First paid gig in 15 years

[BWaj]

Well I guess it's my turn! Like everyone I need to list the disclaimers, lol. For my part, I did not touch sticks for 13 years and if I look like I'm struggling, I am. I'm just recovering from a serious back injury and have a weird numb right arm thing going on. But at 45 after such a long layoff, I'm purty proud of this, constipation face and all! Other than the parts where I'm working so hard it looks like I'm farting and the man-boob sweat thing, HAHA, UH Huh; eh...uh

For the band, these guys are great. Only thing I'll say is the singer had the flu, he still sounded really good, but the video does not do him justice. Best singer I ever worked with and it was good to play with him again after 21 years since we saw each other.

I get a kick outta the fact that we were all buying gear right up to the gig and you can see us all fidgeting with that, lol. We have more money than sense now, there was a time when gear did not matter. These days, we need it!!!!

But without further ado, JamCo! Unless the link does not work, then I'll do some mime stuff...I'm not good with technology.

[BWaj]

Oh yeah, lol. Even in our 40's/50's we have a few hot chicks on the dance floor. Boo Ya!!!! Couple scary ones too but you take what you can get in your advanced age,

My wife is one of the hot ones, but don't look at her! Seriously, Hairmetal, knock it off! kidding...

[Sydvegas]

Hey mate, nice playing all round - you and the band. Video sounds great too!

Audience is digging it - you're all obviously having a ball. What more could you want out of life?

[allanjohn]

Nice one.

[jpsquared482]

Great sound! What module and kit are you using, or are those VST's. Also, are you triggering cymbals or using the Zildjian cymbal sound generator?

[BWaj]

Thanks JP! I'm using a TD-30, just stock sounds that I messed with. I went direct out with kick, snare, toms and a 4th channel for all percussion/cymbals on the 30. I sent the FX out the main so the sound guy had control of how much he wanted to use. Just straight up gen 16's on the rest but I worked a long time on the EQ and still have a long way to go. I'm getting a little distortion on them so I need to sort that out.

The overall mix was combined from the board and the camera mic so you could hear a little of the room/crowd. But other than a delay and a little verb on the vox, it's all straight from our modules. Everyone goes direct into the board and uses wedges on stage, no guitar amps. So it really helps get a clean sound since the sound guys controls it all.

It was our sound guys first gig in 15 too, so lots of room for improvement for all of us, lol.

[BWaj]

Thanks everyone!

[kgoroway]

Very very nice job....no need for excuses in the OP. I have my 2nd ever gig tonight, so I'm pretty excited myself.

One thing I noticed in the vid...First song, Journey's "Don't Stop Believing". I've always played that open handed, It was very interesting to see you go for the tom hits with your left hand under your right. I might have to try that, but it seems like it would be easier open handed?

Anyway, again, nice job!

[BWaj]

Thanks, and yep, I just learned it and was a little rusty on my open handed technique. I chickened out on stage, lol. It is much easier to play it open if your left hand is up to snuff on it though. Next gig I'll definitely play it that way.

[Kenster]

That was freakin AWESOME!!!!!! Great job!

K ;-)

[BWaj]

Thanks Ken!

[zgeggy2k]

Very nice!

[Macarina]

We all fart while playing.... right? I'm not alone here.

Awesome job. That looks so fun. Great promo video.

Details dude on the kit... the entire kit... Please

[BWaj]

haha, good point! I'll put some details below...

[BWaj]

Mac, it's Ta D-30 and Zildjian Gen 16 modules. I have a TD-9 that I'm starting to midi with it also, but I think I'm just gonna make the leap to a software based deal like AD or whichever I like the most. I built all the blue pads from the ground up, I was so lucky I was able to salvage the wood from an old seamans chapple in Nantucket. I kid, I bought the raw shells and drilled everything out for the hardware. I bought all the hardware and stuff brand new from the best deals online.

I made a few cones and decided it was worth the 10 bucks a pop with the piezos already mounted online too. I just used a 1x2 beam across the middle to secure the cone at the proper height.I soldered a second piezo to the jack and stuck it to the shells with double stick carpet tape. I like that because it's thick and offers a little shock mount compared to non-paded tape.

Painted the inside black since I don't have bottom heads and put a 1/4" black rim on the bottom so it looks a little more finished. I made rim silencers from fuel line from the local auto parts store. It does well but wears out a little too quick for me so I think I'll buy some pro stuff.

I use my old TD9 cymbals for percussion, ride bell, sound FX, etc. I also recently made a percussion trigger from a PVC T connector which works great! It was crazy cheap, just the T and a stick of pipe to clamp it to the rack. Slapped a trigger in it with silicone and slapped a piece of rubber over it and instant cowbell.

I built a pretty sweet 14" kick but did not trust it for this gig. I did not get a chance to really beat on it and was nervous about the mesh head holding up. It will be ready next gig using much better than the Pearl heads I used as a prototype.

I built the riser a few days before the gig too. Just some 2x4's for a 3'x6' frame with 3/4" ply on top. I built two of em so it's 6'x6'. Stuck some carpet on it and some clasps so it won't separate. I just used 5 gallon buckets from Lowes for legs. It worked great.

Pic of part of it not really set up below.This project started with a used TD9 I bought for 500 bucks. I thought I'd jam with some friends over beers a few times and sell it. Oops!

[daebado]

Awesome job, Brian! Thanks for sharing! Sounded really good and nice job playing as well. Can't tell you ever missed any time behind the kit at all!!


Mark

[KennyinDundee]

We'll played, good band!

[BWaj]

Thanks Mark and Kenny!

[hairmetal-81]

Awesome performances there, Brian!

...it seems to pay off having two guys that can play both guitar and keyboards, I reckon!

[BWaj]

Thanks and yes it does. They are really good about covering all the parts. The hard part is harmonies, they are all really good singers but just playing a few times a month it's difficult to lock in the more complex harmonies.