keyboard synth rig

kevbass5 · #1 11-12-2009, 07:02 PM

Could somebody explain how to build a basic keyboard bass synth rig? What kind of keyboard, amp basics, whatever else. I'm kind of clueless (clearly) about this. But want to start exploring it a little.
Thanks

kevteop · #2 11-12-2009, 07:12 PM

Your bass amp will be fine if you're using it for synth bass.

Get a decent analogue modelling synth like the MS2000, or spend a fortune on a bunch of ARPs and Moogs and get a bigger car.

jokerjkny · #3 11-12-2009, 11:18 PM

oh dear lord,

do you really want to go there? prepare your wallet and back...

liquid-dream-ex · #4 11-13-2009, 05:16 AM

One of these:
http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/mopho/

and a 25-key midikeyboard will go a long way.

ga_edwards · #5 11-13-2009, 05:58 AM

I'd scour the web for used Novation Bass Station if possible.
http://www.vintagesynth.com/novation/nov_bsk.php

Failing that, the 2 MicroKorg models look pretty handy.
http://www.korg.co.uk/products/pro_k..._microkorg.asp
http://www.korg.co.uk/products/pro_k...icrokorgxl.asp

Or you could always go midi controller and a laptop if you have one. Hey, even a netbook has enough power to run something like Reason.

It is feasible to use your bass amp, but be careful, some of those fat, full range bass tones can carry a lot of low, sub frequencies. Make sure your speakers can handle them, or invest in some kind of high pass filter to dial out anything too low.

kevbass5 · #6 11-13-2009, 11:58 PM

very cool stuff. thanks everyone.

fightthepower · #7 11-14-2009, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by liquid-dream-ex

One of these:
http://www.davesmithinstruments.com/products/mopho/

and a 25-key midikeyboard will go a long way.

+1

cultrvultr · #8 11-22-2009, 02:08 AM

I use a Novation Xio into my bass rig. 25 keys is enough for most bass lines, and its battery powered so you can add strap buttons and become a keytar hero.

200 sounds that are easy to mod. 3 oscillators, good built-in effects, XY pad, joystick, built in XLR, midi and USB interface. Good little keyboard.

Ramsy · #9 11-22-2009, 02:27 AM

Most of the synths mentioned will do a good job. Almost anything from the last few years will do a feasable synth bass sound. But try to avoid any super high frequency stuff that some of these synths are capable of. I once played a Roland Juno 106 through a Hartke 4 x 10, hit a really high note and watched one of the speaker cones leap out of the cabinet and onto the floor. (Slight exaggeration). Either way I blew that cone in a magnificent fashion.

gnasher1993 · #10 11-22-2009, 04:26 AM

Seriously, you would be surprised how far a small midi keyboard and a rack of synth modules will go.

At the moment, I'm using a CME UF-60 midi keyboard, it's absolutely brilliant but pretty expensive. You get what you pay for. I'm also using an Alesis Quadrasynth and a Korg EA-1.

Chronicle · #11 11-22-2009, 05:18 PM

I'm getting a Korg M3 this month, should be awesome

jokerjkny · #12 11-23-2009, 03:40 AM

moog little phatty... that is all...

chris.gotfunk · #13 02-23-2010, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokerjkny

moog little phatty... that is all...

+1, picking one up this week!

Carver · #14 02-23-2010, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jokerjkny

prepare your wallet and back...

Words of wisdom...My primary instrument is keys, and this is just a portion of my rig. Although, I usually only bring 2-3 boards and a rack on live gigs.

superbassman2000 · #15 02-23-2010, 08:24 AM

nice rhodes!

I second the Xio--I had one for a while, and it had some really cool sounds one it, and the beauty of that one (and all midi controllers) is that you can plug it into a laptop for softsynths or hardware synth modules for expansion

my suggestion for a first step is figure out what sounds you want--the xio, for instance, isn't a modeling synth--you won't get a convincing rhodes or wurlitzer, but you'll get some funky sounds.

Chronicle · #16 02-23-2010, 11:27 AM

Here's my rkeyboard...M3 with a M-audio 61 key midi controller.

factorplayer · #17 02-23-2010, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevteop

Get a decent analogue modelling synth like the MS2000

+1 on the Korg MS2000 - great synth and very easy to use. It's what I started with when I ventured into the synth world and it served very well. Great all-around synth.

jokerjkny · #18 02-23-2010, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris.gotfunk

+1, picking one up this week!

i almost take it back, after trying a dave smith mono evolver!

squarewave · #19 02-23-2010, 04:22 PM

I have one of THESE.

And one of THESE (for sale). It is an excellent emulation of a Moog Mini.

And one of THESE, which is also available as a module without the keyboard.

All are great bass synth modules. The minimax is the easiest to figure out, and produces wicked basses. There are a lot of good choices.

MNAirHead · #20 02-23-2010, 04:28 PM

VST + small board + Net book.. OR heavy and expensive.