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Topics - jzinmass

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Recording Tips & Tricks / Amp gain, I gain, we all gain
« on: August 04, 2014, 08:13:07 AM »
In recent comment on my posting, Bob astutely noted: '..Something is really wrong with your recording, like you left a high gain amp on accidentally.'  Very helpful, except I've never really understood what 'gain' was (indeed, sounds like the more you add, the more you gain..good thing, right?).
Looked it up :  Gain:
In electronics, gain is a measure of the ability of a circuit (often an amplifier) to increase the power or amplitude of a signal from the input to the output. It is usually defined as the mean ratio of the signal output of a system to the signal input of the same system.   
Noise:
Amplifiers generate random voltage at the output even when there is no signal applied. This can be due to thermal noise and flicker noise of the devices. For applications with high gain or high bandwidth, noise becomes a very important consideration.

It looks like when gain is increased noise is introduced.....
This is not security trading, here, less gain is better.  I also had a floor fan running next to the mic when recording (hot day) and high gain amplified it.
Thanks Bob
jeff

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Harmonica Playing Technique Q & A / Loopers
« on: May 24, 2014, 12:40:51 PM »
Greetings,
Just posted a looper based song (Solo 1).  I have spent (wasted?) about a year working with my RP255 & have loads of questions.
Anybody out there loop?  ....wanna talk?  I started after hearing SODave, Branden Bailey and other nonharp loopers.  I think Bailey offers Skype lessons.  He recently posted on MBH a very useful YTube instruction segment.
Some questions
1)My RP 255 has one loop channel.  Thus, can only stack which means once a loop is recorded, there is no getting rid of it.  this limits song structure options.  Anyone work with more sophisticated devices?
2) RP limits 20 seconds  on recording length- this makes chord progressions  difficult unless you run thru them real fast.  I am left with modal songs.  Bailey advises very short loops as not to bore audience.
3) Rhythm is a b**tch in several ways:
     a)  If you try hand rhythm - SOD does some of this with Marcas and the like, it is difficult keeping the rhythm ( which I believe most songs need-Beat boxing may be best solution) and this is further complicated because of:
      b) loop cut off.  Unless it is timed perfectly, rhythm gets off at each cycle.   Very hard to both get and stay in the groove when every 20 seconds or so, there is an unwanted rest.  Bailey addressed this in his brief MBH post.     


Enough.  I like working with it and envision performances not always dominated by our guitarist colleagues.
keep it
reel.
jeff


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Misc. Conversation / Anyone going to Harmonica Collab in Indy?
« on: April 23, 2013, 08:46:47 AM »
Anyone from this august group plan to be in Indy for next 4 days for the Harmonica Collaborative? If so, track me down. 
It looks like it's going to be intensive and fun--something I could use -as well as a break from last week.
Jeff Z. in Cambridge.

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Administration & Announcements / Backing Track Revision
« on: September 10, 2012, 01:10:45 PM »
I realized that the backing track list was (recently?) significantly revised. I seem to recall that in prior jams, it would lengthen as bt songs would be added and then flushed clean at the end of the 6 month jam.
I ask because I had merrily gone along and recorded a song with now gone BT. When I found that Main Stage would not accept it (since it was not on present BT list), I thought perhaps the Open Mic Stage might allow it. Nope.

I don't know about others, but I like to dwell for a week or so on a song: listen to it, hum to it, record, listen, re-record. Is there a warning (flashing little light) or something to tell us that the boat (ie., bt) is leaving port ? No biggie, just curious; and certainly tell me if I missed something on the system.
thanks
jeff

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Hello Room / Greetings from Boston
« on: August 28, 2012, 09:03:48 AM »
Howdy. I finally posted and signed up on this site. Some history: 40 years ago as I commuted in LA, I figured blues harp was one productive way to spend time while stuck in the 'frozen traffic' of Santa Monica fwy (keyboard was too challenging. I played in college and then other life aspects interrupted. 3 years ago upon retirement (now living in Cambridge), I started playing again.
Way back, I was charmed by Butter, Cotton and in recent years appreciate Little Walter, Ricci, Del Junco, Sonny Terry and many others. i also listen to be-bop and would love to work some of that sound into my playing.
I have been very fortunate to have some lessons with Annie Raines.
Look forward to contributing to the site/community.

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