CygnusX-1Bk2

You need another Orange and at least another Palmer. The Rock Crusher is a power soak which allows for tubes to run optimally at lower output levels to the speaker. It "soaks" up the output power of an amp between the speaker output and the speaker, or in this case the speaker emulator. Which makes very little sense since there are no speakers and thus no room volume issue to soak. You can split your signal in GarageBand but not before the hardware. His wireless rig is one of the signal splitters because one transmitter can be used by 2 or more receivers on the same frequency whose outputs get routed to the different amp lines for parallel output. He also uses an external splitter. Going by that video there are 2 wireless reveivers active and 2 for backup (or one that outputs 2 signals and one for backup) then for some reason he goes through the AxeFX (which does both amp and speaker emulation) then splits befor the amps. The Oranges feed the Palmers and the SansAmp may or may not go through another and there is more than likely a direct unaffected line (probably from the external splitter). If you don't know much about electronics and level strengths (mic, line, resistance, etc.) it is going to be tough to pull off at all. Understanding this is only part of the deal.

A life would help too. Geddy's tone from 30 tears ago I would understand but since they have stopped using speakers on stage their sound has suffered. Significantly. All 3 not just Geddy. Nobody dares say anything to them about it because reverence. Their hearing is suspect and their tones are evidence of that.

Well, if you are splitting your signal into his exact gear then you can come closer. Otherwise you are chasing ghosts. Seriously though I just changed from round wound to flat wound strings and the tone is FAR superior. The low end is much more solid and the upper harmonics no longer cancel out frequencies. Wished I'd done it sooner. Tone is personal. Trying to obtain someone else's is like trying to use their fingerprints. I record with a guy who used to think he had to maniacally dial in his tones to exacting specifications. Now we pair a good guitar with a good amp and press record. A quality cable helps too. Another thing about Live tone running through wireless transmitters/receivers is they do affect tone and not in a good way. When he records Geddy uses a cable, not wireless. The noise added by virtue of wireless degrades the tone which is hard to tell through a loud as f u c k PA system. Plus he's going through the AxeFX. God knows what that's doing... Plug in, turn up and go "Yeah!" Trying to reproduce anyone else's tone is folly.

Especially when you split your signal 4 times...

The Avalon is more of a DI but it does have peramp capability. Probably in a similar place in the multiple signal paths. I mean he has multiple wireless receivers set up for parallel paths as well as a splitter. That tells me at least 4 paths.

The Vintech is a mic pre amp with Neve "style" EQ. Probably used for signal level strength control between devices and EQ.

Let's see... They rehearse for over a month to do a tour, just to whittle sets down to fit into a three hour show, which they've been doing for 20 years now; they cannot book back to back nights anymore so Geddy's voice can rest and recover. Neil really wants to retire and has chronic elbow pain. Alex is developing arthritis. They've sold the publishing rights to their catalog. I just don't see residency shows happening given what we know about how they prepare to play. I could see them recording then putting that new music on display in a handful of one off shows more so than doing residency dates. I really think that Geddy would go on forever. Alex dealing with arthritis presents the biggest physical issue, having seen Les Paul play in his 80s and 90s with gnarled arthritic fingers as a shadow of his primal self. Alex could not perform in the same way. Neil either. They are at an age when physical ailments worsen. We already went through a period of no Rush and we all survived. This too is survivable. My gut tells me they would never formally announce a retirement which is why we get a 40th anniversary tour in the 41st year. Retirement fund. Everything about this tour including the way Geddy said goodbye, the setlists, the 40 years of goodbyes montage and even the "albums" partying on backstage without the band being invited ("f u c k you puppet!") is indicative of their retiring. "The show's over!..." "Bingo." It's all right there. :)

Nah, triangles have more of a gong quality. More clang than a focused note.

Since I have access to the PW/MP/ESL kit I can positively say that the single crotale was mounted on a bass drum hoop mounted L arm stand made by Ludwig in the 60s/70s.

Hell yeah buddy! I can't stop thinking about that LA Forum show. 60 shows is nothing man in the big spectrum of Rush but man my last show was the greatest show I have ever seen. EVER If they play in New York or Toronto some year I will be there for all shows. Come Hell or High Water. I don't give a shit. Forever RUSH RUSH IS FOREVER! I am at 60 shows myself. Indeed just a drop in the bucket...

Watcher of the Skies was played before the first set of the 3 shows I went and also I Know What I Like before the second set. Lots of old Tull, Kansas and Yes too.

Yep, me too. Echos of old applause did me in. In Houston I was teary from Jacob's Ladder through Hemispheres into Cygnus and Xanadu even.

You are beautiful Earl! I love you too! Geddy thanked the crew and the United States. This whole tour was unprecedented. If this was indeed the last ever Rush concert we were there.

Neil ran to the front of the stage. After taking pictures of the crowd from behind the kit. Never heard Geddy thank the crew either.

I have never seen Neil Peart run to the front of the stage like that. Ever. Never ever. Taking pictures from behind the kit? WTF? He looked like a kid on the last day of school. And then he ran off by himself... It was a good show. So glad I was there. Sorry I didn't see you.

Jacob's Ladder because it's being played live. Hemispheres because they are playing anything of it at all. Anthem because the R30 Overture doesn't count. Lakeside Park because it's from Caress of Steel. What You're Doing because I've only heard recordings. Natural Science because at my home town show they played that into Jacob's Ladder into Hemispheres. Click on my profile and you will see these are my 3 favorite songs.

Do you want to hear the 4 guys who recorded it or 3/4 and somebody else?

I'm driving down tomorrow for the last one. It will be emotional for everyone there who's aware. It will be #60 for me, a nice round number. :)

Live Nation owns and controls something like 2/3 of the amphitheaters in the U.S. and control other venues' booking. When they merged with Ticketmaster they have essentially the controlling stake in booking and tickets sales. Tours are big business especially when long lived bands are involved. Once corporations started backing tours bands started to get guaranteed flat rates instead of splitting tickets sales with the venue and regional promoters. Bands get guaranteed money and corporations set ticket prices with calculated risks of returns. Big business.

Losing It is also in indication of their pending retirement. To me anyway.

Ray Danniels sold Rush's publishing rights for their back catalog to a third party (Ole) for $25 million. The explanation was that they do not see a time when their catalog will be more valuable. Essentially they no longer own the rights to their own music. But they got a tidy sum in return. http://www.celebrityaccess.com/members/profile.html?id=686

I will be attending the final ever Rush show on Saturday. Neil will hop on his cycle and go home and that will be it. Nothing special other than a great Rush show. They may perform together, they may even record but there will not be any tours, hence this will be their last show. Everything in the show from the setlists to the staging and videos point towards their retiring. Alex and Neil are in pain. In one's 60s things only worsen. They are approaching a time when they will not be able to perform at the level they are accustomed. That in itself is reason enough to go out now. Having seen Les Paul play with gnarled, arthritic fingers allowing him to be a mere shadow of what he once was I do not believe Rush could continue under such circumstances. All of the recent endorsements and selling of their back catalog rights are financial indications of preparing for retirement. Even a 40th anniversary tour in their 41st year (officially 41 years yesterday, Geddy's birthday).

Vibrafibing is essentially melted fiberglass on the inner surface of the shells. Smaller shops will have the standard size toms. Try Sam Adato's in Oregon. He used to be in the SF Bay Area and is really knowledgeable. Drummer's Tradition in San Rafael, Ca also has some drums from that area occasionally. There are a small chain near here called Starving Musician and they specialize in older gear. Maybe there are places like this near you but these places have websites for contact.

The PW/MP/ESL kit was assembled from Camco shells left at the factory that Tama took over. Except for the gong bass drums and timbales which were made later for Moving Pictures (to replace the tympani and brass timbale used for the PW tour). I am mere feet away from that kit as I write this. :)

I did like the 12 string Martin. It's a Martin!