• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bowie's 'Heroes' -- what effect on bass?

ha - according to this old thread it was both:

George Murray... gear?

EDIT: MXR flanger and Mu-tron phaser, it says.
original.png
 
What effect(s) are on George Murray's bass on this track? Isolated here in Tony Visconti's great 'production of' video.


Very interesting to hear this breakdown of the various layered parts, some of which sound small and even cheesy when isolated. A good example of the old saying, "The sum is greater than the whole of its parts."
 
One of my fave productions of all time. I think one of the most interesting things about that track, that I didn't realize at first, is there's really no kick drum in the mix to speak of. Eno pulled it out and the track just kind of floated. So cool, so Eno. I think there might be a teeny bit of kick bleed in something else, but for the most part, it's kick-less. That and how Fripp made marks on the floor for where to move to as he was playing for specific feedback frequencies.
 
One of my fave productions of all time. I think one of the most interesting things about that track, that I didn't realize at first, is there's really no kick drum in the mix to speak of. Eno pulled it out and the track just kind of floated. So cool, so Eno. I think there might be a teeny bit of kick bleed in something else, but for the most part, it's kick-less. That and how Fripp made marks on the floor for where to move to as he was playing for specific feedback frequencies.
Fripp...so amazing....Fantastic track....I love everything including Tony Visconti
 
One of my fave productions of all time. I think one of the most interesting things about that track, that I didn't realize at first, is there's really no kick drum in the mix to speak of. Eno pulled it out and the track just kind of floated. So cool, so Eno. I think there might be a teeny bit of kick bleed in something else, but for the most part, it's kick-less. That and how Fripp made marks on the floor for where to move to as he was playing for specific feedback frequencies.

i never knew that about the kick, interesting. It's such a great sound that is so far away from the usual "rock" band feel - like you say, kind of floating.
 
  • Like
Reactions: murphy
Also struck by how much simpler the actual bass line (heard in the Visconti clip and on GM's playing live on Musikladen 1978) is than what I 'hear' on the dense album mix. What I hear is like what this guy plays in his cover, but the actual GM line seems to be a lot more just chugging away on roots, with that lovely flanging/phasing/OD in place. But there's a more mobile second part audible in the mix at times -- possibly a guitar playing low strings or a keyboard rather than bass? -- that sounds something like

upload_2022-9-2_14-47-58.png


and that's what Mr. Isslamow plays (and me too, up to now).
 
Last edited:

Latest posts