How can I logistically get this tone?

almix12 · #1 08-24-2008, 05:18 AM

Hi there, this may get a bit complicated but i'll lay it out the best way i can.
I'm trying to get a specific tone for bass. It's used a lot in dubstep and d'n'b and other electronic genres.
It sounds very sawwave/synthy but it also oscillates like a tremolo.
I figure i can use an electro harmonix micro bass synth for the synthy part, but now the logical next step would be a tremolo right after that. But i need to be able to easily change (or at least double or change to a specific speed) the rate of the tremolo on the fly (as opposed to in between songs or something) so i thought a line selector with two tremolos, so i could press it to go to the tremolo which is pre-set at a different speed.

Also, how could I go to not only a different tremolo speed but also a different tone (not synthy sounding) with the press of one button?

also, just on more of a side note, what pedal is best for a wobbly bass tone? the really "wowowowowowo" sounding ones
and on another side note, how can i play a note for a long time (ebow style... is there an ebow for bass?) without plucking therefore setting the synth to have it's attack sound again... could i use a sustain pedal somehow? i dont need it to go for an infinite time...

thanks very much,
Alex

icarussmicarus · #2 08-24-2008, 05:43 AM

An example/clip/video would be helpful as to what your trying to achieve, I've got a micro synth and an Empress tremolo (which can switch between two speeds).

There is no bass specific ebow, but the normal ebow can be used on bass with some difficulty, others have had success on higher strings though (might not be condusive to low dub bass).

almix12 · #3 08-24-2008, 06:16 PM

thanks a lot for getting back to me

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=4Q2F3DY4
i cut a bit of the bass live into that small mp3 of the bass dubstepish tone
just enter the security code thing at the top and it should start downloading.
it's only 1.10 megs
thanks,
Alex

mrkreuzschlitz · #4 08-24-2008, 06:21 PM

its there any way to ramp up the power on the ebow?

bongomania · #5 08-24-2008, 06:21 PM

As Icarus mentioned, there are some tremolo units which can switch between two speed settings. They are typically expensive boutique units, but when you consider the cost of two individual trems and a line switcher, the cost of the boutique ones evens out and the quality likely goes up quite a bit.

bongomania · #6 08-24-2008, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrkreuzschlitz

its there any way to ramp up the power on the ebow?

You would need a power supply on like a belt pack, you could not easily add more power within the small housing of the stock unit. Note to both of you, there have been many many threads about using an ebow on bass, so please check those out.

almix12 · #7 08-24-2008, 06:47 PM

will do
and any other ideas on that tone would be great

SpankyPants · #8 08-24-2008, 08:12 PM

GigFX Chopper... Or any Trem with an expression pedal.

Deluge Of Sound · #9 08-25-2008, 12:07 AM

What about that new-ish Boss Pedal, the slice-something?

EDIT: This One:
http://www.bossus.com/gear/productde...?ProductId=959

Jazz Ad · #10 08-25-2008, 12:44 AM

I don't use this specific synthy tone but I frequently do the "changing wobble" thingy with a tremolo setting and expression pedal on my Korg AX-1B. Many multis should be able to achieve this.

tomvelsor · #11 08-25-2008, 10:01 AM

the moogerfooger ring modulator can be setup like a trem. then you can use a expression pedal to control speed. as for the synth sound..

deep impact
bass micro synth
korg G5
digitech BSW

or wait for octavius squeezer to finally come out..

good luck.

Swimming Bird · #12 08-25-2008, 11:03 AM

+1 for the GigFX Chopper.

OP, for your switching, I suggest you use a multi-bypass unit. Loop-Master seems to have the best options for fairly little money, so if you're serious about switching effect tones quickly without tap-dancing, this is a good option.

One last note about Ebow -- IMO it sounds better on bass than guitar. It can be finicky, but I've used mine on an open B-string with much success.

cheapbasslovin · #13 08-25-2008, 01:03 PM

The Boss Slow Gear pedal gives an ebow like swell effect that sustains as long as your string does. That may be easier to use than an ebow. I haven't checked out the ebow threads though.

JohnDavisNYC · #14 08-26-2008, 06:50 AM

recreating synth sounds... fun times!

i know the sound you are talking about, and there are a number of ways to approximate it... one is using a filter pedal with a cc pedal, and manually 'rocking' the filter frequency at the desired rates... your calves will start burning real fast if you are playing standing on one foot and playing the cc pedal with the other for 7 minutes....

the idea of using a tremolo with two speeds is really cool, too... it would be particularly cool if there was a tap tempo trem with a speed switch to a second rate that was some rhythmic subdivision of the tapped tempo...

anyway... as for the 'wowowowowowow' sound, sometimes that comes from an lfo'd oscillator, or sn lfo'd filter, or both...

there are a number of ways to recreate that sound, as well....

john

gwx014 · #15 08-26-2008, 11:46 AM

You might like the Empress Tremolo. It has tap tempo, a two speed mode and rhythmic tremolo modes. You can get more info and clips here http://www.empresseffects.com/tremolo.php

GeoffByrne · #16 08-26-2008, 11:51 AM

You could probably do a lot of what you want, especially the variable rate Tremelo with a MultiFX pedal in which the rocker can be switched from volume to rate.

I have an old GNX-1 which does that. Set up different patches & switch till your heart's content!!

CDuff · #17 08-26-2008, 12:54 PM

Pretty cool DnB bass tone (and amazing drummer Jojo Mayer, pity about the tune though)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvUbl0fWqzU

...some sort of expression pedal being used but I don't know what the effect is.

Marcury · #18 08-26-2008, 03:22 PM

You can get that out of the EH Bass Micro Synth

JohnDavisNYC · #19 08-26-2008, 04:41 PM

well, you could ask me, ciaran, or you could diss our music, up to you...

j

CDuff · #20 08-26-2008, 04:52 PM

Okay, sorry JohnDavisNYC.

It was a flippant comment from me. I'm not completely sure "diss" is the right word, though. It's not that I wanted to disrespect you or your music. I do respect almost all musicians and, of course, I don't think I could do better. It's just that, as far as that genre goes, I didn't think it was an amazing track as a matter of personal taste. I could've phrased it more respectfully. I'll be more tactful in future.
Sorry.