AndyB01

Absolutely no idea, never heard of EHX POG or used it I'm afraid. I doubt it's either as good or as versatile as the POG, which costs 3x as much. However that view is based on a quick Google and no more. Andy

I saw this post and knew I had to listen to it immediately - through my decent headphones, Boy was I not disappointed - the choir (and Mrs D1968) all sound fabulous - wonderful arrangement and instrumentation too; really lets the voices shine. Hairs on the back of the neck stuff and puts a big smile on my face. Loved it Andy

Superb work - timing, phrasing and touch is really excellent. Adagio Cantabile is one of my favourite pieces and you did a really fabulous job on both. 😍 Andy

Unfortunately @Byron Dickens is right - it may be a harsh observation but it's true. Nothing you can do post recording is ever going to improve what is fundamentally not fit for purpose. At the budget end you will find a Behringer or T.Bone mic that will be perfectly adequate, all the way up to brands like Rode, Audio Technica, Shure and Austrian Audio at the Prosumer end. However, even this needs a dedicated audio interface, you cannot get by with on-board audio. Something like a Focusrite Scarlett Solo or 2i2 from Focusrite are good places to start. HtH Andy

It's a USB mic - not designed for recording with a DAW - fine for podcasts and such like but not music production. You need an XLR mic through a dedicated audio interface using ASIO drivers. There are plenty of recommendations on the gear forum for microphones and interfaces to suit all budgets. eBay and Marketplace also a great source if you're prepared to consider used. Andy

My son uses Ableton but he has a really old version. It's offering me the code as I am eligible so I am wondering if I can find a way to buy it for him to use - it's one hell of a saving! I'm not too sure about this requirement to have a registered version of Live Lite as he doesn't use that. I'll have to read the small print.

You do get some new grooves by default in EzK2 and you also keep access to those you had in EzK1 - see screen cap

Hmm very dark and I would say very creative - I think you nailed the theme you were going for. The drums sound wrong but also kind of right given the inspiration - as though they're being 'suppressed' - maybe that was intentional (or not); either way this was a compelling listen. Good work Andy

After a quick run through I am very much not disappointed - functionally all the innovations you expect to see from from EzD and EzB are there, but the new feature that really caught my attention was the ability to add or remove individual notes to or from chords - I have lost count of the number of times I have wanted to do this - so this is a great feature I think. Looks really good so I am looking forward to getting down to business with this when I have more time. A (very) small part of me kind of misses the pure simplicity of the EZK1 interface (I felt the same about EzDrummer), but I really don't miss that non-scalable GUI - amen to a full screen! Andy

Finally all done - had a very quick play - looks amazing 😍😍😍 Andy

Installing... 10.2 GBs worth!

I asked ChatGPT to 'write' a song recently - I gave it a brief 'back story' and it produced a couple of verses, chorus and outro. Lots of cliches, a couple of questionable rhymes but I've probably written worse. 🤣 The initial chord progression however was not so impressive, basically a simple C, Am, F and G. So I asked it to add some seventh, diminished and augmented chords. It did - and whilst some of these worked - some were fairly dissonant and not something I'd have used. Overall I was fairly impressed, not only with what was produced but the speed at which it produced it. Do I feel threatened by AI - not really - the initial bubble will burst once the hype fades, there will no doubt be a degree of push back before it finds its niche. It'll certainly be interesting to see how things progress from here.

I'll probably busk my way through it and eventually succumb to a YouTube tutorial when I inevitably get stuck. My problem is time - I literally have none to spare at the moment. Work and life is just full on so music is a rare indulgence. I'll get back to it eventually. I'm with you on the Toontrack vids. Andy

So tomorrow is the big day we've all been waiting for (well OK, not all of us). Is this going to become a thing - like #StarWarsDay or #EdBallsDay (you probably have to be a Brit to understand the last one). 🤣 Suitable suggestions for hashtags welcome... Here's mine: #AboutFreakinTimeDay Andy

I agree entirely - very well done Andy

I Know What I Like - Genesis Me? I'm just a lawn mower, you can tell me by the way I WALK!

Great work - faultless playing - loved it Andy

Nice work Keith - great nostalgia trip. Green Shield Stamps - how were they ever a thing? I shudder to think what the glue was made of you had to lick to stick them in the book. Something long since banned and found to be a carcinogen no doubt. 😂 Andy

I really loved this - top notch writing, performance and production - you had me from the opening riff. One really minor crit if I'm allowed - I'd have loved a hard stop ending instead of a fade. Terrific work. Andy

Hmm I hear this on headphones too - it's a little distracting but still another great song - nice simple arrangement and beautifully sung as always. Yes those old Dim Pro instruments can still hold their own. I still use them from time to time. Andy

Lovely guitar sound, really nice. I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment. 😂 Andy

Very good point. Btw - I'm with you on the Genesis thing - been a massive fan since I first discovered their music back in 1980.

Agree, I've never come across a plugin that enables me to create a unique and professionally played piano track from my own chord track composition, I consider that something of a game changer given my limited piano chops. Scaler 2 and uJam Virtual Pianist to some degree but neither are in the same league in my view. You can also (and I have) make very credible 'original' songs from the default midi packs - provided you can accept and live with the fact that thousands of others may well have used the same arrangement. You are only really constrained by the number and variety of midi packs you own. Andy

There's a lot of great work here - the drums hold it together well. If stressful and intense was the mood you were going for - I think you nailed it (with just a hint of added chaos for good measure). 🙂 Andy

Nice stripped back arrangement Keith - nowhere to hide here and you did a great job. A lot of power in the vocal and kudos to you for taking this on - love the choral build in the chorus - those BGVs and harmonies are just great. Enjoyed it. Andy