Jimbo 88

So the Loop function can be activated by pressing "L" and the looped measures will have a yellow bar over them.  I recently picked up a Line 6 FBV Express pedal that has pedal switches  that will transmit Midi CC data, MMC and "Mackie".   I'd like to use one of the pedal switches to toggle the Loop function on and off, but I can't think of a way to get that to happen.

Would I set up the Line 6 Express as a surface controller?  I can't find a way to effect the Loop function that way.

I going to be using a laptop with CbB to play backing tracks for a jazz group and would like to loop the solo sections so everyone gets a chance to solo. Then turn off the loop without taking my eyes and hands off the piano to hit "L".

Thanks.... 

I always update now.  I use to wait.  I use to have a previous version of CbB always at the ready.  I have not had to roll back and I know there is an app for it and I use to know how to roll back, but I not sure I can remember the procedure.  Thank God for google.

Anyway, Yes.  I always update. Not had an issue.  Someday I'll probably get hit by it.

I'm with Bitflipper on this.  Motivation is the most important thing here.  Getting a college degree is big, can be more important to get one than what the course of study is in some cases.  Staying out of dept is also something to consider.  Having a minor in something computer orientated would not hurt.

My parents did not want me to major in music, but that is all I could ever think about. I followed their wishes, got thru college and a BS in Business Marketing by the skin of my teeth and then went out and built a career in music.  I often wonder if i would have been an "A" student if I majored in music.

I really have very little "talent".  Bad timing and a very average ear have plagued my life as a musician.  So I might not have done well in music school, but in the real world I more than made up for short falls because of my desire not to to do anything else.     I have out earned and out produced many with much more talent.

So I vote for whatever motivates a kid...

I really don't think that I could find anyone who has logged more hours on Cakewalk than me over the years.  Granted, I have not always been heavy into audio, a lot of midi scoring to picture, but a fair share of audio.  in 30 years I can not recall losing more than 15 min to an hour of work and I can't recall the last time any loss happened.  

The method I use is similar to what people mention.  I have my auto save  set up,  but  the main thing I do is save project versions.  After I complete a  a major task I save then save as v(+1).   Another trick to prevent lock ups is bouncing to clips.  After I edit a voice over or a singers part I can have tons of clips, fades, clip gains, eq's dropped in a clip,  Or drum parts can have hundreds or small timing corrections.  So after I'm done with a major chunk I save , then bounce the audio to a clip, then save to the next version.  All your edits get printed and the computer frees itself of tons of data.    Just a note...one thing that people don't really realize is that when you do a long take , split it into a small section, the DAW still is trying to edit the audio as one big file.  So split out the small section that needs to be fixed and bounce it to clips.  It then creates it's own small file (less chance of crashing ).

I have spent a healthy amount of time in ProTools, Cubase,  Sibelius and  Dorico.  None of them are any better off as far as crashing.  In fact I like CbB's  safe mode better than anything else for dealing with crashes.  Saving versions is lifesaver and It's rarely the DAW that fails, but some 3rd party plugin that is the issue.

My point is not to berate anybody or anything, but chances are you will have the same issues on your next DAW.

I learned this all the hard way...very hard way.

The song, playing is great.  I truly love the mix.  Sax solo is killer, yeah but so is everything else.

Hey So How the heck is the piano?  Did you get it tuned yet?

I gots ta know...

On 3/6/2022 at 2:15 PM, PhonoBrainer said:

I your vocal "yeah's" and scats and such are a nice touch!

I forgot to mention...I added those as a tribute my father who used to love the piano player Errol Garner.  Garner can always be heard grunting and groaning thru out his recordings.

Hey Guys --thanks for all the cool comments!

On 3/4/2022 at 1:39 PM, mark skinner said:

Great writing and Very well performed. I Really liked the Bass. It sounded Authentic if it was a virtual instrument , it was a Nice one ..  mark

The bass is Trillian.  I find that good Chord voicing and leading makes Bass lines easy to sound real.

On 3/6/2022 at 2:15 PM, PhonoBrainer said:

I like the room sound, I don't know how much was live recorded but it sounds like all elements are nicely presented in the same space, and your vocal "yeah's" and scats and such are a nice touch! Bass is tre cool and the piano ain't half bad either!

cheers,

-Tom

The piano is Upright Piano...a free vst from audiolatry.com.  It sounds very much like the piano in my living room:)

https://www.audiolatry.com/upright-piano/

The Melodica and Vocals are recorded in my basement studio and I'm using Breverb2, which was free many years ago to Sonar.

THANKS 

Hey so this is a great track!  I'm interested in how you recorded the drums...did you collab on that?  I really like the live sound of the drums. (everything else is pretty dang good also.)

I wrote this as an exercise... and I kinda wanted to show my daughter you don't always have write so many words and notes.

Having too much fun with this, I think I'm going to have do this live.

For those who read music, I'm attaching the lead sheet.

Sing A SImple Song -WorkInProgress.pdf

Very cool...everything you do seems to be getting better. Vocals, guitars,  mixing...all better. It is fun to check in your songs.  This song is inspirational.

I love this song.  Any mixing critiques welcome...

Hey so if you want to make this song more "sell-able"...it's a pretty decent song...

1) shorten the intro

2) Try singing the vocal more effected, with more of a character.  Get a little wacky (never hurts to try something crazy).

Great recording and geetars.  Sounds good.

Great jam....occasionally I get to play with a group of guys and we do original songs just like this.  We might have to scam this:)

Amazing...I agree that the horns could be pulled into the mix a tad, but that is such a subjective thing. So good.

Sounds sooooo good....A+

It's my 1/2 bday today now that you mention it....

Interesting piece.  Well mixed.  Avant garde works well in context, at least for me.  You should try to pair with a visual.

Very good...Hey was the Sure "Elvis"  mic used on your vocal?  Or was it in the video 'cause it looks so cool?   I have a similar one and I like to use it, but singers tend to give me a strange look when I pull it out.  Your vocal sounds great.

I'd love to hear thoughts on how to make the mix better.

So...with covid hanging over everyone, I recorded the Trumpet player in my garage (in the winter Ha!).  I pitched the song up to Bb to record the trumpet, then pitched everything down a 1/2 step to record the geetars, bass and vocals.  Can you tell the Trumpet has been pitched down a half step?  This is sung and written by Cary Drake.  I got to write the horn arrangement and produce the song.

Really nice job here.   You are really stepping up in mixing and mastering.

Joe Walsh is listening...and is jealous

So Cool!!   Really love this.

When is the JSG World Tour?   Did you ever think about performing your compositions live?   With backing tracks, you could have a small string ensemble, 3+3+3+1 and a couple of winds.   (You'd have to find the world's greatest oboe player to do this piece.)  How cool would that be.

Best!   ...and good luck with the tour

More fun just jamming...Original songs  Mine and other voices got printed, but I'm not going to try to remove them.  I love playing the Melodica. I have had one for a long time, but i just put a tube on it.  i went to the hardware store and cut one to size. Now I can see the keys.  Turns out the tubes are readily available Silly me.

You asked for help?

This is great...I would try a real drummer or a drum program that is a littler straighter, but this is an A+.

Try hitting or toggling thru "scroll lock" on your computer keyboard.

I really love this piece...I am not a fan of electronic drums, so tired of that sound (who am I kidding I hated them the 1st time I heard a 808), but these electronic drums feel great.  Great programing and mix. This is inspiring to me in that I feel maybe i could find a way to use them in my own work now.

Great mix, Great Job,

I love the images.  Especially how everything seems so still, yet the snow is motion all around.