Getting this synth sound?

Nic. · #1 07-28-2010, 07:18 PM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtlwvAkkz-U

So I'll need to learn this song for a gig, which is easy enough, but I'm still trying to figure out the sound. Sounds like some smooth fuzz into some kind of filter to me... will a half-cocked wah work? I've nearly no experience with synthy stuff. Any help?

Also, is it just me or are the lows cut on this song?

bombpop14 · #2 07-28-2010, 07:24 PM

Try what they used....a keyboard...
You might be able to use a digitech synth wah pedal and get close enough

Kwesi · #3 07-28-2010, 08:04 PM

What you'd want for that is first, a really synthy fuzz with the gate opened up so it'll hold onto notes longer. The Chunk Systems Brown Dog would do very nicely here and from the clips I've heard of the Iron Ether Oxide Fuzz it would do well to. Then a envelope filter that can be controlled via expression input. then only thing that immediately comes to mind is the WMD Super Fatman. Not overly wet, but with enough controls for a good amount of tweaking. And with that specific pedal even though there are a lot of knobs you really only have to use 4 or 5 to dial in what you're after. I'm thinking bandpass mode would work well here which is probably why it sounds liek the lows are cut a bit.

If you want a one purchase solution a keyboard might be your best bet. Take a look at the Korg R3, you can find them for $400 and I've heard great things about them. As far as effects go the Source Audio Multiwave Bass Distotion or it's Pro model might get you close too. The Gig-Fx Subwah is worth some consideration too as it's is not only a wah but a expression controllable filter all in one box, though you would still need to purchase a fuzz. Hope this helps

Pandafist · #4 07-28-2010, 08:12 PM

Well, a moog synth is what that sounds like to me, so if you wanna do it with bass, I'd start with a thick fuzz or distortion, followed with a EHX or digitech bass synth, followed by a mooger lowpass filter. You might even throw a freq box in there as well.

IDK

One thing is for sure - You definitely need money to get that sound.

Nic. · #5 07-28-2010, 09:39 PM

My pedalboard has a Mastotron -> Box Of Metal -> Distortron... although I find the sound of the Mastotron is very similar to the BOM -> Distortron. I've also got a Bass Crybaby. That's all that's related to this sound I suppose.

Would that be enough for the fuzz part? I can cut lows with EQ.

How would the synth pedal work? I've to admit I've no idea what "synth" pedals do.

I don't intend to buy a keyboard just for one song...

bombpop14 · #6 07-28-2010, 11:03 PM

A digitech synth pedal IMHO would be a cheap way to approximate this sound (go to digitechs website, I think they have audio samples of what that pedal can do) without buying crazy expensive stuff. The pedal just makes your signal "kinda" sound like a synthesizer keyboard, among other possible effects. It's like 85 bucks on musiciansfriend.com. Best of luck.

Kwesi · #7 07-28-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nic.

My pedalboard has a Mastotron -> Box Of Metal -> Distortron... although I find the sound of the Mastotron is very similar to the BOM -> Distortron. I've also got a Bass Crybaby. That's all that's related to this sound I suppose.

Would that be enough for the fuzz part? I can cut lows with EQ.

How would the synth pedal work? I've to admit I've no idea what "synth" pedals do.

I don't intend to buy a keyboard just for one song...

I'd say what you have is worth a shot. Try the Mastotron into the Bass Crybaby. I think the Mastotron should be able to get close to the fuzz sound. try to get something really square-wave like. Synth pedals are essentially fuzzes, filters, octaves and modulation effects all rolled into a single pedals. In reality their a bit more complicated but that's the best description I can give using other effects as a reference. Of course, they're meant to emulate keyboard synths and some do quite well.

Nic. · #8 07-29-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'd say what you have is worth a shot. Try the Mastotron into the Bass Crybaby. I think the Mastotron should be able to get close to the fuzz sound. try to get something really square-wave like. Synth pedals are essentially fuzzes, filters, octaves and modulation effects all rolled into a single pedals. In reality their a bit more complicated but that's the best description I can give using other effects as a reference. Of course, they're meant to emulate keyboard synths and some do quite well.

Octave? I've an Octron too. It's getting late here, tomorrow I'll try to run the Octron into the Mastotron into the Crybaby... and use my chorus on it as well. Was practicing without any effects earlier today.

Jehos · #9 07-29-2010, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwesi

I'd say what you have is worth a shot. Try the Mastotron into the Bass Crybaby. I think the Mastotron should be able to get close to the fuzz sound. try to get something really square-wave like.

I agree with this. Some kind of heavy distortion fed into the wah with the pedal set somewhere in the middle should simulate that sound pretty well. It won't be perfect, but you can get close enough for gig work. You may want to rock the wah back and forth a bit while playing too. Nothing major, just subtle.

Lindsay · #10 07-30-2010, 01:14 AM

It's not exactly right, but I'd be looking to tweak one of the talk-box sounds on a Korg G5 to get close to that sound. It sounds vowel-ly to to me and the G5 would get you in the ball park.

savinggrace · #11 07-30-2010, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lindsay

It's not exactly right, but I'd be looking to tweak one of the talk-box sounds on a Korg G5 to get close to that sound. It sounds vowel-ly to to me and the G5 would get you in the ball park.

Yeah, but not so easy to come by!

Jimbob Jones · #12 07-30-2010, 02:49 AM

The boss AW-3 into a LIGHT distortion would actually get you close on this one. The Digitech BSW is a bit too extreme to get a sound like that IME/IMO.

faulknersj · #13 07-30-2010, 03:10 AM

Buy an Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synth. U can get almost any 'synthy' bass tone out of it. It will get u very close to that. If u play an active bass, u can EQ on the fly to get the right sound.

Nic. · #14 07-30-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by faulknersj

Buy an Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synth. U can get almost any 'synthy' bass tone out of it. It will get u very close to that. If u play an active bass, u can EQ on the fly to get the right sound.

I was actually going to get one... but there's no space on my pedalboard for it and it's too heavy.

Nic. · #15 07-31-2010, 07:55 AM

UPDATE

I managed to get something close enough but still not quite there....

...... and then when I show up for practice they decide to go with an acoustic kinda cover for the song so it's back to a "natural" tone.

It wasn't a waste of time though, now I've more experience with approaching this kind of sound.

Much thanks to everyone who contributed!

L-A · #16 07-31-2010, 10:58 AM

Fuzz + a huge phaser would probably fool the crowd enough.