AndyB01

I wouldn't describe myself as a Megadeth fan but this was an incredible cover - some truly awesome chops on show all round. Great job 👏👏👏 Andy

Oops I missed this - classic country vibe - you make a great sound together on the harmonies. I'd have probably liked either a clean guitar or a bit more sustain on the lead but hey - that's just personal preference on my part. Still sounds pretty good as it as. What a catalogue of stuff you have Rex - another one to add to the collection. Well done Andy

I've been trying to persist with Scaler - it's not an easy learn in my view, because there's not only a lot going on under the hood but also a lot of music theory that's worth delving into; in order to really get the most out of it. My current favoured workflow is to grab some of the built in song progressions I like and mess around with these in the pattern grid editor to build song parts (intro, verse, pre-chorus etc). I can map each of the pattern grids to key switches and 'play' in a song chord track. Record the resultant MIDI pattern into EzKeys and use the 'use browser midi' function in EzKeys to play the song sections (using suitable styles from the built in midi packs) to build up a song. Using this technique, I can create an underlying chord track and multiple more complex piano or other instrument tracks to layer in a song. I don't have any finished original projects to share yet, but I'm working on a few when I have time (bit busy at the moment though as lots of life stuff going on). Pound for pound, Scaler has to be the best value VST I've bought in a long time. Andy

I loved this Wookiee - the stereo panning effects sound stellar in my headphones - I agree with Mark that some (seascape?) video would accompany this very well. Terrific work. Andy

You've been stung! Sorry, couldn't resist... I'll see me'self out

Are you using the right adapter? You will need a specific TRS to TRRS adapter, otherwise the connection rings will not line up. Have you tried it with a standard pair of audio only headphones (no mic) that have a standard two-ring TRS adapter? If that works as expected, this confirms the issue. If not, then I'm wrong and something else strange is going on. Hope it helps and you get it sorted. Andy

Thanks for the tip Jack. Fans all cleaned out a few months ago and were working then - I don't fancy messing with the heatsink so I'll pass that one over to my local friendly computer tech. He's very good, and charges a reasonable rate 🙂 Andy

I like the contrast between the bold sweeps of the keys and the percussion - maybe the drums could become a future theme - or then again... 🤷‍♂️ Looking forward to new projects or future instalments Andy

@Jim Roseberry I am guessing these might be indicative of the problem Looks to be running a tad hot... Andy

+1 to this - I use 1Password but have had LastPass in the past - other flavours of password managers are available. Forget Excel - just get one - it's life changing (in a good way); especially if you put the work in to update all your shared and simple-to-hack passwords with the random passwords generated by the app. Browser and multiple device integration is top drawer and autofill works perfectly a good 95+% of the time. Just make sure you set a strong, unforgettable master password and you'll never have to remember any others. Andy

Thanks Jim, will do. I think I'll be coming to you to purchase some consultancy on a spec when the time comes for an upgrade. Regards Andy

This ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️ Just spent three hours trying to load some eBooks on Mrs AndyB01's iPad. Christ alive, why is Apple kit so damned unintuitive and why do they have to make everything so painful and difficult to do? 🙄 Give me a PC or Android any day of the week - at least then, I feel like I'm actually in control.

@Kevin Perry yep that's a good shout too - I am definitely old enough to remember SCSI drives. 😂 Although, looking at the mobo on the laptop, I don't see too much physical wiring but you never know. Thanks for the suggestion

You did a great job with it, I didn't mean to take you to task (my reply did come across as a bit heavy), we're all a bit self-deprecating about our own work at times (I know I am). Sometimes I guess we need to big ourselves up once in a while. 👍 Andy

I still use DimPro occasionally, there are some really good sample sounds in there. Track sounds good and has stood the test of time, then again, musicianship of this quality always will. 🙂 Great vibe - enjoyed it. Andy

I listened to the first song (French is such a beautifully lyrical language), I also get the slight sibilance but I can live with it - great vocal I thought. That aside, production and mix sounds good - interesting lyrical concept as well. I will have a listen to some more. 🙂 Andy

Sounds like a track straight from one of those classical 'chillout' albums - a great example of a simple idea, cleverly developed and beautifully executed. 👍 Andy

Well I take issue with your use of the word 'cheating' - creativity and originality comes in many forms, and very few of us can be virtuoso multi-instrumentalists. I really enjoyed it, vocal has an unusual vibe that I can't really label (a good thing) and takes some unexpected turns on the melody line. I also like the slightly anthemic change up at 3:30. Well done. Andy

Good grief Nigel - that was awesome!! I did wonder where this was going for a few moments when the rubber gloves came out... 😂 A powerful message about the power and determination of a woman scorned (best lock up your angle grinder). I shall make a mental note to put my phone down and pay full attention next time Mrs AndyB01 asks me anything. Oh - and the song - incredible mate: vocals, backing, lyrics - everything - I loved it! Top - and I mean absolutely TOP - work. Andy

Nicely crafted song and video, and well-performed. Enjoyed it 👍 Andy

Great song - stellar vocals and the guitar sounds great - top work all round. Andy

This is one of those 'how long is a piece of string' questions but grateful for any suggestions. I have a Clevo i7 32Gb RAM laptop (badged as a Scan 3XS music production laptop, but it's a Clevo under the hood). Getting on a bit now, circa five years old, running Win 10 Pro. I upgraded both hard disks to SSDs a few years ago and these report good drive health. Recently it has started shutting down at random. No BSOD, no error, screen goes black then - poof - it powers off. It can be under load in CbB, just surfing the 'net or complete idling with nothing running - no rhyme or reason. Sometimes it comes back up straight away on restart and is then rock solid for hours, other times I've had it crash repeatedly six times in quick succession. Nothing obvious in Windows or minidump files that I can see and core temps don't seem to be running too hot. I have tried with or without battery fitted and it does it in both states, so it's not a dud battery causing it. My suspicions are heat or fans. The fans are noisy (always have been) and I dusted them all out a few months back. I also sit it on a mesh grid to allow the base fans and vents to work more effectively. Any idea what utilities I can use to do some more detailed investigation or specifically which logs I should be checking for a readout of potential triggers? I have read that these laptops have a RPM monitor in the BIOS, if it develops a fault and determines (incorrectly) that a fan is not working, it will auto shut down the device regardless of the actual core temps or state of the fan. Either way, I have checked the BIOS and there are no options in there for fan control. I'm planning to take it my local computer guy for some checks but I'd like to be able to give him a bit more to go on. So all contributions and suggestions welcome. Thanks in advance Andy

Well that woke me up this morning! 😂 Great little rocker and loved the use of the wah - I'm in - where do a buy a ticket? Andy

Loved Fleetwood Mac back in the day - still do - Rumours is such an iconic album. RIP indeed 😓

That is your problem I think. You want a stereo jack and adapter - like this