Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[BayingRidge]

How is that hijacking?! Lots of folks here use synths. Seems on topic to me
I love the 0 Coast and some of those Roland ‘boutiques’ are pretty shocking for the dough. I hate to say this, but I’ve heard some pretty great results from the Behringer Neutron

Cool, thanks! Will check those out, had not heard of the Neutron at all.

 

[monsterthompson]

I don't want to hijack this thread and turn it into a synth forum, but I have been looking at various desktop synths around the $1K mark and was wondering if you (or anyone) had any recs? I've been primarily looking at Dreadbox (Abyss, Erebus, Medusa, Nyx - leaning towards Abyss), Novation Peak and DSI Prophet Rev2 desktop. Really want as close to one function per knob as possible with minimal or no menu diving, and something that can really be "played" and come up with some out-there stuff to complement the current bass and pedal setup if that makes sense. I love the sounds of all the Dreadbox's I've heard online (except for the Medusa so far) and am leaning towards the Abyss. Wasn't all that impressed with the Peak or the Rev2 in person. What would you do and why? Feel free to message me so as to not hijack the thread.

I think there are a few things that need to be sorted out. You need to decide if you want to monophonic or polyphonic unit. If being able to play chords is important, then you have to go polyphonic. Another choice have to make it’s how you are going to control it. Will the device take midi, or is it only CV? Also, what kind of controller are you going to use? Will you need a device that has a built-in keyboard, or are you OK buying an additional controller? Lastly, how important are built-in effects? The Erebus has a built-in delay, but I don’t really love it. However, the Nyx reverb is one of my favorite things about that box.

The new Medusa had some terrible sound clips initially released, but some of the more recent ones have sounded better. The fact that it has a built-in sequencer is a real attractive point. I don’t think it has a built in effect of any kind, which would mean you would need to do some additional signal routing. The new Erebus v3 seems pretty impressive. The O-Coast is another favorite of mine.

The Moog Mother 32 and Grandmother units are worth considering.

If you want to dip your toe in for a cheap price, I’d certainly consider looking at the new Uno Synth for $199 new.

Edit. I almost forgot to mention that you need to be aware of whether not you have to tune the synthesizer. Trying to run to analog synths has reminded that is important, and can be a minor annoyance . They also take time to warm up, and don’t stay stable at tuning until they are warmed up. Digital synthesizers are designed to tune themselves.

 

[HotelX]

What's $4,500, really?

View attachment 3140623

That one has been on my wish list for a while. Or a Buchla Music Easel.

 

[HotelX]

I don't want to hijack this thread and turn it into a synth forum, but I have been looking at various desktop synths around the $1K mark and was wondering if you (or anyone) had any recs? I've been primarily looking at Dreadbox (Abyss, Erebus, Medusa, Nyx - leaning towards Abyss), Novation Peak and DSI Prophet Rev2 desktop. Really want as close to one function per knob as possible with minimal or no menu diving, and something that can really be "played" and come up with some out-there stuff to complement the current bass and pedal setup if that makes sense. I love the sounds of all the Dreadbox's I've heard online (except for the Medusa so far) and am leaning towards the Abyss. Wasn't all that impressed with the Peak or the Rev2 in person. What would you do and why? Feel free to message me so as to not hijack the thread.

The Moog Grandmother is a wonderful instrument. I can highly recommend it. It sounds great and is easy to use and get good sounds. Plus the patch points are intuitive and well laid out. The keyboard is very nice.

I also have a Dreadbox Erebus that sounds really good too. It has gotten less love se=ince grandma came home with me though. I have version 1 of the Erebus and they just came out with version 3.

I've played an Abyss in a store and found it easy to get great sounds. I seriously considered taking it home with me. I tried the 0-Coast at that same store and couldn't wrap my head around it. I know a lot of folks love it though. YMMV

I also once owned a Behringer Deep 12 but sold it because I didn't care for the interface. Again YMMV.

 

[BayingRidge]

I think there are a few things that need to be sorted out. You need to decide if you want to monophonic or polyphonic unit. If being able to play chords is important, then you have to go polyphonic. Another choice have to make it’s how you are going to control it. Will the device take midi, or is it only CV? Also, what kind of controller are you going to use? Will you need a device that has a built-in keyboard, or are you OK buying an additional controller? Lastly, how important are built-in effects? The Erebus has a built-in delay, but I don’t really love it. However, the Nyx reverb is one of my favorite things about that box.

The new Medusa had some terrible sound clips initially released, but some of the more recent ones have sounded better. The fact that it has a built-in sequencer is a real attractive point. I don’t think it has a built in effect of any kind, which would mean you would need to do some additional signal routing. The new Erebus v3 seems pretty impressive. The O-Coast is another favorite of mine.

The Moog Mother 32 and Grandmother units are worth considering.

If you want to dip your toe in for a cheap price, I’d certainly consider looking at the new Uno Synth for $199 new.

Edit. I almost forgot to mention that you need to be aware of whether not you have to tune the synthesizer. Trying to run to analog synths has reminded that is important, and can be a minor annoyance . They also take time to warm up, and don’t stay stable at tuning until they are warmed up. Digital synthesizers are designed to tune themselves.

Lots to consider here, thank you for this. I was looking primarily at polyphonic analog or hybrids as I would like the chords option and do not mind dealing with warm-up tuning time. In terms of controllers, I currently have a Launchpad Pro and Akai MPK mini and am thinking those should suffice, at least for the short-term. I also like the idea of having midi and cv in order to keep my options (and wallet) open. Effects are not a must, but if they are especially good, like I've heard so many times about the Nyx, then that would be a bonus.

The Medusa is really intriguing and I do like the idea of the built in sequencer. I think I just need to hear more of it in action to see how it sounds. The Erebus 3 does look good and I have been considering it, but just haven't heard a real good sound demo of it yet either. I will check out the O-Coast and the Moogs too.

So many options out there!

The Moog Grandmother is a wonderful instrument. I can highly recommend it. It sounds great and is easy to use and get good sounds. Plus the patch points are intuitive and well laid out. The keyboard is very nice.

I also have a Dreadbox Erebus that sounds really good too. It has gotten less love se=ince grandma came home with me though. I have version 1 of the Erebus and they just came out with version 3.

I've played an Abyss in a store and found it easy to get great sounds. I seriously considered taking it home with me. I tried the 0-Coast at that same store and couldn't wrap my head around it. I know a lot of folks love it though. YMMV

I also once owned a Behringer Deep 12 but sold it because I didn't care for the interface. Again YMMV.

Cool, thanks! I am going to check out those Moogs. I'm in NYC so it's pretty easy to find them to demo. Finding an Abyss however is a completely different story and I have had no luck so far.

 

[monsterthompson]

Lots to consider here, thank you for this. I was looking primarily at polyphonic analog or hybrids as I would like the chords option and do not mind dealing with warm-up tuning time. In terms of controllers, I currently have a Launchpad Pro and Akai MPK mini and am thinking those should suffice, at least for the short-term. I also like the idea of having midi and cv in order to keep my options (and wallet) open. Effects are not a must, but if they are especially good, like I've heard so many times about the Nyx, then that would be a bonus.

The Medusa is really intriguing and I do like the idea of the built in sequencer. I think I just need to hear more of it in action to see how it sounds. The Erebus 3 does look good and I have been considering it, but just haven't heard a real good sound demo of it yet either. I will check out the O-Coast and the Moogs too.

The Nyx is paraphonic, so you can get 2 pitches out of it. The Medusa is only MIDI (no CV) from what I've seen.

Almost forgot, look at the Pittsburgh Modular Microvolt 3900 Semi-modular.

 

[HotelX]

Lots to consider here, thank you for this. I was looking primarily at polyphonic analog or hybrids as I would like the chords option and do not mind dealing with warm-up tuning time. In terms of controllers, I currently have a Launchpad Pro and Akai MPK mini and am thinking those should suffice, at least for the short-term. I also like the idea of having midi and cv in order to keep my options (and wallet) open. Effects are not a must, but if they are especially good, like I've heard so many times about the Nyx, then that would be a bonus.

The Medusa is really intriguing and I do like the idea of the built in sequencer. I think I just need to hear more of it in action to see how it sounds. The Erebus 3 does look good and I have been considering it, but just haven't heard a real good sound demo of it yet either. I will check out the O-Coast and the Moogs too.

So many options out there!



Cool, thanks! I am going to check out those Moogs. I'm in NYC so it's pretty easy to find them to demo. Finding an Abyss however is a completely different story and I have had no luck so far.

Three Wave in New Jersey is where I entered the abyss. Well worth a trip to vies their massive collection.

 

[dukeorock]

This came in today...

Looking forward to giving it a test drive later...prolly gonna need to RTFM as this thing looks a tad deep

 

[Basshappi]

Agreed! What synths have you been looking at?

I just bought a Novation Bass Station II
I also have a Yamaha V50 and a Korg MS20R. I will be getting a Novation Launchkey 61 soon and then a computer to handle a DAW and full Arturia V software package.

EDIT: Forgot to mention I also have an old Yamaha electric piano (PF-??). It has some decent sounds but more importantly it has a nice 88 key hammer-weighted keyboard and MIDI I/O/T so it will make a good controller as well.

 

[Spectrum]

So this is a synth thread now? Okay, someone mentioned the Moog Mother 32. I did this with one, muti-tracked, in one afternoon. The only effect was reverb added by the recording device itself, IIRC:

 

[Diegombass]

If you want to dip your toe in for a cheap price, I’d certainly consider looking at the new Uno Synth for $199 new

Can you process external audio with Uno Synth? Filter, drive, delay...

 

[monsterthompson]

Can you process external audio with Uno Synth? Filter, drive, delay...

I don’t know if the audio-in routes the signal through the processing/effects. You’d have to check the manual or ask the company. I’d like to know.

 

[BayingRidge]

I don’t know if the audio-in routes the signal through the processing/effects. You’d have to check the manual or ask the company. I’d like to know.

The only description I can find in the manual is this, which is not very helpful.

"4 - Audio IN Connect another UNO unit or any external mono audio source."

 

[monsterthompson]

The only description I can find in the manual is this, which is not very helpful.

"4 - Audio IN Connect another UNO unit or any external mono audio source."

Dang.

 

[BayingRidge]

So this is a synth thread now? Okay, someone mentioned the Moog other 32. I did this with one, muti-tracked, in one afternoon. The only effect was reverb added by the recording device itself, IIRC:

Very cool!

 

[dukeorock]

Hit a learning curve wall with the Octatrack yesterday. That thing is really tough to get your head around! Managed to step away without throwing it through a window, so that’s good

Messed around with the GFI Specular Tempus for a few hours as well. It’s ok, but I’m far from blown away by it. Gain structure is tricky. Really easy to clip the inputs. The sound is really good in a sort of ‘quiet storm,’ sweet New Age music kinda way, but that ain’t really my bag. If it cost $200 I’d be more into it, but at $359 I want to be a little more impressed than I am so far.

 

[monsterthompson]

Hit a learning curve wall with the Octatrack yesterday. That thing is really tough to get your head around! Managed to step away without throwing it through a window, so that’s good

Messed around with the GFI Specular Tempus for a few hours as well. It’s ok, but I’m far from blown away by it. Gain structure is tricky. Really easy to clip the inputs. The sound is really good in a sort of ‘quiet storm,’ sweet New Age music kinda way, but that ain’t really my bag. If it cost $200 I’d be more into it, but at $359 I want to be a little more impressed than I am so far.

Ugh.
I still haven't plugged in my Empress EchoSystem. Once I get back from the shows in the Bay Area, tonight and tomorrow, I'll get to work on that.

 

[dukeorock]

Ugh.
I still haven't plugged in my Empress EchoSystem. Once I get back from the shows in the Bay Area, tonight and tomorrow, I'll get to work on that.

Look forward to your findings and break a leg on the gigs!
My Earthquaker Pyramids came in today. Absolutely awesome. Really adds another dimension

 

[monsterthompson]

I guess the Pigtronix Echolution and Empress Reverb combo into the Crazy Tube Circuits reverb of the Nyx has the desired effect. Last night’s performance was all synth and pedals, except for one computer sample of a chime, and a Reaktor sequencer.

I love the crystal clear Reverb in stereo, but this performance needed a mushy mono sound at the end, so I routed everything into the Nyx’s Reverb to get that. It just fit this theme best. The Ghost setting on the Empress Reverb was tremendous. I didn’t have that when we last performed this piece. The Ghost setting is almost worth the price of the pedal, for making ambient noise.

 

[dukeorock]

I guess the Pigtronix Echolution and Empress Reverb combo into the Crazy Tube Circuits reverb of the Nyx has the desired effect. Last night’s performance was all synth and pedals, except for one computer sample of a chime, and a Reaktor sequencer.

I love the crystal clear Reverb in stereo, but this performance needed a mushy mono sound at the end, so I routed everything into the Nyx’s Reverb to get that. It just fit this theme best. The Ghost setting on the Empress Reverb was tremendous. I didn’t have that when we last performed this piece. The Ghost setting is almost worth the price of the pedal, for making ambient noise.

View attachment 3143360

Congrats!!!