xaqary's forum posts 444

Ha!

Yeah, I dunno why but I'm super suspicious of Waves stuff. I've no real reason to be. I think I got turned off by the 1 knob stuff a bit. I also know there's tons of magic in plugins with wild proprietary algorithms but I just feel weird using stuff if I don't know exactly what it's doing. Like is this gonna fuck with my phasing? Etc.

I'm working on loosening up tho. Anymore I kinda got a wicked tool for just about everything so I'm a hard sell. You'll have to advise me on fun stuff to check out sometime

Basic set up until the formal build out are constrained by space but here's the quick once over of the current set up-

Various guitars, keyboards, and other output-jack instruments (Yep, lots of 'em)

Soundcraft 200B (with the expanded EQ/later model) w/ channels 1 & 2 permanently set up with a tube/transformer pre (Hamptone)

UA Apollo 8p Quad + Quad Satellite (Black whatever sale, fit the budget)

Analog: Otari 1/2" 8 track (tho I miss my MCI 1" 8 track everyday)

Digital: Ableton is definitely my main DAW. I also have Logic X Pro & ProTools. I head to ProTools to mix, sometimes Logic. Case by case basis.

Editors? A ton of UAD plugs, Eventide, iZotope, & like 1 maybe 2 Waves plugs. Audio Damage & Serum come to mind as well. A smattering of the usual suspects.

Handful of rack gear & 500 series stuffs- a fair amount is on my board but I got a ton I still gotta add. Oh yeah, a Tech 1200 turntable as well tho it's soon to be retired...a handful of Ableton link iPad apps.

Besides that about 20-25ish guitar pedals,bunch of mics, etc.

*Updated. Dunno why I lagged on picking up ProTools. Fixed that. ProTools is back.

Any chance you could include Sweetwater & Vintage Audio King to the current "buy on" list of Amazon & Ebay?

I'd really like Equipboard to get that chunk of change when click thru & buy & if you got locked in with Sweetwater & VAK that'd cover a lot more.

I always try to support the local & little guys whenever I can but somethings just wouldn't be possible for me w/o the huge no interest financing breaks they offer on my big purchases.

Welcome Deneteus, post a bunch of fun stuff & enjoy this killer lil' community!

Yep, I was-I'll hit you up in a bit on our other messager w/ that story so I don't hijack the thread-

Ha! Think again sir. I grew up on a farm dammit

Oh I'm buried all right. That just laziness tho. I hate shipping stuff...or taking pictures of stuff...or tying my shoes.

Yeah, Jim prompted me to come weigh in on this but he covered the general "ethos" so damn well & then peppered in a ton of other fun stuff I'm not even sure what to add!

I will say I know of several releases that were all done with GarageBand & a few pedals or even just a Holy Grail. Hell, to this day one of my favorite recordings in the last 15+ years was with just a low rent stereo mic. That's it. Into a ProTool rig that looks like Audacity (don't get me wrong, I love Audacity) compared to the current GarageBand.

Limitations make for creativity. Millions of options is, for me at least- usually paralyzing.

Make a record & tour the world! You got all you need my man. Seen it happen...lots.

Welcome! Post a bunch of fun stuffs!

My wife said I should check out "___" guitar podcast. Said she thought I'd get it cuz they all suffered from something called "Gear Acquisition...what was it? Sycophants?"

Sounds awful! I'm so glad I don't have that...

Can you imagine joining a website just cuz you're such a gear dork?

Indeed, tho while rebuilding my studio I set 1 goal-1 exemplary mic from each family. It's taken ages! It ain't cheap! The rewards now that I'm slowly arriving? I'm so glad I've gone this way. I can never have all I want, but 1 great representation from all the families & then populate around them. I have found even 1 exceptional mic can do the job of 4 "lesser" mics. *i don't fundamentally believe in "lesser" mics, just proper application

That said? Some of my favorite recordings I've done are with just a stereo mic (of no particular prestige)...AKG 4040? Can't remember. Or even a 10+ year old Zoom.

Welcome! I can't help but mention this- I can safely say that almost every US band/artist I've booked/know/including myself would say- touring Europe is amazing, but I don't know a soul who just can't wait to get to Spain. Portugal too. Always - the favorite part of any Euro tour is when you finally get to Spain!

Good grief. My heart goes out to you sir. Glad you found the fun that is Equipboard!

I'm sure the answer is yes, but that would still allow for say- Brian Eno and instruments that may not be used currently to anyone's awareness but were iconic & part of his early works?

Psyched to see the changes! I've been too busy w/ work so I still have yet to add about 70% of my gear, but adding them to the updated format would be awesome.

"graduated from San Diego State with a degree in political science"

Awesome your head hasn't exploded yet & ya made it here! Welcome & welcome some more.

Awesome.

Hell yeah, welcome buddy,

I'm from Detroit but left ages ago-but I know at least 10 people who have ditched Portland (Oregon) for Detroit cuz holy shit can you stretch a buck there! They rent out huge places & can afford to live off their artistic endeavors, if not thrive.

I've constantly got my eye on Detroit to hear/see/etc. what's being created there given that freedom.

Portland? Yeah, used to be like that. Then fucking Portlandia turbo charged the gentrification here-it's completely outta hand now. We've lost an unreal amount of venues, galleries, etc. There's a fucking running piece in our weekly rags to announce this months batch of Portland venues, dives, galleries that will be gone in the next 30 days!! Fuck!

I see nothing but kick ass opportunities in Detroit. Fuckin dammit-I just can't do cold weather or I'd already be there.

There is actually a Hell Michigan-totally not trying to be pedantic, just a shitty joke.

God damn patriot if ever I seen me one. Miller High Life & Hush Puppies are on me. Maybe Pecan Waffle down at the local Waffle House...True patriots are Red White & Blue but know their Yellow too dammit. Only wish there were more people who understood the need to scatter a 1/2 dozen or so firearms & other munitions around my 500sq foot living arrangements. Fuckers on wheels I gotta be prepared for anything' dammit!

Fuck yep. Break downs for categories would be cool too. Here's my pedals, Here's my hardware FX/Comp/etc, Here's my mic locker, Interface, VSTs, Plugins, etc. I'd love that. Categorization like I see on artist pages.

You guys who run the site have gotta be crazy busy but just a thought. I've still got so much I've not yet added but I did think of an awesome side benefit of being comprehensive beyond just adding a solid review-

I have a nice catalog to update my insurance policy with! Just about everything on my board hasn't been added to my home owners policy (that's stupid) but rules cuz my homework is largely done...Renters or homeowners insurance- You gotta record of when it was entered (not ironclad but a start) & best of all you can just look at a glance at your board & know what I gotta add to your insurance policy.

Ha! Jesus, that old shit on there. I'm 100% on the same page. If it's something important & really requires back and forth I have to schedule it. Sounds like a great fix. I'll drop you a note soon and quit cluttering up the boards (sorry for that everyone).

Indeed, I turned green several times while scrolling your equipboard. Loads of fun stuff!

My "I said I was gonna sell that since I bought _______" list is miles long and its contents are in every room of the house. The "living room" has been treated particularly badly.

Ah, got it. The ones up now are just a temp set up in my spare bedroom while we demo & remodel my space. I'll happily ditch one

Go take a look if ya like-if you're into building/vacuum tube mics. This one will be a beauty. Just waiting on the capsule from Denmark but everything else is ready to go. Wicked C12 set up. Polar patters on power supply.

"I will upload a special piece of gear porn...". Unless I'm too thick to figure out how. Do you only get 3?

Honestly man? I think your comment, while a bit scorching in my condition -was fair. I'm actually kinda grateful for it. I'm not used to such a pubic AND interactive vibe (I read from some forums-usually with a grain of salt but never post. Like not even once). I'd have deleted it anyway of course but still...

It served me well to be reminded this if the INTERNET. Anyone can see it & (hopefully not in this case) shit behavior can cost you clients. I'm just far too used to the "boys club" environment, me and a few buddies in the biz talking shop at one studio or another after brainsmashing sessions & I forgot where I was (forgive the pronoun, girls are of course in the mix as well). I need to be thoughtful-aaaand not wasted helps judgement. No hard feelings at all whatsoever- as I hope you could tell by my reply.

Thanks for turning the volume down on the "Day Terrors!" from hell from this morning my man...Even more so for advocating on my behalf. Gonna put up a special piece of gear porn just for you right after this post just for you. Angel that you are.

-side note: my wife has taken it calling you me my "boyfriend"

I tried to explain that you're just "fan" but she won't budge.

Indeed we haven't but your timing is dead on! That whole thing supercharged my "Day Terrors" or the "Beer Fear" when I found the wreckage in the wake of last evenings drinking. You guys definitely turned down the volume on that so hell yeah, nice to meet ya!

I've was slow to put up a proper "Hey gang, this is me!" In the thread but only because building my Gearboard has included "Adding" a bunch of stuff not on here yet & spend about an hour or more on the description & review...then maybe another 20min revising after Jimmarchi1 posts a insightful & concise comment covering what I've missed/fine tuned what I had/ and at least one time I can think of where I was just flat inaccurate. Definitely made me consciously make an effort to raise the bar & research even more before I post.

You make me a better man Jim. Life just wouldn't be right without you.

Finally, thanks for the kind words! Ol' Jim may feel bitter for your recognition of my CLEARLY superior skills, intuition, training, application of knowledge for many years...I could go on but, hey-He managed to recontextualize things to salve the wound with "new guy" twist...his ego, ahem, EGO remains intact & we both know the truth of the matter.

I've got questions for you (general & specific), stories I know you'll get a kick outta but shouldn't be "public", etc. how can we make that happen my man? Guaranteed giggles for you & a little site/other knowledge from you...Spiced with your particular "humor" as you'd likely describe it. That shit just sounds like tons of fun. Kick that knowledge Mr. Moderator. Promise I'll keep just as active on the site, just somethings gotta be private.

He's clearly fishing Jim, let be grown up about this.

Oh yeah, & I hate your friend with the Princeton. You I just can't stay mad at.

That was just one score. That was one of 2 picked up, just the "doorstop" one makes for the best story. It's in top condition & under it's dust cover & the other gets more use only cuz it's not quite as cosmetically clean. Just think mics...& duffle bags. Fuckin duffle bags. Well get around to trading contact info & I'll tell you the story. You'll wanna barf.

I'm am my own harshest critic-What I read was not really what I would write in the sober light of day- I think my revised post will be much better at cutting to the core of where I'm at & the wisdom I hope to gain from all you fine folks. In brief, I value everyone's time. You rule.

Yup, Pensado's Place mentioned it while I was wasting time not making music. So glad he did

Jim nailed it & that's all ya need- These might be down the road thoughts...

Here's other nonsense on that topic. You're not alone obviously-loads of people use pedals like rack gear ($500 on a Big Sky Pedal?! Milk it!) & for tho who wanna there are people who make gear just for it-(tho it's the same +/- some whistles/ bells/extras & convenience)

The Radial "Voco-Loco" to match levels/impedance etc. & plug in all your pedals just how you like & give your house sound guy the output XLR cable. Fun to fuck with things real time if you want too. Oh yeah, it has a phase switch & phantom power too. Think $100ish (way more than a DI)

If you wanna permanently have this set up in your home studio Radial makes the EXTC for a 500 series rack space & I think a stand alone DI box type thing as well? Not crazy economical, but I love having a permenent insert/send wired into my studio for pedals in my 500 rack. I got way tired of having to pull out my DI, pedals, etc whenever I wanted to add in pedals. Now it's just right there whenever I want I even made space for several favorite pedals next to it so I just leave my favorites set up or swap out as is called for. (200-250?)

Jim's is where to start for sure tho. Grab a DI box dirt cheap.

An aside on distortion-I've kept a regular Marantz cassette deck wired in for years now. Love hitting it hard for a different kinda distortion. Cheap fun & I've had a bunch of people over the years ask me how I got "that distortion/compression madness". From my home stereo.

Dammit if I haven't found a home. Something to piss ya off? My buddy was in Eastern Europe (long while back) can't remember where but he picked up a 55 Tweed from a cobbler for 5 bucks as they had been using it as a doorstop. Fuckin door stop? I want get all future paperweights & doorstops from Eastern Europe. Get that wicked vodka soaked / tindged with a little shoe polish odor "doorstop tone". Maybe record it with a u87 paperweight.

I'm a rookie on here-

Please forgive the long posts in this thread on music theory, I'm just learning my way around. Oops!

Me? I'm Zach.

I've been in every part of the music world for 15..shit...20 years? Long time-but strongly rooted in engineering & songwriting. Started as a drummer-However-I've recorded "professionally" in studios with all a boy could ask for-I also spent time in various incarnations of very ambitious project studios, to a bare bones set ups. All had their own magic. "Project Studio"-is a term I personally hate but...I have done live sound,local booking, tour booking, festivals (3 days generally), management, roadie, released my own albums on labels and toured more miles/km than I can count in the USA and Europe. Filled in & done all the stuff ya do when you've been blessed with a good community and wanna survive in music.

There was a period where I reviled & recoiled from all of the opportunities and work I was blessed with (I'm an idiot). I went back to tape & a small room, and left all DAW's behind, sold off gear I still morn the loss of- that's where most of my published material came from but that was just a product of more time for me to write/but mostly SUPER good luck-but mostly me being an "iconoclast"? I'm no John Cage, etc so it was me just being a total jackass. Stubborn and willfully "low-fi" & "trashy" but I guess I needed to get it out. I figured that out, moved on & jumped back in with both feet, and all but abandoned all my familiar mediums & started over again & picked Ableton for its non-linearity. I've still got my "home" DAW's around for traditional recording just cuz I'm faster there & the mortgage must be paid! ...but I'd been longing to be uncomfortable. Worked! That's where I am now & why I'm here-Wanna know fundamentals? Wave mechanics? Bread & butter of being an engineer? Ask me anything ya like! In exchange if I can learn the HUGE changes I've missed I'd be so very grateful! Tips on Ableton questions I've got? I'll wanna buy you dinner.

I have no desire to classify my music taste. I studied music, all of it has something to offer. Of course I have my favorites, where I naturally "land". My favorites? Cage, Stockhousen, Reich as seen thru the lens of all my youth-post punk, punk, R&R, "Garage Rock", Pop (yep, stuff like Kesha, Taylor Swift, & I dunno.. Justin Bieber?**Max Martin, Ester Dean, etc-yeah I know. Tons of fun to deconstruct), it's all different parts of the same thing in my head & always fun. I LOVE GEAR. Buttons. Knobs & lights...but I just love music & the gear is just another part of it all.

If you've read this far? Holy shit! (you skimmed, of course you did) I do enjoy a drink so I can ramble-particularly on what has been the center of gravity my whole life.

Pals forever,

Zach

This is Gospel. I study everything that falls on my ears. If your a person who might hate "Pop" music & beyond how silly it is to be a musician who ignores really any contemporary music genre in the time you live in yourself- you'll also miss cool stuff like this as an example-

Justin Bieber & Major Lazer- "Cold Water"

It's a song that uses something that I've been hearing all over "Top 40" songs lately- Ambiguous key center. This "ambiguous key center" type of song is a fun trick. Usually with just a little theory & a good ear you can tell what key a song is in.

Major! Happy! Minor! Sad....

But "Cold Water" could be in F#min OR Amaj. So does it sound Happy? Sad? Is it about blissed out crazy young love? or a unhealthy relationship? You can hear it either way-so any listener can be held in suspense OR

-and this was what I like most-

If I write a song this way-The listener who is in a "sad" place will identify with it AND a listener who is in the throws of crazy blissful relationship ALSO CAN identify. You've made a song universal by "holding a mirror to the listeners mood" by not rooting it in any fixed mood. I could go on...but short version?

Fuck Yeah! Fun Shit!

Also kinda reminds me of Stravinsky's intentions w/ 12 tone composition. To smack around our Western Musical associations & crush them with a tonal melody not giving you any clue how you are "intended" to feel. Different, for sure but still it came to mind.

**i quick googled a bit & there's several articles covering exactly this and offer a bunch more examples including the same one I posted here. Just googled "ambiguous key center" & they go more in depth. Have fun with it-