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Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread
- Thread starter ttasselm
- Start date
i was wondering if any of you have, as it's something that i've actively tried to do.
obviously, you won't be able to get all the sounds with pedals, etc., but i think one can get the blippy (that's tech talk) sounds and seemingly random-in-time stuff going.
obviously, you won't be able to get all the sounds with pedals, etc., but i think one can get the blippy (that's tech talk) sounds and seemingly random-in-time stuff going.
I haven’t tried but I think the KMA Cirrus has a S&H setting that could get you “in time” blips. The Empress EchoSystem and Zoia have some grain algorithms that might help. The EchoSystem can do multi-tap based on user taped patterns.
I could look into using each of the two loops on my Pigtronix looper, with the lengths set to be independent. The loops would give it a pattern. The non sync setting would make it polyrhythmic.
The EHX 8 step sequencer could help as well, though I don’t know anyone who has used one.
i'm coming more from the live improv playing with people or with people and machines, so i'm looking at it as a bass player playing along with a guy playing modular (which basically sorta is like playing along with a drum machine).
If you could, I’d consider linking some of the modular modulation sources to effects you run your bass into.
For example, my Transmutron will crossfade two effects loops based on a CV signal. If you could patch a modular LFO or envelope to the CV in (stacked cable or mixer/splitter), you’d get a common rhythmic cycle that follows that source. That might be enough to create a coherent pattern in the chaos.
I've tried some six-string basses in shops, and thought about buying one for a little while, but right now I feel really comfortable on fives and the six-string fretboard still feels huge. I'm sure that just takes getting used to, but for where I'm at right now I don't feel held back by the fives.
As far as the Bass VI type of things, I've never tried one but they're definitely intriguing.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
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- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Can I sample this with my sp404sx??
Cool sounding mistake imo.
grab away! I’m going to use it for something, but I have no idea what yet
I have quite a bit and will do more in the future. Just trying to learn synthesis in my spare time. I play bass for a living, so sometimes it’s nice to try other things
I had an 8 Step Seq for awhile. Personally didn’t care for it at the time
BAM!
Empress Zoia as a MIDI controller for the EchoSystem - proof of concept has been validated.
I made three buttons on the Zoia, with each one sending a different CC value on the MIDI channel of the EchoSystem.
1. Push the blue button on the Zoia and turn the knob, and the Wet/Dry on the EchoSystem changes.
2. Push the green button on the Zoia and turn the knob and the Delay Time on the EchoSystem changes.
3. Push the red button on the Zoia and turn the knob, and the Tone on the Echo System changes. For giggles, I attached an LFO module (yellow pair under the red single) to this button and it modulates the Tone from dark to bright.
Okay. Now to figure out how to connect a series of value triggers to a single control output and play it like a keyboard, so I can jump between value settings on the fly, without turning the dial.
Edit - I got it working.
Created a Zoia MIDI Keyboard and set the values I wanted as keys on that keyboard and then connected it to the MIDI out. Now, I push a button on that keyboard and the CC value changes, which alters the the Echo's settings. For example:
Button 1 = 0% Wet
Button 2 = 50% Wet
Button 3 = 100% Wet
Now I can jump to the setting I want by pressing the related button. I patched a slew limiter in the signal chain, so now I can control how long it takes to transition from one value to the next.
Additionally, pushing Button 1 makes it active, so if I turn the Zoia knob I will get a change in the Wet/Dry mix in real time, adjusted by the slew limiter setting. So I can manually adjust the values of say Button 1 or 3 to "play them" and then jump back to 50% Wet at any point by pushing Button 2.
There's more to this, but it's making sense. I should probably stop before it stops making sense.
Edit 2 - Just tried adding a Sample & Hold module into the chain. Does what it should. Now to combine the S&H and the Slew.
Empress Zoia as a MIDI controller for the EchoSystem - proof of concept has been validated.
I made three buttons on the Zoia, with each one sending a different CC value on the MIDI channel of the EchoSystem.
1. Push the blue button on the Zoia and turn the knob, and the Wet/Dry on the EchoSystem changes.
2. Push the green button on the Zoia and turn the knob and the Delay Time on the EchoSystem changes.
3. Push the red button on the Zoia and turn the knob, and the Tone on the Echo System changes. For giggles, I attached an LFO module (yellow pair under the red single) to this button and it modulates the Tone from dark to bright.
Okay. Now to figure out how to connect a series of value triggers to a single control output and play it like a keyboard, so I can jump between value settings on the fly, without turning the dial.
Edit - I got it working.
Created a Zoia MIDI Keyboard and set the values I wanted as keys on that keyboard and then connected it to the MIDI out. Now, I push a button on that keyboard and the CC value changes, which alters the the Echo's settings. For example:
Button 1 = 0% Wet
Button 2 = 50% Wet
Button 3 = 100% Wet
Now I can jump to the setting I want by pressing the related button. I patched a slew limiter in the signal chain, so now I can control how long it takes to transition from one value to the next.
Additionally, pushing Button 1 makes it active, so if I turn the Zoia knob I will get a change in the Wet/Dry mix in real time, adjusted by the slew limiter setting. So I can manually adjust the values of say Button 1 or 3 to "play them" and then jump back to 50% Wet at any point by pushing Button 2.
There's more to this, but it's making sense. I should probably stop before it stops making sense.
Edit 2 - Just tried adding a Sample & Hold module into the chain. Does what it should. Now to combine the S&H and the Slew.
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thanks for the thought.
i’m into more control from me than from the device. i’m hoping to create coherence and incoherence without ceding too much control.
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Actually the Hohner Bass VI is a real six-string bass, not like the baritoney-guitarish Fender Bass VI. As far as the wide neck, I've found that if one is not a slapper (I'm not, at least when using my board), one can get a pretty narrow spacing on the neck. I believe my Bordwell has the 17mm spacing, which is almost the most narrow one can get on the neck.
Maybe since you have a 5er already. How about trying tenor tuning. Just to shake things up.
(Use a high C string instead of a low B, permits awesome chordal possibilities)
My 2 cents....
(Use a high C string instead of a low B, permits awesome chordal possibilities)
My 2 cents....
If you're talking about stringing the fiver e to c, I've got my Mikro string like that and I'm thinking about doing it with another bass. It's definitely something I need to mess with more (I hardly play my Mikro lately though).
Check out a book with basic harnony concepts. It will get you going. I dont really have any in mind except advanced ones I still have from university.
If you end up exploring that more, Damian Erskine has a great book (https://www.amazon.com/Improvisors-Path-Exploring-Bassists-2014-03-16/dp/B01N3UN8M8) that touches on really just about everything, but also includes a lot of tips on practicing generally, plus many suggestions for different chord voicings with different string configurations
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I dont know how advanced you are but on bass you cant play every note of a chord (not always...but...)
Focus on "color" notes such as 3rd, 7th 9ths....etc....
You can omit notes like 5ths and even roots!!! Since you are now a chordal player. If you are a beginner concentrate on 3 or 4 note chords. Youll have plenty of work right there.
Remember basically there are only 5 families of chords.....
Cheers
Focus on "color" notes such as 3rd, 7th 9ths....etc....
You can omit notes like 5ths and even roots!!! Since you are now a chordal player. If you are a beginner concentrate on 3 or 4 note chords. Youll have plenty of work right there.
Remember basically there are only 5 families of chords.....
Cheers
It really is one of the best resources I've had as a bassist, especially since it's very clearly laid out, and covers material from beginner to advanced. For instance, in one section he goes over how to practice scales. Later on he includes graphs to lay out what chords he prefers to use which scales over once you've got them down but want to apply them musically. He has step-by-step inversion exercises and recommendations for apps to practice with, lists of jazz standards he recommends learning, transcribed solos by himself and other players he finds inspiring, and the section on chords is laid out for 3, 4, 5, and 6 string in the style below (he includes a variety of shapes and inversions to try, and then his personal favorites).
I can't recommend it enough
I'm also currently working through Janek Gwizdala's books on chordal playing, which come with video and have been really helpful
edit: and they're specifically geared towards 4 string and 5 strings strung e-c
edit: and they're specifically geared towards 4 string and 5 strings strung e-c
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on the erskine thing, how does one interpret where strings are, etc.?
