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  1. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Wish More colours please

    +1 - I'm also a big proponent of the user-defined tags or preset sorting systems like Native Instruments or Spectrasonics use with their VIs. Most of the time I already know what I want, but it's nice to be able to narrow down choices when I'm mucking about and experimenting.
  2. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Baba O'Fractal - Axe-Fx III Preset and Demo

    Very cool and well-deserved.
  3. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Wish Consistency to naming of amp models

    +1...or maybe a way for individual users to rename them?
  4. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Axe-Fx III Firmware 24.04 Release

    Thanks Cliff! Those Friedmans have remained my favorites since they were introduced so many years ago.
  5. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Happy new year!!!

    Happy New Year, everyone. I hope you all have prosperous, healthy, and fulfilling lives in the year ahead.
  6. Highcastle_of_Tone

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLIFF!

    Harpy Burpday, Cliff!
  7. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Don't Work on Amp Models When You're Overworked and Tired

    I always knew I had something in common with the great minds of our time...
  8. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Wait for AXE FX IV or just get the AXE FX III ?

    If I was making this decision, I'd look at what people are currently doing with the unit and decide whether I thought the AxeFx III was adequate for my use case. For me, my limitations have little to do with my gear, especially the AxeFx. I've barely scratched the surface of what it can do.
  9. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Here's a dumb idea...

    I've said it before in other threads about this same request, I'm glad Cliff and team put their efforts into making the AxeFx sound amazing. But, it wouldn't bother me if there was an Axe Edit stand-alone as well as VST that included graphic elements along the lines of what Guitar Rig and other...
  10. Highcastle_of_Tone

    My New Gibson SG 64 Reissue Murphy Lab

    Beauty...
  11. Highcastle_of_Tone

    RIP Jimmy Buffett

    Culturally significant, whether to my taste or not. I know he has legions of fans that will mourn his passing. I can remember when Margaritaville was actually new and being played on the radio for the first time because I'm ancient.
  12. Highcastle_of_Tone

    RIP Sinead O’Connor

    I hadn't followed her in a long, long time, but "I do not want what I haven't got" was a classic. RIP...
  13. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Welcome DAVE MURRAY of IRON MAIDEN to the Fractal Audio Artist Roster

    Now that's a score! AFAIK, Dave Murray has been fairly traditional with his rig since the beginning of Maiden.
  14. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Wishing Well to Frank Steffen Mueller

    Hope you're back on your feet soon.
  15. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Caption this Cartoon

    "Can we make it "Don't Hear the Reaper?"
  16. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Get instant answers WITHOUT reading the Axe-Fx manual

    I threw in a fairly simple question and got a decent answer. I think it's a worthwhile tool to try for a quick answer. If you can't find the specific answer, the manual is still there, not to mention the community.
  17. Highcastle_of_Tone

    I am a broken man...

    RIP Dixie and sorry for your loss. As the father of many four-legged children over the years, it's the hardest thing I've had to go through by far, and I understand the pain you're feeling. She had a perfect life and would have wanted nothing more than to spend it with you. The depth of our...
  18. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Calling Mark Day

    Now that's classy. Mark is one of the reasons I bought an AxeFx Ultra back in the day. A II and now a III later, no regrets.
  19. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Whats Cliff doing now?

    ProfE gets it...
  20. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Whats Cliff doing now?

    All the people recommending search...thanks for the suggestions. I'm familiar with the search function. I like the excitement of scrolling for that black & Red Fractal Audio avatar of goodness...
  21. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Whats Cliff doing now?

    Does anyone else just scroll through pages of comments until they reach the next post by Cliff? Just me? If you read this comment, then you're a better forum participant than I am.
  22. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Two new kitchen-sink presets for SC and HSS guitars. Free download

    My thoughts exactly, very generous! Thankee sai!!
  23. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Movie Review: Jurassic World Dominion

    For some reason...I'm compelled to continue ignoring this movie, although that review gives it a "so bad it's good" shine.
  24. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Recording guitars: What's your preferred method

    It depends on what the song calls for, but I will usually record at least stereo out of the AxeFx through my UAD Apollo, and I'll generally have a mono DI track as well. Sometimes, I'll use it for re-amping through the AxeFx, and sometimes, I'll use plugins. Sometimes I'll double track (or...
  25. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Axe-Fx Firmware Version 21.02 Public Beta (Beta 2)

    I'd think it was tens of thousands or more considering what your typical hardware compressor units cost.
  26. Highcastle_of_Tone

    AFIII Preset Of The Week - Limelight M@!

    Just downloaded the updated patch. This is excellent!
  27. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Gift of Tone #23 - ALEX LIFESON

    Oh hell yes!! Merry Frickin' Christmas to Lerxst and all you hosers!
  28. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Porcupine Tree - New album & Tour

    Fingers crossed...
  29. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Porcupine Tree - New album & Tour

    lol... Even Steven takes the piss at himself occasionally for writing mostly depressing music. I love it. I hope we get a video from this tour.
  30. Highcastle_of_Tone

    UPS - any good quality compact ones around?

    This might not meet your criteria, including whether you can get it in Australia, but I've had this for several years. It's been quiet and reliable. I'm about to buy a second one when the budget allows.
  31. Highcastle_of_Tone

    The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power

    With all the reboots and regurgitations we see with Marvel, DC, etc., I still scratch my head at why no one has developed these mythos. Moorcock's Multiverse (the OG) has enough content to provide multiple series and/or movies that could keep a studio occupied for years. I'd include this with...
  32. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Farewell to a sweet pup

    Sorry for your loss. We know how hard it is. She looks like she was a complete sweetheart.
  33. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    I have a hybrid kit of acoustic and electronic drums. I mostly play the acoustic kit and use the electronics for additional sounds (cowbell, closed hi-hats, etc.). I tend to favor a bit harder wood (heyohhh), having played Promark kashi oak (Neil Peart) sticks for a long time, but I've been...
  34. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    I've used regulars and not had any issues. Shouldn't impact the sound in any way. You can play with your fingers and get the same sounds on an electronic drum. I'm not sure if nylon is supposed to be easier on the heads. Maybe others can weigh in.
  35. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Kate Bush - Running up that hill - Synth lead on guitar?

    Saw him with The Firm a couple of times back in the 80s, and he played with Kenny Wayne Shepherd when they opened for Van Halen a few years ago. Fantastic bassist and one of my favorites. Love that fretless precision.
  36. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    I practice with headphones, especially because of the acoustic drums. It's just too damn loud without them (I have some Vic Firth isolation cans esp. for drums). I also preferred headphones with the e-drums as well. With e-drums you're still going to get some noise, but it's generally manageable...
  37. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Kate Bush - Running up that hill - Synth lead on guitar?

    Tony's hair was known to kill yaks at 50 paces in those days...
  38. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Kate Bush - Running up that hill - Synth lead on guitar?

    It might have been the Fairlight CMI. She started using it on Never for Ever and it was all over her subsequent albums. Arturia has a pretty good plugin version. Doesn't necessarily help you for an AxeFx patch, but rabbit holes R' us. https://www.katebushencyclopedia.com/fairlight-cmi...
  39. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    Nice! Let the infernal racket commence. If you're looking for some good lessons on just about any skill level and genre, it's hard to beat Drumeo. I've barely scratched the surface of what they have to offer. I'm not associated with them, I've just been pretty happy with their offerings.
  40. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Who Is On Your Mt. Rushmore Of Guitar Players?

    Yeah, I was a big Michael fan from fairly early on. I was lucky enough to see him twice on the "Watching My Life Go By" tour in '85. Both times were relatively small theaters, and he was bigger than the room. I hadn't seen his technique before, so I only had a rough idea of how he played and...
  41. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Who Is On Your Mt. Rushmore Of Guitar Players?

    Eric Johnson Pat Metheny Tommy Emmanuel Eddie Van Halen I need a couple more mountains...
  42. Highcastle_of_Tone

    The James Webb Telescope Has Finally Launched

    Dude...
  43. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Axe-FX III as a UAD plugin?

    The processing power will eventually get there if it isn't already, but getting these two companies to collaborate is highly unlikely. I could see FAS eventually developing their own plugin, and I for one would welcome it, but I'm not sure FAS would ever want to put the necessary resources into...
  44. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    I think you have the right plan. My snare came with the stand so I've never tried playing it off the rack. The snare does tend to need the most regular adjustment position-wise, so I don't think a stand position would work for me, but everyone has different needs.
  45. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Starwards II 20.02

    Great sounds and love the Tolkien-themed preset names.
  46. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    I know...I'm still underachieving compared to Neil Peart or Terry Bozzio but drum sprawl seems inevitable.
  47. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    As far as drum thrones go, it's taken me three tries to find the right one. I had a smaller throne that came with the Roland kit that's okay for brief sessions, but if you're big like me (6'1" ~200lbs) then it's not satisfactory for long practice sessions. I used this Roc N Soc drum throne for...
  48. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    Yay!!! Congrats. That'll keep you occupied for years to come.
  49. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    Speaking of rabbit holes...because no one asked for it. Here's the latest version of Frankendrums from the 24th and 1/2 century. I added two of the 8" trigger pads for miscellaneous percussion a la cowbell, wood block, triangle, etc. A little pricey new, but I got the pair for $100 used on eBay...
  50. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    Or at least find a store where you can try a few different brands in person.
  51. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    Granted they don't see heavy daily play, but the mesh heads on my TD-30 still feel the same as new eight years after I bought them.
  52. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    I have the Roland TD-30 as described in my previous post. I mostly use the onboard sounds when I practice, but if I was recording I would use VSTs as well. I appreciate that the module is decent, although I have one stock kit that I use most of the time. Triggering VSTs is a no-brainer for me...
  53. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Brit Floyd in Seattle tonight with Fractal Audio

    I tell anyone who's listening that you should go and see some of these pro cover bands before you write them off. If a band is still actively touring and it's possible to see them, that would always be my first choice. But, in the case of bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, this is the only...
  54. Highcastle_of_Tone

    What are you listening to right now?

  55. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Goodbye, Todd D. "bishop5150" Bishop

    I'm sorry I didn't catch this at the time, I had been following his posts about his illness since last year. Sorry to see you go, brother, you were a great artist and asset to the community. Say hi to Randy and the other rockers for me, hope I see you on the other side...
  56. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Stranger Things Season 4....

    Love Stranger Things. One of my favorite active shows. They're pretty spot on with their 80's vibe and references; clearly, the showrunners and some of the writers must have grown up back then. Great cast. Obi-Wan has been great at times and meh at others. I like how dark they've let Vader go...
  57. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Social media

    For the most part, I drifted away from my normal FB experience in 2019 when I deleted my account that was ~ 10 years old and included family, friends, etc. Due to COVID-related layoffs, I started exploring alternative income sources, including an online business as well as a YouTube channel(s)...
  58. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Any 335'ers Up In Here??

    My 355 called "Alex" for obvious reasons (to me, at least). It's great for what it does, but I do have to fight it a little bit compared to my Les Paul or PRS (seen on the fringes of the photo). I've been on a mostly acoustic kick since around the time I bought it, so it's spent most of its time...
  59. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Porcupine Tree - New album & Tour

    I like everything from the new album I've heard so far. It's shaping up to be a great PT album IMO. The last two singles are giving me In Absentia vibes, and I'll take that all day. Gavin is just killing it.
  60. Highcastle_of_Tone

    How Many Amps Have You Owned, & Can You Remember Them All?

    It really hasn't been that many over the years. Once I got an AxeFx Ultra (then the II, now the III), I lost most of my desire for regular amps. Peavey Bandit 65 Marshall Something (solid-state mini amp that I sold within a month of owning) Traynor Something (can't remember, it was a 1x12 combo...
  61. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Why there is something, rather then nothing?

    I have nothing constructive to add except to say "You Don't Get Something for Nothing".
  62. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Is your studio still evolving?

    Slowly evolving. It's residential rooms with the inherent challenges of standing waves and such. Several years ago I invested in acoustic treatment to include Real Traps mega bass traps, a Primacoustic system/cloud, and scattered Auralex panels that I glued onto pegboard. These definitely made a...
  63. Highcastle_of_Tone

    FM9 Iron Maiden, Caught Somewhere in Time, w/ FM9s

    Sounds great and a killer stage setup.
  64. Highcastle_of_Tone

    How to jump from the SuperStrat to the PRS wagon?

    For what it's worth I love my custom 24. But, I love my EJ Strat as well. Very different guitars but both great. Now that you've bought the first one, if it was me I'd give it a bit of time before buying another one. See how you like the first one. I loved mine the moment I took it out of the...
  65. Highcastle_of_Tone

    NGD Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

    Not a '68 reissue as far as I know. I got it from Sweetwater back in 2011 and it was just described as a LPC - Ebony with Chrome hardware. I had been looking for that style for awhile, I've never liked gold hardware in general. Alex Lifeson had one and after seeing it I knew that was the style I...
  66. Highcastle_of_Tone

    NGD Les Paul Custom Black Beauty

    Beautiful guitar. I have a similar LPC in black but all chrome hardware. It's probably my favorite guitar.
  67. Highcastle_of_Tone

    NGD!!! It's HERE!!! FINALLY!!!!

    As they say in the Emerald Isle...Gargeous!
  68. Highcastle_of_Tone

    RIP Alan White

    One of my all time musical heroes, he played on so many amazing albums - TFTO, Relayer, GFTO, Drama, 90125, Talk, etc. I feel fortunate to have seen him several times live with Yes - 90125 and multiple times since 2010. Another devastating loss to music, the last six or so years have been brutal.
  69. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Mouse Review

    You're going to have to face it your...addicted to trackballs
  70. Highcastle_of_Tone

    AFIII My humble first track with my new multi-stringed acoustic guitar (31 strings)

    Very cool, and beautiful playing. The Picasso guitar was the first thing that came to mind when I saw it. Your playing was reminiscent of Metheny's One Quiet Night album in a way. I'm looking forward to hearing more, including the synth output. That thing will inspire the mad scientist in you I...
  71. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Shipping Boxes Gear Arrived In

    If it's proprietary to the gear and the gear is expensive, I generally keep it. But, I had so much stuff that I had rented storage space to keep it despite having a 4K sq ft house. As the storage rent kept climbing, I made the decision to throw much of it away so we could d/c the storage space...
  72. Highcastle_of_Tone

    I love the axe fx III but I hate tweaking

    For all the power and flexibility in the box, the majority of the time I'm only using three presets (with scenes) for acoustic guitar, bass, and electric guitar. There's tweaking to get what I want, but once I find a set of sounds I like I don't usually need to mess with it. I just play and...
  73. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Blue MoFi headphones ear cushions

    Bonded leather is an old friend. I have three pairs of Blue MoFis (all bought before they started to show signs of breakdown) and just to add to the fun, my recliners in the home theater have a similar material. Fake leather disintegration is just a part of life now. As far as the headphones...
  74. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Recommend A Les Paul

    I would only suggest trying some customs if you can. For me, the ergonomics between the standards and customs I've played make a huge difference for me. I had a beautiful heritage cherry standard that sounded great, but I couldn't gel with it. I eventually sold it to help defer the cost of a...
  75. Highcastle_of_Tone

    E-Drum kit suggestions

    A little late to the party, but for what it's worth I've been happy with Roland. I went all in several years ago with a TD30 kit that I still have today. I finally ended up combining it with my acoustic kit for a "Frankendrums from the 24th & 1/2 century" kind of vibe a few months ago. The...
  76. Highcastle_of_Tone

    His Dark Materials

    I didn't hate it quite that much, but Cliff's points all have merit. I need "Cliff Reviews" to be a regular series.
  77. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Selling on Auction Site

    I always tell people to put their money where their mouth is (a version of that, anyway). The auction sites are supposed to be free market and if they really want the item they can find a way to pay by the auction's standard means. I never agree to end an auction early, unless I put in a "buy it...
  78. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Mouse Review

    Yes to all of the above. On the last point, I use them in a couple situations where there is no room for traditional mouse use at all. I have a mini "workstation" using these and a monitor for my keyboards and vocal booth areas. Any trackball could work, but I've found these the most ergonomic...
  79. Highcastle_of_Tone

    How long maximum did you stay on the same preset?

    I've spent most of the last few years playing more acoustic guitar and that's one simple preset. When playing electric it's generally one preset with multiple scenes, and the same goes for bass. So, in effect I've been using the same presets for years now.
  80. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Health Update

    Hope you're back on your feet and rocking out soon!
  81. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Mouse Review

    The Kensington Trackball has become a standby for me. I have four of these things (in different locations).
  82. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Teeth of the Hydra

    Very cool - reminiscent of the Manzer Picasso guitar that Pat Metheny plays, but taken to a completely different place through Steve Vai. Frankenstrat indeed.
  83. Highcastle_of_Tone

    What's the longest time you've spent learning a song and getting it right?

    It's funny you and Matt both made comments that are essentially exactly where I'm at. I've had a few "signature" songs from favorite artists that are on my to-do list because it's part of the amalgam (to coin an EJ description) of what I want in my own playing. Cliffs of Dover is one, Eruption...
  84. Highcastle_of_Tone

    What's the longest time you've spent learning a song and getting it right?

    I feel this.
  85. Highcastle_of_Tone

    What's the longest time you've spent learning a song and getting it right?

    I'm still working on several that are in the >10 year range. If I knuckled down and just tried to learn one song at a time (and didn't take up several other instruments and creative pursuits), I'd probably have mastered them by now. It's cliche, but it's the process (journey) that has as much...
  86. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Are Vintage Effects Really Worth Their Prices...

    ...and even when you get an updated/reissue version it's often way overpriced for what you're getting: https://www.engadget.com/boss-re-202-re-2-space-delay-141917055.html The AxeFx just proves it's value day in and day out.
  87. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Taylor Hawkins dead at 50.

    Stunned to say the least. I now regret not seeing the FF even more. Gone way before his time, hope he's knocking one back with The Professor right now.
  88. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Your 1st 5 Concerts

    …and I’m jealous of everyone who got to see Queen with Freddie, Rush circa AFTK-MP, Classic era Yes, Pink Floyd, Zeppelin.
  89. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Your 1st 5 Concerts

    Top row in the pic below - Journey, Van Halen, The Police, The British Are Coming (Page, Beck, Clapton, etc.), Ozzy. 15-25 are there as well, although I'm missing a Metheny (First Circle) and a Nuge (went for a girl, not really a Nuge fan, but Michael Schenker opened and was awesome) and maybe...
  90. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Saw Brit Floyd Last Night

    I've seen them and APF and both were amazing shows. Definitely worth a go if you're a PF fan, there's nothing like hearing those tunes at the appropriate volume and with a big spectacle of a show that rivals what you would see if PF were still an active band.
  91. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Let’s see your les pauls

    2011 LP Custom. I had a beautiful heritage cherry standard but never jelled with it. I knew within 30 seconds of playing it that this LP custom was a keeper. I sold the sunburst to offset the cost. Someday I might look for another sunburst but I've got several other guitars on the GAS list that...
  92. Highcastle_of_Tone

    AFIII “Goodbye to Romance” Guitar Solo

    Great playing, one of my favorite Randy solos!
  93. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Elden Ring

    I've only dipped my toes in souls type games, a bit o' Bloodborne and the original Demon's Souls. I just don't typically have the patience to figure these games out, but Elden Ring does look really good. It's on the TBP list. Someday...
  94. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Who made you start playing guitar?

    Jimmy Page. I learned that opening to Stairway and not long after saw TSRTS on the big screen (midnight movies at Six Flags Mall represent!) and I was hooked. He's still the definitive "Rock Star" for me.
  95. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Alex Lifeson having a clear out

    There's having money to burn, and then there's having vulgar amounts of money to burn. I wish I was in the latter category, at least for this auction. That 355 surely has some serious mojo. Of course, I'm afraid it would all drain out as soon as I touched it. That thing needs to be in a museum...
  96. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Philip K. Dick Content

    Ohhhh, it's an art. Yeah, that's what I was going for. I totally didn't keep obsessively buying books when I had hundreds sitting unread on my shelf. It was all for the sake of art.
  97. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Philip K. Dick Content

    So much PKD on my TBR. So much.
  98. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Is recording music in parts cheating?

    Hard no on that one. If the greatest musicians, songwriters, and bands use that approach, why shouldn't you? It's one thing to have something performance ready for a live setting, but "playing the studio" is definitely a skill set that everyone can use to their benefit.
  99. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Porcupine Tree - New album & Tour

    Well, in his defense they’re multi-channel farts.
  100. Highcastle_of_Tone

    Porcupine Tree - New album & Tour

    That wasn't a dig on The Future Bites, I actually like that album and all of SW's solo work, but I'll be glad to hear some heavier music if that's what we're going to get. My opinion is that if PT stayed together, they would have evolved like his solo work and probably sounded pretty similar. SW...
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