I so appreciate you saying your insecurities out loud, the imposter syndrome stuff. Stories like that are such an interesting angle on our job/hobby/passion. Very recognizable so thanks for sharing. And I love how you can do a lengthy vlog/podcast in a single take. That's a sign of being a great story teller.
Dude, I’m a bass player of 20+ years that missed his calling in life and the stuff you talk about that _surrounds_ the actual playing of bass (the mindset, the theory, the tone, the history) is the stuff that makes me a life-long die-hard bassist. The ability to be vulnerable like this is so important - I fight imposter syndrome at larger gigs or when I’m playing with legitimate professionals all the time. Hard to be around that when you’re a “really, really determined hobbyist”, you know? I connect so deeply with what you say and TBH, it’s the same feeling I had chatting with Spenser and Preston Lull this last weekend. It was just like…. “I’m around my people and I’m ok the way I am.” I genuinely feel that when you’re talking about topics like imposter syndrome man. Very much appreciated man.
"I'm a guest in your house...I'm not here to rock 'n' roll you..." I know this is a super late comment to this video but IDK. Hoping it gets back to the crew. These lessons are invaluable, and why I love Ian's energy. The best.
I LOVE your reflection on that performance, that "narcissism" section is very true and honest. A lot of people today don't realize, that being self conscious is not low self esteem, but rather the opposite. Loved hearing this, will probably listen more often.
I was at the last night of the Dessa w/Minnesota Ochestra show and this is so interesting to hear the behind-the-scenes experience and his honest sharing of his internal process. I've seen Ian play with Dessa quite a few times so I knew to look for him to see if he'd be at this show and there he was with his fanciest all-black cap! He actually looked comfortable up there chatting with others as everyone tuned up. But, so cool that he made the use of the low B on his own, because there were a few moments where that super low end from the electric came through at a key moment and I thought really added to the performance. I certainly didn't notice other areas with the full orchestra where anything would have been off. Such a great show actually.
It was so great to hear about your experience with the orchestra! As a former orchestra pro (shoutout to my friends you mentioned Kristen Bruya and Kate Nettleman!), I can totally identify with the "strange cats" phenomenon of electric bassists joining the orchestra. What's funny is I've switched sides and played electric more over the past couple decades, and have the same kind of imposter syndrome in reverse when gigging on electric. SBL has been phenomenal in helping me educate myself on all things bass guitar; I've learned more in a few weeks digging through archives of videos than I have in a couple decades playing casually!
I work in software and it really struck me that this lesson about imposter syndrome is so applicable to starting new positions, with new teams. I’m sure it’s broadly applicable. Thanks Ian for your humility 🙏🏼
He’s such a true inspiration to actually pick up and play my bass! Even just listening to him talk about bass he makes me always want to pick up my bass!
Great reflection on your mindset and taking out the right consequences. Being nice, willing to be a team player leaving ego at the door, being empathetic is as important as knowing your stuff. Music is a social thing. Nailed, Ian!
Ian, Just go back! You can always say you love it there so much you want to live there. Being yourself can be difficult, but as far as I know you are awesome! Don’t let you get in the way of being awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I’ve done the same myself, mostly because I don’t think I’m good enough in just about everything I do.
Thanks so much for sharing your story on Imposter Syndrome. I think many of us get like that and don't know how to react to it or what to do. It seems like that feeling carried over into your lunch at the Sushi place that you were so scared to even mention that you live there. What if instead you said to the guy at the Sushi place, "Hi, I'm Ian and yeah, I do live here, but I would love to hear your suggestions because maybe I am missing out."
As someone who collected gear for 25yrs as a guitar player that didn’t think he was good enough to be in a gigging band and recently switched to bass and immediately started gigging, I gotta say all of this resonated with me! Imposter syndrome is real and can be crippling. Also, for my first gig I ran sound out of the back of my Fender Rumble 200 and it went fine, but recently put together a pedalboard with lots of pedals Ian has such as Cali76 and I bought a nice Dark Glass preamp/DI and it was a total game changer. Ian (and Scott too) you’re an amazing teacher and a huge inspiration. Keep up the great work!
I started out playing a Gibson EB0 bass my Dad gave me - I liked it because it looked like the SG style bass Jack Bruce used with Cream - the sound was massive, but muddy sounding until I put a Jazz bass bridge pick-up on it.
Loved having this talk with you. Ok, ok you talked and I listened. Loved the topics and the stories, a lot. I started out on a P bass in the 70's. Moved around on different basses for awhile and landed on a Musicmaster. It changed everything. Went back to 34's. But I wasn't happy. Still have my early 80's P and Jazz basses but almost exclusively play my home assembled short-scale P basses or my Sterling. Better bottom end without sacrificing all of the the pop. Less string tension equals less fatigue. And usually lighter. Tanx!
Very interesting and entertaining . I'm really impressed with your ability to be natural and composed hosting the blog on your own. It must be really different not having Scott to converse with, but you come across really sympathetic. Keep up the good work!
Upright player here in MN. Don’t sweat it that is a serious bass section. You guys should do some cross over with upright channels. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Ian for being so totally honest here! Wish we all had the guts to be like that way more often. And these certain tendencies you talk about...? Man, they’re so recognizable!! I guess, what might help us all, is to laugh about ourselves and about each other more, together! 🤣 We’re all just little humanoïds here, stuck with/in a brain that most of the time is too big for our own good, 😄. Cheers! 🖖
Definitely can relate to the imposter syndrome. Been in bands since 93, gigged all through my 20’s & 30’s 4 to 5 nights a week. Did a ton of studio work here in Toronto. I feel it’s how anyone feels that is still searching and growing. You guys have made my playing so much better just in the last 5 years. It’s a never ending process of conquering mountains. Been playing since 93 and I hope I’ll never stop learning and getting better.
I like that SushiBox Tube DI, so small, I’m thinking of doing a small pedalboard similar to yours Ian, thanks for the unlimited bass knowledge always,, ❤
Bro you play live music Infront of heaps of people! You're a freaking unit, nothing to ever feel inadequate about ever! But amazing job on talking about where you feel your shortcomings are, retrospection is how we get better. Now please, please March right back into that sushi train hand eat your favourite food! If they remember you, which is unlikely, just say I was stuffing around with you and wanted to hear what you would say, have a laugh about it 🙂.
About the DI-topic... I think any DI-signal sounds as great as the sound person... Of course you can make his/her job very hard by sending them a DI signal they’re unable to work with (tonally or gain wise). That could be the case if you use the great Tech21 stuff with all knobs on 10 or on 0. Or other preamp/DI from other brands pedals like these. I love Radial too! Easy to use, indestructible and easy to carry around! For those players that crave for ‘the tube sound’ but don’t have the cash to get a Noble...: I live in The Netherlands. We have a really nice amp brand here, called Koch. They built great (tube) amps for guitar and, back in the ‘90’s, used to built the big 300 watt all tube heads for the Eden brand. So, they know their stuff... 😉. They built two full tube preamp/DI pedals for guitar (speakersim, two channels plus a boost function, pre- and post effectsloops: the works!). One is a lower gain pedal, called the ‘’63’OD’. This ‘63OD pedal of theirs is much like a black panel Fender amp. And, it sounds great on bass!! I’ve been using it for about three years as my preamp/DI on gigs. It can do anything from warm nice clean sounds (I use it that way) to full on tube overdrive! It’s about €250,-/€300,- euro’s new. It’s sturdy and high quality. Only thing is it doesn’t says ‘Bass’ on the front..., but neither did the SVT or Showman... Don’t tell anyone..., 😉.
Thanks for another great podcast Ian. I think you channeled another famous Minnesotan, Stuart Smally - You are good enough, You are Smart enough and dog gone it, people like you :)
Ian , after listening to Scotts cruise ship disaster story, you have no worries. I have never had any problems with whoever I play and gig with, think about it, you can always turn the experience into a learning experience
I love the discussion of imposter syndrome and how narcissism goes hand in hand with that. I play electric bass with a concert band, and I feel that sorta thing all the time. Keeps me from interacting with others because I feel like I'm "imposing" somehow. That whole part of the podcast was really helpful for me approaching my role in the band going forward.
Great podcast, full of reflections, insight and compassion for your fellow players who also struggle with the imposter syndrome and all that flows from that. Thank you for your honesty! DI stuff also super useful. The comments on Players Path and reading are spot on - I have played guitar and bass on and off for years but started Players Path right at the first level. It's been really really useful and has filled in plenty of gaps. The way standard notation is included is brilliant: I learned lots.
Imposter syndrome: I heard something on TH-cam the other day. Instead of thinking, 'Am i good enough?', try, 'What a great opportunity!' Easier said than done though,i guess? Lovely post, Ian. We love you, bro.❤
The D.I. thing is comes in the end as a matter of taste. Tried them all, and for an individual padal-based pedalboard, chose the Nordstrand (Rocket Surgeon) Starlifter, better EQ and faster response than the tube based famous ones. For my multiEFX based system (working cover band), the cheap Behringer Ultra DI-400 is super transparent.
DI. Mine is in your second category: a preamp with overdrive. It has a 1/4” and and XLR out. The XLR can be sent pre eq, so the desk can have a clean and a driven signal, then they can blend as they wish. The driven signal sounds a bit weird if I have the Chorus pedal engaged, but the sound techs know that and just take the drive out.
I can relate completely to the imposter syndrome. I have actively adjusted my mindset. I try to embrace being around other musicians for the comraderie and at the very least, relate and learn. Why be stressed when engaging in something that is a passion.
The transformer is not just for heft, it is for the actual passive DI balanced output. The Noble is like a very high end tube mic preamp. The Capo is also about as good. And the word you were looking for is consistency.
Great podcast! I can totally relate to your experience. I have the same sort of challenge. I play bassguitar in a symphonic orchestra. I really like the way you approached the way you want to support the sound of the orchestra. I play with brass bassplayers, tuba’s and so on. They guys are awesome and play really well.
You are such a great storyteller. I have been in situations exactly as you described. I felt like I was not good enough to be there and you are 100 percent correct on how to handle situations like that. Great advice. You sold me on a short scale. I went down the DI rabbit hole. Sold many of them off and kept my REDDI to my ears that's my favorite as far as travel DI options.
Presently I'm playing an Ibanez EHB 1005-SMS. 5 string 30-32" multiscale and I wouldn't trade if for anything else. The first base I ever bought was a Gibson EB-0 that I converted to EB-3. In between I played and built standard scale basses.
This was so good. I suck at reading too, and I feel the same sense of imposter syndrome. I went to school with trumpet players who could play fly shit (as the jazz guys say) and I feel hopelessly outclassed around such people. But I'm just a rock and roll kid, and I'm OK with that. A 58 year old rock and roll kid, but still. Really enjoying the podcast.
@ianmartinallison. XLR has it's origin from the Canon X plug. Later they added the L from Latch mechanism. And soon after the R can in, from the synthetic-Rubber that features the female connector. (source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector). Cheers from Belgium, Jan
The Gretsch G2220 is an amazing short scale bass. With its two single coil PU's it's like a 'warmer' cousin to the Jazz bass. Very versatile, can be very punchy with roundwounds but with flatwounds it has an incredibly full, warm sound. Plays like a dream too.
hey most and foremost , as always I love the mental health, which at the end it could be the most important thing in being a bass player, a music lover, and turing it into a pro way of life. thank you.
Thanks for this show, I really enjoyed it and learned some new stuff and ..., Ian, you are a really good solo podcaster ;) ps. your experience in the orchestra was quite refreshing to listen to and reminded me a bit about the whole "wrecking crew" situation that went on in the 60's. Professionals that sleep, eat and drink music :D Cheers
I think imposter syndrome can lead to two symptoms. Either you don't think you're worthy and play overly simple, or you are trying to prove you're not an imposter and overplay. I think you are spot on with the DI advice. Once everything is mixed, the differences vastly disappear. You forgot one of the most famous short scale practitioners, Stanley Clarke. He is 6'3" and plays a 30.75" scale Alembic. I think the short scales are here to stay seeing how Manne is innovating with theirs, and Swan's short scale sixes are gaining popularity.
Love my short scale Warmoth basses I built, a P and a J, along with my semi hollow Guild Starfire II, all with flats. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on them, they shouldn't be underestimated.
Also, Aria made a line of 32" scale (so I guess that's medium scale) basses, the CBS series, back in the 80's. They were great basses with a unique tone (from the scale length as I now understand). Super playable and versatile.
I definitely had a time searching for the DI that works best for me. I looked at everything under the sun and came to a similar conclusion, they are all different flavors of awesome. RIght now I'm running the Sushi Box Slampegg Bee Pre (Ampeg B-15 in a box) into the Caveman BP1 compact(Neve 1073 made for bass) and I have found the sound that I love, and it works for me.
I use the Eden WTDI preamp. I have a DJ setup (turntables, mixer, monitors) so wanted something to save amp space running the DI into the mixer. £100 and it's a brilliant. Preamp, compressor, DI; it's well made, it sounds great with plenty of tone-shaping options. Would recommend.
I have a Fender Aerodyne Jazz, with a passive PJ setup, it sounds and plays amazing, better than anything else that I've tried. That said, the Tech 21 SansAmp bass driver DI is the best thing that I've ever bought for my bass.
Total short scale convert here. I’m a P-bass guy, but last year I picked up a Sandberg Lionel 30” and it quickly became my main gigging bass. First off, Sandbergs are amazing basses (they’re everything a Fender wants to be 😂), and the Lionel just ticks off every box. I’ve played the Wilcock (a buddy of mine has one and it’s very nice). The Lionel is a passive P-bass style split coil, fantastic tone (and I play it finger style, picked, and slapped, for a wide range of genres - and I use TI flats!), buttery feel, solid and consistent. The short scale works really well for those 3+ hour gigs on small stages where your harmonica player’s head is just inches from your headstock 😅. I’m seeing more and more of my pro friends show up at jams and gigs with shorties of all manufacturers. My current bass+1 wish list is the Sandberg Florence. A friend has one on order (they seem quite backlogged for USA delivery) and I can’t wait to play it. I expect it to be just as playable as the Lionel, but with more tone options due to the mudbucker.
A mudbucker, but not slammed up against the neck heel...that's how gibson should have done it to begin with, but I guess they wanted the original eb-1 to sound as much like an upright as possible, and today's players need something more versatile
I think the idea of the two capo outputs is beacuase as a person who runs front of house or even in a studio, maybe you want the dry and the wet signal. For FOH mixes that would usually be to get more low end fundamentals from the dry and more of the effect mixed in on top, defenitely depends on the sound you're going for. Or if you are recording maybe you are suing effects and dynamics but you could record a dry signal along with it so that you can mix it in post
Have you any episodes covering all aspects of left handed bass playing? Is it just mirroring how you apply right handed techniques to playing right handed? Long time wannabe left handed player who loves to play but not very good at it(!) Love your channel by the way - your love for your instrume nt is infectious and very inspiring. Lookimg to retire soon so hoping to devote more time to learning the bass properly ❤❤
Love the podcast, great job Ian. XLR thing isn't true, "External Line Return" is just a retrofit meaning to the historical initials. From Wikipedia: "The XLR connector originated from the Cannon X series of connectors; by 1950, a latching mechanism was added to the connector, which produced the Cannon XL model of connector, and by 1955, the female connector featured synthetic-rubber insulation polychloroprene (neoprene), identified with the part-number prefix XLR. There was also the XLP series of connectors with hard plastic insulation"
Greetings from Minneapolis. I enjoy the channel and you guys are helping me get back to bass, and we LOVE Sushi Train and I love my Guild Starfire 1 short scale bass
Hi guys! I hope you are well. First of all, I love the banter so keep it up. You really brighten up my day at work given that we are a similar age and going through some of the same things (2 and 5 year old's over here). I just wanted to ask Ian's opinion on the new Noble inspired DI patch for HX stomp. Given that, IMHO, it is hard to make out a large difference between DIs, it was a surprise for me that this was THE choice for "new goodies" for bass players. ¿Does this patch capture any of the subtleties that make you prefer the Noble? Thanks!
I bought a headless short scale because I wanted something that would fit in a guitar case (European airline law is/was a little less accommodating than in the US). But it’s main use has become for a small stage we play in that’s walkable distance from home. It’s light ,so I can carry it without being knackered before I arrive. And very importantly, I can face the audience without wacking the singer on the back of the head - that’s a reason for having one that you missed. 😂
DI whether via separate pedal or out back amp:, volume adjustments from the instrument will go to front of house through either. (my amp d.i. has pre and post, ground lift etc) I can understand a d.i. with a preamp/eq in lieu of hauling in an amp when back line is provided, but that’s about it.
Sansamps are great. That old black ones can be used as DI, pre-amp DI and amp emulation. Sans amp VT DI is a different tool but also great. Is more like amp emulation with DI.
Neve RNDI is a great simple active DI. Around $300. Needs phantom power. I hate having to plug a Di in because of playing in different countries. I don’t use a pedal board and don’t want to worry about having the correct adapter. All professional boards have Phantom power these days. I do mostly fly dates and my bass has a preamp so I try to keep it simple and consistent.
My Countryman has an internal 9V battery hookup, so I drilled a hole and mounted a center-negative DC jack in it so that I can power it externally from a Cioks DC-7…
I’ve done a fair bit of reading gigs the last 2 years, simply because I want to get better at it and have never been that confident. Getting that pressure really helps that development. I’ve also realised, when there is no one else playing your part and you vary the line a little bit, providing it sounds good and executed well, no one knows any better, the MD also probably wouldn’t notice either unless it was a screw up as they have 1000 other things to think about. The person that wrote the line probably also isn’t a bassist either so modifying it a little to make it sit better can only help.
Great episode Ian. I can’t figure out what DI I want and this helped a lot in finally maybe perhaps possibly pulling the trigger on something lol. Also great to hear your personal experience feeling out of place in a musical situation. Most of us really know that feeling, good to know even the pros have the issue. Could you clarify how you could use the HX stomp as the DI with your plugin?
The HX Stomp has balanced outs, so you can send a balanced signal to FOH without a DI if you use TRS to XLRs, but the Stomp doesn’t have a ground lift switch, which leaves you vulnerable. I was hoping I’d get away with not using a DI but one show in a venue with sketchy power changed my mind quick - def could have used a DI. You may want to look at line isolators (like a DI) if you want to use the Stomp this way - lotsa vids on this subject and the diff between the two boxes on TH-cam.
I think as soon as you use a di your bass sound gets murdered by the sound guy. Never been able to get a good recorded sound with a di. Mics every time. Its the sound of the amp s speakers is best.
I think a good many producers and engineers like the taped over clean xlr out into their board, rather than the tweaked signal… at least in my experience
Oh man. If you suck at reading, I don't know what to say about myself, lol. I've been playing for 28 years and still struggle with the simplest charts - and sight-reading is a superhuman skill to me! And yes, I didn't know what XLR meant, thanks! As for DI - well, direct injection SUCKS. Apart from higher service bills, you can't really convert it to LPG cost-effectively, and for me, as a taxi driver in Poland (yes, we all convert taxis to LPG here, even the hybrids - well, if you have a diesel, which many taxi drivers in Europe still drive, then no), is of paramount importance. LPG cuts your gas costs in half. Oh, you mean direct input? Well, that's a useful thing. I need to get one. As for short scales - well, they're not my thing but they do have their space and I don't think they'll lose it. A semihollow short scale with flats has a tone you can't really mimic on anything else.
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I so appreciate you saying your insecurities out loud, the imposter syndrome stuff. Stories like that are such an interesting angle on our job/hobby/passion. Very recognizable so thanks for sharing. And I love how you can do a lengthy vlog/podcast in a single take. That's a sign of being a great story teller.
I really appreciate hearing Ian combine bass topics and personal growth. Super refreshing.
Dude, I’m a bass player of 20+ years that missed his calling in life and the stuff you talk about that _surrounds_ the actual playing of bass (the mindset, the theory, the tone, the history) is the stuff that makes me a life-long die-hard bassist.
The ability to be vulnerable like this is so important - I fight imposter syndrome at larger gigs or when I’m playing with legitimate professionals all the time. Hard to be around that when you’re a “really, really determined hobbyist”, you know?
I connect so deeply with what you say and TBH, it’s the same feeling I had chatting with Spenser and Preston Lull this last weekend. It was just like…. “I’m around my people and I’m ok the way I am.” I genuinely feel that when you’re talking about topics like imposter syndrome man.
Very much appreciated man.
"I'm a guest in your house...I'm not here to rock 'n' roll you..." I know this is a super late comment to this video but IDK. Hoping it gets back to the crew. These lessons are invaluable, and why I love Ian's energy. The best.
I LOVE your reflection on that performance, that "narcissism" section is very true and honest. A lot of people today don't realize, that being self conscious is not low self esteem, but rather the opposite. Loved hearing this, will probably listen more often.
I was at the last night of the Dessa w/Minnesota Ochestra show and this is so interesting to hear the behind-the-scenes experience and his honest sharing of his internal process. I've seen Ian play with Dessa quite a few times so I knew to look for him to see if he'd be at this show and there he was with his fanciest all-black cap! He actually looked comfortable up there chatting with others as everyone tuned up. But, so cool that he made the use of the low B on his own, because there were a few moments where that super low end from the electric came through at a key moment and I thought really added to the performance. I certainly didn't notice other areas with the full orchestra where anything would have been off. Such a great show actually.
You know what Ian is great at, self reflection and self improvement. Well done Ian
he needs to drop scott and go solo imo
It was so great to hear about your experience with the orchestra! As a former orchestra pro (shoutout to my friends you mentioned Kristen Bruya and Kate Nettleman!), I can totally identify with the "strange cats" phenomenon of electric bassists joining the orchestra. What's funny is I've switched sides and played electric more over the past couple decades, and have the same kind of imposter syndrome in reverse when gigging on electric. SBL has been phenomenal in helping me educate myself on all things bass guitar; I've learned more in a few weeks digging through archives of videos than I have in a couple decades playing casually!
Thanks for the pod - always so awesome ! Pull up a chair and hang with your fellow bass zealots - Such a great compliment to the amazing SBL !
I work in software and it really struck me that this lesson about imposter syndrome is so applicable to starting new positions, with new teams. I’m sure it’s broadly applicable. Thanks Ian for your humility 🙏🏼
Let me say something, let’s all clap to a great communicator Ian is! Great job man, you are getting better and better!! Great episode!!
He’s such a true inspiration to actually pick up and play my bass! Even just listening to him talk about bass he makes me always want to pick up my bass!
Great reflection on your mindset and taking out the right consequences. Being nice, willing to be a team player leaving ego at the door, being empathetic is as important as knowing your stuff. Music is a social thing. Nailed, Ian!
Ian, Just go back! You can always say you love it there so much you want to live there.
Being yourself can be difficult, but as far as I know you are awesome! Don’t let you get in the way of being awesome. Thank you so much for sharing your experience, I’ve done the same myself, mostly because I don’t think I’m good enough in just about everything I do.
I asked someone what’s with this guy, and they told me you’re a bass player and then I understood. 🌊
Thanks so much for sharing your story on Imposter Syndrome. I think many of us get like that and don't know how to react to it or what to do. It seems like that feeling carried over into your lunch at the Sushi place that you were so scared to even mention that you live there. What if instead you said to the guy at the Sushi place, "Hi, I'm Ian and yeah, I do live here, but I would love to hear your suggestions because maybe I am missing out."
As someone who collected gear for 25yrs as a guitar player that didn’t think he was good enough to be in a gigging band and recently switched to bass and immediately started gigging, I gotta say all of this resonated with me! Imposter syndrome is real and can be crippling. Also, for my first gig I ran sound out of the back of my Fender Rumble 200 and it went fine, but recently put together a pedalboard with lots of pedals Ian has such as Cali76 and I bought a nice Dark Glass preamp/DI and it was a total game changer. Ian (and Scott too) you’re an amazing teacher and a huge inspiration. Keep up the great work!
I started out playing a Gibson EB0 bass my Dad gave me - I liked it because it looked like the SG style bass Jack Bruce used with Cream - the sound was massive, but muddy sounding until I put a Jazz bass bridge pick-up on it.
I can listen to Ian talk for hours, alllll day.
I can see it… you’re here a year late
@@JFonbass I am. 😢😭
Love your "Have a good attitude"/"It is what you make it" Dad. He means well.
Loved having this talk with you. Ok, ok you talked and I listened. Loved the topics and the stories, a lot. I started out on a P bass in the 70's. Moved around on different basses for awhile and landed on a Musicmaster. It changed everything. Went back to 34's. But I wasn't happy. Still have my early 80's P and Jazz basses but almost exclusively play my home assembled short-scale P basses or my Sterling. Better bottom end without sacrificing all of the the pop. Less string tension equals less fatigue. And usually lighter. Tanx!
Deeply appreciate your comments on imposter syndrome. I still struggle with it after playing for 40 years! Thanks for being open and honest.
Love the way that IMA teaches. Appreciate It.
Very interesting and entertaining . I'm really impressed with your ability to be natural and composed hosting the blog on your own. It must be really different not having Scott to converse with, but you come across really sympathetic. Keep up the good work!
Upright player here in MN. Don’t sweat it that is a serious bass section. You guys should do some cross over with upright channels. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much Ian for being so totally honest here!
Wish we all had the guts to be like that way more often.
And these certain tendencies you talk about...?
Man, they’re so recognizable!!
I guess, what might help us all, is to laugh about ourselves and about each other more, together! 🤣
We’re all just little humanoïds here, stuck with/in a brain that most of the time is too big for our own good, 😄.
Cheers!
🖖
Definitely can relate to the imposter syndrome. Been in bands since 93, gigged all through my 20’s & 30’s 4 to 5 nights a week. Did a ton of studio work here in Toronto. I feel it’s how anyone feels that is still searching and growing. You guys have made my playing so much better just in the last 5 years. It’s a never ending process of conquering mountains. Been playing since 93 and I hope I’ll never stop learning and getting better.
Awesome Ian congrats on your new gig and thank you for everything!!
I like that SushiBox Tube DI, so small, I’m thinking of doing a small pedalboard similar to yours Ian, thanks for the unlimited bass knowledge always,, ❤
Bro you play live music Infront of heaps of people! You're a freaking unit, nothing to ever feel inadequate about ever!
But amazing job on talking about where you feel your shortcomings are, retrospection is how we get better.
Now please, please March right back into that sushi train hand eat your favourite food! If they remember you, which is unlikely, just say I was stuffing around with you and wanted to hear what you would say, have a laugh about it 🙂.
I really enjoyed this podcast. I laughed put loud in places.
1898 millimetres. Round it up to 190cm. Job done.
About the DI-topic...
I think any DI-signal sounds as great as the sound person...
Of course you can make his/her job very hard by sending them a DI signal they’re unable to work with (tonally or gain wise). That could be the case if you use the great Tech21 stuff with all knobs on 10 or on 0. Or other preamp/DI from other brands pedals like these.
I love Radial too! Easy to use, indestructible and easy to carry around!
For those players that crave for ‘the tube sound’ but don’t have the cash to get a Noble...: I live in The Netherlands. We have a really nice amp brand here, called Koch.
They built great (tube) amps for guitar and, back in the ‘90’s, used to built the big 300 watt all tube heads for the Eden brand.
So, they know their stuff... 😉.
They built two full tube preamp/DI pedals for guitar (speakersim, two channels plus a boost function, pre- and post effectsloops: the works!). One is a lower gain pedal, called the ‘’63’OD’.
This ‘63OD pedal of theirs is much like a black panel Fender amp.
And, it sounds great on bass!!
I’ve been using it for about three years as my preamp/DI on gigs. It can do anything from warm nice clean sounds (I use it that way) to full on tube overdrive!
It’s about €250,-/€300,- euro’s new.
It’s sturdy and high quality.
Only thing is it doesn’t says ‘Bass’ on the front..., but neither did the SVT or Showman...
Don’t tell anyone..., 😉.
Thanks for another great podcast Ian. I think you channeled another famous Minnesotan, Stuart Smally - You are good enough, You are Smart enough and dog gone it, people like you :)
Ian , after listening to Scotts cruise ship disaster story, you have no worries. I have never had any problems with whoever I play and gig with, think about it, you can always turn the experience into a learning experience
I love the discussion of imposter syndrome and how narcissism goes hand in hand with that. I play electric bass with a concert band, and I feel that sorta thing all the time. Keeps me from interacting with others because I feel like I'm "imposing" somehow. That whole part of the podcast was really helpful for me approaching my role in the band going forward.
I love that doesnt matter how old you get, sometimes people just do stupid or uneccessarily copmplicated stuff
Thanks lan, much enjoyed from many angles, also many smiles & laughs.
EG : Orchestral Upright Badass ! 😂😂😂
Great podcast, full of reflections, insight and compassion for your fellow players who also struggle with the imposter syndrome and all that flows from that. Thank you for your honesty! DI stuff also super useful. The comments on Players Path and reading are spot on - I have played guitar and bass on and off for years but started Players Path right at the first level. It's been really really useful and has filled in plenty of gaps. The way standard notation is included is brilliant: I learned lots.
Imposter syndrome: I heard something on TH-cam the other day. Instead of thinking, 'Am i good enough?', try, 'What a great opportunity!' Easier said than done though,i guess? Lovely post, Ian. We love you, bro.❤
Hi Ian! Have you tried the Ampeg SGT-DI? Please let me know your thoughts about it.
I have and I think it’s good but I prefer the origin bassrig SV in terms of Ampeg land.
The D.I. thing is comes in the end as a matter of taste. Tried them all, and for an individual padal-based pedalboard, chose the Nordstrand (Rocket Surgeon) Starlifter, better EQ and faster response than the tube based famous ones. For my multiEFX based system (working cover band), the cheap Behringer Ultra DI-400 is super transparent.
DI. Mine is in your second category: a preamp with overdrive. It has a 1/4” and and XLR out. The XLR can be sent pre eq, so the desk can have a clean and a driven signal, then they can blend as they wish. The driven signal sounds a bit weird if I have the Chorus pedal engaged, but the sound techs know that and just take the drive out.
I can relate completely to the imposter syndrome. I have actively adjusted my mindset. I try to embrace being around other musicians for the comraderie and at the very least, relate and learn. Why be stressed when engaging in something that is a passion.
The transformer is not just for heft, it is for the actual passive DI balanced output. The Noble is like a very high end tube mic preamp. The Capo is also about as good. And the word you were looking for is consistency.
Great podcast! I can totally relate to your experience. I have the same sort of challenge. I play bassguitar in a symphonic orchestra. I really like the way you approached the way you want to support the sound of the orchestra. I play with brass bassplayers, tuba’s and so on. They guys are awesome and play really well.
You are such a great storyteller. I have been in situations exactly as you described. I felt like I was not good enough to be there and you are 100 percent correct on how to handle situations like that. Great advice. You sold me on a short scale. I went down the DI rabbit hole. Sold many of them off and kept my REDDI to my ears that's my favorite as far as travel DI options.
Presently I'm playing an Ibanez EHB 1005-SMS. 5 string 30-32" multiscale and I wouldn't trade if for anything else. The first base I ever bought was a Gibson EB-0 that I converted to EB-3. In between I played and built standard scale basses.
This was so good. I suck at reading too, and I feel the same sense of imposter syndrome. I went to school with trumpet players who could play fly shit (as the jazz guys say) and I feel hopelessly outclassed around such people. But I'm just a rock and roll kid, and I'm OK with that. A 58 year old rock and roll kid, but still. Really enjoying the podcast.
@ianmartinallison. XLR has it's origin from the Canon X plug. Later they added the L from Latch mechanism. And soon after the R can in, from the synthetic-Rubber that features the female connector. (source en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XLR_connector). Cheers from Belgium, Jan
Sire U5 is my first real bass, a short scale, it's amazing what you get for the price 🤯 recommend 💯
The Gretsch G2220 is an amazing short scale bass. With its two single coil PU's it's like a 'warmer' cousin to the Jazz bass.
Very versatile, can be very punchy with roundwounds but with flatwounds it has an incredibly full, warm sound.
Plays like a dream too.
It immediately became my go-to bass when I got one. I prefer short-scale basses in general, but that Gretsch is a dream regardless of length.
Ian, love these solo podcasts, you legend! Thank you
hey most and foremost , as always I love the mental health, which at the end it could be the most important thing in being a bass player, a music lover, and turing it into a pro way of life. thank you.
I just set up a small pedal board,,,MXR Compressor and Shift Line A+ tube preamp DI...simple and sweet!
That sushi bar story is so Larry David
Thanks for this show, I really enjoyed it and learned some new stuff and ..., Ian, you are a really good solo podcaster ;)
ps. your experience in the orchestra was quite refreshing to listen to and reminded me a bit about the whole "wrecking crew" situation that went on in the 60's. Professionals that sleep, eat and drink music :D Cheers
Ian your the best!!! I love being in an online community with you.
I think imposter syndrome can lead to two symptoms. Either you don't think you're worthy and play overly simple, or you are trying to prove you're not an imposter and overplay.
I think you are spot on with the DI advice. Once everything is mixed, the differences vastly disappear.
You forgot one of the most famous short scale practitioners, Stanley Clarke. He is 6'3" and plays a 30.75" scale Alembic. I think the short scales are here to stay seeing how Manne is innovating with theirs, and Swan's short scale sixes are gaining popularity.
Love my short scale Warmoth basses I built, a P and a J, along with my semi hollow Guild Starfire II, all with flats. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on them, they shouldn't be underestimated.
Also, Aria made a line of 32" scale (so I guess that's medium scale) basses, the CBS series, back in the 80's. They were great basses with a unique tone (from the scale length as I now understand). Super playable and versatile.
I definitely had a time searching for the DI that works best for me. I looked at everything under the sun and came to a similar conclusion, they are all different flavors of awesome. RIght now I'm running the Sushi Box Slampegg Bee Pre (Ampeg B-15 in a box) into the Caveman BP1 compact(Neve 1073 made for bass) and I have found the sound that I love, and it works for me.
I love short scale basses! I have relatively smaller hands and a tendency to get tendonitis flare-ups.
I use the Eden WTDI preamp. I have a DJ setup (turntables, mixer, monitors) so wanted something to save amp space running the DI into the mixer. £100 and it's a brilliant. Preamp, compressor, DI; it's well made, it sounds great with plenty of tone-shaping options. Would recommend.
I have a Fender Aerodyne Jazz, with a passive PJ setup, it sounds and plays amazing, better than anything else that I've tried. That said, the Tech 21 SansAmp bass driver DI is the best thing that I've ever bought for my bass.
Total short scale convert here. I’m a P-bass guy, but last year I picked up a Sandberg Lionel 30” and it quickly became my main gigging bass. First off, Sandbergs are amazing basses (they’re everything a Fender wants to be 😂), and the Lionel just ticks off every box. I’ve played the Wilcock (a buddy of mine has one and it’s very nice). The Lionel is a passive P-bass style split coil, fantastic tone (and I play it finger style, picked, and slapped, for a wide range of genres - and I use TI flats!), buttery feel, solid and consistent. The short scale works really well for those 3+ hour gigs on small stages where your harmonica player’s head is just inches from your headstock 😅. I’m seeing more and more of my pro friends show up at jams and gigs with shorties of all manufacturers. My current bass+1 wish list is the Sandberg Florence. A friend has one on order (they seem quite backlogged for USA delivery) and I can’t wait to play it. I expect it to be just as playable as the Lionel, but with more tone options due to the mudbucker.
A mudbucker, but not slammed up against the neck heel...that's how gibson should have done it to begin with, but I guess they wanted the original eb-1 to sound as much like an upright as possible, and today's players need something more versatile
That opening story is the most Minnesotan story ever. Also Sushi train downtown is great 10/10. Love watching film scores at the orchestra 🎉
I think the idea of the two capo outputs is beacuase as a person who runs front of house or even in a studio, maybe you want the dry and the wet signal. For FOH mixes that would usually be to get more low end fundamentals from the dry and more of the effect mixed in on top, defenitely depends on the sound you're going for. Or if you are recording maybe you are suing effects and dynamics but you could record a dry signal along with it so that you can mix it in post
Have you any episodes covering all aspects of left handed bass playing? Is it just mirroring how you apply right handed techniques to playing right handed? Long time wannabe left handed player who loves to play but not very good at it(!) Love your channel by the way - your love for your instrume nt is infectious and very inspiring. Lookimg to retire soon so hoping to devote more time to learning the bass properly ❤❤
Ian - thanks for this. Man, really loved your perspective on belonging in the room. ❤
Ian, I just checked out your work with Dessa and doff my cap!
Love the podcast, great job Ian.
XLR thing isn't true, "External Line Return" is just a retrofit meaning to the historical initials. From Wikipedia:
"The XLR connector originated from the Cannon X series of connectors; by 1950, a latching mechanism was added to the connector, which produced the Cannon XL model of connector, and by 1955, the female connector featured synthetic-rubber insulation polychloroprene (neoprene), identified with the part-number prefix XLR. There was also the XLP series of connectors with hard plastic insulation"
Greetings from Minneapolis. I enjoy the channel and you guys are helping me get back to bass, and we LOVE Sushi Train and I love my Guild Starfire 1 short scale bass
lol! Came here to learn about DIs and got a therapy lesson for something i totally struggle with! Thanks Ian!!!
lastly , amazing DI analysis. right my alley , and one I never hear, stuff like that ..
Hi guys! I hope you are well. First of all, I love the banter so keep it up. You really brighten up my day at work given that we are a similar age and going through some of the same things (2 and 5 year old's over here). I just wanted to ask Ian's opinion on the new Noble inspired DI patch for HX stomp. Given that, IMHO, it is hard to make out a large difference between DIs, it was a surprise for me that this was THE choice for "new goodies" for bass players. ¿Does this patch capture any of the subtleties that make you prefer the Noble? Thanks!
Storytelling is fine and, but I'm specifically searching for info on DI boxes. Where's the start of the title of the video?
35:40 that soundcheck was waaaaay too accurate hahahaha
Really like your mini travel pedal board, been looking for one that size, did you make it or who makes it?
Yeah I put that one together. It looks simple, but it took me a long time to plan and figure out where to put everything, cables, power supply etc.
I bought a headless short scale because I wanted something that would fit in a guitar case (European airline law is/was a little less accommodating than in the US). But it’s main use has become for a small stage we play in that’s walkable distance from home. It’s light ,so I can carry it without being knackered before I arrive. And very importantly, I can face the audience without wacking the singer on the back of the head - that’s a reason for having one that you missed. 😂
In my experience with singers, that could also be taking away the one thing keeping them in line 😂
Take a pace forward - they'll be within range again.
DI whether via separate pedal or out back amp:, volume adjustments from the instrument will go to front of house through either. (my amp d.i. has pre and post, ground lift etc) I can understand a d.i. with a preamp/eq in lieu of hauling in an amp when back line is provided, but that’s about it.
Sansamps are great. That old black ones can be used as DI, pre-amp DI and amp emulation. Sans amp VT DI is a different tool but also great. Is more like amp emulation with DI.
Ah the imposter-ness monster....solid advice , thanks for sharing
Neve RNDI is a great simple active DI. Around $300. Needs phantom power.
I hate having to plug a Di in because of playing in different countries. I don’t use a pedal board and don’t want to worry about having the correct adapter. All professional boards have Phantom power these days.
I do mostly fly dates and my bass has a preamp so I try to keep it simple and consistent.
My Countryman has an internal 9V battery hookup, so I drilled a hole and mounted a center-negative DC jack in it so that I can power it externally from a Cioks DC-7…
I’ve done a fair bit of reading gigs the last 2 years, simply because I want to get better at it and have never been that confident. Getting that pressure really helps that development. I’ve also realised, when there is no one else playing your part and you vary the line a little bit, providing it sounds good and executed well, no one knows any better, the MD also probably wouldn’t notice either unless it was a screw up as they have 1000 other things to think about. The person that wrote the line probably also isn’t a bassist either so modifying it a little to make it sit better can only help.
Great episode and thank you for your honesty and knowledge re imposter syndrome.
consistency is the word
Haha. Someone is paying attention.
Theres a pretty big difference between a di and a line isolator too for using with amp modelers that have balanced trs outs like a tone x or hx stomp
Great episode Ian. I can’t figure out what DI I want and this helped a lot in finally maybe perhaps possibly pulling the trigger on something lol. Also great to hear your personal experience feeling out of place in a musical situation. Most of us really know that feeling, good to know even the pros have the issue. Could you clarify how you could use the HX stomp as the DI with your plugin?
The HX Stomp has balanced outs, so you can send a balanced signal to FOH without a DI if you use TRS to XLRs, but the Stomp doesn’t have a ground lift switch, which leaves you vulnerable. I was hoping I’d get away with not using a DI but one show in a venue with sketchy power changed my mind quick - def could have used a DI. You may want to look at line isolators (like a DI) if you want to use the Stomp this way - lotsa vids on this subject and the diff between the two boxes on TH-cam.
@@sergesamson76 thanks for the info 🙏🏽
I think as soon as you use a di your bass sound gets murdered by the sound guy. Never been able to get a good recorded sound with a di. Mics every time. Its the sound of the amp s speakers is best.
I think a good many producers and engineers like the taped over clean xlr out into their board, rather than the tweaked signal… at least in my experience
I have a Radial compact passive direct box stuck to the backside of my pedal board, connected at the very end of my pedal chain.
Oh man. If you suck at reading, I don't know what to say about myself, lol. I've been playing for 28 years and still struggle with the simplest charts - and sight-reading is a superhuman skill to me!
And yes, I didn't know what XLR meant, thanks! As for DI - well, direct injection SUCKS. Apart from higher service bills, you can't really convert it to LPG cost-effectively, and for me, as a taxi driver in Poland (yes, we all convert taxis to LPG here, even the hybrids - well, if you have a diesel, which many taxi drivers in Europe still drive, then no), is of paramount importance. LPG cuts your gas costs in half. Oh, you mean direct input? Well, that's a useful thing. I need to get one.
As for short scales - well, they're not my thing but they do have their space and I don't think they'll lose it. A semihollow short scale with flats has a tone you can't really mimic on anything else.
You got me! I did not know what XLR stands for. :D
A good DI is very useful and the best, in my opinion, is the Radial JDI.
23:15. so grateful you said that.
Hey Ian, what do think of the DISO Plus DLX Dual Line Isolators?
52:37-53:03 Consistency?
What about having the XLR output from the darklass microtubes infinity?
Would you still prefer a sepparate DI?
53:00 consistency!
What about the medium scales then? Do they serve a purpose or are they just a bit odd? That Vuorensaku sounds SO good btw.