a.miller

To coin a phrase -- "I smell what you're stepping in."

I agree that, if you can afford it, an external box like an Mbox or Presonus is the way to go. Aside from that, if you got an SM-57 you could use an adapter and go right into your sound card. I have a powerbook and before I got the Mbox, I went this route. My only gripe was that if you passed too loud of a signal through the line-in jack, it got crackly really fast -- this really limited how loud of a signal could go in there. In the end, I found that I got a lot worse signal-to-noise ratio than I would have liked. Enter the Mbox into the equation. The short answer: With an adapter you will

I would just go out and get a Shure SM-57. They're robust, produce good sound and only cost about $100. You can then, via a 1/4" to 3.4mm adapter, go into your computer via the line-in jack. A good thing to remember is that there are 3 important components to recording sounds well: The source (you), the microphone and the preamp. Given what you want to do, I don't think a usb powered condenser mic will afford you better sound over just going direct. Just my $.02 cents.

In terms of being influential, I'd say they're my favorite. I've never come across a band that has completely altered my views of music as an art form, technique and mystery than with Wilco. I've enjoyed many bands in the past, read all I could about them, learned all the guitar chords to their songs, got all their albums, etc. I think, truly, from a musician's standpoint (mine ) I am constantly wowed by Wilco's constant evolution of sounds while maintaining some degree of consistency. I'm not sure what that consitency is, but I'll settle for it just being what I'd call "being good". Wilco

I finally broke down and got this album. It will be serenading me on my drive home this evening.

I seriously got choked up on the lunchbox picture. I still just cannot believe this happened.

He should play the damn song. That'd show 'em.

Not to hijack the thread, but really....I'd pay double the ticket price to see the movie in my home when it comes out (same time as theatres).

Amen brother.

I just spoke with one of my good friends who works in Minneapolis. He was one mile from the bridge when it collapsed. He said he and his girlfriend were eating dinner and their bill was late getting to them. Had it come quickly, they would have been on the bridge. Additionally, a girl my friend works with was on the bridge when it collapsed and went into the water. She had to roll her window down and climb out, and swim to shore. Just a terrible tragedy all together.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that 95% of guitarists who use these simply have no idea how fucking bad most of their tone is. Case in point: I've been playing in a 50s cover band and the other guitarist just got one -- and it is killing me, literally. Why does one need such a device? I've been playing guitar for almost 20 years and I really don't think most of those tones are necessary. A good overdrive, reverb and tremolo should get most people by. Just my $.02 as I sit here with my right ear ringing.

I used to have a 50 watt Marshall AVT head/half stack. It was a pretty nice rig. It wasn't too costly as it only had a preamp tube, as opposed to being chucked full of them. I would have held onto it, but it was too damn big, so I got a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue. Now that has been a good amp.

Andrew Bird -- Armchair Apocrypha The National -- Boxer The National -- White Sessions The Beatles -- Revolver CCR -- Chronicle, Vol. 1

Coffee has officially been sprayed on my desk due to laughter.

Funny, I was just having a "Why can't I get into this guy" moment with Mr. Stevens last night. Something about the tonal qualities of his voice just don't jive with me.

AGIB and YHF are my two faves. I'll take it another step and ask if anyone else feels like the emotions conveyed by the cover art bears any relevance on the musical content of the repective album?

Via Chicago One by One When the Roses Bloom Again Remember the Mountain Bed Poor Places How to Fight Loneliness Far, Far Away On a side note -- in typing this little list -- I would not say that all of my favorites are the 'emotional' ones.

I agree. I would even go as far as saying it's in my top ten of all time. Mysterious Production of Eggs is really good too, his previous effort. I haven't heard anything before that, nor the Andrew Bird and Bowl of Fire.

Yep. Or that he wrote it while looking at himself.

I've done it. It's kind of a long process, and the ear candles are not so much "candles" like you light when the dog is farting. They look like they're made out of athletic tape and the have a hollow core and are only slightly waxy. When I did it, I got them from Wild Oats market -- an organic and "earthy" chain of grocery stores where I live. They were relatively expensive too. I think like $20 for four of them. So, you get a paper plate and punch a hole in it, sticking an inch or so of the candle thru the hole. You light the end of the candle that is farthest from the paper plate, lie down

A quick update....I've been rocking my 335 in a new (60s cover) band with no feeback problems at all. That guitar has such a wide variety of sounds, it really is a marvelous instrument.

Pervert.

Gonna be a fun crowd to play in front of

I hope someone has read it and can tell us all the good parts.