need advice in getting the 80s keyboard bass sound

[andysvec]

One of the bands I'm in does a lot of the 80s dance music with the synth keyboard bass sounds on the original recordings. I'd like to find some effect to at least get close to this sound, I've gone through everything on my ME50B and also on my digi synth wah but still haven't found what I'd like to hear in a live setting. Here's two prime examples of the sound I'm looking for:

Midas Touch - http://www.amazon.com/Anniversary-Co...3464470&sr=1-3 scroll down and listen to the sample for midas touch - #11

Most of the pop dance songs of the era have that similar bass sound (another stronger bass synth example is rock steady, #1 here http://www.amazon.com/Best-Whispers/...3467656&sr=1-2), then there's the bass sound for all the new wave dance songs, example here:

Bizarre Love Triangle - http://www.amazon.com/Best-New-Order...965084-6395257 scroll down and listen to it on #6

Any advice on an effect to get a similar sound would be greatly appreciated! It doesn't have to be exact, I'm sure someone has been in this situation before and knows a sound that fits these songs. (and putting down the bass and playing keyboard bass is not an option )

[TheMutt]

I'm not too sure if there is an effect pedal that would do this, but I am sure that there are more than enough midi-controlled synthesis things like the Roland V-Bass. I've never used one, but I know that there are a few people on here who've got em. You might also take a look into other synthesizer effects pedals to see if you like any of the sounds that come out of em.

Personally, I'd love to find an effect that could cop the bass like in Depeche Mode's Halo.

[Sean S]

best way to get keyboard bass sounds? play keyboard bass

[tat2jim]

Originally Posted by Sean S

best way to get keyboard bass sounds? play keyboard bass

Oberheim OB 8 to be exact. Best bass sound IMHO.

[BassmanDk]

Ever tried the Korg G5? It's out of prod. but it's exactly what you been lokking for(i think)
I like mine anyway

[superkicky]

subscribed; i'd like to find out the answer to this one too...

preferably without having to buy a midi setup :/

[MikeyB]

subscribed as well.

I don't think a pedal will get it, but hoping to be wrong!

-M

[fullrangebass]

My Hamer Chapparal 5 US (set-neck, mahogany body and neck, rosewood f/b, EMG's DC40 with original Elixirs; neck pickup, treble cut, playing to the end of the fingerboard) delivers very close to that sound

[Jazz Ad]

The Akai Deep Impact and Korg G5 both can mimic this kind of tone.
These aren't cheap solutions though.
A 2nd hand bass keyboard such as a Novation would be a much better buy.

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Sean S

best way to get keyboard bass sounds? play keyboard bass

+1, back in the 1980's, I played a Moog Rogue that was pretty cheap and got all those sounds. The funny thing is that the Rogue actually sounded alot thinner than my Rickenbacker when I used it on stage.

If you want to mimic a digital synthesizer like a DX7, get an aggressive P/J bass like a SB-2, it has a slap tone that is very close to a DX7.

[RickenBoogie]

Originally Posted by Sean S

best way to get keyboard bass sounds? play keyboard bass

I'm gonna jump on this answer as well. After trying many pedals to do something similar, I ended up getting a synth. It's really a great thing for a bassist to have as another tool.

[JanusZarate]

Akai Deep Impact or Korg G5. The Akai may be more ideal in this case. Otherwise, you need a real keyboard synthesizer.

[Malekko]

a minimoog should the trick!!

[syciprider]

The Bass Micro Synth can do a dirty sounding version of the Whispers' bass synth.

[BassmanDk]

Originally Posted by syciprider

The Bass Micro Synth can do a dirty sounding version of the Whispers' bass synth.

I have both a G5 and a vintage EH MicroSynth(not bass version, wasn't around at that time, i think) and imo i find that the EH cannot do the same synthy stuff the G5 can. I use the EH more for the filter and whacky sounds; and the G5 for the more synthsound a la keyboardbass.
Go for the G5 (or the Akai, also very nice synthsounds)

[BassmanDk]

oh but remember that you need some sort of loop solution for the G5; the bypassed sound is really lousy unless you like distorted thin basssound!!!

[andysvec]

Thanks for all the info. So far it looks like my options would be Akai Deep Impact or Korg G5, or maybe the EH Bass MicroSynth. Anyone want to sell me one of these?

Time to do some TB searching and find out more info and sound clips on these three, then the process of finding a used one begins...

[bongomania]

There was a massive thread directly comparing all three- def. worth your time to look it up. While those three are prob. the best options, the Moog MF101 filter can also kick out at least two very good bass-synth tones: a deep booming techno bass, or an 80's disco/funk laser-beam resonant sweep bass. It's not going to hit all of the sounds you want, but it will be easier to acquire and cost less than a G5 or Deep Impact.

[ricknote]

I use a combination of three of my pedals.
Boss OC3 in poly mode for the sub octave...then to the Dunlop Blow Torch to give it a sort of square wave...then to a Boss Chorus to give it
some modulation.
That sound is cheap to buy and feels great to play.

Get a good octaver that tracks well, chase it with a Distortion of your choice, and then
a chorus, and you'll get the feel your after.

The cool thing is, those three pedals a really useful on their own
for some things.

All the best,
Rick

[TheMutt]

Originally Posted by bongomania

There was a massive thread directly comparing all three

I'll be nice and look it up for you. Quite a good read. Much thanks to Boo and MJB for comparing these three pedals!