Floor / pedal / foot bass

john keates · #1 11-20-2010, 07:21 AM

I am looking for a bass synth that I can play with my feet. I have found the Moog Taurus and the Nord Pedal Keys but they are both expensive and the Moog is huge.

I am looking for something small, cheap and light.

Also, has anyone tried this? I worry that I might fall over...

Sorry if this is the wrong forum...

fu22ba55 · #2 11-20-2010, 09:09 AM

I'm a fan of this alternative to the Taurus:

http://basyn.com

I haven't tried it yet, but I'm intrigued.

O-evetS · #3 11-20-2010, 10:48 AM

The Roland PK-5a that I have was around $550. You will need a keyboard or some outside source for the actual sounds however. I love mine and its light and easy to use once you get used to it.

john keates · #4 11-20-2010, 11:04 AM

Hmmm, yeah these both look good. The Roland has touch sensitivity which is good, and I might be able to get the hang of heel/toe technique with its longer pedals.

Hmmmm.... thanks for that.

john keates · #5 11-20-2010, 11:08 AM

Oh yeah, O-evetS,

Do you recommend any particular synth to use with the Roland? I notice that it has a program change function... can that be used with any synth?

O-evetS · #6 11-20-2010, 11:35 AM

I personally would love to get a Roland synth. From what I understand they have some programs that work with the pedal. Right now I'm using a cheap Yahama PSR-E323 keyboard. You can use anything that has MIDI though. A PDF of the manual:
media.rolandus.com/manuals/PK-5_OM.pdf

john keates · #7 11-20-2010, 11:36 AM

Thanks! I read the manual. Looks like a pretty comprehensive midi device and I like the way you can plug it into any midi synth...

So, do you sit down to play? What kind of things do you find you can do standing up?

O-evetS · #8 11-20-2010, 12:31 PM

When I play it I'm generally standing. On certin songs I just play some underlying padding like one long E in what ever octive while playing bass. On others I play the chord changes on the pedals with the bass. Lastly we have one song where live I play the keys and the bass notes with the Roland, sitting.

It's been a real asset to the band making the sound fuller. What's really fun is when our guitarist is playing harmonica and guitar, and I'm playing bass and keys. We sound like a 5 piece band instead of a trio.

john keates · #9 11-20-2010, 12:37 PM

Cool, sounds good. Yeah, I love big sounding trios.

Looks like I might not have to get that extra bass player on board after all...

O-evetS · #10 11-20-2010, 01:03 PM

I forgot to mention the "down side".

Before Roland: Bass, Amp.

After Roland: Bass, Amp, Keys, Stand, Roland, Amp for keys. More instrument and power cords and the need for at least 4 electrical outlets (I use 6).

This is the one and only time I'm glad I own a mini van.

john keates · #11 11-20-2010, 01:10 PM

Ah yes... there is that. I can drive but have no van.

Hmmm.... It should be possible to use a mixer to get both going into one amp... plus I would probably use a synth module rather than a keyboard.

Bassman316 · #12 12-18-2010, 02:30 PM

I've been thinking of grabbing a set of Roland PK-5 pedals and running it into this program:

http://www.cantabilesoftware.com/lite/

Using this plugin:

http://www.kvraudio.com/db/taurus_by_smart_electronix

I've had the program and the plugin for some time now, and it hits the Taurus sound dead-on (I've been using a M-Audio MIDI keyboard). Fully customizable, all the presets are there... just need to score the Roland unit to trigger the sounds.

john keates · #13 12-18-2010, 02:59 PM

Certainly cheaper than buying the Moog... assuming you already have a set-up for playing through the computer.

**superdick2112** · #14 12-19-2010, 09:59 AM

Nothing beats my Taurus 3....

But you are correct - they are pricey, huge, and heavy as all hell.
Before I bought these, I used to play a set of Roland PK-5s MIDI'd to a Roland JP-8000 analog modelling synth, and that whole setup, with gig bags, was just under $1k, vs. the $2.5k paid for the Taurus w/road case. The Roland set-up was much lighter & easier to transport, and I never worried about taking it to some of the "dive" bars we play.
Also, the Roland set-up could get some very convincing Taurus sounds, as well as some sounds that real Taurus simply coundn't get, but I cut my teeth on a set of Taurus 1s, and once you have played the "real deal" genuine analog Moog bass pedals, nothing else quite satisfies....

john keates · #15 12-19-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superdick2112

once you have played the "real deal" genuine analog Moog bass pedals, nothing else quite satisfies....

Oh no! Don't say that!

Bassman316 · #16 12-19-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by john keates

Oh no! Don't say that!

Indeed. I'm itching for a bass pedal setup, and each time I tell myself I'm going to go the less expensive route with the Roland pedals, I see a gnarly video on YouTube or see someone's rig with the Moog pedals. And then I want the Moog pedals and nothing else. Argh!

john keates · #17 12-19-2010, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman316

Indeed. I'm itching for a bass pedal setup, and each time I tell myself I'm going to go the less expensive route with the Roland pedals, I see a gnarly video on YouTube or see someone's rig with the Moog pedals. And then I want the Moog pedals and nothing else. Argh!

So is it fair to say you are in the mood for Moog?

**superdick2112** · #18 12-19-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman316

Indeed. I'm itching for a bass pedal setup, and each time I tell myself I'm going to go the less expensive route with the Roland pedals, I see a gnarly video on YouTube or see someone's rig with the Moog pedals. And then I want the Moog pedals and nothing else. Argh!

Be careful, one Moog Taurus can lead to a whole new costly addiction - analog synthesis!

HillBillyWannaB · #19 12-22-2010, 05:00 PM

I see that this is an older thread, but I'll give my opinion anyway as this is a subject near and dear to my heart.

The PK-5s are a nice controller. I have a set of Fatar MP-1s. They're much cheaper, but don't have as many bells and whistles. Basically octave, midi channel and patch # control. Fatar makes a few different pedals. The MP113 & 117 pedals (one octave, one and a half octaves) are newer, but impossible to use on stage. You need 2 hands to change patches and octaves. The MP-1s can be changed with one foot on the fly. I got my MP1s for $100 at a local shop.

As far as sound modules, that's where the meat and potatoes is. The Yamaha TG-33 is a great, inexpensive tone generator. It has a couple of really good Taurus sounding patches. With some basic sound manipulation you can get just about any 'Taurus' setting you want. I used that until I found the Roland SH-32. Just as good as far as the taurus sound, but MUCH more programmable. The Roland gives me ALL the 'Taurus' sounds along with the programable 'variable' setting that the Taurus pedals have. I also programmed a great Tom Sawyer patch which sounds just like the album. The TG-33 can be found for $100-$150, the Roland is generally closer to $200-$250 - well worth the difference in my opinion.

Here's a couple write ups if you're interested in reading about them:

http://www.vintagesynth.com/yamaha/tg33.php

http://www.vintagesynth.com/roland/sh32.php

poorbassist15 · #20 12-23-2010, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman316

I've been thinking of grabbing a set of Roland PK-5 pedals and running it into this program:

http://www.cantabilesoftware.com/lite/

Using this plugin:

http://www.kvraudio.com/db/taurus_by_smart_electronix

I've had the program and the plugin for some time now, and it hits the Taurus sound dead-on (I've been using a M-Audio MIDI keyboard). Fully customizable, all the presets are there... just need to score the Roland unit to trigger the sounds.

This is pretty much my bass pedal exact setup(without actual bass pedals, though.). I do enjoy the plugin, but it's kinda CPU heavy.