Puppy Audio Workstation!
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
Puppy Audio Workstation!
Hello all,
I haven't been here in a while. Just thought I would start a thread to discuss my usage of Puppy to turn an old extra laptop I have into a portable digital audio recorder. The idea was to start out with a bare bones distro and add what I needed for recording. The less there is running on the computer the less chance there is of a crash in the middle of a recording. I am familiar with puppy as I played with it some years ago so I decided it would be a good idea.
So far, I have installed Slacko on the hard drive and installed Audacity. I plugged the mixer (Allen & Heath ZED 10) and didn't have to install any drivers. It already worked! Windows 7 recognized the mixer too but it doesn't use the data flow correctly. It treats a line level input as a mic and there is no way to change it. On a side note this feature was available on XP and it was discontinued (of course.)
I'll try to keep this thread updated as to how it all works out! And I'm open to any suggestions on how I can make it more stable and safe. For instance, I changed the temp folder for Audacity to a folder on the hard drive so that if there is a power issue or some other crash during a recording I wouldn't lose everything.
I haven't been here in a while. Just thought I would start a thread to discuss my usage of Puppy to turn an old extra laptop I have into a portable digital audio recorder. The idea was to start out with a bare bones distro and add what I needed for recording. The less there is running on the computer the less chance there is of a crash in the middle of a recording. I am familiar with puppy as I played with it some years ago so I decided it would be a good idea.
So far, I have installed Slacko on the hard drive and installed Audacity. I plugged the mixer (Allen & Heath ZED 10) and didn't have to install any drivers. It already worked! Windows 7 recognized the mixer too but it doesn't use the data flow correctly. It treats a line level input as a mic and there is no way to change it. On a side note this feature was available on XP and it was discontinued (of course.)
I'll try to keep this thread updated as to how it all works out! And I'm open to any suggestions on how I can make it more stable and safe. For instance, I changed the temp folder for Audacity to a folder on the hard drive so that if there is a power issue or some other crash during a recording I wouldn't lose everything.
Hi boohickey11
Sounds like an interesting project. I've used the big sister of that mixer
http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/zed-10/
More details would be good-
What is the specification of the laptop you are using and the storage medium?
Are you connecting laptop to mixer via USB?
Moving temp files out of the savefile (using application configuration or symlinks) is a very good idea to avoid savefile bloat, as well as reliability issues.
What quality is the recording, no glitches?
On some computers I've found Jack to improve audio recording performance.
http://jackaudio.org/
Sounds like an interesting project. I've used the big sister of that mixer
http://www.allen-heath.com/ahproducts/zed-10/
More details would be good-
What is the specification of the laptop you are using and the storage medium?
Are you connecting laptop to mixer via USB?
Moving temp files out of the savefile (using application configuration or symlinks) is a very good idea to avoid savefile bloat, as well as reliability issues.
What quality is the recording, no glitches?
On some computers I've found Jack to improve audio recording performance.
http://jackaudio.org/
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
Some specs:
Code: Select all
# uname -a
Linux puppypc13849 3.4.82 #1 SMP Mon Mar 3 17:15:25 EST 2014 i686 Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz GenuineIntel GNU/Linux
# lspci -v
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Capabilities: [e0] Vendor Specific Information: Len=09 <?>
Kernel driver in use: agpgart-intel
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
Memory at d8100000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512K]
I/O ports at 1800 [size=8]
Memory at c0000000 (32-bit, prefetchable) [size=256M]
Memory at d8200000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=256K]
Expansion ROM at <unassigned> [disabled]
Capabilities: [90] MSI: Enable- Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 2
Kernel driver in use: i915
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Memory at d8180000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=512K]
Capabilities: [d0] Power Management version 2
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 43
Memory at d8240000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [60] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
Capabilities: [70] Express Root Complex Integrated Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel
Capabilities: [130] Root Complex Link
Kernel driver in use: snd_hda_intel
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=02, subordinate=02, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00002000-00002fff
Memory behind bridge: d4000000-d5ffffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000d0000000-00000000d1ffffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [Normal decode])
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=03, subordinate=03, sec-latency=0
I/O behind bridge: 00003000-00003fff
Memory behind bridge: d6000000-d7ffffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 00000000d2000000-00000000d3ffffff
Capabilities: [40] Express Root Port (Slot+), MSI 00
Capabilities: [80] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
Capabilities: [90] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Capabilities: [a0] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [100] Virtual Channel
Capabilities: [180] Root Complex Link
Kernel driver in use: pcieport
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
I/O ports at 1820 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
I/O ports at 1840 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 18
I/O ports at 1860 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [UHCI])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 16
I/O ports at 1880 [size=32]
Kernel driver in use: uhci_hcd
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02) (prog-if 20 [EHCI])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 23
Memory at d8444000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
Capabilities: [50] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [58] Debug port: BAR=1 offset=00a0
Kernel driver in use: ehci_hcd
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2) (prog-if 01 [Subtractive decode])
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0
Bus: primary=00, secondary=04, subordinate=08, sec-latency=32
I/O behind bridge: 00004000-00004fff
Memory behind bridge: d8000000-d80fffff
Prefetchable memory behind bridge: 0000000040000000-0000000043ffffff
Capabilities: [50] Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0
Capabilities: [e0] Vendor Specific Information: Len=0c <?>
00:1f.1 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) IDE Controller (rev 02) (prog-if 8a [Master SecP PriP])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 19
I/O ports at 01f0 [size=8]
I/O ports at 03f4 [size=1]
I/O ports at 0170 [size=8]
I/O ports at 0374 [size=1]
I/O ports at 1810 [size=16]
Kernel driver in use: ata_piix
00:1f.2 SATA controller: Intel Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7 Family) SATA AHCI Controller (rev 02) (prog-if 01 [AHCI 1.0])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, 66MHz, medium devsel, latency 0, IRQ 42
I/O ports at 18d0 [size=8]
I/O ports at 18c4 [size=4]
I/O ports at 18c8 [size=8]
I/O ports at 18c0 [size=4]
I/O ports at 18b0 [size=16]
Memory at d8444400 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=1K]
Capabilities: [80] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit-
Capabilities: [70] Power Management version 2
Kernel driver in use: ahci
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation N10/ICH 7 Family SMBus Controller (rev 02)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: medium devsel, IRQ 19
I/O ports at 18e0 [size=32]
02:00.0 Ethernet controller: Marvell Technology Group Ltd. 88E8038 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller (rev 14)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 44
Memory at d4000000 (64-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
I/O ports at 2000 [size=256]
Capabilities: [48] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [50] Vital Product Data
Capabilities: [5c] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/2 Maskable- 64bit+
Capabilities: [e0] Express Legacy Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting
Kernel driver in use: sky2
03:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)
Subsystem: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network Connection
Flags: bus master, fast devsel, latency 0, IRQ 45
Memory at d6000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
Capabilities: [c8] Power Management version 2
Capabilities: [d0] MSI: Enable+ Count=1/1 Maskable- 64bit+
Capabilities: [e0] Express Legacy Endpoint, MSI 00
Capabilities: [100] Advanced Error Reporting
Capabilities: [140] Device Serial Number 00-18-de-ff-ff-b0-d1-9d
Kernel driver in use: iwl3945
04:09.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 168, IRQ 17
Memory at 44000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
Bus: primary=04, secondary=05, subordinate=08, sec-latency=176
Memory window 0: 40000000-43fff000 (prefetchable)
Memory window 1: 48000000-4bfff000
I/O window 0: 00004000-000040ff
I/O window 1: 00004400-000044ff
16-bit legacy interface ports at 0001
Kernel driver in use: yenta_cardbus
04:09.1 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments PCIxx12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller (prog-if 10 [OHCI])
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 18
Memory at d8005000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=2K]
Memory at d8000000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=16K]
Capabilities: [44] Power Management version 2
Kernel driver in use: firewire_ohci
04:09.2 Mass storage controller: Texas Instruments 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)
Subsystem: Gateway 2000 Device 0366
Flags: bus master, medium devsel, latency 64, IRQ 17
Memory at d8004000 (32-bit, non-prefetchable) [size=4K]
Capabilities: [44] Power Management version 2
Kernel driver in use: tifm_7xx1
# cat /proc/cpuinfo
processor : 0
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 6
model : 14
model name : Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz
stepping : 8
microcode : 0x39
cpu MHz : 1667.000
cache size : 2048 KB
physical id : 0
siblings : 2
core id : 0
cpu cores : 2
apicid : 0
initial apicid : 0
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 10
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx constant_tsc arch_perfmon bts aperfmperf pni monitor vmx est tm2 xtpr pdcm dtherm
bogomips : 3327.63
clflush size : 64
cache_alignment : 64
address sizes : 32 bits physical, 32 bits virtual
power management:
processor : 1
vendor_id : GenuineIntel
cpu family : 6
model : 14
model name : Genuine Intel(R) CPU T2300 @ 1.66GHz
stepping : 8
microcode : 0x39
cpu MHz : 1667.000
cache size : 2048 KB
physical id : 0
siblings : 2
core id : 1
cpu cores : 2
apicid : 1
initial apicid : 1
fdiv_bug : no
hlt_bug : no
f00f_bug : no
coma_bug : no
fpu : yes
fpu_exception : yes
cpuid level : 10
wp : yes
flags : fpu vme de pse tsc msr pae mce cx8 apic sep mtrr pge mca cmov clflush dts acpi mmx fxsr sse sse2 ss ht tm pbe nx constant_tsc arch_perfmon bts aperfmperf pni monitor vmx est tm2 xtpr pdcm dtherm
bogomips : 3327.63
clflush size : 64
cache_alignment : 64
address sizes : 32 bits physical, 32 bits virtual
power management:
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
I haven't run the recoding quality through the ringer yet. I need a reliable tone source. Maybe I'll start off by just recording hours of silence and make sure there aren't any pops or other noise.
I'm just using a typical SATA drive.
I'm connecting to the mixer using USB. The mixer's built-in USB chip sends Two channels (L/R) of 16 bit/48khz audio. It can also receive stereo audio through USB or send one channel of audio to the computer while receiving one channel.
I'm just using a typical SATA drive.
I'm connecting to the mixer using USB. The mixer's built-in USB chip sends Two channels (L/R) of 16 bit/48khz audio. It can also receive stereo audio through USB or send one channel of audio to the computer while receiving one channel.
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
Finally figured out how to prevent the computer from suspending with the lid closed (which would be a problem if it happened during a recording.)
I edited /etc/acpi/events/lid-conf to be:
It didn't work at first because I forgot that since the file was already loaded I would need to restart the computer for the changes to take place. So now the screen goes black when I shut the lid but it does not go into suspension.
I edited /etc/acpi/events/lid-conf to be:
Code: Select all
# This is a based on sample ACPID configuration
# Additional scripts catered specifically for Puppy Linux 4.1.x
event=button/lid*
#action=/etc/acpi/actions/suspend.sh
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
Then there was the wireless.
So, the wireless driver that pup wanted to use was iwl3945. It seems like it should have worked but it did not. Eventually, I went online and found a legacy driver called iwlegacy at http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/iwlegacy.
I unpacked the driver and just dragged it into /lib/firmware. It had to paste and replace another driver (which I assume is the intel driver that pup was trying to use.) After pasting it I went into wireless setup and it automatically scanned and found all the local hotspots, finally!
So I guess I needed the legacy driver. It works now so I am happy.
So, the wireless driver that pup wanted to use was iwl3945. It seems like it should have worked but it did not. Eventually, I went online and found a legacy driver called iwlegacy at http://wireless.kernel.org/en/users/Drivers/iwlegacy.
I unpacked the driver and just dragged it into /lib/firmware. It had to paste and replace another driver (which I assume is the intel driver that pup was trying to use.) After pasting it I went into wireless setup and it automatically scanned and found all the local hotspots, finally!
So I guess I needed the legacy driver. It works now so I am happy.
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
Eventually, once my business has paid for itself, I will be getting an external A/D, or audio interface so that I can record 24-bit. For now I consider the business to owe me money for the equipment that I have already purchased. All in all I will need to make around $500 before the business is "out of the hole."
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
I just finished recording my first gig on Saturday! The Puppy workstation worked like a champ. The only real problem was that I found out that I REALLY need some longer mic cables; we're talking a couple 75 footers! I had to sit way too close to the band. Who knew Bluegrass could hurt your ears!
I have a Facebook page now, although I need to add a lot to it. https://www.facebook.com/kissrecordinglouisville
I have installed puppy and audacity on a different, even older, laptop I have. I'm going to use it as a backup/test workstation. I will attempt to get a full feature DAW working on it before I attempt the same on my main workstation. I will use one of the programs from this thread: http://linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11430
I have a Facebook page now, although I need to add a lot to it. https://www.facebook.com/kissrecordinglouisville
I have installed puppy and audacity on a different, even older, laptop I have. I'm going to use it as a backup/test workstation. I will attempt to get a full feature DAW working on it before I attempt the same on my main workstation. I will use one of the programs from this thread: http://linuxmusicians.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=11430
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
For my purposes, I'm mostly focused on cleaning up the sound that I record. I spent a lot of time on this first project listening and finding the feedback that was occurring and pulling the feedback out with the equalizer in Audacity.
I am wanting to look into a setup that gives me the greatest flexibility as far as undoing any changes I make. Audacity will save changes until you close the program at which time all the changes become permanent.
I'm going to look for a good real-time audio spectrum analyzer so that, while I'm recording, if the system starts getting feedback I can find the frequency easier to cut it back on the monitors.
So, my main tower PC (Windows 7) which I built for decent gaming back in 2008 just had the power supply start going belly up. I decided about six months ago that when that PC started having problems I would gut it and rebuild it into a rack mountable chassis. So, my next project will be to do that and start building an audio rack. I'll probably dual boot Windows and some dedicated Linux DAW.
I am wanting to look into a setup that gives me the greatest flexibility as far as undoing any changes I make. Audacity will save changes until you close the program at which time all the changes become permanent.
I'm going to look for a good real-time audio spectrum analyzer so that, while I'm recording, if the system starts getting feedback I can find the frequency easier to cut it back on the monitors.
So, my main tower PC (Windows 7) which I built for decent gaming back in 2008 just had the power supply start going belly up. I decided about six months ago that when that PC started having problems I would gut it and rebuild it into a rack mountable chassis. So, my next project will be to do that and start building an audio rack. I'll probably dual boot Windows and some dedicated Linux DAW.
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
Also, I've finished my first project and given the CD to my client. Now I'm finding out the joys of CD-R. I knew there may be problems with CD-Rs not working for people but I didn't expect it to be the first client. The last few songs played with digital noise in his car CD player but ripping the audio from my CD-R wasn't a problem and had no noise.
A great article to read on the subject (although it is a bit heavy) is here:
http://www.cd-info.com/CDIC/Technology/ ... oblem.html
Basically, I need to find better CD-Rs and find out the best speed to burn. It turns out that it will depend on the burner as which speed to use. Generally slower is better but 1X and 2X have also caused problems from what research I've read.
I guess I'll need to try to find a finicky CD player as a test unit.
Mostly, I think this is only an actual problem when playing CD-Rs. My CD-Rs are not really for listening directly but more a delivery system for the 16Bit/44.1K audio.
A great article to read on the subject (although it is a bit heavy) is here:
http://www.cd-info.com/CDIC/Technology/ ... oblem.html
Basically, I need to find better CD-Rs and find out the best speed to burn. It turns out that it will depend on the burner as which speed to use. Generally slower is better but 1X and 2X have also caused problems from what research I've read.
I guess I'll need to try to find a finicky CD player as a test unit.
Mostly, I think this is only an actual problem when playing CD-Rs. My CD-Rs are not really for listening directly but more a delivery system for the 16Bit/44.1K audio.
Last edited by boohickey11 on Wed 30 Jul 2014, 14:23, edited 1 time in total.
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- Posts: 27
- Joined: Mon 05 Dec 2005, 07:41
Hi Boohickey, just wondering, would it not be best to find the reason for feedback occurring before recording? Are you using headphones to monitor or some kind of monitoring speakers?boohickey11 wrote: I spent a lot of time on this first project listening and finding the feedback that was occurring and pulling the feedback out with the equalizer in Audacity.
I'm going to look for a good real-time audio spectrum analyzer so that, while I'm recording, if the system starts getting feedback I can find the frequency easier to cut it back on the monitors.
Out of interest what (pair of?) mics are you using?
There are some realtime linux speccy analysers, that maybe you would have to feed from an aux bus, guess it might be best to find one as a plugin to a daw though for less cabling and complexity in tight situations!
Good to hear your approaches and good luck with your gigs.