• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

I like this thread the way it is, with a blend of bass effects and synths. In my electronic project the lines between these things are pretty blurred.
Don’t forget tones and sounds that can be found at the hardware store!!!

Musique Concrète and sample mangling makes the ladies go crazy on the dance floor.


:)
 
I'm thinking about MPE controllers again.

I have a used Roli Seaboard Block, and there are some things I really like:

- Compact. I have to have something that's not too wide.
- Pitch glides are smooth, precise, and uninterrupted. If I want to play a D# by starting on a D and bending, I can do it pretty easily. I can play freeform above or below the "waves" (key bumps) and slide the full range of the keyboard.
- Pressure (when it works) feels great. I don't know how much the squishy surface contributes to that, but I can go from no pressure to full pressure and anywhere in between and it always feels like I'm in control. When it works. I like to control synths entirely with pressure, no envelopes at all (Aalto is good for that as are a few other softsynths, and of course modular.)
- The driver allows for a pretty good amount of adjustment.

What I don't:

- It might be the angle/stand, but vertical slides feel awkward, especially when I'm playing multiple notes, so I wound up not using that dimension of control at all.
- It doesn't strike me as the right kind of controller for fast playing or for percussive parts with good control over velocity.
- Two octaves is usually fine but once in a while, it's limiting. More would be nice. But it's still got to be small enough to fit my space.
- Pressure sometimes drops out, goes intermittent, works for one note but not another, etc.

It mostly works out, but that last point bites me every once in a while and I don't want to keep dealing with it. I could get a brand new Seaboard M during Black Friday, and see if it works.

Or...

I could wait for reviews on the Erae II to roll in to see if it's worthwhile... but I would really want to try one in person because I have a suspicion that I won't particularly like it. It's unproven, it'll be on a brand new and probably buggy firmware, and I'm not sure the company is the greatest at communication.

Or...

I'm tempted by a Linnstrument 128. It would fit in my available space. It's a very well established instrument with mature firmware and a lot of dedicated fans. A used one (recent revision) is a little less than an Erae II anywhow. The grid layout seems like it'd be a better use of vertical space than I'm getting out of the Seaboard.
 
I'm thinking about MPE controllers again.

I have a used Roli Seaboard Block, and there are some things I really like:

- Compact. I have to have something that's not too wide.
- Pitch glides are smooth, precise, and uninterrupted. If I want to play a D# by starting on a D and bending, I can do it pretty easily. I can play freeform above or below the "waves" (key bumps) and slide the full range of the keyboard.
- Pressure (when it works) feels great. I don't know how much the squishy surface contributes to that, but I can go from no pressure to full pressure and anywhere in between and it always feels like I'm in control. When it works. I like to control synths entirely with pressure, no envelopes at all (Aalto is good for that as are a few other softsynths, and of course modular.)
- The driver allows for a pretty good amount of adjustment.

What I don't:

- It might be the angle/stand, but vertical slides feel awkward, especially when I'm playing multiple notes, so I wound up not using that dimension of control at all.
- It doesn't strike me as the right kind of controller for fast playing or for percussive parts with good control over velocity.
- Two octaves is usually fine but once in a while, it's limiting. More would be nice. But it's still got to be small enough to fit my space.
- Pressure sometimes drops out, goes intermittent, works for one note but not another, etc.

It mostly works out, but that last point bites me every once in a while and I don't want to keep dealing with it. I could get a brand new Seaboard M during Black Friday, and see if it works.

Or...

I could wait for reviews on the Erae II to roll in to see if it's worthwhile... but I would really want to try one in person because I have a suspicion that I won't particularly like it. It's unproven, it'll be on a brand new and probably buggy firmware, and I'm not sure the company is the greatest at communication.

Or...

I'm tempted by a Linnstrument 128. It would fit in my available space. It's a very well established instrument with mature firmware and a lot of dedicated fans. A used one (recent revision) is a little less than an Erae II anywhow. The grid layout seems like it'd be a better use of vertical space than I'm getting out of the Seaboard.
i have a linnstrument 128.

i’m probably not using it to its fullest potential. that being said, it’s pretty cool.

i just rechecked out the slide deal: if you keep consistent pressure, you’ll get seamless slides; if you let up, the little lines in the surface will make them sound more chromatic (ime). bonus is you can do double or triple-stop slides and even do two of those in contrary motion.

it can do percussive attacks.

you can do pitch vibrato by rolling your finger on a square and the after touch (pressure) works well.

it might be what you're looking for (?).
 
  • Like
Reactions: Starthief
"New" Klaus Schulze album out, originally recorded in 2008 with bits being used in a film - this is a full album of music:



I have been listening to electronic music - went through "The Virgin Years" of Edgar Froese, the new Tycho album, Music for Psychedelic Therapy by Jon Hopkins, and the Jaded mixes by deadmau5. Haven't fired up my synths in months though! Musically, been focusing on my Alembicized PJ, to which I recently added a Moses graphite neck, which isn't without issues but I'm enjoying it.

But no playing for two weeks - I'm going to Japan! My first trip back in 12 years - I have spent about ten years of my life there over the past 54 years - the ratio keeps getting smaller! And the trips more infrequent. But I'm happy to be going back to visit - it's also my first real extended vacation in years! I plan on hitting guitar/instrument stores as well as CD stores during the trip! Not planning on buying anything, though the dollar has been stronger in the past couple of years in a long time... :smug:
 
Morton Subotnick is coming to the Library of Congress to play his recently restored Buchla 100. Also available remotely as a webinar.

 
I plan on hitting guitar/instrument stores as well as CD stores during the trip! Not planning on buying anything

ok-yeah.gif
 
So my second board now has a walrus audio slo incoming…

I did miss that thing but kind of have best of both worlds with afterneath on the band board!
Given my lack of time lately (and that I haven’t opened my laptop in 2 months) keep thinking of ways to do my ambient doom style metal that I guess you guys know I post often of… just love that combination of slow metal bands with psychedelic synth lines…
As I loaned my mininova to the guitarist for our 90’s cover band project I do miss having a synth handy. Can’t afford one but doesn’t stop me window shopping / demo listening to how people are using korg monologues / bass station 2s…

Maybe I should just turn the laptop on and load up some vsts I haven’t fiddled with for ages to scratch that itch!
 
  • Like
Reactions: hieronymous
Awesome. If you have questions, let us know. It's a real cut above in terms of robustness of design. Doesn't mean it works for everyone but Roger Linn thought of pretty much everything.

It arrived today... I love it. It feels natural to play, though I needed to adjust my technique a little to come at it more directly from above. I like how easy it is to change the settings too.

And now I'm more disappointed than ever in software synths that don't support MPE...
 
  • Like
Reactions: steubig
So my second board now has a walrus audio slo incoming…

I did miss that thing but kind of have best of both worlds with afterneath on the band board!
Given my lack of time lately (and that I haven’t opened my laptop in 2 months) keep thinking of ways to do my ambient doom style metal that I guess you guys know I post often of… just love that combination of slow metal bands with psychedelic synth lines…
As I loaned my mininova to the guitarist for our 90’s cover band project I do miss having a synth handy. Can’t afford one but doesn’t stop me window shopping / demo listening to how people are using korg monologues / bass station 2s…

Maybe I should just turn the laptop on and load up some vsts I haven’t fiddled with for ages to scratch that itch!
I have the Sloer (the stereo version). Love it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: theunknowndude