Howdy Y'All

[CaptainPeyote]

Hello SD!

Can't believe I've been a guitarist and a Phish fan this long, and haven't been active here yet.  I think I joined about a year ago, but didn't bookmark the site and forgot about it until now.

My name's Justin, I live in Milwaukee, and I'm a new dad who quit his job to go back to school for Electrical Engineering, mostly to support my hobby which is electronics for musicians.  Before that, I spent several years as a live sound engineer doing concert production and installation work.  I build effects pedals and have a small business making custom circuit boards for music projects and building gear for some local and national touring acts.  I brew heady beer when I have time & inclination, and like to discuss dangerous topics like politics, religion, and the merits of Ross-style comps vs. optical compression.  But for all our benefits, I'll skip the first two topics while I'm here.   

Glad to be here.   

[IamWILSON]

Welcome Captain! 

I haven't really checked in for a while, but since you have a background in electronics, maybe you can clear something up for me as far as the "ross-style comps vs. optical compression" that you mentioned.  What is the difference? I've got a couple Ross compressors, a Keeley comp, and just recently got a 3leaf pwnzor (stupidest pedal name ever), but I'm very impressed with its transparency in sound and feel.  I bought it for my bass playing, but may end up using it for my guitars too. 

And what are some of your favorite brews?  As a big Guinness fan, I've always like the the stouts, but it's hard to pass up some IPA's, porters, and browns. 

And what bands did you see at Milwaukee fest this past summer?

There's some great, knowledgeable musicians here with some helpfull information and experience in the never-ending quest for tone so hopefully you won't forget to click that bookmark tab every once in a while!

[Stecks]

Hey Cap'n...  nice to have another Midwesterner.  "Mill-e-wah-que" which is Algonquin for "the good land" is a beautiful city, especially in the summer.   I'm in Cleveland, the two cities are somewhat similar.

Cleveland was just named by GQ magazine as one of the top 5 beer cities in America.   I tend to go hoppy and belgian style ales.  But as with music and attractive women, I appreciate anything excellent.  The big local brewery here is Great Lakes Brewing Company - check out their Dortmunder Gold, Nosferatu, Edmund Fitzgerald, Lake Erie Monster, Blackout Stout, and my recent favorite by them, Commodore Perry IPA.  Their seasonal Christmas Ale release is somewhat of a Cleveland holiday, people hit the bars as soon as they open on Oct 25.  http://www.greatlakesbrewing.com/home

Happy Orange will back me up in saying that Thirsty Dog from Akron, OH is pretty phenomenal. 

I went to undergrad in Illinois, and to give props to Wisconsin, I really enjoyed New Glarus' products.  Another one from Indiana, Three Floyds, is great.  Their Alpha King and Dreadnaught IPA are world class, but they don't export to Ohio anymore, bastards. 

Lagunitas makes some great stuff - I loved their Ruben and the Jets and Lumpy Gravy (too bad they killed 'em).  Ommegang out of NY - bomb...  Founders in Michigan is stellar.  Can't go wrong with Stone, Bell's, a few Goose Islands (that crazy 15% stout), Troegs, Dogfish Head....

I can't say much about other comp's, I have the black 80's Ross, I love it as a sustainer and for compression.  I stopped using it altogether, but was admonished by many users here so its back in the rotation There's probably better people to ask about certain fx.  I'm tending to just play with my TS9 & Ross and sometimes my delay, but otherwise, I keep it simple, mostly because I'm stupid - its easier on me that way.  Thinking just gets me frustrated and Stecks smash!!!

Tell us your rig, Cap, post some pictures!   Congrats on being a dad, congrats on going back to school, I'm sure you're kicking ass at both!

[Heady Jam Fan]

Nice first post!

Milwaukee and beer reminds me of high school, drinking Beast, lol.

I enjoy a good brew as well, its either Yuengling - best lager around IMO and not just cuz I am from PA - or Ale; preferably a triple that isn't too sweet, but a brown has flavor and not as much risk of being too sweet. I have to say, Unibroue has been my favorite brewery for a while, but I can't afford it too often. I have been drinking a bit of Over-The-Edge by Van Steenberge (they brew Gulden Draak, awesome beer, just too sweet) since it is brewed for a restaurant-bar on my street; tastes like a mixture between an IPA and a triple.

Anyway, Ross comp all the way! I have had a handful of optic or other more 'transparent' comps and I miss the feel and midrange of a ross-style. They might be a bit quieter and have more headroom, but I love the other 'artifacts' of a Ross.

[Happyorange27]

Captain, you are going to fit in very well here. We need to talk about pedal mods and PCBs and such. I'm all into that.
I brew Belgium wits all the time. Best beer ever.
I'm a dad and an engineer.
Welcome friend.

[Stecks]

Nice first post!

Milwaukee and beer reminds me of high school, drinking Beast, lol.

I enjoy a good brew as well, its either Yuengling - best lager around IMO and not just cuz I am from PA

They finally started selling Yingers in Ohio this year or last year.

[Heady Jam Fan]

Nice! I went to college in Ohio and people would bring trunks full. Someone that I was friendly with knew a place that sold Yuenger-dangers, but I never got around to figuring out where. They have really increased their marketing and sales regions in the past year.

[Walker done done]

Am I the only one who doesn't like Yuengling??

[the_great_lemon]

Am I the only one who doesn't like Yuengling??

Yes. Yes you are.

[Heady Jam Fan]

agreed, oldest brewery for a reason

[Walker done done]

agreed, oldest brewery for a reason

So they have good stamina and the owners haven't pissed away the profits.  Still not budging on this one.  I've had it a lot, my wife loves it, but I cannot get used to it.  I find it unappetizing.  Eh, the good thing is there is a plethora of beer to be drank in the world!  I'll be picking up some Heady Topper (ranked #3 in the world on BeerAdvocate.com) next week on my way back from Montreal!  Now THAT is a good beer kids.

[Heady Jam Fan]

Not familiar with Heady Topper, but IMO, that is cheating!

Yuengling is a lager; Heady Topper is an ale. The average lager pales the the average ale (not just in taste, but also price).

[webephishin]

Hello SD!

Can't believe I've been a guitarist and a Phish fan this long, and haven't been active here yet.  I think I joined about a year ago, but didn't bookmark the site and forgot about it until now.

My name's Justin, I live in Milwaukee, and I'm a new dad who quit his job to go back to school for Electrical Engineering, mostly to support my hobby which is electronics for musicians.  Before that, I spent several years as a live sound engineer doing concert production and installation work.  I build effects pedals and have a small business making custom circuit boards for music projects and building gear for some local and national touring acts.  I brew heady beer when I have time & inclination, and like to discuss dangerous topics like politics, religion, and the merits of Ross-style comps vs. optical compression.  But for all our benefits, I'll skip the first two topics while I'm here.   

Glad to be here.   

Welcome aboard, Captain! I'm a Milwaukee man myself! Are you in a band down here? Play any shows in these parts?

[webephishin]

For the record....New Glarus' Moon Man is the best pale ale you'll ever drink! Its my favorite beer by far!