Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[lordradish]

I know this has been discussed before, but curious what opinions are these days for snagging a synth without breaking the bank. I am thinking one of the smaller ones like the microbrute or minilogue might be the ticket. Either that or a Chase Bliss Mood is next....though I’d also like to find a good portable amp solution so when I wanna mess around w music outside of my normal spot - Phil Jones makes an amazing solution, but too costly for my needs/purpose.

Count me as one of those people who never understood all the love for the Minilogue, it was my first synth, so maybe part of it was just that I didn't know what I was doing. If you do go for a minilogue, get the XD one or whatever it is, because it's way more versatile, you can upload new waveforms, effects, lfo's, etc. If you're gonna go the brute route, if you can swing the mini instead of the micro, I'd advise that, my music partner had a micro, and just found it a bit limiting, wished he'd had the Mini.

I looked at the Phil Jones before I got my Markbass, and everything I read was that it really didn't handle the low B that well. At leas the smaller ones. If you have a four string, that might not be as much of an issue.

 

[steubig]

I know this has been discussed before, but curious what opinions are these days for snagging a synth without breaking the bank. I am thinking one of the smaller ones like the microbrute or minilogue might be the ticket. Either that or a Chase Bliss Mood is next....though I’d also like to find a good portable amp solution so when I wanna mess around w music outside of my normal spot - Phil Jones makes an amazing solution, but too costly for my needs/purpose.

keyboard or module?

as folks here, know, i'm a fanboi of the asm hydrasynth. it's available in both desktop and keyboard versions, and is very flexible and deep, but also intuitive. it also has a responsive developer group, that has folks from novation and arturia (as i recall).

 

[lordradish]

keyboard or module?

as folks here, know, i'm a fanboi of the asm hydrasynth. it's available in both desktop and keyboard versions, and is very flexible and deep, but also intuitive. it also has a responsive developer group, that has folks from novation and arturia (as i recall).

I second that rec!

Even though I don't have one, that was my wishlist synth until the Wavestate came out, so I know a fair amount about that one. Not knowing the budget, I'd definitely recommend that over any of those Mini's. Way more powerful synth, and if budget's an issue. maybe the desktop would work for you.

 

[cosmicevan]

keyboard or module?

as folks here, know, i'm a fanboi of the asm hydrasynth. it's available in both desktop and keyboard versions, and is very flexible and deep, but also intuitive. it also has a responsive developer group, that has folks from novation and arturia (as i recall).

Im hoping to spend about what a fancy pedal would cost...maybe a bit more if it was justified but gotta be under 1000

 

[cosmicevan]

Mini brute might be the move. Looking to have something small enough that I can easily move it around the house (I have a bunch of pocket operators and they are fun but they are mostly toys). I envision setting it up w a few pedals going through a small amp and my i/o. Want enough flexibility to have some fun easily without a crazy learning curve but has some deep features if it really captures my imagination.

 

[monsterthompson]

Im hoping to spend about what a fancy pedal would cost...maybe a bit more if it was justified but gotta be under 1000

Do you have a midi controller or are keys on the machine necessary?

 

[monsterthompson]

Im hoping to spend about what a fancy pedal would cost...maybe a bit more if it was justified but gotta be under 1000

Medusa Demo for cheap. They dropped the MSRP right after I bought mine. I paid more used than they cost new.
Invalid Link Removed

It’s a pretty flexible synth. It’s not perfect but it’s good.

 

[lordradish]

Im hoping to spend about what a fancy pedal would cost...maybe a bit more if it was justified but gotta be under 1000

The Hydrasynth desk top is under a grand. Lot of synth for the money.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

My key skills are worth about......2.99$

The price I paid for my last iPad synth app.
(I even cheat and sample note by note into my sampler so I can play on pads.)

Now I will get out of the way.

 

[monsterthompson]

My key skills are worth about......2.99$

The price I paid for my last iPad synth app.
(I even cheat and sample note by note into my sampler so I can play on pads.)

Now I will get out of the way.

My timing is awful. If I can’t sequence it then it’s going to be junk. I have to pay a premium for that.

 

[steubig]

Im hoping to spend about what a fancy pedal would cost...maybe a bit more if it was justified but gotta be under 1000

i’ll beat the dead horse just a little bit more.

the hydra desktop has pads that you can play that have poly after touch. so pressing harder can do things like add bit crushing, change lfo speeds, etc.

there are difference scales and so forth that you can program into the pads.

the macro switches mean you can do a whole mess of crazy stuff.

plus, if you have something like an arturia keystep, you can use that. you could also use the mod and pitch strips to have different mod destinations (defeating normal mod/pitch receive on the hydra).

it’s under $1k.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

My timing is awful. If I can’t sequence it then it’s going to be junk. I have to pay a premium for that.

I paid the price.
My wife (gf at the time) certainly was jealous of the amount of time (pun intended) I spent with this instead of "humans". I practically slept with it under my pillow. This was wayyyyy before metronome apps and smartphones. That thing has been to hell and back.....like 747483848 times. It was also my tuner, remember the days we tuned by ear.....yes....it is possible.

 

[steubig]

jeff berlin is not amused.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

jeff berlin is not amused.

Let me and mr Berlin agree to disagree.



He might be an incredible soloist and musician.
I think his talent level is diametrically opposed to his artistic and aesthetic choices. I'd rather hear Bob Dylan fall down a flight of steps than listen to a Jeff Berlin album.

But hey...he's internationally known and I'm a nobody.

My 2 cents

 

[remcult]

I practically slept with it under my pillow.

View attachment 3784847​

 

[lordradish]

Let me and mr Berlin agree to disagree.



He might be an incredible soloist and musician.
I think his talent level is diametrically opposed to his artistic and aesthetic choices. I'd rather hear Bob Dylan fall down a flight of steps than listen to a Jeff Berlin album.

But hey...he's internationally known and I'm a nobody.

My 2 cents

I'm with you on that. I've never really dug anything outside of what he did with the Bruford albums. Plus, he's an arrogant ass. I find a lot of the best players are also best when they're playing someone else's stuff, unfortunately. One can be a great player and an abominable writer.

 

[Spectrum]

Dylan is at an age where falling down a flight of stairs can cause grave injury. I'd rather hear Jeff Berlin fall down the stairs.

(just kidding, no ill will to either)

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I meant that as a bad joke.
But on a "serious" level. I don't believe at all that "learning in your sleep" mumbo jumbo magic potion dream catcher unicorn type of thing.

My 2 cents

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

I'm with you on that. I've never really dug anything outside of what he did with the Bruford albums. Plus, he's an arrogant ass. I find a lot of the best players are also best when they're playing someone else's stuff, unfortunately. One can be a great player and an abominable writer.

I tried to stay polite.


Yes......hes seems to be quite an @$$, and arrogant indeed. But I've never met him and i don't really care/plan to do so.

 

[steubig]

i'm laughing but also sorry i brought it up. i guess i'm not above a cheap shot.