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AndyB01

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Posts posted by AndyB01

    Setting Up A New DAW. Advice?

    in Gear

    Posted

    Hi Larry

    I've got the same CPU (no Win 11 for me either). I used to have a Gen 1 Focusrite interface (2i4). One thing I learned was that it really did not like USB 3.0 ports and used to BSOD all the time if I used one - luckily I had a USB. 2.0 I could use instead. Also the general release driver for the Focusrite was unreliable and used to cause crashes (I never worked out why), but I did get more stability with a beta driver the guys at Focusrite sent me. I eventually upgraded to a Gen 3 2i2 and have had no issues since.

    My top tips therefore would be use the Focusrite support guys if you need them and avoid USB 3.0 for Gen 1 interfaces if you can.

    My approach to the BIOS is 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' but I did find disabling fast boot was something that improved overall stability on my rig.

    For AV, I use Bitdefender, nice small footprint and never causes me an issue; but the stock offer from MS Defender is more than adequate these days and no longer the standing joke it once was.

    What drives does it have? Upgrading mine from spinners to SSDs had a great impact on performance and was a good value upgrade. I would recommend if you're trying to get some performance cost for a reasonable outlay.

    Finally, always worth checking sleep and power settings - especially for USB ports that have a habit of dozing off when you least want them to. I set mine to a high power plan.

    Hope some of that helps and good luck with the rebuild.

    Andy

    1 minute cue IS THIS IT?

    in Songs

    Posted

    EzBass is smoking on this - I'm still struggling to get really decent results with it (I think I lack the patience to really get under the hood of it), but it's still better than I can do manually with a MIDI keyboard.

    This definitely sounds worthy of further investment to me, then again I can talk, I must have a dozen half-built, half-written songs and uncompleted projects on EzKeys. 😂

    Andy

    • Like 1

    Puppets

    in Songs

    Posted

    Hmm, enjoyed this, second mix definitely better bass wise. Had a bit of a Fleetwood Mac vibe for me.

    Mix wise, I was listening on good cans and it sounded like I was in the room - that's as good as it gets for me.

    Great job.

    Andy

    • Like 1

    Synthogy Introduces Ivory 3, The Future of Virtual Piano Instruments with Unparalleled Technology

    in Deals

    Posted

    Actually - having bought my version through Time+Space (since gone bump) - I have just discovered I have no trace of a serial number. I registered and activated it via iLok and the product works just fine, but iLok rather unhelpfully doesn't show the serial. So I doubt I could upgrade even if I wanted to as I cannot effectively prove ownership and it isn't registered on the Synthogy.com website.

    Some suppliers have much to learn about continued access to and escrow of serials and other legacy info after they go bump in the night. I guess I could reach out to Synthogy support but I am not hopeful (even though I have proof of purchase emails).

    Andy

    Her Blues - updated

    in Songs

    Posted

    54 minutes ago, Keith Wilby said:

    By the time I'd finished them I realised they were about Prince Harry's husband Meghan

    Personally, I'd have said 'wife' but - then again - who knows these days! 😂

    Loved that Keith, all the elements are there, very cool guitar leads (is that you playing?), a bit of Hammond thrown in, nice walking bass and killer BGVs (some of those oohs might overpower the lead vocal a hair in places, but I was listening on headphones.

    Great job.

    Andy

    Durdle Door and a COMPETITION

    in Songs

    Posted

    Ha nice one Nigel - enjoyed the listen - great vid too.

    If I'm suitably inspired, perhaps I should write a song commemorating my completion of the Wales Coast Path (all 900 miles of it), but not sure I can spell all those Welsh place names.

    And anyway - what rhymes with Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch. 😂

    Andy

    • Haha 1

    Digitech Mosaic 12 String Pedal

    in Gear

    Posted

    After being out of stock for what seemed like forever (I think Digitech were bought out by Cort so there's been some loss of production amongst all the corporate stuff), anyway these finally came back into stock so thought I'd give one a whirl.

    I have to say that reviews are mixed at best and ideally I'd just buy a 12 string. However, as I don't have room for another guitar (and the wife doesn't have the tolerance) this is my only real option if I want a 12 string sound. I have to say I didn't have particularly high hopes.

    First impressions are actually not that bad. On full chat for both tone and level, you do get the full experience, but you'll be reaching for both your EQ and Compression plugins as things can get quite muddy. Dial down the levels and you can still get some nice additional depth and shimmer.

    Is it as good as a real 12 string? That's a definitive no but it's a very commendable effort. Is it better than anything you can hack together with an octaver, pitch shifter, chorus and Melodyne - I'd say almost certainly yes, based on my experience of trying all four.

    In conclusion I'd say it gives a workable and usable 12 string sound, you might still have to play with it and build an FX chain around EQ, compression (and even a touch of reverb) to get really close to the sound you're after.

    It's not cheap at over £100 and it's mains only, so no burning through batteries at least.

    For now, I'd say it's a keeper and I'll see how good a sound I can get from it.

    Andy

    Spanish Guitar

    in Songs

    Posted

    10 hours ago, bjornpdx said:

    I can't get enough of that eerie mood a classical guitar song can generate.  Thanks for the suggestions. I'll check it out.

    Same here, I share your taste.

    Bay Of Kings would be another one I forgot to mention.

    • Thanks 1

    Forever

    in Songs

    Posted

    Lovely work as always - have to agree on the Rhodes solo, didn't really work for me. Perhaps a more sustained EP tone would have worked better or if it was a bit busier - IDK, these things are always a question of taste and it's your song at the end of the day.

    You still did a great job and I'm still a fan. 🙂

    Andy

    Spanish Guitar

    in Songs

    Posted

    Nice job Bjorn - those strums would benefit from being more 'flamenco' in style (i.e. more staccato with a stronger attack) but incredibly difficult - if not impossible - to achieve with a guitar VST I would have thought. I wouldn't really know as I don't really use guitar VSTs.

    Nice expressive melody though and a nice balance across the mix - you did a great job and I enjoyed the listen.

    Andy

    P.s. If you like classical guitar stuff, you should check out Steve Hackett's classical albums - they really are quite exceptional. The following come to mind:

    Tribute

    Momentum 

    A Midsummer Night's Dream

    Metamorpheus

     

    • Thanks 1

    The delusional world of Linux.

    in The Coffee House

    Posted

    Several years back, I converted an obsolescent old Dell laptop I bought as surplus from work for thirty quid to run on Linux Mint.

    It actually ran really well and I used it as a music server for a while. Then I heard about a local charity looking for computers and they were keen to make use of it, so I happily handed it over.

    They're probably still using it!

    😂

    • Like 2
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