Markay

Interesting topic and one on which I have been reflecting recently. My tentative conclusion is thar a lot comes down to our environment, primarily our relationship and workplace. For the last 20 years of a 40 year marriage I played in cover bands. I was working in a relatively high pressure workplace and in a relationship which was supportive of my gigging, but not quite gushing with enthusiasm. Notwithstanding the late nights, the load out and the drive home, stone cold sober, I always felt a unique calm that lasted for 24 to 36 hours. A natural dopamine high I guess. Now I am married for the second time I no longer feel the need. I don't gig much and occasionally get together with an originals band, play and lay down some tracks. They have their own studio where some of my gear lives and my load out is a Macbook and controller. I still return home chilled and full of the joy that playing with others brings. However it means much less as I now have much more control over my workplace and I almost resent the time I am not spending with my wife.

Whatever you decide keep em close. U neva nose when the song's gonna call for em.

Great to see Elvis in fine form. However a coupla days ago.

Been down this rabbit hole so many times. Start with MainStage then fill in with other AU's if they sound better than what you can get out of Alchemy for synth. MainStage @ $30 comes with au's that cover every base. Gig Performer costs much more and comes with nuttin. Were I still on Windows Gig Performer would be my choice. I have VB and B5 but I still use Vintage B3, included with MainStage at no extra cost, for some patches. $30 or $3,000? Your choice on Mac OS. No choice on Windows.

Although I don't live in the US but am/was a customer of Sam Ash, Rudy's, (NYC) Zzounds and Muscians corner, here is how the chain v independent music store battle played out here. The chains merged and at the time they were put into liquidation by their then owner, a vulture fund based in Rhode Island go figure, they had lost their market share to independents who had transitioned to an instore and online price match offer model. During Covid one these nearest to me opened an additional dedicated keyboard and synth showroom. We have amongst the worlds highest CBD rents and all the surviving independent's are in suburban strip shopping centres where rents are lower and its easy to park. I always prefer to try before I buy instore, then I own the decision about keyboard feel for example, and whatever compromise was involved, no returns. Commodity items like pedals or tuners, best online price including delivery from a trusted supplier. The death of the chains has lead to greater choice instore because the independents don't play the "if you stock us (Y) we will give you better payment terms provided you don't stock N or R" game.

Musta been playing Leisure Suit Larry back in the day and looking for luv in all the wrong places and totally missed this.

Same here, however soon after the Yahoo password hack some years ago, which didn't affect me, I set up a Protonmail account as backup. But Yahoo has been solid ever since and ads are a small price to pay for 30 years of having a free email service.

Magic Dick or someone similar required to pull this off.

Steven Stills Mannasas elbum has somehow resonated with me, particulary on country drives, since the day it was released. Not my country, and Johnny's garden is not my life experience. But nonetheless music that transports you to another place. The most underrated creative influence in CSN. Makes Wooden ships look like dross.

Nord Lead? (Joke)

Great performance and chops Darren. Look foward to getting along to one of your gigs soon.

That would me great, my life has been rebuilt from the bottom to the top, I think thats a lyric, since we last hooked up, so PM and we'll put the top down and enjoy life on the edge.

I am software only, but as cost is off the table I have nothing more to add.

Darren if you are referring to the SOH concerts I agree. Next best bass impact was Nile Rodgers at the Enmore about a month ago.

As did I at the Sydney Opera House. Each concert featured one of their albums. I chose The Mix, being the closest to a "best of" . Best sound eva,and an immersive 3D experience.