Got a question about synth

[Hhai]

I'm getting confused between the pedals you can use that hook up to a normal bass without the MIDI input and the ones you do need the MIDI inputs on. Havn't really been able to tell which ones are which. I'm asking because the TBC i'm getting from Spencer (swpyne) has a lightwave pup and I'm planning on adding the HexFX daughter board that allows the 13-pin MIDI connection. I think the Roland GR-20's the only one I'm aware of that I know for a fact needs a MIDI input.

Any enlightenment and suggestions would be appreciated.
-Mitch

[RickenBoogie]

Most do not. They are all just 1/4" in and out. Including most any you've heard about here.

[behndy]

i think you're confusing "Bass Synth" pedals and actual "Synthesizer Devices". most people on here are looking for information on or showing off the "Bass Synth" pedals (Octavius Squeeze, Boss SYB series etc) because those are devices that take an audio signal (from your bass's 1/4 output) and modulating it live to make it sound as much like a synth as possible.

if you can get a clean MIDI signal out then you want it to go into a "Synthesizer Device", which is more a keyboard or a sound library unit or a computer hosted Software Synth/Sampler (usually a VST program).

i have a Soonus Bass Midi box on the way too. it's like an outboard version of putting in MIDI pickups. super excited.

hope that helps. i have a lot of experience with hardware and software gear and a bit with pedals, so feel free to pm me.

[Hhai]

Originally Posted by behndy

i think you're confusing "Bass Synth" pedals and actual "Synthesizer Devices". most people on here are looking for information on or showing off the "Bass Synth" pedals (Octavius Squeeze, Boss SYB series etc) because those are devices that take an audio signal (from your bass's 1/4 output) and modulating it live to make it sound as much like a synth as possible.

if you can get a clean MIDI signal out then you want it to go into a "Synthesizer Device", which is more a keyboard or a sound library unit or a computer hosted Software Synth/Sampler (usually a VST program).

i have a Soonus Bass Midi box on the way too. it's like an outboard version of putting in MIDI pickups. super excited.

hope that helps. i have a lot of experience with hardware and software gear and a bit with pedals, so feel free to pm me.

That's exactly the answer i was looking for! thanks! i feel pretty technically retarded when it comes to synth. i just don't know what to look for

any suggestions when it comes to synth devices then? i'm assuming the GR-20 falls under that category, but other than that I really have no idea what's out there

[behndy]

the cheapest way that would give you the most options would be to get a usb-MIDI (the MIDI Sport UNO http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Uno/ is cheap and good) then run software from your computer. there are like a BILLION free VST. VST is a format that is used on computer to write a software version of a hardware device. or an effect.

what kind of stuff are you looking for? if you want hardware (just a box with a MIDI input that takes the MIDI input and send an audio signal out), which is the most reliable, then you have an insane amount of options that really depends on what type of sounds you want to make.

i've always been a fan of the Korg Electribe series ( http://www.sweetwater.com/store/sear...ribe&go=Search is the two high end newer ones, you can find the Electribe-S (sampler) or Electribe-M (synth + drum machine) for way cheaper used usually) for a kinda "learner" piece of gear if you're just starting out with synths or drum machines. they let you do a lot, have some nice sounds and have a pretty intuitive user interface.

but if you're looking for more "real world" sounds like good piano tones or violins or drums then you might want to think about getting into a sampler.

what'ya wanna do?

[Hhai]

well. I want those real world sounds you mentioned, like violin, piano, dijeridoo, etc. and sounds fit for Dub-step and electronica. mostly wanna be able to make any kind of variation of psychedelic trance-ish kind of stuff out there and also incorporate real world sounds into that.

Sorry if that's a really lacking description

[behndy]

nope. that's a good description of what you're into.

do you want to try a computer hosted (running software emulators on your computer) approach or a hardware approach?

[Hhai]

Mostly hardware, I like the hands on approach better MUCH better with anything, though software is always a legitimate possibility

[behndy]

cool. i've never done a lot of dub-step, but software guys seem to like Native Instruments (company name) Massive, i'm not sure about hardware. a sampler is the most "get every sound you want" way to go. do you have a Guitar Center or a good music store near you? it helps a lot to go in (DO NOT BUY ANYTHING the first trip) and play with a bunch of gear. it'll help you get a good feel for what different companies offer to just scroll through there patches while noodling around.

once you find something you like, look around on Craigslist or eBay and find it used. like effects, you're probably going to outgrow the first things you get so you don't want to spend new-price money on them.

it IS a bit more synthy then real-world, but i do like the Electribes. they give you a nice drum machine with an easy to tweak synth section.

[Hhai]

Originally Posted by behndy

cool. i've never done a lot of dub-step, but software guys seem to like Native Instruments (company name) Massive, i'm not sure about hardware. a sampler is the most "get every sound you want" way to go. do you have a Guitar Center or a good music store near you? it helps a lot to go in (DO NOT BUY ANYTHING the first trip) and play with a bunch of gear. it'll help you get a good feel for what different companies offer to just scroll through there patches while noodling around.

once you find something you like, look around on Craigslist or eBay and find it used. like effects, you're probably going to outgrow the first things you get so you don't want to spend new-price money on them.

it IS a bit more synthy then real-world, but i do like the Electribes. they give you a nice drum machine with an easy to tweak synth section.

Cool, thanks for all the sound advice, I really appreciate it. Always learn alot from people on here. Yeah i do have a guitar center where I'm at, just hate going in there..i'll make the sacrifice for this though

Yeah those Electribes look really nice and interesting, definately up there on my list of things to consider.

Thanks again for your help!

[fokof]

Originally Posted by Hhai

I'm asking because the TBC i'm getting from Spencer (swpyne) has a lightwave pup and I'm planning on adding the HexFX daughter board that allows the 13-pin MIDI connection. I think the Roland GR-20's the only one I'm aware of that I know for a fact needs a MIDI input.

You are mistaking the MIDI standard and Roland's GK standard.

The 13 pin connection from a bass is not MIDI , it is called "GK". It is analogic.It is a different pickup for each of your bass's strings.
There are numbers of GK compatible devices that has different functions.

The MIDI standard has 5 pins and is a digital specific protocol for Hardware synths.

[behndy]

no problem! hit me up if you have any more questions or the trip to fiddle with stuff spawns some.

good luck!

[Hhai]

Originally Posted by fokof

You are mistaking the MIDI standard and Roland's GK standard.

The 13 pin connection from a bass is not MIDI , it is called "GK". It is analogic.It is a different pickup for each of your bass's strings.
There are numbers of GK compatible devices that has different functions.

The MIDI standard has 5 pins and is a digital specific protocol for Hardware synths.

really good to know. thanks

[behndy]

oh crap. i totally forgot that the Roland had that funky output thing.

yeah..... you're pretty much stuck with the Roland stuff i think.

the thing from Soonus i was talking about is an audio -> MIDI tracker designed for bass. seems to work pretty well from the clips i can find. how much is the HexFX daughter board you're thinking of adding? if you want to go MIDI out, which would give you a TON more options for sound modules, you might want to try the Sonuus B2M. the one i ordered was $99 with free shipping through Amazon.

woof. tired. Sleep Time Is GO.

[Hhai]

$125

I might get both for..well just cause. that might be a bit excessive though.