Bass pedals covering the bottom?

**Engine207** · #1 08-12-2009, 12:54 AM

Last weekend, while I was waiting for my son to finish his drum lesson, I noticed that the shop had a old bass pedal synth for sale. I don't know what kind it was (definitely not Taurus, though), but I started playing with it.

Next thing I know, I'd pulled a bass off the wall, and was playing some riffs that I'd been practicing - but covering the low end playing whole and half notes with these pedals. For never having played bass pedals before (especially while riffing on an strange bass), it sounded really cool.

I wouldn't say I'm GASsing for a set of bass pedals now, but since then I've been thinking of ways to incorporate those sounds into my playing.

Does anyone have any of these, and if so, how do you use them? I dunno...would this is better in the "Effects" forum?

bassteban · #2 08-12-2009, 01:05 AM

What brand were they?

**Engine207** · #3 08-12-2009, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine207

...the shop had a old bass pedal synth for sale. I don't know what kind it was (definitely not Taurus, though)

I dunno...

**embellisher** · #4 08-13-2009, 12:58 AM

Let's try Miscellaneous for this one. That is where music related, non bass posts go, including synths and pedals.

**Engine207** · #5 08-13-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

What brand were they?

Can't say for sure until I go back for Sammy's next lesson, but I think they looked alot like this...

I didn't notice at the time, because I was having such a blast, but they must have been hooked up to a keyboard.

Somebody stop me...

dave64o · #6 08-13-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine207

.
.
.
I wouldn't say I'm GASsing for a set of bass pedals now, but since then I've been thinking of ways to incorporate those sounds into my playing.
.
.
.

Sounds like you are but just aren't admitting it yet.

Actually, I think that sounds like a really cool idea and would open up all kinds of possibilities for you. How much did they want for it?

**Engine207** · #7 08-13-2009, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

Sounds like you are but just aren't admitting it yet.

Doh!

You must be taking talking points from my wife!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dave64o

Actually, I think that sounds like a really cool idea and would open up all kinds of possibilities for you. How much did they want for it?

I think it was like $350 - so not outrageous. But not knowing too much about synths and effects, I think they're different from Taurus pedals in that they're just a MIDI controller, and make no sound on their own. I'd need to get a synth, and all of the accoutrements necessary for that too.

It just sounded so cool to drop those super-low whole notes while riffing away up the neck. I've never liked playing much above the 10th fret or so, because I lose all my bottom end. With these pedals, I can get that deep bass right under everything.

dave64o · #8 08-13-2009, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine207

Doh!

You must be taking talking points from my wife!!!
.
.
.

Nope. I've just gone through the same denial process myself many times.

True, the fact that it's a MIDI controller means you do need some sort of synth on top of the pedals (i.e. additional cost). However, if you have a keyboard player in the band then that problem may be solved already, right?

But think about the additional possibilities that MIDI pedals could give you. Sure, you could trigger bass notes while you're playing riffs. But you could also trigger any kind of patch you or the band might need in a given situation - guitars, keys, brass/wind, some kind of sound effect, ... anything at all. And if you're also a guitar player, you could play an additional guitar line if needed and then play bass notes with the pedals (ala Mike Rutherford in early Genesis shows). He doesn't get the anywhere near the amount credit he deserves for how much of their sound he was responsible for back in those days.

**twocargar** · #9 08-15-2009, 07:50 PM

I have made a couple of sets of these and use a set with the band I'm playing with now. Mine are straight MIDI pedals, and I use my PowerBook running Apple Logic Studio for sounds. I also got the Alturia Moog Modular software that has a Taurus setting. You could also use GarageBand software (free with every Mac) which is what I used before I got Logic and the Moog software.

As a big Rush fan, I was always fascinated how Geddy and Alex used their pedals live. After some practice, I have been incorporating some Taurusy sounds into originals we are doing as a band, playing textures as intros or outros, and they are handy for triggering sounds such as when we play stuff from (Pink Floyd's) The Wall.

I made all of the sets of pedals for under $100. Right now I am thinking of making another set and selling it here in TB, but I don't know what kind of reception it would get. Here's a link to a video of the first prototype I ever made. The ones I use are in a wooden case and covered with tolex. http://kid-vids.com/MIDI_Pedals/

**Engine207** · #10 08-15-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twocargar

You could also use GarageBand software (free with every Mac) which is what I used before I got Logic and the Moog software...

...I made all of the sets of pedals for under $100. Right now I am thinking of making another set and selling it here in TB, but I don't know what kind of reception it would get.

Well, as luck would have it, after getting Sammy settled in with his drum teacher today, I went looking for the pedals to play with. Fail. They were sold.

TwoCar, are you saying that I could take my MacBook Pro and use it as the synth and your homemade pedal contraption would be a midi controller? I haven't even thought about using it as a trigger or whatever. I just want to lay down a nice deep bottom, so I can tinker up the neck without abandoning the bass line.

If you were able to provide "idiot instructions" and build a self-contained unit wrapped in tolex or whatever, I'd be veeeeeeery interested. PM me an let's talk.

...And I said I wasn't GASsing for bass pedals...

You we're right dave64o

**twocargar** · #11 08-16-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engine207

TwoCar, are you saying that I could take my MacBook Pro and use it as the synth and your homemade pedal contraption would be a midi controller?

If you were able to provide "idiot instructions" and build a self-contained unit wrapped in tolex or whatever, I'd be veeeeeeery interested. PM me an let's talk.

Absolutely! I play mine through our PA, but you could run them through an amp too. I am very impressed with the built-in synth engines GarageBand has.

PM Sent!