Best Bass Synths Right Now? 2024 Edition.

[chechunka]

I asked this question almost 7 years ago and there's been a lot of rad options come on the market since then.

Currently I'm utilizing a sub37, and am mostly satisfied tone wise, but probably underutilizing its flexibility as a production tool when all I really need it for is LIVE use. In the studio don't judge me but I'm using moog VST's.

• The Matriarch:
• Grandmother:
• Subsequent 25:
• Behringer Poly D??? I know the Model D is the goat but I can't really afford to throw down on one and this is intriguing to me but I have no personal experience with them.
• Arturia Matrixbrute: I know you're rocking one of these right now. What about it do you find so appealing for your live work? Aside from the fact it looks dope as frick.

The offerings without presets terrify me a little bit for live use but I have a lot of peers who haven't found it to be an issue. I'm just always concerned someone will jack with one of the 35 knobs and being able to diagnose in the dark seems not ideal.

Would love your feedback as I feel like you have such a killer perspective and knowledge on this side of the craft as both a producer and bass slinger.

 

[jmjbassplayer]

I asked this question almost 7 years ago and there's been a lot of rad options come on the market since then.

Currently I'm utilizing a sub37, and am mostly satisfied tone wise, but probably underutilizing its flexibility as a production tool when all I really need it for is LIVE use. In the studio don't judge me but I'm using moog VST's.

• The Matriarch:
• Grandmother:
• Subsequent 25:
• Behringer Poly D??? I know the Model D is the goat but I can't really afford to throw down on one and this is intriguing to me but I have no personal experience with them.
• Arturia Matrixbrute: I know you're rocking one of these right now. What about it do you find so appealing for your live work? Aside from the fact it looks dope as frick.

The offerings without presets terrify me a little bit for live use but I have a lot of peers who haven't found it to be an issue. I'm just always concerned someone will jack with one of the 35 knobs and being able to diagnose in the dark seems not ideal.

Would love your feedback as I feel like you have such a killer perspective and knowledge on this side of the craft as both a producer and bass slinger.

Hi,
I'm not exactly sure what your question is, but I'll venture an answer that covers some of what you're speaking to. I've had the best live success with my Prophet 5, MS20, and for something more modern and reliable w/ presets and some useable effects and live parameter control, definitely the Sequential Pro 3. I don't distinguish "bass synth" vs. synth, because for example I get great bass sounds on poly analogues just the same as I do on legacy monos like the Mini, 2600 or MS20. For something digital and extremely modern that can wear a lot of hats, I've turned a lot of people on to the ASM Hydrasynth...so much so that the last M83 tour was 80% those on stage. But it all depends on the application.

I haven't used a Matrixbrute in a few years, but they are cool in their own way, sure.

As far as synths in the studio, answering that depends a bit more on knowing details of what you're after. The best affordable, pure analog monosynth/paraphonic these days that isn't a Behringer is still Matriarch/Grandmother, as far as I'm concerned. But other categories and price points open up many other options.
J

 

[chechunka]

JMJ, this is above and beyond. Thanks so much. This is SUPER helpful. The ASM wasn't on my radar at all. I'll have to check that out and do some more research based on these killer recommendations to see what's gonna be the best fit for me.