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Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

Okay, today in 'how cool is this?'

I'm sure more than a few of you are familiar with Martin Stuertzer. He does some great ambient, dub techno and Berlin School that has a nice, modern take on it. He's also a big Iridium user.

Anyways, I'm dipping my toe in the dub techno genre, and I've been trying to get some good DT patches going on the Iridium. I'm still no master of sound design... I'm getting close, but not there yet. Anyways, just happened to reach out to Martin on YT about him doing a DT tutorial... the guy emails me back, says he's sending me all of his DT patches he made for Iridium, so I can go in and pick 'em apart and see what he did.

This is one of my current favorite artists, so you can only imagine how exciting this is.

One thing I'm a bit bummed about on the Iridium (and there isn't a lot to be bummed about) is the effects. They're good, sound good, but there's not a lot of controls in terms of tweaking. It really needs a good tape echo with the deterioration. I'm thinking of getting a stereo tape delay pedal (I have an El Capistan, but that's on the board). But due to funding constraints (Miezo 18, Iridium, cough cough), I can't spring for something right now. I'm also holding out hope that when the big 3.0 update drops, it'll have improved effects.
 
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Okay. I might be caving on my temporary hold on new pedals.
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Okay, today in 'how cool is this?'

I'm sure more than a few of you are familiar with Martin Stuertzer. He does some great ambient, dub techno and Berlin School that has a nice, modern take on it. He's also a big Iridium user.

Anyways, I'm dipping my toe in the dub techno genre, and I've been trying to get some good DT patches going on the Iridium. I'm still no master of sound design... I'm getting close, but not there yet. Anyways, just happened to reach out to Martin on YT about him doing a DT tutorial... the guy emails me back, says he's sending me all of his DT patches he made for Iridium, so I can go in and pick 'em apart and see what he did.

This is one of my current favorite artists, so you can only imagine how exciting this is.

One thing I'm a bit bummed about on the Iridium (and there isn't a lot to be bummed about) is the effects. They're good, sound good, but there's not a lot of controls in terms of tweaking. It really needs a good tape echo with the deterioration. I'm thinking of getting a stereo tape delay pedal (I have an El Capistan, but that's on the board). But due to funding (Miezo 18, Iridium, cough cough), I can't spring for something right now. I'm also holding out hope that when the big 3.0 update drops, it'll have improved effects.
To add to that, Martin sure was generous! He sent me a folder of 35 Iridium patches. I know what I'm doing tonight.
 
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Okay, today in 'how cool is this?'

I'm sure more than a few of you are familiar with Martin Stuertzer. He does some great ambient, dub techno and Berlin School that has a nice, modern take on it. He's also a big Iridium user.

Anyways, I'm dipping my toe in the dub techno genre, and I've been trying to get some good DT patches going on the Iridium. I'm still no master of sound design... I'm getting close, but not there yet. Anyways, just happened to reach out to Martin on YT about him doing a DT tutorial... the guy emails me back, says he's sending me all of his DT patches he made for Iridium, so I can go in and pick 'em apart and see what he did.

This is one of my current favorite artists, so you can only imagine how exciting this is.

One thing I'm a bit bummed about on the Iridium (and there isn't a lot to be bummed about) is the effects. They're good, sound good, but there's not a lot of controls in terms of tweaking. It really needs a good tape echo with the deterioration. I'm thinking of getting a stereo tape delay pedal (I have an El Capistan, but that's on the board). But due to funding constraints (Miezo 18, Iridium, cough cough), I can't spring for something right now. I'm also holding out hope that when the big 3.0 update drops, it'll have improved effects.

that is very cool.

people also complain that the effects in the hydra aren't as good as a strymon, etc. . . . i wonder how many want to add the $400–1,000 it would take to have a processor and firmware of that quality just for the effects. i don't know the iridium, and maybe rolf will address it on the next firmware, but the hydra has some interesting ways of being able to modulate some (not all) of the effects parameters. (i do wish they'd add a few things that i "need.")

fwiw, i look at the effects part of a synth as being there for patch design, not for all-encompassing great effects (especially if you can modulate them). and i remember when effects on a synth were not a thing.
 
that is very cool.

people also complain that the effects in the hydra aren't as good as a strymon, etc. . . . i wonder how many want to add the $400–1,000 it would take to have a processor and firmware of that quality just for the effects. i don't know the iridium, and maybe rolf will address it on the next firmware, but the hydra has some interesting ways of being able to modulate some (not all) of the effects parameters. (i do wish they'd add a few things that i "need.")

fwiw, i look at the effects part of a synth as being there for patch design, not for all-encompassing great effects (especially if you can modulate them). and i remember when effects on a synth were not a thing.
In another back and forth, Martin told me he uses external effects. I am hoping Rolf does expand some of the FX capabilities. I just picked up a used Boss RE20 for a good price at GC. As much as I wanted to drop 400 on a Volante, I can't bring myself to do it.
 
In another back and forth, Martin told me he uses external effects. I am hoping Rolf does expand some of the FX capabilities. I just picked up a used Boss RE20 for a good price at GC. As much as I wanted to drop 400 on a Volante, I can't bring myself to do it.
That boss re20 sounds freakin awesome.
Excellent pedal.
:thumbsup:

When are you dropping some heavy King Tubby, Lee Scratch Perry stuff.
;)
 
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Ill give you a virtual coffee for it??
Deal??
:D

Nope - there's other stuff I want to buy! I've been good - I told myself I wouldn't get anything until after the election, and even now I'm waffling, but realizing I've got stuff to sell makes it more of a possibility. Fortunately, I'm busy with work and have been working with old recordings (audio & video) of my band from the early-mid '90s so that's keeping me busy and GAS free.
 
Nope - there's other stuff I want to buy! I've been good - I told myself I wouldn't get anything until after the election, and even now I'm waffling, but realizing I've got stuff to sell makes it more of a possibility. Fortunately, I'm busy with work and have been working with old recordings (audio & video) of my band from the early-mid '90s so that's keeping me busy and GAS free.
Ok...2 virtual coffees.
Final offer.

;)

(Sorry, dad jokes)
 
That boss re20 sounds freakin awesome.
Excellent pedal.
:thumbsup:

When are you dropping some heavy King Tubby, Lee Scratch Perry stuff.
;)
Yeah, it's take a while for me to come down off of the boutique ledge and buy some less-boutiquey pedals, but I've been happy with my Boss stuff, so far.

I don't think I'm going too much into the traditional dub stuff, although I love that stuff too and have done that. That's more of the bass player side of me that does that.

Funny story - when I was in my 20's and was an overplaying Jaco wannabe (Punk Jazz was so appropriate for me, I had the jazz mindset but not the chops), someone gave me a Pablo Moses dub album. I didn't even know about dub reggae, but I was so enthralled, because I could hear the basslines so good. I learned that whole album, and it shifted my perspective in a pretty radical way. My wankery started on a downward trajectory from that point on. I can still wank like the best of em, but I love just throwing on a Laswell album and playing the same hypnotic groove for 20 minutes.

There's just something about dub/ambient techno that I find so entrancing, because it doesn't beat me over the head like a lot of the other EDM's tend to do. Plus, its beats are very simple, much in line with my capabilities...
 
Yeah, it's take a while for me to come down off of the boutique ledge and buy some less-boutiquey pedals, but I've been happy with my Boss stuff, so far.

I don't think I'm going too much into the traditional dub stuff, although I love that stuff too and have done that. That's more of the bass player side of me that does that.

Funny story - when I was in my 20's and was an overplaying Jaco wannabe (Punk Jazz was so appropriate for me, I had the jazz mindset but not the chops), someone gave me a Pablo Moses dub album. I didn't even know about dub reggae, but I was so enthralled, because I could hear the basslines so good. I learned that whole album, and it shifted my perspective in a pretty radical way. My wankery started on a downward trajectory from that point on. I can still wank like the best of em, but I love just throwing on a Laswell album and playing the same hypnotic groove for 20 minutes.

There's just something about dub/ambient techno that I find so entrancing, because it doesn't beat me over the head like a lot of the other EDM's tend to do. Plus, its beats are very simple, much in line with my capabilities...
Fist bump.
I freakin love old dub records.
Especially those old compilations witb the "dub" versions of some "popular" hits.
I could never wank (ok..here you go @monsterthompson ....easy one here) but I could sure vamp 20 min basslines. Wall shaking tasty. I love how raw those records are. You can hear the dank room in those tapes for surw.

Augustus Pablo's East of the River Nile might be my all time fav.
Soooooo perfect.

Remember all jazz bass pluck near fretboard.
Family Man Style!!!!
Saw the wailers live.....was quite the party.
The entire outdoor venue had thick bass waves everywhere to make you chill man!!!
 
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Edit to previous post:
Playing dub etc.....
I was heavy into the Roots bass guy Leonard Hubbard at the time (he's still one of my all time favorite players)

So I was pretty much imitating him alot at the time and playing 90% of my stuff (when possible ) with my right thumb angled like Hub. So I played dub family man style and Hub style.....but mostly not Jamaican style enough..... ;)
Damn that groove is tough to get right in that pocket.
 
Took the day off work.
Arranging my pedals and cables.
Trying to understand Samhain. I love Danzig and Misfits, but I just can’t click with
Love the Ramones.
Dee Dee is a legend.

His solo stuff.....ishhhhhh.....not so much.
(Ok it's complete garbage....his rap record is on top worst albums of all time....and for good reason. )

same with sting, huge police fan. I ilke maybe 10% of his solo work.

Re : Hub....now I want cream covers for my jazz bass.......damn......forgot I wanted them.
I was such a wannabe of that dude its nuts.
I was wearing track pants, hoodies and timbs to jazz combo....I wonder why the jazz police where on my @$$.
:D
 
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