Bass Synthesizer

jetofuj · #1 02-01-2009, 05:09 AM

Aloha!

I'm looking for an old synthesizer sound for my bass - farty but also melodic. The only effect I've found yet is EHX MicroSynth. Are there any other options?

Cheers, Kris

kevteop · #2 02-01-2009, 06:56 AM

Boss SYB-3 or 5, Digitech Bass Synth Wah, Pigtronix Mothership, Chunk Systems Octavius Squeezer, Robot Factory Pulse Synth.

And the two popular discontinued models: Korg G5, Akai SB-1, if you can find them.

jetofuj · #3 02-01-2009, 09:31 AM

I should narrow my search a little. I'm not looking for space ship or funk sounds, but rather for harsh low end. I was thinking that maybe some synth fuzz would do the trick, but it should have really long sustain.

Maybe it isn't best example, but listen to this keybord:

http://pl.youtube.com/watch?v=ru2a4B...eature=related

**DosiYanarchy** · #4 02-01-2009, 10:10 AM

well the MXR bass blowtorch does do synthy fuzz thats *kinda* similar, but it might be way too much.

i'll just do a clip of that and a Bass Micro Synth so you can get a better understanding of what the two sound like.

kevteop · #5 02-01-2009, 10:14 AM

For that you'd need something that will do an octave-down sawtooth plus LFO modulation. The only pedal I know of that does both in one box is the Octavius Squeezer, but you could get away with a Korg G5 into something swirly.

I don't know of any other bass pedal that does a sawtooth an octave down.

**DosiYanarchy** · #6 02-01-2009, 10:33 AM

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7297059

right, these settings sounded a little closer to what you wanted comming out of a 15 inch cab,
equipment: p-syle bass (Yamaha Attidude special), VTbass, Boss Super Octave, MXR Bass Blowtorch and Bass Micro Synth. into computer via a preamp model on my Line6 PODFARM software.

clip order (everything recorded through the VTbass in preamp model set flat)
'clean' bass -> Bass Micro Synth -> MXR Bass Blowtorch+Super octave

now I understand if the clips arent precisely what you wanted, but all the pedals have alot more settings than the ones i used, so if you'd like to hear more of a particular pedal, but tweaked to your preference, just let me know. IE: with the blowtorch: less clean octave down, more treble, different mid-frequency, less gain etc.

MakiSupaStar · #7 02-01-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DosiYanarchy

http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7297059

right, these settings sounded a little closer to what you wanted comming out of a 15 inch cab,
equipment: p-syle bass (Yamaha Attidude special), VTbass, Boss Super Octave, MXR Bass Blowtorch and Bass Micro Synth. into computer via a preamp model on my Line6 PODFARM software.

clip order (everything recorded through the VTbass in preamp model set flat)
'clean' bass -> Bass Micro Synth -> MXR Bass Blowtorch+Super octave

now I understand if the clips arent precisely what you wanted, but all the pedals have alot more settings than the ones i used, so if you'd like to hear more of a particular pedal, but tweaked to your preference, just let me know. IE: with the blowtorch: less clean octave down, more treble, different mid-frequency, less gain etc.

That's a pretty cool sound. I've never even considered this pedal. Thanks for posting the clips.

phatbass · #8 02-01-2009, 12:23 PM

line 6 FM4 does some synth stuff. Purely monophonic but capable of some offensive noises (and I mean that in a GOOD way).

kevteop · #9 02-01-2009, 12:27 PM

Blowtorch -> Any chorus is quite interesting too, a wizzly sort-of '80s synth pad sound.

Jumbotron · #10 02-01-2009, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phatbass

line 6 FM4 does some synth stuff. Purely monophonic but capable of some offensive noises (and I mean that in a GOOD way).

Yeah, I'm totally into the FM4. I bet it would do what you want.

**DosiYanarchy** · #11 02-01-2009, 02:10 PM

IMO the Blowtorch is best for a muse-Starlight kinda tone, but for the tone in the PJ harvey vid im sure theres some pedals capable of it, or more likely a combination of pedals - ie: octave down and bit crush/synth fuzz

check out the Devi Ever/Effector 13 fuzzes, they do alot of synthy fuzzes

i reckon with enough tweaking the Bass micro synth will get you as close as you need

kevteop · #12 02-01-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DosiYanarchy

check out the Devi Ever/Effector 13 fuzzes, they do alot of synthy fuzzes

I find uberfuzzes are generally a bit too glitchy and rough around the edges for practical use as a synth bass substitute, unless you're doing some sort of disco-punk thing where you want it to sound like a bass guitar with insane fuzz on it. All that amplified string noise and crunchy string attack is too distracting.

Yes you can sort-of sidestep the noise issue with a low-pass filter to cut out all the high harmonics and a bit of care with your picking/muting technique, but the sort of sound the thread starter is after still wouldn't be forthcoming.

This is where pedals like the G5 really earn their crust.

OptimusPrime · #13 02-01-2009, 02:44 PM

I'll sell you an MXR Blowtorch. For cheap.

Gashaponcito · #14 02-01-2009, 05:25 PM

ok man check this demos I made... I think its kinda what you need
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7298184
http://soundclick.com/share?songid=7298230

jetofuj · #15 02-02-2009, 06:34 AM

Thank you guys for all suggestions and posting clips. I really appreciate it.

EHX MicroSynth is a nice device. Adding octaves and choppy square wave might do the trick. I really don't care about filter section, but delay attack seems very useful for organ like stuff. There is no need for volume pedal.

Gashaponcito: do you use Octavius Squeezer on those clips?

I did some research and I've found Sepukku FX (ex Diamond Skeleton) Sub-Octave Synthesizer. There aren't much information about this pedal here on TB, so here is the demo clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dte3zvpeeY

Among different weird noises, it generates trackor synth sound, which I really like. It's not really expensive - $140 (shipped) - so I think I will put it on my list.

Gashaponcito · #16 02-02-2009, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

Gashaponcito: do you use Octavius Squeezer on those clips?

Yes I did, by the way nice finding that Sub-octave synth sounds kooool

fightthepower · #17 02-02-2009, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetofuj

Thank you guys for all suggestions and posting clips. I really appreciate it.

EHX MicroSynth is a nice device. Adding octaves and choppy square wave might do the trick. I really don't care about filter section, but delay attack seems very useful for organ like stuff. There is no need for volume pedal.

Gashaponcito: do you use Octavius Squeezer on those clips?

I did some research and I've found Sepukku FX (ex Diamond Skeleton) Sub-Octave Synthesizer. There aren't much information about this pedal here on TB, so here is the demo clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dte3zvpeeY

Among different weird noises, it generates trackor synth sound, which I really like. It's not really expensive - $140 (shipped) - so I think I will put it on my list.

Interesting, if I see one used somewhere I'll have to check it out. I'm anxiously waiting for a Pollyanna octaver which should hopefully be here this week. I'll be sure to demo it, and I'm hoping it will work it's way in with my OC2 which is getting a lot of use in my new project.