Synth Bassist's Club

kazuhank · #1 08-16-2008, 10:18 AM

As my avatar shows, I'm a huge fan of synth bass / key bass. I played synth bass almost exclusively from 2005-early 2008 in a local PDX band. My bass playing voice dramatically changed when I bought my Moog Little Phatty and started playing synth bass. I'll never give up playing string bass, but there are times when the part just sounds better on the Moog than on an electric bass (Radiohead's "All I Need" anyone?). In fact, my home church won't even let me bring my electric when I play anymore, they only want the analog synth, which is kind of fun.

Since no one else has done it, I'm starting the Official Synth Bassist's Club and here are the rules:

1) No stompbox type "synth" pedals (sorry moogerfooger/EH/Deep Impact... lovers)
2) Soft synths/controllers are cool (though it's best if you play them out... & not just a recording tool at home)
3) Post a picture (or describe) your rig (past and present).
4) PM me for your number (or post a request).

Simple enough? I know that a lot of us have expanded our setup with a synth, so let's start the club!

I'm #1 and my current bass synths are a Moog Little Phatty Tribute Edition (#440) and a Novation K Station Keyboard

My past synths include:
Waldorf Pulse rack synth w/ various controllers
Novation Bass Station Rack
Korg Micro Korg
Nord Lead I

Visirale · #2 08-16-2008, 10:25 AM

Does my midi controller plus Reason/Absynth/Kontakt/Ableton count?

kazuhank · #3 08-16-2008, 10:29 AM

Visirale, definitely cool, especially if you play that rig out. The idea is for those of us that gig on a synth bass of some kind.

I updated the rules...

Visirale is #2

JazzyJames · #4 08-16-2008, 10:31 AM

Does it count if I have Digitech Bass Synth Wah pedal? =D

grooveguru · #5 08-16-2008, 10:34 AM

I have a Godin A4 SA coming that will be hooked up to a Roland GR-20? Does that count?

kazuhank · #6 08-16-2008, 10:34 AM

Sorry Guys, rule #1. It has to have black and white keys!

(Extra points for keytars by the way)

grooveguru · #7 08-16-2008, 10:36 AM

Then it should be keyboard bass because Synth bass can be triggered by multiple means not just a keyboard

grooveguru · #8 08-16-2008, 10:38 AM

Bogus! Doesn't even belong in Basses thread

kazuhank · #9 08-16-2008, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grooveguru

Bogus! Doesn't even belong in Basses thread

This club refers to using a keyboard or synth as a bass instrument, so basses seems completely appropriate to me. I consider my Little Phatty as one of my basses, so it makes the most sense to put it here.

grooveguru · #10 08-16-2008, 11:06 AM

Ok agreed! I'll throw in my Yamaha CS01 II

Baryonyx · #11 08-16-2008, 11:25 AM

I might do a it of synth bass soon, but hopefully not too much, as I'm planning on buying a Roland Juno-G next year.

ped · #12 08-16-2008, 11:30 AM

I have a Vbass with a GK3B pickup. It is not MIDI but I know it still doesn't count!
ped

Bassman316 · #13 08-16-2008, 11:30 AM

Just out of curiosity, rule #1 says no pedals... are you talking about the synth stompbox variety, or pedals in general meaning no stompboxes AND synths such as the Moog Taurus?

kazuhank · #14 08-16-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassman316

Just out of curiosity, rule #1 says no pedals... are you talking about the synth stompbox variety, or pedals in general meaning no stompboxes AND synths such as the Moog Taurus?

Yes, I meant stompbox style synth pedals which are really just filters as I understand things. Foot controller pedals (controlling a keyboard like Roland PK-5 et. al.) and/or Moog Taurus style synths are totally cool! (Again, they have B&W or brown & black keys).

Grooveguru #3 Nice Yamaha! I forgot that I have a little Yamaha like that one that I use for bass at school.

azzyrazzy · #15 08-16-2008, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kazuhank

This club refers to using a keyboard or synth as a bass instrument, so basses seems completely appropriate to me. I consider my Little Phatty as one of my basses, so it makes the most sense to put it here.

***? Not at all, this forum is for Bass Guitars -> Basses.

kazuhank · #16 08-16-2008, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azzyrazzy

***? Not at all, this forum is for Bass Guitars -> Basses.

I really just wanted to start a club for those of us that play more than just string bass. I'd rather not debate this is or is not a bass, I'm sure we all acknowledge Geddy Lee, Steve Harris, et. al. as bass players even though they often played Moog Taurus synth bass parts on various records and live.

I'm not the only one that considers a synth an expansion of their bass arsenal, check out this thread.

To me, it's like the tired stance that a Chapman stick (or for some even an extended range 7 string) isn't playing bass even when you're in the bass clef, playing a bass groove. Let's be open minded because several of us play more than strings to make bass happen.

ghiadub · #17 08-16-2008, 12:43 PM

I think that the club should definetly allow anyone who uses a triggered synth (as opposed to a filter) I think there will be more folks that fall into that. And honestly, a keyboard is not a bass. YOU might be a bassist, but a keyboard is not a bass. It is a keyboard playing bass notes. Case in point: the doors were well known to not have a bassist.

I have used a triggered synth for over 5 years and was hoping for a cool club, my first, to allow me in based on the name and the fact that if I am not playing synth bass, *** am I playing?

Sorry if I offend, but this thread/club is definetly in the wrong location based on the rule #1. If that is the rule, move it.

MODS?

GingerConor · #18 08-16-2008, 12:44 PM

i have a microKORG that i use in my band. i really wanna replace it with something for respectable but i dont really have much money, can u recomend anything that has sweet bass tones thats within that price-range?

kazuhank · #19 08-16-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghiadub

I think that the club should definetly allow anyone who uses a triggered synth (as opposed to a filter) I think there will be more folks that fall into that.

Triggered synths are totally cool, I stated that any controller is fine (if the controller is a bass more power to you!). My stance is in regards to a stompbox "synth" which really isn't a synth IMHO.

I said I consider my Moog a "bass instrument," not a bass. I was looking to start a club for those of us that have a MicroKorg, Novation Bass Station, Moog etc. in our gig bag of tricks. In the other thread to which I linked there appeared to be enough of us to start a club. I'll be the first one to admit that it doesn't exactly fit into basses, but it doesn't exactly fit anywhere else, so I'm open to moving it, I just didn't see a better place for the thread.

kazuhank · #20 08-16-2008, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GingerConor

i have a microKORG that i use in my band. i really wanna replace it with something for respectable but i dont really have much money, can u recomend anything that has sweet bass tones thats within that price-range?

GingerConor #4

If you hunt on eBay, you can get a Novation BassStation keyboard for either side of $300 (or the rack for much less), which I like more than the MicroKorg. Novation also has a K-Station with presets that sometimes show up used for less than a MicroKorg.

Used Moogs sound great, but they often come with issues. The Phatty is expensive, but worth every penny.