Can't figure out this distorted tone...

[Scottyharp78]

Hello all! First post here. I've been teaching myself home recording and mixing over the past year. I also have been writing music for a new project I'm working on. Heavily influenced by one of my favorite bands, NOMEANSNO. I LOVE how NMN uses the bass as a lead instrument and the guitar more to just fill in some color.

The problem I'm having is trying to replicate the sound of Rob's bass itb. I know Mixing between the high end of the bass and the guitar is going to be important here, and I understand how dialing in a bass tone by itself doesn't guarantee it will work in the mix, but I'm just curious to get some ideas from you all about the sound you're hearing in the linked track. A place to start with regards to tone, EQ, compression, etc.

I know Rob used to use a Marshall 3530 (playing live, dunno what he recorded with) and a p-bass. I'm playing on a Sterling (Music man) Sting Ray and straight into the daw. I have plenty of amp sims, my fave right now is Neural DSP Parallax.

Thanks in advance for the info!

NOMEANSNO reference:

 

[Basslice]

I dunno the player, but it sounds like he is going through a lot of pedals and effects. Start with a dirt pedal and crank the amp and the mids. I like it. Good luck.

 

[Basslice]

p.s. Also hammer/pick/finger the crap out of the strings....

 

[cheapbasslovin]

This reminds me of the Steel Leather, a bass expander with a freq centered around 1200hz-ish? I can't rember exactly. Basically it's an envelope controlled boost at the specific frequency.

I only played it once, but it was definitely a clank machine and I'm hearing a clank machine.

 

[Killing Floor]

Sounds a lot like a really hot signal slamming a bass amp.

 

[silky smoove]

What I’m hearing is pretty thin in the upper bass and lower midrange, fat everywhere else and a lot of presence in the lower portion of the upper midrange. Add some amp’like drive and you’ll be most of the way there. Probably some low passing either in the box or via a tone knob on the bass. The tone isn’t very dynamic so using a compressor with a moderately fast attack to hit the drive harder will help. It’s also worth noting that the bass is panned to the left a bit in spots which makes it more present but also makes the mix feel lopsided in spots. When it’s panned back to the center you can hear it sit further back in the mix but that lopsided feeling goes away. Interesting choice. I find it a little obnoxious in headphones but on speakers it doesn’t bother me. Also, and perhaps most importantly; This tone is all neck pickup. You’ll have a hard time with a Stingray if you absolutely want to nail the vibe.

 

[Watchootognbout]

It kinda sounds like D.D.Verni's bass in Overkill's "Where It Hurts"


He is the "King of Clank"

 

[Stylee Mousse]

I'd echo the idea that a P-bass is a big part of Rob's sound.
Having seen them live many times I have two observations:
His live sound is so close to his recorded tone that the majority of the recorded tone has to be from his amp.
And again, the fingers, Rob plays HARD. That amp is being pushed. I'd skip messing with too many pedals and see what an amp (even a guitar amp) will get you.

 

[tothemax]

That "King of Clank" video seems to get right to it. Guitars move over...

 

[Stylee Mousse]

BTW - "King of Clank" gets points off for crediting a 1988 album for originating a bass sound all over Killing Joke's first album, as played by Youth. That was a huge influence on me as a young man - chased that tone for years. Metallica covered that tune for a reason.