Jammer - Posted - 07/18/2007:  22:11:52

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Hi folks.

I have been a member for a few years on this site, and I can't recall any other time that the Sound Off forum got so few reads or listens. I just found a great radio station quality song that was down the list a bit with 0 replies. Most players here are better than me, so Im not talking about me at all. It's just sometimes one might find some real decent bluegrass song (radio quality) and it has like 40 reads, 0 replies, and is almost on page #2.

I'm wondering, do we still need Sound Off? Do we still want it? I sort of miss the days when it seemed like some people went to The Sound Off forum first - way before they went to other forums. Maybe this site has matured and changed to the point that all it needs is the Music page on the member's profile, and a member could post it in Off Topic. I feel a posting of this type would get more reads in Off Topic... er maybe not. haha

I can recall a few years ago when this place was a tad bit smaller. Back then Sound Off was more popular (imho). True, we had less Pros posting on there then, but it seemed like we had more reads, and listens. Nowadays people listen to the profile/music pages, and of coarse the jukebox, but they don't seem to check Sound Off as much any more.

So, I got to wondering.... Do we really still want or need Sound Off? Maybe some kind of vote would be interesting. I support having Sound Off because I feel it's a great place to find the latest new tunes that may of been just posted on BHO or elsewhere for free.

Just curious.

Terry

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Edited by - Banjoman on 07/20/2007 16:04:38

randybartlett - Posted - 07/18/2007:  22:48:02

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If they take votes, mine will be yes. It's easier to casually find something to hear in the SoundOff manner. Of course, I'd change my vote if there was some more tools to access and discuss new postings of people's music on their homepage.

Randy

My playing is a natural product. Minor variations and imperfections are normal and only serve to enhance it's natural beauty.

sawyer 12 - Posted - 07/18/2007:  23:13:40

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Why take it away just because members don,t post comments? Everyone would want the comment to say...wow that is great and if it didn,t feelings would get hurt.

david

Jammer - Posted - 07/18/2007:  23:19:26

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David- thats a good point, We once had a huge thread about how to respond to Sound Off posts. Somebody said somebody's timing "sucked" and we all got in a big debate about it. Right now, I don't care if someone tries to help me play better, as Boog did for me just tonight in Sound Off. I thought that was cool of him, because he broke things down but did not trash me either. I would not want to see people flaming each other over songs either. The issue is, well... I guess I'm wondering where all the people went too over there.

sprocter - Posted - 07/18/2007:  23:24:40

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yeah, cause if people have posted something new, that ususually how I find out about it

Shane

Shop Smart, shop S-Mart.

sawyer 12 - Posted - 07/18/2007:  23:27:35

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Terry, I think a lot are going to the banjo lounge with live audio and playing and learning there. I have made a few comments in soundoff when a certain song just took my breath away, but again another song from the same person was played pretty good but it just didn,t excite me and I didn,t comment to that one. If I can,t truefully say, wow!! then I just don,t comment.

david

Jammer - Posted - 07/19/2007:  18:15:00

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quote:

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Originally posted by sawyer 12

Terry, I think a lot are going to the banjo lounge with live audio and playing and learning there. I have made a few comments in soundoff when a certain song just took my breath away, but again another song from the same person was played pretty good but it just didn,t excite me and I didn,t comment to that one. If I can,t truefully say, wow!! then I just don,t comment.

david

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banjo lounge, eh? I have not been there yet. Also, I'm a type that enjoys produced music. I even like special effects layed on top of banjo tracks- So, I'm not sure I would enjoy raw banjo playing online as much as other members.

Still, I would love to see more attention payed to Sound Off (just ignore my crappy post, I'm going thru too much right now to make a decent post)

Terry

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Edited by - Jammer on 07/19/2007 18:15:39

sawyer 12 - Posted - 07/19/2007:  19:55:18

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Terry, theres nothing wrong with your post, actually the exact same thing was brought up in the improvement section a few months ago and a lot of people feel the same as you. Hey man, check out the banjo lounge.

david

Jammer - Posted - 07/19/2007:  21:59:53

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quote:

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Originally posted by sawyer 12

Terry, theres nothing wrong with your post, actually the exact same thing was brought up in the improvement section a few months ago and a lot of people feel the same as you. Hey man, check out the banjo lounge.

david

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hmm.. Now, I find that very interesting. Im just down on my self a bit because I know I can do better... as far as my song post went. Boog had some good advise, and I agree with much of what he said in my Sound Off post.

My post got me looking at the others over there. I'm curious about the post in the improvements section, I don't recall seeing anything on this subject the last I was on that forum. I guesses I better check it out, maybe we have some agreement on some things. I don't recall the amount of READS ever being so low (on average) in Sound Off before, although they were never as high as the Off-Topic forum. I might check out your site and see what it's like. It's just that I often prefer recorded music over live music. I see things sort of like that late 60's Beatles did. I find there are advantages in the studio that one does not have live.

So, my favorite music is banjo related, but with some far out effects. If the site you mention is mostly live I'm guessing it wont have any of that kind of music on it. But sooner or later I'll check it out.

Oh- A member has posted an interesting sound test of his banjos on Sound Off. So far I'm the only one to take a guess at his four banjos in the sound test. It would be nice if others gave it a shot. I think it's a lot of fun.
Da Link: http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...PIC_ID=88490

Check it out gang!

My best to everyone,

Terry

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Edited by - Jammer on 07/22/2007 21:48:24

Lumpy - Posted - 07/20/2007:  14:20:24

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Terry, I've always enjoyed the Soundoff Forum although I haven't put any new music there for a long time. But I have noticed that more and more pickers post their music there and it's impossible to listen and/or post responses to all. I have become more selective as to which music I listen to and post a response since it just takes too long to hear all posts. I've thought that maybe it's time to have multiple Soundoff Forums according to banjo style, type music, etc. That way, I could listen to whatever type style I'm in the mood for at that time. But I sure want Soundoff to stay.

Lumpy
Gold Tone OB-250G
"So much music, so little time."

Jammer - Posted - 07/20/2007:  18:31:05

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Yea I miss your posts Lumpy.

But, in my way of looking at it, it almost seems as if we have a few more posts, but in general, fewer reads or listens. Maybe we need a ration rule- Like, if a member posts a song in Sound Off, maybe they should have to first at least post one reply to somebody else's song-post.

I see that going on sometimes.... some folks are busy, and they post songs without ever listening to anybody else's song-posts (that is to say they don't post about listening). I don't post enough over there myself. But I do more listening than posting. I'm trying to change that.

There is a cool sound comparison going on right now with a member's four banjos that I would love to see others get involved on- its a guessing game based on the sound clip.

Jammer - Posted - 07/22/2007:  21:44:18

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One more bump: Here is a Sound Off Test a member posted on his four bajos and the sound clips to go with them. Our job is to try and guess the right order the banjos were recorded in. We used to do this all the time on Sound Off, this is the last one I have seen in many a month:

It would be nice if others gave it a shot. I think it's a lot of fun.
Da Link: http://www.banjohangout.org/forum/t...PIC_ID=88490

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Edited by - Jammer on 07/22/2007 21:45:18

haiku - Posted - 07/23/2007:  06:12:23

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I think that since the jukebox arrived and the BHo members homepages improved, more people use the "add a comment" tool rather than the Sound Off section - and that's great.
But the Sound Off is very usefull to check the new stuff added.

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Hats Off to the Zebras!

http://www.myspace.com/hobohaiku

MrNatch3L - Posted - 07/23/2007:  07:03:44

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In the days before we could post music files on the Hangout, Sound Off was the only way to have links to members' music. Since the advent of member music pages and the Jukebox, I see the Sound Off forum as less for discussion and more just a way to announce that you've posted new audio on your home page. Maybe it should be renamed "Audio Additions" or something like that?? It's nice that discussion is still possible there, but these days I just wouldn't expect to see many, or any replies if I posted about a new music upload. I don't see any real need to get rid of it, as it is useful to see what's new (although the Home Pages link is the true way to follow everything new that gets added).

P.S. - Good to see you still around, Jammer. I have less time to hang out these days and last I saw you were thinkin' of dropping out. Always kind of liked your approach to the banjo.