and easier to just grab a knob and turn it a bit than wade through your soundcard's 'mixer' software. That said, an integrated solution is still a great idea. The DMX 6fire is a reasonable price, though there are a few quirks with it. For a very minimal option, there's the USB version of the audiophile, which has a knob for controlling output level. It's a mediocre card, though-- its limitations make it not as universally recommended as the PCI version of the card. Greg

You could go with either, and they'll be similar price and even performance. I can't imagine any good reason to NOT go with the 64-bit CPU, since they're the same price and are at least more 'efficient' if not faster. (ie. they'll operate more coolly, which is a plus). Plus, even though you'll be on the trailing edge by the time it comes out, it'll be able to run 64-bit OS. Greg

Thanks for offering your services, Jim, and welcome to the forum. Greg

Totally agree-- -1 GB of RAM will keep you happier, -2 80 GB drives are fine, but for the price difference, 2 120 or even 160 GB drives will also be fine. No need to go big just for the sake of going big, but if it's a difference of only $5 or $10 it's better to get extra storage now rather than realize you need it later. Since you're building from the ground up, get them both identical, just on the off chance that this computer gets moved to a different function later (home server) and you decide to run a RAID. It won't cost any more to at least keep this option open. -Your spec sounds a lot like my computer. FWIW, the AMD 64-bit CPU don't really perform all that much better than current-generation Athlon XP... but they're cooler and use data more 'efficiently', so there's something to be said for it. At the end of the day, though, I imagine you'll be quite happy with anything that's rated at 2500+ or greater. Dugz is totally correct-- get what you need, not what the hype tells you that you need. He's also correct, if you decide to go this way, that the AMD 64-bit CPUs will run in 32-bit mode for 32-bit applications or in your 32-bit Windows environment. No worries. Greg

I think All Along The Watchtower's a good choice, as long as the schmoes at your school have a clue about who Hendrix is. Nobody says you have to do it note for note... just nail the chord progression, and widdle away at whatever ability level you've reached now, if you get to take a solo-- A few things to consider: - if it's ONLY going to be you and a drummer, and nobody singing, then a solo will sound rather empty indeed - Nail the chords and the rhythm, and lock with your drummer (who is hopefully at least mediocre!) and you'll rock out. - If you do the Hendrix, at least you can try the singing, cause let's face it-- Hendrix sang completely out of key most of the time. - If there's no vocals, do a SHORTER version... chop out and modify bits and pieces. Nobody wants to hear just a guitarist and a drummer for 5 minutes unless they're mind-blowing. Greg