@fretman I’ve known from developers and pro musicians have told me about various issues with libraries. I can’t say which ones told me about various libraries, but the problems are not that rare. Although I will share one because of the developer’s ethically problematic practices of using his contractors to attack his competitors and make shill…Read More

@fretman I think those are really helpful insights. They also could be useful in a section I’m contemplating adding that lets us review developers, but for now, it makes sense to have it here (plus, the tool we use to break off comments from threads is presently not working).

I personally don’t have much experience with EastWest libraries. I only…Read More

Good point, @fretman. For anyone who wants to buy Fender Studio Pro 8 or an upgrade from an earlier version, use the code SAVE10. You can help support the site using the below affiliate links. Plus you’ll earn and can use Deluxe Bucks to further lower the price + get a free plugin.

Fender Studio Pro 8 Upgrade
$90 with the code SAVE10
Previous…Read More

On December 31, 2025 at 8:55 am fretman said
I have their mandolin and they do tremolo right. It sounds a little course (as if they used too much edge of the pick) and it’s range doesn’t quite go high enough for me (I use Melodyne to fix that) but for tremolo, it’s not locked to DAW tempo and velocity is set by CC allowing for smooth swell…

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@fretman I presently use iZotope Ozone to do my mastering, but I was contemplating picking up Slate Digital Virute — which is on sale for half off plus an extra 10% right now ($44.10). Have you checked that out, and if so, what do you tihnk?

Also, what are you presently using? I use Ozone basically because I don’t have the expertise or good…Read More

On October 13, 2025 at 10:32 am mustakatu said
@fretman, no, the spreadsheet is associated with this video instead:

I tend to think of interface gain staging for recording guitar & bass as applicable to getting a good DI recording.
Unfortunately getting a good recording may not necessarily be the issue with getting a good sound out of an amp sim…Read More

@fretman Man, that’s a lot of stuff going on. It’s fantastic how much music is an important part of your life. If not for my tendinitis, I’m certain that I would probably be playing out at jazz clubs. I used to say to musician friends when I was young (in my 20s) that when I got old (40s – 50s) that I’d focus on playing in small jazz bands where…Read More

@fretman I’d say x10 is already an approach of Sloom, and for x2 or x4 it’s Cableguys Half-time for just a tenner

@fretman, I’m going to tag @gregjazz, because, he didn’t create this thread, he probably doesn’t get an email notice when someone posts in it. Now, because no one can see inflection in writing — I swear to you that shouldn’t come off all lecture-like! I was just passing on a tip, I swear! Plus, I know Greg pretty well and he greatly values…Read More

@fretman What DAW(s) did you use prior to moving to Studio One and how would you compare them? I’m guessing that you were a Sonar (pre-Bandlab) user, like myself and many others here?

@fretman I just posted that Insanity Samples is having their Black Friday deal. I had to see what the Hurdy Gurdy you want is going for and it’s on sale for $61, regularly $120. But before you buy it, my post includes a code for an additional 30% off your entire purchase, so you’ll want to grab that.

@fretman here you go! You can get it from Best Service where you can use and earn BestCoin (their loyalty cash) and support LinkedMusicians.

Now available at Best Service:

https://www.bestservice.com/en/deals/musical_sampling_flash_sale_7136.html?aid=ZBgL2roqVxRSujmR

@fretman, no, the spreadsheet is associated with this video instead:

On October 10, 2025 at 8:51 am fretman said
The link is broken with the aid added on. Just delete that portion (sorry, Peter) and the link works just fine.

Hard to resist that Pop Production Bundle for only $149.

Thanks for the heads up @fretman! I appreciate it. I fixed the…Read More

On October 8, 2025 at 3:55 pm fretman said
APD has a sale on for 2 vintage organs by GSI. Remember them? They used to make the go-to standard of B3 tone-wheel organ plugins. It looks like they’d moved on to other keyboards now. I’ve always like their stuff.

Wow, that’s a great find! I love the sound of those old cheesy organs and GS1 is a bel…Read More

I think it’s hitting me harder because of my tendency to be long-winded. Not putting myself down, I just like to write, so I do. My replies can turn into articles/editorials. And I love talking about my favorite gear.

Whether anyone reads it (all) or not, hey, whatever, but I do put effort into it, from my end it’s not just “jibba jabba.”

Lists…Read More

What we need a hurdy gurdy sample library shootout. Clearly, the sound of the hurdy gurdy appeals to @fretman and me. Anyone else?

Here is what you need @fretman

On June 26, 2025 at 12:42 pm Brian said

On June 26, 2025 at 9:43 am peter said

On June 26, 2025 at 8:43 am fretman said
You can always draw in your own chords. I do that a lot. You get more control  over how the pick strokes the strings that way. Players don’t always strum evenly across the strings. I often accelerate during the stroke (I…

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On June 26, 2025 at 9:43 am peter said

On June 26, 2025 at 8:43 am fretman said
You can always draw in your own chords. I do that a lot. You get more control  over how the pick strokes the strings that way. Players don’t always strum evenly across the strings. I often accelerate during the stroke (I’m expecting lots of jokes now – get your m…

Read More

On May 15, 2025 at 9:35 am doug said

On May 14, 2025 at 9:58 am peter said
@fretman, For some reason I can’t figure out, the automoderation software held up your topic. I approved it as soon as I saw it.

Your friend who keeps the beat.

@peter, for some reason my post to this topic are also waiting moderation.

For some reason, the a…Read More

On May 14, 2025 at 9:58 am peter said
@fretman, For some reason I can’t figure out, the automoderation software held up your topic. I approved it as soon as I saw it.

Your friend who keeps the beat.

@peter, for some reason my post to this topic are also waiting moderation.

@fretman, For some reason I can’t figure out, the automoderation software held up your topic. I approved it as soon as I saw it.

On May 11, 2025 at 9:47 am fretman said
It’s a pretty soft, intimate sound. I don’t think “cutting thru a mix” is one of it’s hallmarks. I think of it more like a piano for Lumineers-style music where it doesn’t have much competition with other instruments. But on the other hand, it’s lack of forwardness would allow it to blend very well in the b…

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@fretman – Be strong. Wait for their Studio Max sales.

Difficult it is for us grasshoppers to grok the above advice! 🙂