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Setting Levels
"Trading the big sound"
October/November 1999
Edited by Paul L. "Pro" Pearson, Ph.D., (pro@strangepleasures.com)
Strange Pleasures-www.strangepleasures.com
Tape of the Month
Site of the Month
Jambands thrive on the live. Anybody calling themselves a jamband better lay it down on stage. Spontaneous and exploratory, dancing you into a swirling trance, elevating your pulse rate and transporting you to places unknown. There is a place where time melts and sound is infinite, notes swell and swirl, existing for milliseconds before echoing themselves into oblivion. These moments, without the taper, are lost forever. Faithfully captured, however, they live on in to tantalize the ear and mind.
From the early days of analog Dead to minidisc Phish and internet grovels, taping and trading has been one of the mainstays of jamband culture. Rarely will you find someone in the jam genre that doesn't allow at least audience taping of their live shows. The opportunity to witness creative magic on stage with the promise of reliving the experience for years to come hooked me from tape one. A crunchy analog brings back the anticipation, intoxication, scents, sights, lights and sounds of a concert experience that would otherwise be relegated to less tangible memories. The feeling of that particular transcendent
Trading the big sound is a wonderful way to get introduced to a band yet unseen. An impending trainwreck that quickly gels into a mind-ripping jam, the blindside segue, the endless tease…the emotional release. But how do you start? How do you get that first outdoor show or that crispy low-gen.? How do you build a mind-blowing collection?
The internet has brought tape trading to the masses. An email account and access to message boards or newsgroups is all you need to get going. Scan groups like rec.music.phish for 'newbie' posts or B&P (blanks and postage) offers from kind veterans. Some bands (like the Disco Biscuits) have tape-trading groups on the internet or provide fan message boards which can yield a wealth of tapes for the novice.
What do you need to start?
Blank tapes: Buy quality high bias tapes-Maxell XLII's are a solid choice, but other brands are suitable. Unpack them by fast-forwarding and rewinding before using them.
Tape deck: Check out the various taping/trading forums for deck reviews and pick a solid dubbing deck that's within your budget. Go for quality and check your first spins.
Envelopes: Bubble packs are available for less than $1. If you're sending a B&P, include an address label or extra envelope and a copy of the email detailing the trade. Traders often have multiple trades in progress and can get easily confused, delaying your tapes.
Postage: Priority mail from the USPS will get your tapes back in two days for $3.20. First class for two tapes without cases will be around $0.78.
Ethics: There are numerous destinations in cyberspace that will lead you to details on the ethics and etiquette of tape trading. Remember that taping and trading is a PRIVILEGE that can be revoked by a band at any time if it is abused. Visit the tape trading FAQ and the Phish trading guidelines linked below for a good primer.
Ten Tips for Trading
- Don't sell tapes or 'extort' extra blanks for a trade. This is a clear violation of copyright and can land you in the can.
- Be prompt and attentive to your trades. Don't offer to spin 20 tapes for someone if you don't have time or money for tapes. Don't keep people waiting for weeks.
- Check your email often and notify your trade partner of the status of their tapes.
- Include 'bonus' tapes with trades-it sweetens any deal. What goes around, comes around.
- Check out the official taping policy of the bands you wish to trade.
- Be patient and give people the benefit of the doubt. Sometimes things happen that delay trades and tapes do get lost in the mail. Don't shout 'bad trader' without due cause.
- Don't beg or grovel or bug other traders for B&P's. It's a sure way to get a bad name in internet trading circles.
- Find a website that will allow you to enter your tapelist-keep it up to date and accurate.
- Include taping source and tape generation information with all trades.
- When you finally get a few good shows, offer B&P's or trades for other newbies. Encourage good trading and good will. Remember that it's all for the music!
There you go. A little work on the internet and a small monetary investment is all it takes to get out there and collect hundreds of hours of the best jamband shows around. Have fun and spread the love!!
Take care,
Pro
Disco Biscuits-5/31/99, aliveOne, Chicago, IL
DATàCDWet, Spaga, Radiator, Barfly
M.E.M.P.H.I.S. > Mindless Dribble > Vassillios > Mr. Don > Run Like Hell
E: Morph DusseldorfA rare, unannounced show in the backroom of Chicago's jamband friendly hangout, aliveOne (www.aliveone.com). Ted Kartzman and Andy Gadiel (www.jambase.com) provided this little gem that is sure to be great trade bait with the Bisco kids. Make a newsgroup or message board offer to spin this one and I bet you'll get a response…
If you'd like a copy of this killer show, here's the rules:
- You have to have LESS THAN 20 HOURS of jamband tapes total. This is strictly for newbies, but I'm willing to entertain submissions for next month's offer as trades.
- You have to send me 3 DIGITAL AUDIO CDR'S (not computer CDR's!!) and postage (B&P) with an addressed return envelope.
- You have to promise to be a good trader and spread this tape around. Follow the guidelines in the links provided below-with a little work, newbies should be able to use this disc to get a good start on their collection.
Email your request to pro@jambands.com
The Blues Traveler Tape Trading FAQ
Updated list of bands that allow taping as of 9/04/99 (compiled by Kurt Kemp)
Phish Audio Recording and Transfer Policy
Pro's for Seoul and Hong Kong song, when the volume's down he can't go wrong…
© 1999, www.strangepleasures.com
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