A Beatles Virtual Instrument

[Frodo]

Did you get it from Sonic Reality esoundz? I would hope that I can get both electronically, because if they try to send me a hard copy to me in Canada I will probably have to pay duty, taxes, and brokerage fees on it.

I went to my favorite local music store here-- West LA Music. Whole thing was $219 with x-grade discount and local tax. Not bad, I thought. The second plugin has to come from IK's site when you register the first one. Hope you don't have to deal with duty, et al. Someone's always has their hands in your pockets.

That sounds like a good idea. If you can build a patch that'll give me the AC100 Getting Better ricky bass sound, I would love to hear it and try it. Wish you had a 4001. I'll try to fool around with the bass again tomorrow.

I was going to say-- having a 4001 or 4003 for a start would be the best way to go about it! I'm trapped in Hofner world for the moment, but that's not such a bad thing.

[zed]

WATCH OUT AMPLITUBE 2 DEMO USERS!!!

Just worked for some hours on a project using my demo install of Amplitube2, and when I closed the project and tried to reopen it, it simply crashes DP. Fortunately I was able to open the project again by removing the Amplitube2 component from the components folder. I removed the plugin from the project, and then put the Amplitube2 component back to do some more tests. And it turns out that even if you disable the plugin before saving your file, it will crash DP when you try to reopen it.

I assume that this is a conflict with IK copy protection setup, and that if the product was registered I would not result in this issue. Kind of annoying though, because now I have to think twice about using the demo over the next week on my projects.

I'm trapped in Hofner world for the moment, but that's not such a bad thing.

Nothing wrong with Hofner world. Not a bad place to be trapped, at all. I have enjoyed playing with both the Hofner and Ricky bass instruments in the Fab Four. It definitely seems as if each have their place because sometimes one just sounds right for a song over the other. Probably why McCartney continued to use them both through the rest of the Beatles career.

[Frodo]

Well, Zed... I'd spent the better part of a half hour compiling some info for you on plugins acting up in DP and on the story of Paul's two Hofners, but the site timed out and forced me to log in again-- I lost the entire post in the process. Darn.

But, here's an interesting site about Paul's two Hofner models with great pics of the differences:

http://www.vintagehofner.co.uk/gallery/ ... /bass.html

The 61 model was refinished in a more tobacco sunburst and was last seen around the time of the Revolution video shoot, after which time it was stolen. It was the 63 model that was seen in the Rooftop concert.

Here's a photo of Paul's actual '63 as it looks today, still sporting the set list from the 1966 tours, and apparently reads: "Rock & Roll," "She's a Woman," "If I Needed," "Tripper," "Baby's in Black," "I Feel Fine," "Yesterday," "Wanna Be," "Nowhere Man," "Paperback" and "Long Tall." The white trim is still there, just hard to see against the white background.

http://www.thecanteen.com/63view.jpg

[zed]

Oh no!

I just downloaded the free convolution reverb plugin mentioned in this thread:
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22768

Now I am downloading Impulse Responses and spending hours experimenting with reverbs. It is lots of fun... but I didn't really need any further distractions to take me away from making music. Seems this whole month is dedicated to testing sounds and software. Gotta stop playing around and get back to work.

Having said that I must install the IK reverb demo so that I can decide how it compares to all these cool convolution reverb sounds I am getting for FREE.

[Frodo]

I'd bet money that you won't regret CSR. Not only does it sound nice, but it's a bit less demanding on the CPU than convolution reverbs.

Also, another word of warning-- as soon as these demos expire, remove them from your computer. Expired plugins can wreak havoc over time. I started having problems on my laptop printing and saving files-- even saving bookmarks. Couldn't figure out what was wrong... I ran Disk Warrior and it pointed to my Amplitube Hendrix demo which had just expired over the weekend.

While I've not been doing anything much related to the Beatles (or to Fab Four, for that matter), I have been getting other work done FINALLY!! I've waited all summer for this-- it's just too bad that 8 weeks of work will now have to be completed in less than 2 weeks.

But, that's how the silicon cookie crumbles, sometimes. At least I'm on a roll at last!

[zed]

...I have been getting other work done FINALLY!! .... At least I'm on a roll at last!

So glad to hear it Mr Frodo! :-)

I'd bet money that you won't regret CSR. Not only does it sound nice, but it's a bit less demanding on the CPU than convolution reverbs.

Wow. Your encouraging words have got me even more interested. I shall experiment with it over the next couple of days and share my thoughts.

In the meantime, I only have less than 24 hours to decide whether I want that REX collection. I guess I'm not giving much advantage to the group buyers by not having signed up yet, but I suspect a bunch of people will sign up on the last day. Isn't that how it usually works? I would have signed up sooner if I could get DP to import a REX2 file, but I simply cannot... so using the REX library might involve an additional $300 which I am not so sure I want to make right now. Too many things to buy!That's why I love decent freebies, like that convolution reverb plugin and all the free impulse responses.

Gotta get one of those vintage Hofner basses too! Maybe in 2008.

[Frodo]

.... if I could get DP to import a REX2 file, but I simply cannot...

I've never used REX anything-- but don't you have to have Propellerhead's Shared Library installed before they can be imported into DP? I thought some people were getting that file from either Reason or its demo...

Now, if I know nothing about REX files, I know even less about REX2 and what it does or doesn't do. I do know that Nanosampler will import some REX files with caveats, but I don't know how it would handle REX2--

Part of me feels as if I'm missing out on something, and yet another part of me is thinking that what I don't know won't hurt me.

I exaggerate a little-- I do know what REX files are basically, and I've seen them in action. It's just that I've never really used loops of any kind, or any of the Properllerhead plugins.

All I know for sure is that I want a Rickenbacker!!

[zed]

I've never used REX anything... I know even less about REX2 and what it does or doesn't do.

Sorry Mr Frodo, I know you are unfamiliar with REX files... I was just talkin' out loud. The DP manual actually suggests that importing REX files should be as easy as pie, but I haven't quite figured it out yet... in any case... it is not really a good solution to do it that way, anyway. The easist way to deal with loops is to have a dedicated player which can serve as a librarian, allowing you to quickly audition loops before you decide to import them. Stylus RMX seems to be touted as number 1 in this category, although Mach-Five2 seems to do a lot of the same things... and then of course Reason (with their damned Abbey Road keyboards collection).

All I know for sure is that I want a Rickenbacker!!

Too bad we don't live in the same town. We could pool our resources and trade basses from time to time. And then one of us could buy the 330, and the other the 360-12. We'd have almost all the bases covered (literally).

[Frodo]

Sorry Mr Frodo, I know you are unfamiliar with REX files... I was just talkin' out loud.

No, no. My apologies. For all my jibber-jabber, I'm anything but a know-it-all-- and I know at least that much and wanted to admit it. LOL. I'm sorry I couldn't help you out more. Seems to me you've encounted one of those things that *should* work but escapes the cleverest intuition of the most dedicated manual readers.

The DP manual actually suggests that importing REX files should be as easy as pie, but I haven't quite figured it out yet...

Try out that suggestion with the Propellerhead Share Library file that comes with the Reason demo.

To import REX files into DP, you must have the "REX Shared Library".

This file, located in /Library/Application Support, is not installed by DP. You can obtain the "REX Shared Library" by installing a demo for Propellerhead's Reason. To download the Reason demo, go to Propellerhead's website.

Too bad we don't live in the same town. We could pool our resources and trade basses from time to time. And then one of us could buy the 330, and the other the 360-12. We'd have almost all the bases covered (literally).

Cover our bases and our basses, indeed!

Yeah, the internet makes the world smaller, but not quite small enough, I'm afraid. I'd definitely hit you up for some guitar pointers if nothing else, that's for sure.

Did you know that Hofner's standard issue is about $350 USD? I bet anything that Paul bought a '61 standard issue (since there were no real vintage electric basses back then-- and he confesses to buying cheap). Of course, the official McCartney resissues pull down some serious bean in excess of $2k. Some of that is clearly placebo fueled by legendary association, but I'd be curious to see how much "better" the signature instruments are from the standard issue.

Granted, after trying the $500 Casino (and not liking it), I'm really curious to try the more expensive models to see if they're as much fun to play as the Ricky 340 and 381 were. Paul says to this day it's his favorite guitar. Still haven't tried out a Sheraton model-- dunno if they're better, worse, or different.

But a Casino is now a goal for 2008. 2007 is Ricky time!

[zed]

To import REX files into DP, you must have the "REX Shared Library".

This file, located in /Library/Application Support, is not installed by DP. You can obtain the "REX Shared Library" by installing a demo for Propellerhead's Reason. To download the Reason demo, go to Propellerhead's website.

Thanks Frodo. That's pretty damn helpful. I shall try that.

Did you know that Hofner's standard issue is about $350 USD?

No, I didn't know that. Is it basically the same shape? Same pickups? Hmmmmm.

Granted, after trying the $500 Casino (and not liking it), I'm really curious to try the more expensive models to see if they're as much fun to play...

Before I got my current guitar I tried a $1000 Casino knock-off and ended up taking it back because it just didn't feel or sound quite right. But... it was made by a third party in the orient. Aren't the Hofner standard issues are made by Hofner? I would hope so.

I have just been cleaning up and organizing some files, and I came across this information which will probably interest you:

Tremolo = modelled after Fender Amps from the 60s

SState Clean = Fender Solid State Combo Amps
Vintage Clean = Vox AC30 Top Boost (a Tube Amp)
Tube Clean = Fender SuperReverb
British Crunch = Marshall JCM-800 Amp (use Gain control to change character)
Modern Hi-Gain = Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier
SState Lead = Heavier sounds which clean up at low gain settings
Fuzz = Fuzztone pedals (from the 60s)

SPEAKER CABINETS
Small Combo = Small 15 watt Fender combo amp from the 80s
Open Back 1x2 = Ampeg AX-30W 100 watt combo tube amp
Open Back 1x12 = VHT Pitbull 50 watt combo tube amp
Vint. Open 4x10 = Vintage Fender SuperReverb (from the 60s)
Mod. Closed 4x10 = closed 4x10 Marshall cabinet (from the 80s)
Vint. Closed 4x12 = Marshall 4x12 (from the 70s)
Mod. Closed 4x12 = Marshall 4x12 (from the 80s)
British 2x12 = Vox AC-30 Top Boost amp with 2 12" Celestion Speakers (from the 60s)

No Speaker = no speaker at all for bass guitar and when using for effects treatment

I copied this from somewhere a few years ago, when I first got Amplitube 1. My presumption is that this information is still true of Amplitube 2.

[Frodo]

Did you know that Hofner's standard issue is about $350 USD?

No, I didn't know that. Is it basically the same shape? Same pickups? Hmmmmm.

It's called the Icon B. It apparently has the vintage-style "diamond" soap bar pickups akin to the 61 model.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--HOFICONBB

Now, it's made in China, but before you throw in the towel, read these user reviews:

LINK-Hofner Reviews

Hey-- for the price it's a DARN good instrument, and I maintain that Paul's first Hofner was no better for the price he paid (£30). The 63 model may be another story, and of course our feelings about having a German-made Hofner vs an outsourced model these days are quite different than they once were. And-- for the price, you could put whatever pickups you wanted on it.

I have just been cleaning up and organizing some files, and I came across this information which will probably interest you:

Tremolo = modelled after Fender Amps from the 60s

SState Clean = Fender Solid State Combo Amps
Vintage Clean = Vox AC30 Top Boost (a Tube Amp)
Tube Clean = Fender SuperReverb
British Crunch = Marshall JCM-800 Amp (use Gain control to change character)
Modern Hi-Gain = Mesa-Boogie Dual Rectifier
SState Lead = Heavier sounds which clean up at low gain settings
Fuzz = Fuzztone pedals (from the 60s)

SPEAKER CABINETS
Small Combo = Small 15 watt Fender combo amp from the 80s
Open Back 1x2 = Ampeg AX-30W 100 watt combo tube amp
Open Back 1x12 = VHT Pitbull 50 watt combo tube amp
Vint. Open 4x10 = Vintage Fender SuperReverb (from the 60s)
Mod. Closed 4x10 = closed 4x10 Marshall cabinet (from the 80s)
Vint. Closed 4x12 = Marshall 4x12 (from the 70s)
Mod. Closed 4x12 = Marshall 4x12 (from the 80s)
British 2x12 = Vox AC-30 Top Boost amp with 2 12" Celestion Speakers (from the 60s)

No Speaker = no speaker at all for bass guitar and when using for effects treatment

I copied this from somewhere a few years ago, when I first got Amplitube 1. My presumption is that this information is still true of Amplitube 2.

Good stuff, that.

Interesting choice of code names assigned to the Vox amps. Very helpful indeed. Can't wait to try these out-- if IK ever gets back to me with the serial/authorization quandary.

[monkey man]

...in fact, another kernel panic this morning has had me doing maintenance all day instead of working on this monster project due at the end of the month. Ugh. So far behind... I've just downloaded the X4X Combo while my mind is lightyears away from musical creativity. I may not install it just yet, but I'll start with DiskWarrior and then maybe a reinstall of 10.4.9.

What the heck, Frodo!?!? How come you are going through all this again? I thought you were gonna stay put for a while!? How come you are subjecting yourself to this nightmare all over again?

'Cause he wants to truly experience that guinea pig feeling we all know and love?

It hurts me to learn that you are emersed back in the whole maintenance bullsh•• again. :?

Couldn't have said it better myself.
It hurts me every time the maverick rushes in, especially given that I'm already acquainted with the "talent wasted on troubleshooting" scenario all too well.

Meanwhile I'm recording a raunchy guitar track, with an newly created Amplitube 2 setting... Shouldn't you be doing the same?

No zed, he's playin' guinea pig and needs to stay in character for now.

3 days ago I logged on after an 8 day break, and the "view posts since last visit" search feature didn't produce a single result.

The site has been a little sluggish on this end-- I've had some difficulty logging in, and my e-mail notices kind of stopped a while back. It's okay-- as long as I can get logged on at all I'm happy.

Good point. I'm eternally grateful to James for having built our sanctuary.

All we did was move in and empty the fridge.

Oh no!
I just downloaded the free convolution reverb plugin mentioned in this thread:
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22768
Now I am downloading Impulse Responses and spending hours experimenting with reverbs. It is lots of fun... but I didn't really need any further distractions to take me away from making music. Seems this whole month is dedicated to testing sounds and software. Gotta stop playing around and get back to work.

Perhaps it's time for you to stay in guinea-character for now too, zed?

[Frodo]

Hey Zed-- and other PLAY enthusiasts:

Not sure how I managed to miss this--

PLAY Engine v 1.0.011 is up. The last version I downloaded was 1.0.010.

I must be losing it big time.

[zed]

Not sure how I managed to miss this--

PLAY Engine v 1.0.011 is up. The last version I downloaded was 1.0.010.

Thanks Frodo. I actually knew about this... sorry. My understanding is that this was a build for windows users. I don't think anything has changed for Mac users since 1.0.010. I did install it, but noticed no changes.

Perhaps it's time for you to stay in guinea-character for now too, zed?

Oh believe me, I spend much of my time in guinea pig mode. I don't mind being a guinea pig when it comes to fun stuff like playing with new effects or sample libraries... but when it results in reinstalling the OS and constant troubleshooting, I just can't stand it! Don't know how Frodo can keep pushing the envelope.

[Frodo]

Oh, I don't know that I push the envelope that hard. There are other folks here who are way ahead of me in that regard. My main tussle has been with this silly PLAY engine-- and indeed how it cranks with OSX and sends DP into a coma is one of those botherations that has wrecked many a music day.

I mean, I'm not a REX guy, and I stopped short of delving into Kontakt 2 once I got EWQLSO running. I'm nowhere near dealing wtih scripts, fx, and edit features.

Truly, I've done little experimentation unless I'm totally off my biscuit. I do have a MacPro, but that took 15 months to come around-- hardly an impulse buy.

It's the Ring, I tell you. Like an albatross around my neck. But if what I encounter benefits just one other person, then part of my purpose on this earth has been fulfilled.

My understanding is that this was a build for windows users. I don't think anything has changed for Mac users since 1.0.010. I did install it, but noticed no changes.

That you didn't notice any changes worries me more, if those changes could have potentially been for the better...

There were some Mac-specific issues and at least one DP issue addressed with 1.0.011:

From the Read Me:
* window activation for audio units within digital performer

* fixed sample search

* This update is recommended for all PLAY Software 1.0 owners on Mac OS X and Windows XP

The notes sound promising. If they didn't actually fix these issues, then something is rotten in Denmark.

Off to install.