Computer programs

(b)Assman · #1 08-15-2008, 05:53 PM

That I can buy/dl that will allow me to edit my bass by adding mainly Synth sounds and some other effects and then send it out into my amo/. I'm trying to not spend $700 on an untested midi converter and GK pickup. Might as well use my laptop for something.

Help appreciated

Thanks

CraigG · #2 08-15-2008, 06:10 PM

If you want to drastically change the character of your bass beyond what you can do with a typical effects pedal, you'll need to go MIDI.

Craig

king_xanadu · #3 08-15-2008, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigG

If you want to drastically change the character of your bass beyond what you can do with a typical effects pedal, you'll need to go MIDI.

Craig

+1
google MIDI Bass

4Mal · #4 08-15-2008, 06:24 PM

Spend $300 and buy a Micro-Korg used. or a bit more for something better. Spend a month and shed some keyboard - it's not that hard ...

Dirk Diggler · #5 08-15-2008, 07:47 PM

Get a hold of native instruments guitar rig3, some great sounds in there. I sold a huge rack of tools and opted for the software route, I've never looked back.
Dirk

D.Don · #6 08-15-2008, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (b)Assman

That I can buy/dl that will allow me to edit my bass by adding mainly Synth sounds and some other effects and then send it out into my amo/. I'm trying to not spend $700 on an untested midi converter and GK pickup. Might as well use my laptop for something.

Help appreciated

Thanks

You should probably have a look at some filter plugins and ringmodulators and such ... Or even get some kind of modular environment where you can build whatever you need and have the bass tone as the carrier ...

D.Don

winston · #7 08-15-2008, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Get a hold of native instruments guitar rig3, some great sounds in there. I sold a huge rack of tools and opted for the software route, I've never looked back.
Dirk

Curious, what hardware are you using, and how's the latency?

B.C. · #8 08-15-2008, 10:56 PM

Yeah, MIDI might be the best route. There are cheaper MIDI pup's than the Roland. The only software I would suggest is something like Reason or Max/MSP, which I'm pretty sure uses all MIDI.

superbassman2000 · #9 08-15-2008, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.C.

Yeah, MIDI might be the best route. There are cheaper MIDI pup's than the Roland. The only software I would suggest is something like Reason or Max/MSP, which I'm pretty sure uses all MIDI.

MAX/MSP doesn't require midi.

Guitar rig might be close to what you want, but if you want some sweet synthy sounds, I highly suggest MIDI--it might take some learning, but in the end, you will get some cool sounds

B.C. · #10 08-15-2008, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

MAX/MSP doesn't require midi.

Thank you for correcting me. I wish I had access to that program.

brivello · #11 08-15-2008, 11:46 PM

are you looking to record or something for live sounds,
if to record(assuming your going midi) I would recommend either logic or reason. the difference being Reason is much easier to learn, more preset sounds, great visual rack concept, drum machines, but only does midi. Logic has less flexibility, in terms of synth stuff, but also does analog recording.

If your looking for something live, i would still recommend reason. check it out, it rules.

both programs are reasonably expensive though.

Hawaii Islander · #12 08-16-2008, 12:04 AM

I have Line6 Gear Box Gold with all the expansion modules. I use it all the time for at home playing and recording. I don't use synth (just never tried them) but they have a variety to choose from.

I'm not sure how different Gear Box is from Guitar Rig. They look similar to me.

Dirk Diggler · #13 08-16-2008, 09:46 AM

Sorry to derail the thread but I'll answer Winston's question. I use an M-Audio 1814 with a latency of 256 samples.

Also to answer pickup questions the RMC piezo pickups work very well with my Axon. I have tried the various Roland pickups and they just won't handle the low strings as well as piezo does. But that is an option in the Axon to handle the piezo that I don't think Roland units can switch, but I don't know for sure.
I also must mention I'm using it on 6 string bass and the top 6 string on an 8 string Warrguitar.

My suggestion is don't cheap out if you really want to get into the synth world. Oh yeah one last thing I have really been much happier doing really synthetic stuff playing my Ztar, no latency, but it takes a bit a getting used to playing buttons.

Good luck,
Dirk

(b)Assman · #14 08-16-2008, 11:26 AM

thanks for the information.

I've spent over a grand on pedals and still not satisfied.

All the synth pedals I've found cost over $700 with the pickup and I find it almost impossible to find sound clips of their synth functions.

I'll check out those pieces of software.

(b)Assman · #15 08-16-2008, 11:39 AM

The ones I was looking at were the GR-20, Axom AX50 and Yamaha GR50. I'm seeing like 2 synth mods in Gearbox and only handful of user defined ones online...

Also not finding any good information on the guitar rig synth sounds

winston · #16 08-16-2008, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B.C.

Thank you for correcting me. I wish I had access to that program.

You should check out Pure Data, which was written by Miller Puckette, the guy who invented MAX. Pure Data is basically a free, open-source version that introduces some new concepts. I've only used it a little, but it's very powerful (and the price is right)!

(b)Assman · #17 08-16-2008, 02:20 PM

first thing i got when googling midi bass was a moogerfooger

Hawaii Islander · #18 08-16-2008, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by (b)Assman

The ones I was looking at were the GR-20, Axom AX50 and Yamaha GR50. I'm seeing like 2 synth mods in Gearbox and only handful of user defined ones online...

Also not finding any good information on the guitar rig synth sounds

Line6 GearBox has more synth effects in the effects expansion module. A quick look shows 5 or 6 basic types all of which are user adjustable. All there effects are set up for the user to adjust the same way as actual stompboxes.

Dirk Diggler · #19 08-17-2008, 03:27 PM

You can always try Guitar Rig free for 30 days in demo mode. That should give you plenty of time to explore the sounds. And you can't beat that price.

Dirk

moles · #20 08-17-2008, 03:57 PM

+1 for Logic. I only have limited experience with Reason (couldn't get it to play nice with my DAW, so I dropped it) but for what it is, even the older version of Logic that I'm using (5.whatever. The last PC compatible version before they went Mac exclusive) is far more flexible once you know how to set up an Environment. Somebody correct me on this if I'm mistaken. You can then go ahead and use software monitoring with your effects/filters/amp sims to play live.
AFAIK, John McLaughlin was doing all his live stuff for awhile through a Logic loaded powerbook running the Warp VST guitar sim (which sounds pretty damn good IMO). Effect switching and every adjustable parameter can be automated. If you really want a synth sound going too, you can always pre-record the line, run it through the audio-to-score tool which converts it to a midi file, and then run the synth live while you play unison....
The downside is that it is expensive, as it is a pro audio workstation. Although compared to the few thousands of dollars I used to have on the floor in front of me every gig, I guess it's not bad at all.
It looks like they've got something geared to live sound called Mainstage now that may be worth looking at as well.