are we on a go slow

[oldsage]

what,s up everybody!? are we on a go slow,or have you all stopped posting? it seems of late hardly any new posts regarding music/midi files have been posted!.even the members stage has been very slow.once upon a time if you didn,t post for 2 days your last post would of been gone.replaced by newer topics.this was once the hub of all things musical.midi files would flow like water,music would be crammed on the members stage.if we dont use these fine facilities,we will lose them,and that would be a very sad day for all!!! glenn/pat and all the team work hard to bring this site to you,so please return their kindness by using this site,and start posting.maybe we can have suggestions from members on how to revive this marvellous site,and get others to join in.i know i,m waffling on a bit,but i worry when things get this quiet. steve

[shyamwestwind]

Yes Steve, I agree, its really kinda sleepy here nowadays. Any ideas how to WAKE them up ?

[gibbo]

One thing that sort of clogs up the forum a bit is all the "can I have a copy too?'' and resultant "thank you for sending it" etc. on the request line. I know we're a lovely, helpful bunch (and polite enough to say "thank you" when someone fills a request) and I applaud those willing to share midis but surely there's a better way to accomplish filling requests than this.
I guess it's probably a little quieter since the membership fees were introduced but that's just the way it goes. I come here principally to communicate with like-minded people who are interested in music and midi, I find it a terrific attention relief after I've been mixing or sequencing for a few hours.
As far as livening things up; just keep spreading the word, there seems to be new members arriving regularly so someone must be talking about MM.
Cheers, Dave.

[Emerald Midi]

I think Shyam's debate regarding the member's stage might in some way have had an effect, but I could be wrong, it might be purely coincidental.

I also think the introduction of fees by Glenn has had an effect on membership and activity.

May I just point out that the forum does not get "clogged up" as gibbo suggests by what he feels are unnecessary posts.

[gibbo]

Oops, did I actually say it out loud??? I thought I just thunked it to myself! lol
Maybe "clogged up" was a wee bit strong, I was probably thinking of a Dutch forum I used to visit or something. What I actually meant, Pat, was that I've been coming here for a while and I used to read all the recent posts but just lately I've found myself skimming past the "me too" posts I mentioned. The other day it seemed like about half of the "35 most recent posts" were things like this but, of course, I could be exaggerating!
In any event it wasn't a complaint and there was no offense intended, I was just putting in my 10 cents worth on the thread and you have to admit one thing; at least I'm posting on threads.
Cheers, Dave.

[Emerald Midi]

No worries Dave, I knew you didn't mean anything harsh.

Thanks for your continuing contributions to the forum, such members as you are much appreciated.

[gibbo]

Thanks Pat,
I actually do have an idea for building the forum and MM membership.
I've directed a number of people here but one thing that seems to put them off is that they can't really pre-view (pre-listen to) the midi or mp3 files. I think they can just browse the forum and any files here and the archives of what's available on MM (feel free to correct me if I'm misinformed about this).
Most other sites and forums have a midi collection that visitors can just check out to see if they like them before signing up. Now, MM files are as good as anything you can find on the web but how is the first-time visitor going to know that? What I suggest is that you and Glenn work out a way to let visitors access and even download the Top 10 each week. With a page titled "Latest midi/mp3" or some such we'd pick up a lot of newbie midi searchers.
MM would undoubtedly end up with a lot of these people signing up for the complete archive collection and the forum would grow in leaps and bounds.
It's just an idea and maybe you've already considered it but what do you think?
Cheers, Dave.

[Emerald Midi]

Thanks Dave. Many options are being considered at present and all suggestions will be taken into consideration, so thanks your your contribution.

If and when any points raised are taken on board and carried through an announcement will be made via the appropriate channel, namely Glenn's Weekly update

Thanks again.

One thought on this that would be helpful, at least initially, is if you or somebody could start a thread for such suggestions in, well, the suggestions area of the forum

[shyamwestwind]

Aw, come on Pat, do you really feel my debate on the Members' Stage could put members off ? I wish I wasnt misunderstood - we are all musicians here and we are all fortunate to have experts amongst us who can give us advice.
I have personally benefitted by advice from gibbo regarding use of reverb in the vocals. I feel honoured to be advised.
Please clear the air for me, Pat

[Emerald Midi]

Well, either that or it is pure coincidence.

Look, I am not saying you are totally to blame but I do believe your debate may have been a contributing factor. I may well be wrong and things may revert to how they were.

[shyamwestwind]

Help ! Help !! Help !!! I'm being orphaned!!
Pat, jokes aside, could you please remove that thread completely in all its entirety so that new members dont feel " offended" and old 'offended" members dont get reminded ?

[Emerald Midi]

;D ;D ;D

If you are serious it can of course be done but it is such a wonderful debate it would be a shame to remove it completely.

Remember I was only giving an opinion and I may be entirely wrong. I was wrong once before, you know, but there was drink involved ;D

[shyamwestwind]

Pat, I know you're only concerned and hence the observation. However, I'm really happy to see the Members Stage contributions and I'm encouraged by the valuable advices being given. This is what its all about but I guess I should have chosen the right words. It should have read as "friendly professional advice" and NOT as "constructive criticism"
To whomsoever this migt concern, my apologies. Please dont stop sending in your contributions to Members' Stage. P L E A S E !!

[gibbo]

Pat! I don't recall you ever being wrong!
Shyam, Don't worry about it. I don't think anyone was really offended by the thread and the only harsh comments on that thread came from others rather than from you. In any event, it's all in the past now and we're moving onwards and upwards. I like your approach of asking for comments on your postings on the members stage and think this is the way to go; if someone wants a critique of their singing, recording techniques, playing etc. then just ask for it.
Cheers, Dave.

[Emerald Midi]

Lads & Lassies please don't start the whole debate again on this thread.

Thank you.

[gibbo]

lol... seems like we just can't help ourselves!!! Point well taken, Pat!

[Emerald Midi]

gibbo said:

lol... seems like we just can't help ourselves!!! Point well taken, Pat!

I know exactly what you mean. It's that Shyam's fault

[shyamwestwind]

Yodelaaaaheeehoooo !! I didnt say anything did I ? C H E E R S !!!!!!!!!!

[JohnG]

Are we on a go slow? Well, OldSage, actually yes!

Well, I've slowed my input down (a) because it's beginning of term here and I'm a bit shattered. (b) I'm in the throes of creating a "music sequencing on the PC" course for evening classes to make a bit of extra dosh (well actually for a weekend class). (c) I'm fighting with JazzWare and learning Anvil Studio so I can give examples that will show up OK in these sequencers.

BUT. I am still writing the next 2 articles for MM in drips and drabs (no, I haven't forgotten you weeo mate, it's coming). But then so is Christmas.

Next 2 articles
1/. Setting up the MIDI startup measure.
2/. Editing volume levels in a MIDI sequence.

AND I do try to do some replies etc. where the answers are from the top of the head.

Who was it said that men can't multitask?
Regards to all,
JohnG.

[Emerald Midi]

JohnG your input is greatly appreciated. We are all busy with other events in our lives and occasionally the forum will be the last thing on our minds but we do try to participate and contribute whenever possible. This is all any of us can do.

There are times when I say to myself, "why bother?" I'm sure this happens to most of us now and again but there is just something about being able to share our thoughts with other, like minded people that makes it all worthwhile.

I may eventually decide to step down and remove myself from all the "excitement" that comes with being an admin on a music forum, but for now I carry on as normal.