FX for electronica?

[Gonzo476]

I'm going to start a band with some friends and we are going to cover mainly electronica songs that people can dance to (we plan to play in private parties and, with some divine help, make some cash for a change ) so I would like to know what pedal/s could help me get a synthy bass sound. I was thinking of something similar to the bass in these songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M65zI9LH-as
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H25lz7gchaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDwYaZKfnM

I know that the fuzzy bass sound in Le Disko comes from a keyboard, but I'm sure that there must be some way to get close with a bass.

[warwick.hoy]

without listen to the clips (wife is still asleep).....fuzz, octaver, low pass filter, and synth (like the Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synth). You could also learn how to double on keys and get a MicroKORG...or if you have the money...a Moog Little Phatty.

[Swimming Bird]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

.....fuzz, octaver, low pass filter, and synth

+4, though you'll be just fine with a funky octaver and a weird distortion, maybe a modulation (I go octaver >> phaser >> green ringer when I need dancy sounding stuff). If you're going for that Le Disco sound, you'll want an octaver, distortion and some sort of modulation. You maybe better off with a wah than a lowpass filter if you want sweeping effects.

Then again here's a great example of a bass guitar with fuzz (actually a torn speaker, but hey): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f7tg...om=PL&index=16

It's up to you, the beat and feel are way more important than the tone.

[Gonzo476]

Thanks warwick.hoy and Swimming Bird. I'm specially curious to know which effect I need to get a similar sound to the first clip. I forgot to mention two important things:
1) I have a BOSS ODB-3 which I can use form some harsh synthy distortion and I have ordered a Gemini Drive Lite OD pedal.
2) I would like to have 5 pedals max.

Any flanger/synth/fuzz/octave suggestions?

[Jared Lash]

The Le Disko sound would actually be the easiest tone to cop IMO.

What you'll likely need is a gated fuzz.

Trying to get a range of synthy sounds is difficult and if you are limiting yourself to five pedals, you'll have to settle for being "in the ballpark" rather than getting somewhat close.

I'd say the EHX BMS is a given. Setting the stop sweep at minimum is good for getting the decay of a keyboard.

[Gonzo476]

Thanks for the recommendation. I know I'm not going to be able to get as many sounds as a guy with a real synth, but I don't want to spend a fortune on pedals...I just want to be able to get a more or less similar sound to those 3 clips for now and then MAYBE I will consider getting more pedals.

Any more suggestions?

EDIT: would the sub octave function of the micro synth cover my octave needs?

[The Lurker]

Originally Posted by Swimming Bird

+4, though you'll be just fine with a funky octaver and a weird distortion, maybe a modulation (I go octaver >> phaser >> green ringer when I need dancy sounding stuff). If you're going for that Le Disco sound, you'll want an octaver, distortion and some sort of modulation. You maybe better off with a wah than a lowpass filter if you want sweeping effects.

Then again here's a great example of a bass guitar with fuzz (actually a torn speaker, but hey): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4f7tg...om=PL&index=16

It's up to you, the beat and feel are way more important than the tone.

That clip sounds like the Fall would have, if someone put Mark E. Smith on happy pills.

[Chronicle]

Subdecay Prometheus and EHX BMS. Win.

[newbold]

Phaser beats Flanger - EHX worm has a static/expression function (on the XO) and can also be used for a wah pedal. I have a Pigtronix EP-1 which does my envelope and phaser duties...and has a trigger input. Often in the classifieds.

Boss OC-2 is my fave octave. Whatever floats your boat though.

I have a BMS but want a Korg G5 and/or octavius squeezer...

Subdecay prometheus is awesome. play lots of envelopes though.

You may want a reverb. Delay is very fun. be careful.

Boss SYB-? get a lot of flak here but try it if you can get them at a deal.

[warwick.hoy]

OC-2 is a great analog octaver...the OC-3 is digital. My understanding is that there is an OC-2 mode on it though. My guess is that OC-2 mode is an analog voiced digital octaver. The OC-3 has a Poly mode on it which means you can do chords...something you can not do on the OC-2. What I like about the OC-2 is that wet synthy sound that you can achieve by cutting out the dry signal completely.

I don't know if the BMS will fit your octaver needs but what I like about a stand alone octaver is that you don't have to bend over and fiddle with sliders while you are performing. If you want wet synth basslines but with no square wave...use the octaver. If you are looking for the square wave...use the BMS. If you want glitchy, nutty, draw the ire of the audience, wall 'o' sound; turn both on and start playing really low in your note range. That ought to get some funny looks from the bandmates and bartenders.

EDIT: Not to add to the flak towards the SYB-"?"....I could never get one to track well. Of course this was trying it out in the store. Bad tracking could be accounted for by poor technique as well.

[Crystalman85]

Originally Posted by Gonzo476

I'm going to start a band with some friends and we are going to cover mainly electronica songs that people can dance to (we plan to play in private parties and, with some divine help, make some cash for a change ) so I would like to know what pedal/s could help me get a synthy bass sound. I was thinking of something similar to the bass in these songs:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M65zI9LH-as
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H25lz7gchaw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDwYaZKfnM

I know that the fuzzy bass sound in Le Disko comes from a keyboard, but I'm sure that there must be some way to get close with a bass.

It's possible to get those sounds from a synthy fuzz pedal(even though those sounds obviously came from a synthesizer). the chunk systems brown dog gated fuzz pedal might be a good choice.

www.chunksystems.com/bd.htm

[Gonzo476]

Thanks for all your help. I think that what I'm going to do is try the EBS Micro Synth (and probably buy it ) and some fuzz pedals. I will experiment with the sounds I can get from them and then I will decide my next step.
Any fuzz recomendations apart from the awfully expensive (but AWESOME!) Brown Dog? Maybe a Mastotron or something similar within that price range?

[Gashaponcito]

Originally Posted by Gonzo476

Thanks for all your help. I think that what I'm going to do is try the EBS Micro Synth

Little correction its the EHX(Electro-Harmonix) BMS (Bass Micro Synth), as for fuzz whats your budget? I suggest the following:
Malekko B:Assmaster
http://www.malekkoheavyindustry.com/...ge=b-assmaster
EHX Bass Big Muff
http://www.ehx.com/products/bass-big-muff-pi
MXR Blowtorch
http://www.jimdunlop.com/index.php?p...p_and_e_detail

[idoru]

Originally Posted by warwick.hoy

EDIT: Not to add to the flak towards the SYB-"?"....I could never get one to track well. Of course this was trying it out in the store. Bad tracking could be accounted for by poor technique as well.

Solution: Bass > Compressor > SYB-x

Neck pickup, roll the tone off.

Now that I've gotten into flatwounds, I wouldn't mind getting an SYB-5 to use with an expression pedal.

c-

[EskimoBassist]

For some of the uber synthy songs that I play with my band, I use the following pedals:
KORG G5 SYNTH
BOSS OC-3 OCTAVER
EHX BASS BIG MUFF
BOSS ODB-3
EBS MULTICOMP

I'd probably get a Moog Lowpass filter as well if I were to join a more dance orientated band.

[Gonzo476]

I've checked some of the Moog samples here in TB and they sound really good...the only problem is that the pedal is quite expensive Are there any other cheaper alternatives?

PS: forgot to ask before if it would be worth buying a Zvex Mastotron or if I should stick with the traditional BBM.

[warpzone]

Le Disko bass cover
I uploaded this just for you. I think it's a pretty convincing job, IMO. I listed the gear used too and i hope it's close to what you want.

[Gonzo476]

Thanks very much warpzone. I really love those fuzz sounds I am going to try the Mastotron and the gear you have used.

[Gashaponcito]

damn the first sound you get its pretty good! its the Mastroton?

[warpzone]

If you was refering to my video, i was using the Woolly Mammoth throughout the whole video and at 0:56 and 2:28 I kicked in the Metal Muff for a couple bars. Obviously using the wah at 0:20 and at 1:19.