The Bass Geek

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There’s an excellent First Friday coming up in Fountain Square this month, including the re-opening of Gnosis right there in the Murphy Building. The fact that this puts issues of “Wax Poetics” within walking distance of my home fills me with no end of joy.

Therefore, it is with great trepidation that I see we have SNOWPACALYPSE ‘08* scheduled for that very day. I’m hoping this is an inflated weather event used to justify the approximately 13,000 Doppler radars blanketing our fair city with UP-TO-THE-NANOSECOND!!!! weather coverage and potential safety. Make every effort to come out and enjoy, please.

*I don’t think it’s a registered trademark or anything, but thanks to Kristin and Rob G. for bringing the term to my attention.

We’re starting to record some more songs for the Warner Gear, and we’re going to look at some different ideas for recording the bass.  Last time, we ran it through a SansAmp Bass DI direct into the computer - we’re going to stick with this setup, but we’re going to toss in quite a bit more highs and crank up the “presence” knob a bit.  We’re thinking about some advice “Duck” Dunn put forth in “Bass Player” magazine a few years ago (and there’s really no better source) about tossing in every frequency and letting it get adjusted in the mix.  After all, it’s easier to take frequencies out than to boost them when they’re not there.  I don’t normally cut them in my playing, but we’re thinking it might make things easier down the line.  Last time, we also did some faux “tic-tac” bass sounds using an old Danelectro (it just sounded right on some of the songs).  I’m not sure the material is leaning that way this time, which is another reason to try increased high-end.  We should be doing bass and drums in the next few weeks, so I’ll know soon.  Duck wouldn’t lead me wrong, though.Is it wrong that I’m contemplating this issue while watching a bass lesson about slapped arpeggios? 

Although the name makes me think more of extreme BASE jumps, the Mos Vertical Jump Bass still looks pretty intriguing. I know it’s not going to please full-on upright players with accuracy, but the ability to shift to that position is slightly intriguing to the hands that didn’t quite make the transition to the doghouse. And I like the graphite - I found it by searching for replacement necks for my weary Stingray, and my Jazz bass was purchased in no small part due to the graphite inserts that help keep the neck from twisting.

How does it sound? Dunno. This isn’t a review, it’s just bass porn. Enjoy.

The basic premise of Qtrax is that the service provides free and legal downloads of major label tracks to users’ computers.  Stellar idea, no?  Especially if the artists involved are getting paid their fair share.  I’m getting conflicting stories, though.

• This story claims that all the major labels are behind it, that it’s not compatible with the iPod, and that DRM and proprietary software will be involved (fair note: I’m a user of iTunes and the iPod, which does include provisions for proprietary software and DRM - however, the files I’ve ripped from my CDs will transfer to other media players and software.  According to the article, the tracks won’t move at all).
• This story backs up the first article on every point but the major label support - the claim here is that nothing has been put in place yet.
• This story claims that the deals aren’t in place but could be soon, doesn’t worry about the DRM or software issue, and claims that iPods WILL be supported (again, I’m noting iPods here only because they are a dominant product in the player market - I’d be interested in hearing whether other media players are compatible as well).

So I’m getting conflicting information, the PC service is still in beta, there’s no Mac version yet (it’s promised on 3/18), and there’s still the issues of DRM and ad-supported music (how will the ad revenue be distributed to artists, if at all).  That’s a bunch of red flags to me at this point.

• Shirtless Biddles at Deano’s Vino tonight - ’round 7:30
• Boilermaker Jazz Band at the Fountain Square Theater for Swing Night tonight - ’round 7:30
• Orquestra Bravo! at Radio Radio tonight - ’round 10pm (highly recommended - it’s fun, and they offer salsa lessons ’round 9:30
• Jenn Cristy and Chad Mills at Sam’s Saloon tonight - ’round 9
• The Roundups, Jethro Easyfields Band, and Evan Snyder at Sam’s Saloon Saturday night - ’round 9

The “’round” indicates a general vicinity of time, usually later, at which you can plan on at least being in the presence of the musicians. I take no responsibility for when they actually start playing.