Topic: The Music Thread

@Voltan Glad you liked it, man! I saw them live pre-lockdown and they were fantastic. The guitarist, as I was saying to @Jimmer-jammer who also plays keyboards/piano in a rock context ,was originally exploring playing metal but found jazz "easier on her fingers"

Edit: Jimmer is the rock keyboardist/pianist not Shirley Tetteh from Nerija, just to clarify.

I should probably practice some guitar today And do it more in general.

After not really being that hot on Kero Kero Bonito’s Civilization I EP, they’ve definitely redeemed themselves with Civilization II, which came out a few days ago. The closing track, ‘Well Rested’ is a 7 minute progressive house-inspired track and showcases an interesting new direction for the band. Definitely looking forward to the next album!

@nessisonett How did you discover Kero Kero Bonito?

@Voltan How long have you been playing guitar? How do your guitar skills compare to your keyboard skills?

@TheBrandedSwordsman Honestly I have no idea. I’ve been listening to them since about 2014 when I came across their first album. I’ve been big into the PC Music scene since about then too so chances are, I found them through that label.

@TheBrandedSwordsman I've owned a guitar for less than 2 years but I don't play it enough and my skills are nonexistent compared to my keyboard skills

@Voltan That's fine, I'm sure you'll improve, just takes time. @nessisonett and Voltan, I am considering, on an unrelated subject, going back to CDs from vinyl, I find it difficult to organise my vinyl collection due to the large size of vinyl records compared to compact discs, and think that it might make it easier to collect music that way.

@TheBrandedSwordsman I'll probably never go back to CDs. Half of the reason I started buying vinyl was because I like owning physical releases of music but I realised I get the CDs and just put them on the shelf and I just listen to music off a computer connected to the HiFi anyway because it's more convenient and the quality is virtually the same (if it's not an awful low bitrate file, of course).

With vinyl you're more involved in the process and while it technically makes it less convenient, it's somehow more appealing and it does sound different. Not necessarily always better but it's not the same.
I'm not saying I'll never stop getting music on vinyl (I actually had to slow down a bit because I'm currently out of shelves to store new ones) but if I do, it'll probably be to go all digital.

This image is pretty accurate

@Voltan That’s pretty much my thoughts too. What you get on a CD is almost identical to what’s on Spotify. Whereas vinyl and even cassettes are a different type of sound and I’m more likely to listen to them.

@Voltan I reckon I will go digital as well, let's do it together! (running out of space for vinyl too).

I'm not ready to give up the vinyl rush yet!
@TheBrandedSwordsman @nessisonett What are your vinyl setups? Record player, stylus, amp?
Mine's a Dual 704 (late 70's model, older than myself) but equipped with a modern Shure M97xE cartridge. I replaced the original stylus with "vivid line" hyper-eliptic one by LP Gear - I've been using it for a while now and should probably replace it soon but the problem is they doubled in price since I got that one and now the price bothers me a bit But I also don't want to replace it with in an inferior one
Got that hooked up to a mid-90's Marantz PM-66SE amp, the Ken Ishiwata signature version (got it pre-owned but it came with the signed certificate and all). That one needs some maintenance but I probably just need to clean some connectors in the source selection knob so maybe I can do it myself. I'll need to look into it.

@Voltan Standard vinyl setup, just got a cheap one with a plastic needle off Amazon a few years ago, but it's served me well. I'm ready to go digital now, though, man. Digital me up!

Hey guys here's an instrumental I made with some friends that ended up a part of his EP. I play guitar on the chorus, lemme know if you guys like it!

@Voltan My turntable’s an Audio Technica AT-120LPX and honestly, the cartridge and stylus it came with are so good that I probably won’t upgrade for a while. Pre-amp included but I don’t quite have enough space to fit anything more than a subwoofer and a couple of bookcase speakers. Definitely going to get a proper speaker setup next!

@TheBrandedSwordsman That kind of record player doesn't do your records any favors unfortunately. The pressure that needs to be applied to the groove is much higher than with a magnetic cartridge, which means it will wear the records much quicker. Just saying (it's still a good way to start)

@nessisonett I'm familiar with that one, it's a decent player. I prefer a 2.0 setup myself - no sub but full range speaker columns instead. They do need some room though (mine are pretty much the reason I couldn't get a bigger and better TV for gaming)

@TraCuz- that was nice and chill - could use some more variety maybe

@Voltan Yeah, the turntable itself is quality. I could see myself keeping it for a long long time, just replacing the cartridge and stylus over the years. I do want a nice slipmat though!

I have this exact problem with my amp (except it doesn't happen all the time and even when it does, the music is never this bad ) - looks like I just need some contact cleaning spray and I'll be golden.

edit: I guess I'll just go out and get some now
edit2: Or I would if the supply stores weren't on lockdown...

@TraCuz- Great stuff, do you consider yourself a jazz guitarist then? I consider myself a jazz guitarist. Do you like jazz in general? Who are your influences and who do you listen to on guitar?

@Voltan Thanks for the feedback! I had more ideas for it but he released like this haha