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Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread
- Thread starter ttasselm
- Start date
I don't know why the Subharmonicon suddenly came on my radar - it held no appeal for me when it first came out. But I realized the other day that maybe it could give me some of what I'm looking for...
For the past near 20 years I've had a project with a drummer where we would get together at a friend's studio, improvise, and then I would take the recordings and manipulate them, sometimes using basically what we had done, but other times only keeping the drums and doing something totally different on top. Usually just 1-2 tracks of bass and synth - I also got into Moog around the same time, I have owned a Rogue, Micromoog, Little Phatty (which I still have), Taurus 3, and Sirin (which I still have - got it to replace the T3). Unfortunately, he lives in Massachusetts, I'm in Oakland, California. I used to go back somewhat often, but haven't been back in years, and now travel is even more unlikely for me (and him). Here's an early improv - bass & drums, with Moog Rogue drone added later:
I have always wanted and tried to do stuff with just electronics and bass, whether rhythmic or ambient, but haven't been able to achieve what I kind of envision in my head. Would love to be able to do it live. Beats have always eluded me, I have never found a drum machine that I was comfortable with. I'm spoiled by my drummer anyway, his playing is so musical and I could never replicate that electronically. I'd be happy with just occasional kick to outline a beat, that's partly why I was interested in the DFAM but haven't had a chance to check one out in person, especially since the pandemic started. Then I suddenly realized - maybe the Subharmonicon was what I was looking for! I like to make little vignettes, where the sound is almost if not more important than the notes. I have been fortunate to play with some amazing guitarists who could solo beautifully, but it took me years to being to be able to begin to say something meaningful in a solo.
I guess I'd like to be able to create "soundscapes" to play bass over, and the Subharmonicon seems like it might be a contender. I envision a kind of suite with one piece with just rubato bass playing over a Taurus bass sound with the Sirin, then morph into something with a sequenced line, then something more ambient with the Subharmonicon - not necessarily in that order. They could be modules that I could replicate in an improvisational context, possibly live but at this point probably record or make a video.
Any thoughts on the Subharmonicon or other possible synths for this purpose? It's just an idea so no urgency, though I'm already starting to think about gear I can sell to fund it...
For the past near 20 years I've had a project with a drummer where we would get together at a friend's studio, improvise, and then I would take the recordings and manipulate them, sometimes using basically what we had done, but other times only keeping the drums and doing something totally different on top. Usually just 1-2 tracks of bass and synth - I also got into Moog around the same time, I have owned a Rogue, Micromoog, Little Phatty (which I still have), Taurus 3, and Sirin (which I still have - got it to replace the T3). Unfortunately, he lives in Massachusetts, I'm in Oakland, California. I used to go back somewhat often, but haven't been back in years, and now travel is even more unlikely for me (and him). Here's an early improv - bass & drums, with Moog Rogue drone added later:
I have always wanted and tried to do stuff with just electronics and bass, whether rhythmic or ambient, but haven't been able to achieve what I kind of envision in my head. Would love to be able to do it live. Beats have always eluded me, I have never found a drum machine that I was comfortable with. I'm spoiled by my drummer anyway, his playing is so musical and I could never replicate that electronically. I'd be happy with just occasional kick to outline a beat, that's partly why I was interested in the DFAM but haven't had a chance to check one out in person, especially since the pandemic started. Then I suddenly realized - maybe the Subharmonicon was what I was looking for! I like to make little vignettes, where the sound is almost if not more important than the notes. I have been fortunate to play with some amazing guitarists who could solo beautifully, but it took me years to being to be able to begin to say something meaningful in a solo.
I guess I'd like to be able to create "soundscapes" to play bass over, and the Subharmonicon seems like it might be a contender. I envision a kind of suite with one piece with just rubato bass playing over a Taurus bass sound with the Sirin, then morph into something with a sequenced line, then something more ambient with the Subharmonicon - not necessarily in that order. They could be modules that I could replicate in an improvisational context, possibly live but at this point probably record or make a video.
Any thoughts on the Subharmonicon or other possible synths for this purpose? It's just an idea so no urgency, though I'm already starting to think about gear I can sell to fund it...
Dope idea for a project, hope you’ll work on it and make something happen.
All this FUBAR has made it hard for all of us, props to moving forward and to keep creating.
Very healthy for the mind and soul.
Here’s to looking forward to listen to some of your stuff.
I’ll let the « Council of the Synth » give you some pointers on that side of things.
I’m definitely not the one to ask for tips on that subject.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
I had a Subharmonicon for a week or two, but returned it. It was really cool in many ways, but kind of a one trick pony and I didn’t care for the filter. If funds were unlimited and I had a room full of synths, I may have kept it, because it’s super unique
I’ve been using my Empress Reverb as a tremolo. There’s a Trem Reverb engine, and if I turn down the decay control and turn the blend to mostly wet, then out comes a fairly nice trem sound. I’m feeding it a highly compressed signal to milk the sustain out of my bass. If I turn the decay up a little it adds a nice touch of ambience.
Thanks for the encouragement! Definitely strange times, creativity seems like a powerful antidote but it can be hard to get motivated...
Thanks for responding, I saw your earlier posts. Telling that you didn't end up keeping it - it does seem expensive. I was kind of imagining that the polyrhythmic sequencer would allow for evolving textures rather than just playing over a static sequence.
Realized I need to give a shout out to one of my favorite bands, ZOMBI, who put out a new album yesterday - here's a link to the whole album, though I started on what is my favorite track so far, XYZT:
These guys are so inspirational, just bassist and drummer, both doing synths too, whether playing or triggering sequences. I was lucky enough to see them live a couple of years ago, when I first got into them around 2006 they had already passed through. Each album is pretty different, I think Surface to Air (the first I heard) is my favorite, also like Shape Shift and this new one so far! Their solo stuff is pretty cool too.
These guys are so inspirational, just bassist and drummer, both doing synths too, whether playing or triggering sequences. I was lucky enough to see them live a couple of years ago, when I first got into them around 2006 they had already passed through. Each album is pretty different, I think Surface to Air (the first I heard) is my favorite, also like Shape Shift and this new one so far! Their solo stuff is pretty cool too.
In lucky in my state in aus in that we have had no cases for ages (apart from traced interstate known ones)...
I already have a midi keyboard and quite a few soft synths... my bass chops are still better than my keyboard chops and I find it more fun to try though... on that note I Do have a whole heap of new sounds to explore in AIR Loom 2 that I haven’t really gotten into yet. And knowing how little time I get to mess around I guess it will probably take me a few months haha
I already have a midi keyboard and quite a few soft synths... my bass chops are still better than my keyboard chops and I find it more fun to try though... on that note I Do have a whole heap of new sounds to explore in AIR Loom 2 that I haven’t really gotten into yet. And knowing how little time I get to mess around I guess it will probably take me a few months haha
Sunday morning coffee, just wanted to have some fun this am.
Bass, beats and Da funk. Ruff, stanky, greasy.
cheers y'all
Bass, beats and Da funk. Ruff, stanky, greasy.
cheers y'all
Dang.
Old Blood Noise Dweller is nice.
Check the demo around 8:00 to 11:00 for some ambient applications.
Old Blood Noise Dweller is nice.
Check the demo around 8:00 to 11:00 for some ambient applications.
- Mar 8, 2011
- 12,232
- 51,187
- Disclosures
- Authorized greenboy designs builder/Owner of BNA Audio
Hey y'all, I have been enjoying diving into bands like Noveller, and really enjoy how Sarah Lipstate achieves violin and cello sounds. What effects do you use to achieve a cello type sound, aside from a volume pedal? Do you use overdrive, fuzz, reverb, or anything like that?
I looked around the search bar, but wanted to ask you fine folks what you think currently. Thanks!
I looked around the search bar, but wanted to ask you fine folks what you think currently. Thanks!
a lot of those in combination, as they all can have different sounds. another thing is to use an overdrive/fuzz that has an expression pedal control of effect blend. you can use it either by itself or in conjunction with another fuzz.
some people also use an ebow.
OH YEAH! I made the Stank Face 6 seconds in. Nice.
I have an EHX Mel9 that does a pretty good impression of a cello-voiced Mellotron, and the EHX Superego Synth Engine can do a sort of faux string sound, though it has a characteristic sound that sets it apart from simply using volume swells.
Heck yeah. That and a Skitter would be suuuper dope.
