Flash@TMB

Loudness I agree it was too loud. That was only the second time a live band had played through the new rig and we were still learning. We've refined the volume issues at the open mic nights that last 4 Sundays and now have this under control. We've also acquired a dB meter... sometimes it's hard to gauge volume when the sound system is so clear, and the meter helps us to keep the volume to a minimum. With most PAs volume is accompanied by distortion and we have a natural tendancy to confuse distortion with volume. This system is so clear that you can reach the pain threshold before it becomes apparent that it's VERY loud. The system can however function at much lower volumes with equal clarity. Our jukebox plays through it day in, day out and it's clear right down to 60db below which the noise from the fridges overpowers it. Volume is an interesting thing... background noise typically hits 50-60dB and traffic 80dB, conversation is 85dB, a jumbo jet taking of hits 120dB and a pneumatic drill at 1 meter 130dB. Live music is usually in the range of 100-120dB. The pain threshold is 140dB. The interesting part is that perceived volume doubles with every 3dB increase so we hear something at 120dB as being twice as loud as something at 117dB. This is probably the reason that many meters operate in 3dB increments, although in the case of meters we are measuring down from the maximum output. Flash

I don't know I don't make those rules. Ask Jimmy or Rico. If you come down before 1800 then maybe you'll get in for free. So RUN!!!!

Uphill? I hope not!

AND... as if by magic... Strobing Goat are playing The Moorings Bar this Saturday 24th April. I specifically requested them after reading this thread. Hope to see all you goat fans (I almost used another word for a second) there. Flash

I would like to add Atrium to my list. Great musicians and a great vocal with good melodic tunes. Also some people will be pleased to hear that the much talked about Strobing Goat are playing The Moorings Bar this Saturday the 24th April. I specifically requested them when Hot Mangu pulled out. My comments post gig...

I think you should rename the band 'Blonde Egyptian'. Hey at least it stands out on the jukebox and is easy to find. Lets face it you deliberately screwed up as a publicity stunt.

We'll keep Dylan in mind for next time. Buzzcocks we will certainly do at some point. My only issue with the Clash live album is no Tommy Gun.

No I didn't. It either wasn't there in the first place or is still in there.

I already did but unfortunately we do not have a facility for vinyl. One of the problems being that the decks would be sitting directly over the bass bins, and it would be almost impossible to keep them from jumping. It's been hard enough with CDs. Other than that he would have been a good choice. He took in his CDs last Saturday but unfortunately the range isn't really broad enough to meet our requirements. He is however an option for us between bands on a Saturday.

Re: Re: Have I replied to this already??? I'm guessing that's a private 'gig' then?

The Moorings Bar is Aberdeen's original alternative venue dating back to the mid 1960s in it's current form. It's famous for an extensive range of high quality alcohol from around the world, and has a reputation for keeping it all in good condition... unfortunately the same does not apply to the punters. There is a 10% student discount on ALL drinks, ALL day, EVERY day (we were students once too). Want to see what the bar looks like? The Moorings Bar - Galleries ...and you thought it would be 15 drunk Russian sailors chatting up an ageing hooker, while a junkie lurks in a shadowy corner with a needle hanging out of it's arm, and some old git plays 'Amazing Grace' on the accordian. Heh heh... WRONG! Saturday we have live bands with the emphasis on original material. Look here for current details: aberdeen-music Admission varies. 18 years and over welcome. Wednesdays - alt.karaoke from 8pm - late Hosted by The Right Reverend Lucifer and Colonel Lingus. FREE admission, 18 years and over welcome. Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday we have Jukebox & Alcohol - a unique themed night NOT available elsewhere This consists of drinking really good alcohol while the jukebox plays your favourite tunes through an incredibly good sound system. Feel free to dance if you're up to it. So if you're sick of pub quizes, stand up comedy, karaoke, BIG SCREEN sport, speed dating, RPG, DJs, need a break from live music, or just want a decent drink, then this should be right up your street BE WARNED... we also screen a movies on Sunday afternoons, just to get a break from the jukebox, though life in the bar otherwise continues as normal. If you like to sample the good shit then check out this link: Wednesday Special Promotions - aberdeen-music Fridays... 1st Friday each month ------------------------- The Wreckin' Ball with DJ Cee Jay from 8pm - 1am. The focus is on metal, goth, and punk. In roughly that order. Admission Free. 2nd Friday each month -------------------------- RELEASE YOUR KRAKEN with B and C Fudge from 8pm - 1am. They play anything they like, country, punk, rock, metal, dance, (good) funk, anything really... Admission Free. 3rd Friday each month -------------------------- Supernaut with DJ Jaymz Elizium from 8pm -1am Trad goth, new romantic, electronica, industrial, and metal. Seriously! Admission Free. Please note a happy hour preceeds this from 5pm - 8pm so no need to get wrecked at home! 4th Friday each month -------------------------- Bjorn Lippy with DJ Wooly Jooly from 8pm -1am Punk, ska, funk, and disco! (plus a light sprinkling of rock 'n roll from Flash). Admission Free. 5th Friday each month (when it occurs approx 4x per year) -------------------------- The Double Deuce with DJ Flash and special guests from 8pm - 1am. Rock 'n roll, disco, and fuck knows what else. Abba anyone? Admission Free. Phew!

Have I replied to this already??? Have I replied to this already? Not sure but here goes. Bet I give a totally different answer too... WTF! I won't list 10 just the ones I've particularily like. Please also take into account that since I hardly ever get out of The Moorings I can only comment on bands that have played there. Also these are purely my own opinions based on personal taste - there are LOTS of good bands in Aberdeen!!! In no particular order: AKA The Fox - if you haven't seen them yet then you need to. They have an unusual blend of jazz and punk, that's hard to describe. The bass players a genius and the vocalist is a fantastic frontman. Not sure the drummer has much personality though Real Shocks - one of the most original bands I have encountered. The ultimate in cool. A band that would look equally at home playing a NY art gallery or a Berlin sex shop. Assuming such gigs ever took place. 48K - sadly lacking a drummer at present and the guitar player is recovering from a serious accident. Before that they had some amazing tunes and in a hot bar at midnight the rare ability to turn water to wine. potentially the finest vocalist in Aberdeen when he is on form. Guitar player is self taught and has a unique style. Toxik Ephex - I have always and will always love Toxik. Fred is the greatest songwriter of his generation IMHO. Chiz is the easily the equal of the drummer from SLF. Dod is a fantasic frontman with a great delivery. Frank is one of the nicest people I know. 7 Stone Under - they played a blinder the last time, on form they are a fantastic band. Great drummer and ace vocals. Hex Pens - 16yr old guys playing jazz from hell. I wouldn't have believed this was possible until I saw it with my own eyes. Let me think about the other 4...

And Mark Thomas is going to be there to help with the sound, so expect to hear something special.

And as a special treat Mark Thomas is going to be there to help get you a good sound. Don't say I'm not good to you

Looking for a gig at The Moorings Bar? We host gigs every Saturday. Anyone seeking a Saturday gig needs to contact Brian AKA The Ghost of Fudge - on this website: http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/members/the-ghost-of-fudge.html Or you can email gigs@themooringsbar.co.uk Most of the local promoters also have access to dates at the bar, for instance, AUBL, Dead Anyway, Dizzy Storm, Fudge, Might Duck, Sonic Shake... and doubtless there will be others. So please feel free to book through whomever you are most comfortable with. Please PM me if you are a promoter who would like to be added to this list, and gain more access to booking gigs at the bar. Checkout our MySpace page at: www.myspace.com/themooringsbar this includes a full spec sheet, and details of free accommodation for touring bands. If you are bringing a touring band up to Aberdeen, and are looking to make the deal more attractive for them, then perhaps we can help. Provided the band play a Saturday night gig at The Moorings, then we will provide free accommodation for the entire duration of their stay in Aberdeen, and this would include any night where they played at another local venue Plus they'd be eligible for a share of our door take. Our band flat has beds for 8 people, and can sleep up to 11 at a push. It also has full cooking, washing, and laundry facilities. Please check out the following post: http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/moorings-bar/37344-rules-bands.html We would like to hear from any booking agents that can deliver touring acts. We would be happy to fit in with any tour schedule. Alternatively we operate an open mic night every Sunday (The Jam Factory) where anyone can come along and play: http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11500

IN: Young Heart Attack - Mouthful of Love Duran Duran - Greatest Hits OUT: Hawkwind - Best of Fleetwood Mac - Rumours

Wait till you hear it this week... Wait till you hear it this week, HELL YEAH! Remember on the Saturday after we reopened, the second night that CJ did, the Friday being the first I had made a modification and the sound was awesome, but then I though it was maybe wrong and subsequently undid it? Well it was right, and the BIG sound is back for good. The same BIG sound that made all those girls jump onto the dancefloor. Can't wait. Better dig out some Cult and Kiss for this week.

OK - update time... The position has changed. I put the AD card back to pro level +4dB, here's why. When set to the default of +24dB the peak input gain was, as discussed between -12dB and -18dB unattenuated depending on the CD player. With the channel faders set to 0dB and the sterio bus also cranked up to 0dB this produced an output of an identical level to the input gain ie. between -12dB and -18dB. What surprises me is that this originally surprised me... of course it would DOH! Set to +4dB the peak input gain appears to clip, but no clipping effects were audible at any volume. On investigation attenuating the signal by 0.1dB caused a 3dB reduction on the meter. In other words anything hitting EXACTLY 0dB triggers the clip light. Modern CDs being so fuckin stupidly over compressed are hovering at EXACTLY 0dB for most of the time. They aren't actually clipping, it's just that the desk triggers the clip light on 0dB not 0.1dB. Now turing all faders right up results in 0dB on the stereo bus meter ALTHOUGH BY THAT POINT IT'S HARD TO CONCENTRATE ON THE METER FOR OBVIOUS REASONS... !!! The point is that this is all consistent with the theory - phew! So what I do now is just turn the channel faders up to 0dB then ride the stereo bus - this gives the best results sonically. The mic gains are as Soundian suggested, only now I follow what he was driving at. The big problem I had was not realising how powerful the system was, and basing my understanding on the CD player operating at a -12dB peak input gain. The bottom line here is that I can turn the gain on the vocal mics up much higher than I prviously realised, producing a much better SNR, crank up the channel fader to 0dB, then just go light on the master bus... sorry I mean VERY light. The problems we experienced with Hot Mangu were a combination of not enbough filters on the various mics, too much volume (it's very hard to judge volume when the system is so clear), and not enough compression on certain channels. I have also properly fixed the sub-woofer issue using the internal crossover and a little EQ, freeing up a monitor channel in the process. The subwoofer issue was largely due to lack of filters on the cabinet mics, and not enough filter on the vocal mics. Having every wedge on it's own channel has further improved the feedback situation. Mark Thomas has been an enourmous help again this week, and these improvements have followed on from his advice and input. Now we are starting to get some seriously good sound. I am eagerly anticipating both the Wrecking Ball on Friday, and the AUBL Exposure night this Saturday. If you thought the sound was good before then prepared to be truely amazed. Even the jukebox is sounding much better. The Moorings with a reverb and delay on vocal... surely not... not... not... not.

Ah but my copy of Use Your Illusion 2 lives in an Appetite for Destruction case for some reason. Which explains a why I couldn't find Mr Brownstone on it So your point is only valid everywhere outside of the Moorings.

Click here for details: http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11430

CeeJay the DJ is going to drop soon... as in have a baby, and therefore requires maternity leave. So The Moorings Bar requires some random to step into her shoes for a few weeks and cover the Friday Wrecking Ball. NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY (I just so know that I'm gonna regret typing that last bit). The successful random will: Have an extensive knowledge of all forms of rock music, including classic rock, metal, gothic, old punk, US punk, numetal, thrash, glam, hair, death, industrial, melodic, AOR, MOR, southern rock, grunge, blah blah blah... Realise that the above list does NOT include dance, techno, indie, or any novelty records. Have access to an large and varied collection of CDs representing each genre plus any others that I've missed off the list. NOTE - I have stipulated CDs, not vinyl or MP3 because those are a hassle for me to setup as I'm old & tired. Plus I know SFA about computers. Be aware of the lesser played album tracks that are on par with the cliched over played stuff. For example the track "You Could Be Mine" on Appetite for Destruction (bet I catch shit for that). Be aware that Paranoid and Doctor Doctor do not qualify as 'lesser known album tracks'. Have knowledge of lesser known bands, new acts, and local bands. Owning their CDs might also be a good idea... Be capable of injecting some suitably variation into the playlist every week. Have the ability to read the crowd and respond to their needs. Planning the set list in advance is NOT AN OPTION. There's no point in scheduling "Mother Russia" for 2113:53 if the Goths don't arrive until 2147:08. Ken fit Ah mean? Be able to continually dream up what to play next, over the course of a 5 hour period. Every week. Week in / week out. Year after year. Take requests from the punters, this includes having sufficient CDs to find the shit they ask for... BUT use discretion before agreeing to play it. Some slapper that's willing to flash her breasts is NOT AN EXCUSE to play Final Countdown. OK? Only a loaded weapon qualifies on that count. Devote a fair slice of air time to each genre of music. Except Death Metal. Slowly rev up the crowd until they enter dance mode. This means entering the zone early, then sucking them in gently, then bringing out the big guns at the exact moment to ease them off the seats and onto the dancefloor. NOT playing all your best shit in the first 30 minutes then spending the rest of the night working through all 4 sides of Topographical Oceans. BTW Yes is not allowed either. Knowing when everyone is sufficiently happy and drunk to respond positively to some cheesy overplayed err classic. Like Paranoid. The use of the term 'knowing' is key here - guessing doesn't cut the mustard. Be able to slip in unfashionable stuff but still make it sound cool. This is very important because I'll request 'Midnight Music' by the Runaways every fuckin week. Be able to take direction from me, since it's me that goes bankcrupt if you scre everyone away from the bar. This includes when I'm drunk and obnoxious. *** Gee I never realise how hard this was!!! *** Not entirely necessary, but a distinct advantage is the ability to make occasional humerous observations through the mic. You at least need to be able to say "Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the Wrecking Ball". Anyhow you get the drift... Perks are that we pay you for this. Seriously. You are permitted to drink within the envelope where you can still function, and on the condition that you do not become an asshole. There is also the possibility of a lift home provided you live within a commutable distance. Age/sex are unimportant. Ugliness is tolerated within reason. Body odour is considered unacceptable - Garth. Literacy is considered manditory. Neds need not apply (now why did I bother to write that since they can't read). You shall not wear Buburry, a football strip, or Lee Cooper jeans. After CeeJay returns there will be the requirement to cover the odd day here and there, and also to DJ on a Saturday before, between, and after bands. Apply here or in PM. Flash

Oops, so there I was standing in one of Aberdeen's premier music stores, with two of their most experienced staff buying these guitars, stands, cases, and strings. Then I distinctly recall uttering the words "will I need anything else?". And them saying "no that should be everything.". Which explains why I awoke in a cold sweat this morning 99% certain that guitar straps were omitted from this deal. Doh! Luckily Laura has leant me one from one of her guitars... that still leaves me short of two. So if you are coming along tonight, please bring your own guitar strap. Having said that, I might get a pleasant surprise when I open the bags and find some straps tucked away. BUGGER!

I should also add... ...I should also add that he is a really nice approachable and articulate guy. Given that he entertained me for 3 hours he must have the patience of a saint

I spoke to him yesterday for about 3 hours (I'm partly responsible for the mess he must have come home in - sorry LOL) and this guy REALLY knows his stuff. I mean REALLY REALLY knows his stuff. It was possibly the most educational 3 hours of my sound engineering life. And you won't hear me say that about an engineer very often... He was in the bar with Mark from Exile, so I imagine he has access to a studio. If I were you I'd go for it while the going is good. Flash

We also now have our own guitars and drums: http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11230 And I have the monitors properly EQ'd in now: http://www.aberdeen-music.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=11231 So now musicians can come down on a Sunday night, chill out with a few drinks, get up on stage and play through our lovely rig, and not have to worry about carting any heavy and valuable equipment about.