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Post by adam on Jun 13, 2021 16:41:55 GMT -7
SM7 on a greenback.
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Post by premiumplus (Dave) on Jun 13, 2021 16:46:47 GMT -7
That's GREAT stuff, Adam. The CAZ-45 never ceases to amaze me, and I really like your cover of this song...terrific! The amp is amazing how it cleans up with GV, isn't it?
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Post by Russell B on Jun 13, 2021 18:25:09 GMT -7
That was awesome!! Great job!
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Post by Jaguarguy (Mike) on Jun 13, 2021 20:53:32 GMT -7
Thanks for sharing Adam! Great demo and playing!
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Post by dcarver on Jun 13, 2021 22:24:00 GMT -7
Wow! Incredible guitar playing Adam. Thanks for posting that.
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Post by DRZ on Jun 14, 2021 3:40:36 GMT -7
It never ceases to amaze me the effort Adam puts in to recording these spot on videos. Wonderful vocal chops by his wife. And masterful drumming.
You did it again Adam, keep them coming we all enjoy your work.
Z
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Post by adam on Jun 14, 2021 5:24:38 GMT -7
That's GREAT stuff, Adam. The CAZ-45 never ceases to amaze me, and I really like your cover of this song...terrific! The amp is amazing how it cleans up with GV, isn't it? Yes, particularly with the amount of gain I had I going there.
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Post by adam on Jun 14, 2021 5:45:47 GMT -7
It never ceases to amaze me the effort Adam puts in to recording these spot on videos. Wonderful vocal chops by his wife. And masterful drumming. You did it again Adam, keep them coming we all enjoy your work. Thanks! This one wasn't too bad to put together and kind of fun because I didn't worry about it too much. Dennis just blows me away. Even the circumstances behind it, like we never played with the bassist before and he's kind of fighting the bassist and I pushing and pulling, but you'd never know listening to his performance. I just can't say enough good things about him. That session was before I had any Z amps, so it was fun to make use of it too.
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Post by doctorice on Jun 14, 2021 8:03:17 GMT -7
Watched it yesterday on the big screen with decent sound. Great job, Adam. You sure seem to enjoy playing, which is as it should be
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Post by j4gitr (John) on Jun 14, 2021 9:15:28 GMT -7
Fun stuff. That musical genre is not my cup of tea, but I was captivated and had to listen all the way through. Great job.
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Post by pcns on Jun 14, 2021 14:41:31 GMT -7
that was very enjoyable!!
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Post by "Z" Steve on Jun 14, 2021 16:17:07 GMT -7
Wow, I can understand the lyrics! As already mentioned but worth repeating - Great Video!
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Post by bigboki on Jun 14, 2021 19:43:40 GMT -7
Wow, what a great great video, playing, sounds, singing. All is so perfect! Thank you so so much for sharing
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matte
New Member
Posts: 45
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Post by matte on Jun 15, 2021 11:49:28 GMT -7
Epic. That's all I got.
Oh and man I want some greenbacks. haha
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Post by Chilly Gibbons (Todd T.) on Jun 15, 2021 17:08:07 GMT -7
Adam’s house would be a fun place to live, lots of talent under that roof.
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Post by adam on Jun 15, 2021 18:13:42 GMT -7
Thanks all for the really kind comments on the video. You are all really too kind. And yes, it's all for fun and I've been at this a long time now. Trying to play the instrument, trying to figure out how to record and mix things.
I hope whatever videos I do are helpful in some small way to someone. Even if it's "that's not the amp for me", I think that can be helpful to someone looking at the amp line and trying to make heads or tails of what is what, and Z has made so many amps over the years, it's really kind of hard to discern what is what, and thank god for this forum to help people figure that out. It's a little like you go to Northface to buy a winter jacket and they have like 80 of them and it's easy to just shut down and turn it off because it's overload.
That sort of leads me to another point. A long time drummer friend messaged me yesterday (I'm overly blessed with great drummer friends for some reason) saying his guitarist is looking for a new amp and it needs 2 channels, maybe 3 (clean/crunch/lead) and he needs a solo boost and he runs his acoustic into it too, and your z tones are great and which one should he get? I was kind of dumbfounded on how to answer that one for a multitude of reasons, but I think it's a great question that probably every other guitarist on the planet has the same question.
How would you guys answer that one?
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Post by adam on Jun 15, 2021 18:28:33 GMT -7
Adam’s house would be a fun place to live, lots of talent under that roof. It's a really humble home, but it's sort of the ultimate musician place too. Just a small ranch house with a full basement which has ample room for fooling around with music, but the closest neighbor is 60 yards away, and the general footprint around the house to the other neighbor lines is around 24 acres. So making racket is never an issue, and just peace and space and the beauty of nature is really special and never gets old. The drawback is we are farther out from friends than we'd like to be, but it's worked out really well for the last 15 years and I wouldn't have it any other way.
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Post by LT on Jun 16, 2021 8:28:44 GMT -7
Just terrific all the way around! Thanks Adam.
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Post by cetanu on Jun 28, 2021 9:43:08 GMT -7
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 9, 2021 4:32:12 GMT -7
Love Rush. Rad performance and video, Adam. I don’t usually enjoy covers all that much, but that.... was.... AWESOME! You kind of ‘Ramble On’ a bit at the end though. Seriously, great job. And the CAZ sounds fantastic both in the mix, and by itself at the end.
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Post by adam on Jul 9, 2021 5:21:32 GMT -7
Love Rush. Rad performance and video, Adam. I don’t usually enjoy covers all that much, but that.... was.... AWESOME! You kind of ‘Ramble On’ a bit at the end though. Seriously, great job. And the CAZ sounds fantastic both in the mix, and by itself at the end. Funny, but I don't really like cover videos either. I started doing them #1 as way to try and get better at audio engineering (like to get better at it anything, you just have to do it). The video part was an extension to be able to share it, and that's been fun to learn too. The CAZ is a fantastic amp. Surely not for everyone, but neither is say the Ghia. I think that's why so many people wind up with so many Z's, or flip them if they need the funds for the next one. They are all wonderful amps, and very different from one another. Even the MAZ 18 and 38 are very different to me, and I wouldn't want to get rid of either one for the other.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 9, 2021 7:25:07 GMT -7
Love Rush. Rad performance and video, Adam. I don’t usually enjoy covers all that much, but that.... was.... AWESOME! You kind of ‘Ramble On’ a bit at the end though. Seriously, great job. And the CAZ sounds fantastic both in the mix, and by itself at the end. Funny, but I don't really like cover videos either. I started doing them #1 as way to try and get better at audio engineering (like to get better at it anything, you just have to do it). The video part was an extension to be able to share it, and that's been fun to learn too. The CAZ is a fantastic amp. Surely not for everyone, but neither is say the Ghia. I think that's why so many people wind up with so many Z's, or flip them if they need the funds for the next one. They are all wonderful amps, and very different from one another. Even the MAZ 18 and 38 are very different to me, and I wouldn't want to get rid of either one for the other. I’ve actually watched a few of your videos now, and they’re all well done. I respect anyone that performs covers, as it takes a great deal of work especially to do it well, not to mention recording it well on audio and video, but the level you do them at is rare and compelling. I also recently caught a H30 vs. Alnico Cream comparison vid you did with the MAZ 18 too, and found that very useful (turned me on to the KSM44a mic, too). Every Z amp I’ve ever played has indeed been wonderful in some unique way. It really is quite a diverse lineup Dr. Z offers currently, and I’ve always appreciated how doc runs his business, as well as the way he treats people, which makes me a die-hard customer and fan for life. I tend to be a relative minimalist with the amount of gear I keep around these days, but given the opportunity to test drive more of them in person without having to do the expensive and time consuming amp flipping game, I’m certain I’d find room for another Z or three. Though my Ghia never leaves me wanting for anything really, videos of the Z-Plus, Jetta, Z-Master, Z’Wrecks, and recently your vids of the CAZ have me really interested in trying some of those amps out in person some day, but it’s probably better for my wallet that I don’t... Secretly though, it’s totally on my list to someday road trip to a well-stocked Z dealer with a wad of cash in my pocket and an attitude of “Wreck”less abandon... Someday. In the meantime, it’s really fun to live vicariouZly through vids like yours, so thank you for what you do! Loved your reaction at the end of that Tom Sawyer vid too, that was great.
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Post by adam on Jul 9, 2021 16:21:46 GMT -7
@g'OlPeachPhan Thanks so much for the kind words, means a lot!
Alnico vs. G12H - I went back to the G12H in the combo. The alnico sounded good, but the G12H particularly on the clean side in that combo I think has some mojo. Alnico cream now joined to a V30 in a 2x12 that sounds great in particular with the CAZ.
KSM44 - I traded a neat silverface modded Bassman 10 4x10 for it. Shure makes really great mics. Love the SM81's over the newer small condensers they make, and the SM7's are pretty great too. Hard to beat a 57 or 58 too. Beato really likes the ksm44 too, fwiw. Also use a beta91a boundary mic inside the kick drum and that works well too. That's a neat solution for if you want a sealed reso head on the kick drum. That dw kick really loses a lot of oomph when you cut a hole in the head.
Ghia - The more I play it, the more I totally dig it. Really different from anything else I've played and it took me a while to figure out how it gives back what I put into it. Kind of gives me back a lot more. It's a really rewarding amp to play.
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 10, 2021 9:02:50 GMT -7
adamFor sure man! Fwiw, I too liked the H30 better than the Alnico Cream with the MAZ 18 in your comparison. I tend to prefer ceramic speakers in general with most amps, but occasionally alnico fits the bill. The V30 tends to be one of my favorite speakers, and I really love them in a 1x12 best of all due to the added articulation and clarity of using a single driver (provided of course that the single driver can handle the power safely, and musically). I thought the tonez on that other vid you did with the CAZ—> Z 1x12 V30 cab of all those short clips of classic tunes sounded excellent, and demonstrated fantastic versatility available from that relatively simple setup!. Difficulty in finding a reliable drummer lead me to learning to play drums myself a few years ago, mostly to facilitate creating finished compositions in my home studio... It’s been quite the journey to get the details right, with lots of effort into chops, getting the kit to sound the way it does in my head, recording it well, etc. So I appreciate the comments you added on your tips for getting the desired kick sound with the beta91a, too... Incidentally, one of the things I discovered along the way on this drum trip, is that I too greatly prefer a sealed reso on the kick, as you mentioned, and a boundary mic inside is one thing I have yet to try, and I think I’m gonna have to at some point! I found some satisfactory results a while back when I was using a homemade sub-kick on the reso as part of multi-mic setup to record the kit, but in the end the results I was getting from that approach weren’t exactly what I was looking for. Lately, I have been employing a single mono Cascade Fathead (figure 8 ribbon) in the Tchad Blake method to capture the entire kit in a very satisfying way, without any extra mixing or processing needed, which has really helped me get my desired sonic results, while also greatly improving my workflow... I would be very interested to try one of those KSM44’s set to figure 8 with this method, as it seems like it might be a really great choice for a different flavor from the Fathead, if the natural sounding results you’re getting with that mic on your guitar cab were any indication. I’m gonna check out some of those other Shure mics you mentioned too... Man, the problem though with the expensive mic purchases is that they’re not usually as exciting to me as purchasing say, another Z amp, and it’s all competing for the same funds, so usually the mics lose out, lol. Carmen Ghia is the amp love of my life. I’ve owned a lot of different amps over the years, and nothing has done the electric guitar better for my taste than guitar—>Ghia—>V30. You hit it perfectly with your description; the Ghia is quite the magical tone generator with what it gives back for what you put in... 25 years since I first plugged into one, and it still feels fresh and inspiring every time I twist those two knobs and go to town. These days I appreciate the Ghia more than ever.
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Post by adam on Jul 10, 2021 10:22:47 GMT -7
the problem though with the expensive mic purchases is that they’re not usually as exciting to me as purchasing say, another Z amp, and it’s all competing for the same funds, so usually the mics lose out, lol. .. 25 years since I first plugged into one, and it still feels fresh and inspiring every time I twist those two knobs and go to town. These days I appreciate the Ghia more than ever. Really cool on the Ghia. I hear you on the mic expense. I looked up the Blake method with one mic, if that's what you meant. Never tried it. The one I saw was LDC in cardioid over the kick pointing at the snare. I would think if you were figure 8, you'd really be cancelling the cymbals and kick. Anyway, the 44 just seems even and not hyped. Has that fast condenser sound, but it's note pokey like a lot of other mics. Saw David Gilmore micing a twin with one, right on the grill. I figure he knows what he's doing by now. The beta91 I use with one of those Kelley SHU mounts. Works well. Had to cut an XLR, run through a vent hole and re-solder. Sometimes I add a 121 on the reso, but it's not needed and kind of a bonus. I'd also add that I've never liked what I've gotten out of the hats except with the Shure 81. I tried to save $100 with the ksm137, but I don't like it nearly as much. I also have a pair warm audio u87 clones that I planned to use for overheads (among other things), but I like the 81's as overheads a lot better. Lastly, no matter what you do, it won't sound good unless the drummer knows what he's doing. Like how to tune and damp, and more importantly, how to hit the drums so that they are in balance with the whole (don't smash the hat or cymbals #1).
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Post by G'OlPeachPhan on Jul 10, 2021 12:29:32 GMT -7
the problem though with the expensive mic purchases is that they’re not usually as exciting to me as purchasing say, another Z amp, and it’s all competing for the same funds, so usually the mics lose out, lol. .. 25 years since I first plugged into one, and it still feels fresh and inspiring every time I twist those two knobs and go to town. These days I appreciate the Ghia more than ever. Really cool on the Ghia. I hear you on the mic expense. I looked up the Blake method with one mic, if that's what you meant. Never tried it. The one I saw was LDC in cardioid over the kick pointing at the snare. I would think if you were figure 8, you'd really be cancelling the cymbals and kick. Anyway, the 44 just seems even and not hyped. Has that fast condenser sound, but it's note pokey like a lot of other mics. Saw David Gilmore micing a twin with one, right on the grill. I figure he knows what he's doing by now. The beta91 I use with one of those Kelley SHU mounts. Works well. Had to cut an XLR, run through a vent hole and re-solder. Sometimes I add a 121 on the reso, but it's not needed and kind of a bonus. I'd also add that I've never liked what I've gotten out of the hats except with the Shure 81. I tried to save $100 with the ksm137, but I don't like it nearly as much. I also have a pair warm audio u87 clones that I planned to use for overheads (among other things), but I like the 81's as overheads a lot better. Lastly, no matter what you do, it won't sound good unless the drummer knows what he's doing. Like how to tune and damp, and more importantly, how to hit the drums so that they are in balance with the whole (don't smash the hat or cymbals #1). Yup, that’s the Blake method I was referring to. I like it because it’s a good natural sound with minimal input, and I appreciate the inherent limitations of getting to most out of one mic. Interesting tip on the figure 8 pattern cancelling the kick and cymbals; thanks for mentioning that, as it’s something I did not realize could be a problem. The overall sound I’m getting recording the kit this way is actually quite balanced and very fat, if a bit subdued or dark on the cymbals, but that is actually playing fairly well to my preference. The kick is definitely good and present in the mix, with a decently balanced attack with good punch, and nice added body from the proximity effect. Still, your thoughts prompted me to do some future further experimenting comparing with LDC and SDC cardiod mics on that Blake method to see what I get from it that way, so thanks for the suggestion. The 44 seems like a superb mic... Fast LDC, but not pokey on transient response as you say, is very appealing. While I like the precise detail of the LDC’s that I’ve used, that pokiness you describe is always what keeps me from choosing them. Conversely, I always seem to find most every SDC I’ve used to be very easy to get a natural sound, so your mention of the SM81 as a good choice is very interesting as well. Mics is definitely an area I could stand to upgrade a bit... I’ve been working to get the most out of what I’ve already got for the past 4-5 years, but I may be at the point where I could benefit from a bit larger investment, so those suggestions you made are appreciated! Regarding the critical importance of getting the drums right at the source through the technical aspects of tuning and damping, and playing dynamics and technique, I totally hear you. When I first bought this vintage 70s Reuther (Pearl) kit five years ago, let’s just say I had NO idea what I was getting into! It’s probably good that I was naive, or I might never have leapt. I just knew at that point that I had reached a roadblock in creating and recording my own music, that programmed drums were not for me, and that I wanted to be able to track real acoustic drums independently. After a learning curve at least 3x longer than what I anticipated, and finding out this was about 10x harder and more complicated to do well than I expected, I’m finally getting close to the results I’m after. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I never expected it to be this hard! Totally worth it though, and I never anticipated how much I’d enjoy playing the drums. Adam, I appreciate that you took the time to have a bit more in-depth conversation here despite that it detoured a bit from your original post... Thanks again!
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