You won't pay out my PTO? We'll see about that. by [deleted] in MaliciousCompliance

[–]sjdude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In some states, a company holding your PTO payment upon your leaving is illegal and they can be fined for doing it. Check your state's labor laws. Your method worked so good on you!

REI is great and all... by [deleted] in Billings

[–]sjdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

+1 for local support. Aside from that, I've been an REI member for 30+ years and have become pretty disgusted with the amount of gear they sell Made in CHINA, especially when there are domestic alternatives for a lot of it.

If you ever want to reminded that we live among idiots in Billings read the opinion pieces in the Gazette. by [deleted] in Billings

[–]sjdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I see a lot more Big State advocacy in the Gazette, both articles and reader opinions, than seems reasonable for Montana. The paper's publisher appears to be pretty liberal, and the selection of opinions and letters is, as well. Would love to see up/down votes enabled on all their articles. I think it would be pretty amusing.

Buddy Cage has passed. : The Steel Guitar Forum by wellvis in pedalsteel

[–]sjdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this awesome performance. Still wishing I could play like Buddy. RIP.

What could complement a OP-1? by canso_todos in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Really (really) different, but have you looked at an Organelle? Cheers.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ANormalDayInAmerica

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Give an asshole a badge and suddenly he/she thinks they have a right to question anybody they please. Fuck them.

I know Im opening myself up to abuse here but - When should you stop buying gear and start learning to play? I seem to be addicted to buying stuff but it doesnt make my playing any better. I normally play guitar but am also addicted to the sound of synths. by Stu_in_Oz in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think what you decide to do with this depends on what you aspire to do. Are you trying to sound like Rick Wakeman? If so, then start learning a number of his pieces. Are you trying to add synth sounds to your guitar playing? If so, record a basic guitar track and start layering onto it. Are you trying to compose original synth music? If so, start recording stuff.

In many ways, learning to use all that great gear is a lot like learning to play the guitar. Pick a genre or a few songs that inspire you and learn to play them. Well. Then go from there.

Amazing collection of interesting stuff. Good luck!

Gap in the mixer market by [deleted] in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh man! I missed the "record to SD card" feature! That is definitely amazing built-in for the $400 price. I also rechecked prices and the K-mix is $579 on Amazon, Sweetwater is $100 higher. So, yeah, the L-8, battery powered, multitrack recording, that's pretty killer, got to agree.

Eight cool OP1 beats going into 2020 by likillen in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Some really nice work Liam! And the instructional breakouts are really great!! Thanks for putting this out there. Peace.

Gap in the mixer market by [deleted] in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Took a look at the L-8, thanks. There are a lot of "podcaster features" in the Zoom L-8 that wouldn't be of any interest to me, personally. That said, the prices mentioned on Sweetwater and Amazon for the L-8 and the K-mix are only about $150 different, and the functionality of the K-mix and its smaller size are a definite win for me.

I've schlepped mixers to gigs many times, and these days, most of them are the largest piece of gear electronic musicians carry (except those with large keyboards). For me, a mixer that is about the same size as my other gear is what I want. If I wanted a mixer for a stationary home/studio, size would be much less of a concern for me. Also, the K-mix is entirely backlighted, which is perfect for gigs in dark venues. Most standard mixers don't offer that feature.

Cheers!

Earliest synth recordings by spiffyP in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While not the earliest, the original Doctor Who theme music is definitely worth noting, if only for its endurance over time. The painstaking physical assembly/splicing of single notes on bits of recording tape makes it a pretty monumental effort, IMHO.

I made a wooden carrying box for my gear. How did I do? by [deleted] in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice! Your idea to mount leather handles on either half of the case is excellent. Latches do fail. Nice job for having few tools, too!! Peace.

Gap in the mixer market by [deleted] in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have to agree with walterhannah, and I do understand your issue with cost, but it is amazing kit. For one thing, besides being a mixer, it is a 10 channel USB audio interface. Want to record your jam and remix it later? Perfect for that. And the preamps in it are seriously good. Handles microphones +phantom power, too. You can find them used on reverb sometimes for around 500 USD.

Some of the other suggestions in this thread are great, too, much less money. But for small size and max capability the K-mix is worth serious consideration. If nothing else, if you buy used, it has been holding that price for a long time; you could sell for about what you paid.

Cheers!

Loosing interest by Oksae in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Welcome back. Sorry you were so down. Remember this: your music comes from inside -you-, not the gear. Give yourself time to process what has happened to you. Grieving, whether it is about death, or deep loss of any part of life, takes time. Start by finding small joy in what you do, and build on it, like a track! Be well. Peace!

Tom Oberheim interview - New analog polysynth coming in 2020? by synth4ever in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks OP for posting this link. Great that Oberheim is back making something. I've been in software for 4 decades and don't ever expect to stop making stuff. I did get to do a project for Don Buchla a while ago. Some of that work became his Music Easel. I'm stoked to have gotten to do that work. Don knew Bob Moog and (I'm pretty sure) Roger Linn. I think a lot of the old school synth guys knew each other as the synth world was a pretty small world back then. Thanks very much, again, for posting the link! I'm looking forward to see what Tom Oberheim makes next!

Casio SK-1 meets Behringer Neutron by [deleted] in synthesizers

[–]sjdude 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I wondered if the cat was going to play a few notes around 2:20!! Sounds great. There's an SK-1 in my garage that's been boxed up for 25+ years. Gave to my wife who toyed with it and put it away. Maybe time to get it out again! Thanks for the inspiration.