Ambient/Post-Rock/Textural bass playing thread

[dukeorock]

Looks like a stereo multi effects box. Chorus/flange, delay, reverb. What looks like "freeze" which seems to be a momentary switch.

Read up a bit more on it in the Elektronauts forum. Could be neat. Still hoping the Empress Zoia finally gets released in 2019

 

[dukeorock]

At the risk of continuing this thread's motion away from bass guitar towards synths...

I will certainly stop if it’s considered to be too off topic here, but my take on it is;

This thread seems to have a slowly growing number of BASSISTS who are interested in different types of music than the majority of bassists on talkbass. I don’t care to go over a Nikki Sixx rig rundown, for example
Speaking for myself, I’m a bass player who is seeking out new extensions to what I do. So in that sense, I don’t see much difference between talking about synths, samplers or loopers than I do talking about dirt boxes or flangers

 

[cosmicevan]

I came to this thread to read about cool noise makers. Thanks to this thread, I am a devoted pocket operator! I don’t think anyone is gonna get grumpy if we dabble into adjacent opportunities in discussion....I mean, is it any less valuable than the myriad of joke posts from the peanut gallery playing off a typo or a recurring hot topic here?

As for noisemakers...here’s some noise from the Tensor (I think I may have first learned of that one in this thread too?)

 

[dukeorock]

I came to this thread to read about cool noise makers. Thanks to this thread, I am a devoted pocket operator! I don’t think anyone is gonna get grumpy if we dabble into adjacent opportunities in discussion....I mean, is it any less valuable than the myriad of joke posts from the peanut gallery playing off a typo or a recurring hot topic here?

As for noisemakers...here’s some noise from the Tensor (I think I may have first learned of that one in this thread too?)

Love it!!!

 

[dukeorock]

Found this tonight

 

[steubig]

seriously, this is one of the few threads that make tb tolerable for me.

 

[monsterthompson]

I think seeing Ministry doing "So What" must've had an influence on the drums in this minimalist Saturday doodling.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Running a few synths and sample through NI Maschine. The Apnea drum kit is from Battery. I started with the drums and felt some 90's jazzy EDM stuff coming on (I have some artists in mind, but their names escape me). So, I tried building up a quick minimalist track and this came out.

The arrangement needs some development, but this exercise was about the vibe and mix, which are a departure for me. I either make drum-free soundscapes, or dense and busy four-on-the-floor based ideas. I guess I'm trying to start bridging elements of those worlds here. There's still something about bass guitar that I can't get to work the same way as MIDI sequencing with synth bass. I probably shouldn't try to treat them the same, since they are different tools. But it is difficult for me to ignore my desire to merge the forms of expression.

I think several folks in this thread are clearly synth-heads, and the desire to find tools to make "less conventional music" is what brings them in here. While synths and samplers aren't effects, they are tools for making sound. There are several bass effects out there, along with threads and questions about how to get synth-like sounds out of a bass. Some of us have just made the next step of jumping into actual synths. Many of us still carry our bassist sensibilities and history into our synth playing. I think this thread is often about ideas regarding how to develop sounds and compositions, as much as it is about the effects boxes involved in making the sounds.

I also think the "ambient" title of the thread doesn't quite cover all the aspects of composition that gets discussed here, but it certainly is a core influence and/or goal of the players who post here. We are also well over 1,000 posts and several threads that have made it this far tend to deviate from the original theme from time to time. I certainly enjoy this little corner of TB, and I'm fine with how it rolls along.

 

[dukeorock]

I think seeing Ministry doing "So What" must've had an influence on the drums in this minimalist Saturday doodling.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Running a few synths and sample through NI Maschine. The Apnea drum kit is from Battery. I started with the drums and felt some 90's jazzy EDM stuff coming on (I have some artists in mind, but their names escape me). So, I tried building up a quick minimalist track and this came out.

The arrangement needs some development, but this exercise was about the vibe and mix, which are a departure for me. I either make drum-free soundscapes, or dense and busy four-on-the-floor based ideas. I guess I'm trying to start bridging elements of those worlds here. There's still something about bass guitar that I can't get to work the same way as MIDI sequencing with synth bass. I probably shouldn't try to treat them the same, since they are different tools. But it is difficult for me to ignore my desire to merge the forms of expression.

I think several folks in this thread are clearly synth-heads, and the desire to find tools to make "less conventional music" is what brings them in here. While synths and samplers aren't effects, they are tools for making sound. There are several bass effects out there, along with threads and questions about how to get synth-like sounds out of a bass. Some of us have just made the next step of jumping into actual synths. Many of us still carry our bassist sensibilities and history into our synth playing. I think this thread is often about ideas regarding how to develop sounds and compositions, as much as it is about the effects boxes involved in making the sounds.

I also think the "ambient" title of the thread doesn't quite cover all the aspects of composition that gets discussed here, but it certainly is a core influence and/or goal of the players who post here. We are also well over 1,000 posts and several threads that have made it this far tend to deviate from the original theme from time to time. I certainly enjoy this little corner of TB, and I'm fine with how it rolls along.

Agreed on every point.

Listened to your track all the way through...great sounds, I thought. I really like that build up around 1:35 where it seems like you’re about to climb up to a big trance/EDM thing, but then just drop back down to that chill groove instead. Creates the perfect amount of tension. Can hear aspects of Squarepusher or even 90’s Aphex Twin. I’d personally bring the kick up quite a bit and slightly turn down the synths, because this has all the makings of a cool dub track. Not that you asked
You have a natural gift for blending different sounds together. Thanks for sharing!

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Found this tonight

I love the aesthetic of these guys, live is amazing (they make it as dark as possible, no light show). Always incredible sounding, the verb on this track is stunning.

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Played a gig last night with my duo, audio/ visual group. For the first time in my life I went amp- less, and ran direct into the house P.A. to save on time and space. Full pedal board, laptop with Ableton, Arturia soft synths, a couple controllers and a Universal Audio twin duo as the hub.
Using the Twin's Unison preamps with their SVT amp modeling was pretty mind blowing- I had used the UA interfaces before for touring with a rig, but it's been a few years and the software has improved greatly (it was great in the first place, but didn't have all the amp modeling options it has now).
Ran the pedal board in stereo, into the UA.
It was really impressive, handled all the board stuff without an issue and was crystal clear- lots of compliments about the sound quality from the audience and the other group. The SVT plug was a funny choice, as I'm not an Ampeg fan, but it worked perfectly for taming the top end of the direct signal.
Will be moving forward with further integration and using Ableton for certain duties... I now regret selling my Keith Mcmillan 12 step....

 

[dukeorock]

Played a gig last night with my duo, audio/ visual group. For the first time in my life I went amp- less, and ran direct into the house P.A. to save on time and space. Full pedal board, laptop with Ableton, Arturia soft synths, a couple controllers and a Universal Audio twin duo as the hub.
Using the Twin's Unison preamps with their SVT amp modeling was pretty mind blowing- I had used the UA interfaces before for touring with a rig, but it's been a few years and the software has improved greatly (it was great in the first place, but didn't have all the amp modeling options it has now).
Ran the pedal board in stereo, into the UA.
It was really impressive, handled all the board stuff without an issue and was crystal clear- lots of compliments about the sound quality from the audience and the other group. The SVT plug was a funny choice, as I'm not an Ampeg fan, but it worked perfectly for taming the top end of the direct signal.
Will be moving forward with further integration and using Ableton for certain duties... I now regret selling my Keith Mcmillan 12 step....

Sounds like a party. Would loved to have been able to see it. Any video?

 

[D.A.R.K.]

Sounds like a party. Would loved to have been able to see it. Any video?

I'm not sure if anyone took any, I should look on insta, but there's clips of the basic stuff we do on our FB page/ phone on a stand quality, pointed at a monitor. The Ambient Eye
One of the more interesting aspects for me is we have been using an audio feed sent to the video computer for generative source and parameter manipulation assignments.

 

[dukeorock]

I'm not sure if anyone took any, I should look on insta, but there's clips of the basic stuff we do on our FB page/ phone on a stand quality, pointed at a monitor. The Ambient Eye
One of the more interesting aspects for me is we have been using an audio feed sent to the video computer for generative source and parameter manipulation assignments.

Thanks! Liked your page as well

 

[dukeorock]

Anyone like this dude? Some of his stuff is more atmospheric than this, but as catchy songs go, I like this one

 

[monsterthompson]

I’m at about page 170 of How Music Works. Byrne is writing about his use of “found vocal” samples on Bush of Ghosts. It’s fascinating to read about the process and mentality regarding sampling in 1980.

 

[dukeorock]

I’m at about page 170 of How Music Works. Byrne is writing about his use of “found vocal” samples on Bush of Ghosts. It’s fascinating to read about the process and mentality regarding sampling in 1980.

I need to read that one of these days. I sure loved that record when it came out

 

[Spectrum]

I think several folks in this thread are clearly synth-heads, and the desire to find tools to make "less conventional music" is what brings them in here. While synths and samplers aren't effects, they are tools for making sound. There are several bass effects out there, along with threads and questions about how to get synth-like sounds out of a bass. Some of us have just made the next step of jumping into actual synths. Many of us still carry our bassist sensibilities and history into our synth playing. I think this thread is often about ideas regarding how to develop sounds and compositions, as much as it is about the effects boxes involved in making the sounds.

I agree with this. I grew up listening to prog rock and 80s hard rock/metal, and that's where my bass playing is rooted. At the same time, thanks to my dad, I was also into Tangerine Dream, the quintessential "Berlin School" electronic band (at least for their mid-70s period), which is the reason I am a synth-head.

I have struggled for a long time to find a place for the bass guitar in the world of Berlin School electronica. Guitar fits beautifully, and is commonly used with the mostly no-drums sequencer-heavy soundscapes of Berlin School bands like Air Sculpture and Radio Massacre International, and was used by Tangerine Dream back in the day.

But bass? I just haven't been satisfied with anything I've tried. It competes with the synths in the low end frequencies, and while a little finger slop sounds cool on guitar, on bass it stands out as, well, slop, especially compared to the synths. But I keep trying.

BTW, your SoundCloud track is interesting, when it started at first I though you were doing a cover of Bauhaus, the drum sequence reminds me of the song Bela Lugosi's Dead.

 

[monsterthompson]

BTW, your SoundCloud track is interesting, when it started at first I though you were doing a cover of Bauhaus, the drum sequence reminds me of the song Bela Lugosi's Dead.

Ha! You’re the second person to note that. I really wasn’t thinking of that track at all, but I get the connection.
Thanks for listening.

 

[dukeorock]

I have struggled for a long time to find a place for the bass guitar in the world of Berlin School electronica. Guitar fits beautifully, and is commonly used with the mostly no-drums sequencer-heavy soundscapes of Berlin School bands like Air Sculpture and Radio Massacre International, and was used by Tangerine Dream back in the day.

But bass? I just haven't been satisfied with anything I've tried. It competes with the synths in the low end frequencies, and while a little finger slop sounds cool on guitar, on bass it stands out as, well, slop, especially compared to the synths. But I keep trying.

I suppose a lot of stuff from the 80’s Berlin thing was that real tight (stiff?) eighth note arp stuff or ambient drones. I thing bass guitar can work beautifully with ambient music. Or any music. I try to force bass into most of my electronic stuff, but I’m not especially loyal to a genre or school.

This definitely isn’t an example of 1970’s Berlin electronica, but I did quite a few tunes using only bass guitar and nothing else. All this to say, if you want to make it work, you will!

 

[Spectrum]

I suppose a lot of stuff from the 80’s Berlin thing was that real tight (stiff?) eighth note arp stuff or ambient drones. I thing bass guitar can work beautifully with ambient music. Or any music. I try to force bass into most of my electronic stuff, but I’m not especially loyal to a genre or school.

This definitely isn’t an example of 1970’s Berlin electronica, but I did quite a few tunes using only bass guitar and nothing else. All this to say, if you want to make it work, you will!

Cool stuff!