Other Instrument Sounds?

**rnlytton** · #1 08-19-2011, 01:06 PM

I'm looking for some kind of setup where I can generate other instrument sounds with a bass.

I'm interested in sounds like tympani, tuba, bari sax, some synth bass sounds.

I'm not sure where to get started and I welcome any and all advice.

Thanks.

DannDubblewe · #2 08-19-2011, 01:41 PM

http://www.industrialradio.com.au/mi.../midi-bass.php

http://www.rolandus.com/products/pro...?ProductId=563

http://www.roland.com/products/en/GK-3B/

Not a cheap route for sure. You may be better off with just a synthesizer unless you got some serious cash.

takfar · #3 08-19-2011, 02:23 PM

You can try and generate violin-like and brass-like sounds with an ebow (or a combination of delayed-attack and distortion effects). You may even approximate some flute-like sounds with it.
Fretless Bass with Ebow - YouTube

Multiple-octave effects (eg. EHX's POG 2 and HOG, which work perfectly with bass as well as any other instrument, even with voice) can generate very convincing organ-like sounds, especially when coupled with modulations and/or reverb effects.
HOG - Demo by Dan Miller - Harmonic Octave Generator/ Synthesizer - YouTube

Bass synth, there's countless threads on that, but you can try to approximate something with either a dedicated bass synth pedal (eg. Akai Deep Impact, Markbass super synth or Boss SYB-5), or by combining octaver, filter and fuzz effects.

Papa Dangerous · #4 08-19-2011, 03:55 PM

Its only $100 bucks, but it is also only monophonic and you would need to hook up to an appropriate keyboard ( or something else) for it to work.

www.altomusic.com | Peterson Sonuus B2M Bass to Midi Converter

Explorer · #5 08-19-2011, 11:29 PM

I use the SYB-5 for synth sounds and for reed sounds, especially as you slow down the filter movement and zero in on the correct tones.

I started a thread a while ago with a focus on synthesis using pedals, instead of relying on either MIDI or a special pickup, found here.

I have other things now written up in my notebooks which I haven't posted there. Going beyond using the SYB-5 for a baritone sax, I found combinations like the MI Audio G.I. Fuzz into the Electro-Harmonix POG2 in order to simulate bowed instruments, or using the POG2 and stripping back harmonics in order to get flute tones.

I'm a bit buried, but I'll see if I can update the thread at some point....

4StringsEnough · #6 08-20-2011, 01:05 AM

Boss GR55 or VB99.

/thread

Explorer · #7 08-20-2011, 10:49 AM

Premises, and then a conclusion:

I play an instrument with 8 strings, and am about to go to 9.

The Boss GR55 ($700) and VB99 ($1400) do not allow polyphonic play without a special pickup ($200).

None of the special pickups cover more than 4 strings for bass, so anyone wanting to use more than 4 strings will have to buy two to cover the full range of their instrument ($200 x 2 = $400).

If I want to cover the range of my instrument using one of those units... I'll need two of those as well, as both the GR55 ($700 x 2 = 1400) and the VB99 (1400 x 2 = $2800) only cover 6 strings maximum.

Whereas my POG2, which allows polyphonic play and covers my whole instrument, was only $250 used, and doesn't use a special pickup. My HOG with all the accessories only cost me $450. My SYB-5, which works polyphonically on the upper modes, only cost me $95 used.

Conclusion: I can understand wanting to say the thread ends with something which requires a special pickup, and which might cost a bit more (definitely more in my case by several thousand), but I disagree.

That are just my thoughts and experiences, of course. Research on all aspects is great when one is spending one's own money.

gumtownbassman · #8 08-28-2011, 05:30 AM

I currently use the Roland GR-55, it has two PCM synths with 910 sounds each, plus it does the modeling found in the VG-99 and VB-99, plus a multi effect simular to the Boss GT-10.
The GK-3B hex pickup is required which can be used on up to 6 string basses.

The only other Roland synth suitable for bass is the GR-20, you can pick these up reasonably cheap used.

All the other older Roland guitar synths don't track/work on bass.

gumtownbassman · #9 08-28-2011, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Explorer

None of the special pickups cover more than 4 strings for bass, so anyone wanting to use more than 4 strings will have to buy two to cover the full range of their instrument ($200 x 2 = $400).
.

Incorrect, the GK-3B covers up to 6 string basses.

Explorer · #10 08-28-2011, 11:42 AM

So... I'll still be two string short, and have to buy another unit?

DeltaPhoenix · #11 08-28-2011, 11:59 AM

I am sure that the synth does not work on more than 6 strings itself so multiple Pickups will not work, besides you could only plug one pickup into the synth at a time anyways.

gumtownbassman · #12 08-28-2011, 03:55 PM

Yes, the units and the pickups only support up to six strings, so an extra pickup and synth is required for more strings.

FWI: the lower strings (low B especially) don't track very well/too slow, so a single hex pickup might be best served on the upper 6 strings, leaving the lower ones for bass only.

The GR-55 having two internal PCM synths also allows you to choose between two different instruments on certain strings, since the string levels are individually adjustable per synth.
The GR-55 has a control called 'nuance' which changes a PCM tones dynamics by changes in playing attack/intensity, which is more noticable on the wind instruents.

Explorer · #13 08-28-2011, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeltaPhoenix

I am sure that the synth does not work on more than 6 strings itself so multiple Pickups will not work, besides you could only plug one pickup into the synth at a time anyways.

I'm aware of that, which is why I mentioned that I'd have to buy two base units in addition to two pickups for my own needs. He was correcting my assertion that the bass pickups only cover 4 strings. I was incorrect, although that still doesn't make the Roland solution any more cost effective for me.

To be clear, to cover more than 6 strings requires two pickups, as well as well as two base units.

For my use, the GK3-B pickup alone costs about as much as the used POG2 which I use as the basis of many synth and emulative sounds. That doesn't mean that others might not find the Roland solution better for their circumstances, but they definitely are not the end of discussion for everyone.

Cheers!

gumtownbassman · #14 08-28-2011, 04:01 PM

Another alternative I have toyed with with some success is the laptop/software path.
I have used TS audio2midi, which is capable of polyphonic midi conversion for an ordinary analog signal
TS AudiotoMidi Converter -- converts digitized music into MIDI sequences, can process polyphonic music midi converter
and run that into softsynths.
The most successful interface was my Boss GT-10B with USB digital audio I/O to the computer, and i was able to assign midi patch change and Expression pedal midi control to the synth.

cheapbasslovin · #15 08-28-2011, 06:44 PM

To really nail those sounds, a Roland hexaphonic system is really the only way to go IMO.

To get the gist of a lot of them, I recommend a HOG, a Source Audio Envelope filter, an M9 and a whole lot of time to play.

Here's my favorite result of me playing with a HOG.

SoundClick artist: cheapbasslovin - My gear is the best that no money can buy.