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Chill Music - Gettin this Tone?

loungesurfer

loungesurfer

Oct 18, 2009
62
2
Encinitas, CA
#1
Hi all,

I'm looking to get close to the tone exhibited by the two tracks below. I'm a big fan of Chill, Ambient, Down Tempo, etc. and can't seem to get close to the tone typically exhibited in this music.

Smoke & Mirrors - Worldwide Groove Corp:



I believe it's due in part to the strings on my Dingwall ABZ5 - passive. I'm currently using standard Voodoo SS Round wounds which are bright to my ear. So, I was considering going to Tape Wound or Flats. There aren't many choices for the DW. At the same time I don't want to ruin the great tone of my DW and maybe try the above on my Schecter 4 fretless instead.

Would these get me closer or do you have other suggestions? Or maybe the tone is studio concocted!

As a side note - I play everything through a Eden ES210 Combo with no effects. I've tried the SansAmp Bass Driver DI with no luck - maybe just need to spend more time tweeking!

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance - Loungesurfer
 
#3
first off, I will almost guarantee that they are using a keyboard bass--the second sounds a lot like a keyboard sample of an upright bass.

my personal thought is to not use 10s--i think a big 15 will get some good deep lows, as well as having a nice low pass filter (not like a wah, just a filter that cuts out some highs) also, I used an octave pedal with good results where I set the mix to octave only, tone set to 0 and then played an octave up--i got a close approximation to that first song's bass...otherwise maybe a nice tube channel strip or preamp will give you a deeper sound
 
#7
yeah--Bill has been able to play with some excellent musicians, as well as write some incredible ambient/chill/triphop/whatever you want to call it music--if you ever get a chance to get his axiom sound system freezone dvd, i suggest it--it might be relavent to the OP's question haha!

 
#9
I remember reading a BP interview from years ago where Bill Laswell said that he primarily plays a fretless P bass with flats (rosewood FB for what its worth), mostly with the tone rolled all the way off.

He hates finger/fret clank/string noise with a passion if you couldn't tell :D
 
#11
Hey all,

Thanks for the suggestions to my question on "Chill" tone and to Superbassman2000 for the link to Bill Laswell.

I love this stuff and want to play it myself - only as a recreational player. I've got plenty of technique to work on.

Glad to hear others are into this genre also!

Denys (aka loungesurfer)
 
#14
along with bill laswell, check out sound tribe sector 9 -- they are a pretty chill band that plays that kind of music live


for example

I remember reading in an interview that the bass player for STS9 has a really sweet rig with a laptop where he has one of those effect programs and he has over a Gb of different bass tones!
 
#15
:hyper: OMG NEED MORE MUSIC LIKE BILL LASWELL THIS SECOND

I've been a fan of "chill" music genres for my entire life and the linked laswell song blew my mind. It's like a mix of ambient and dub with laid back percussion and the smoothest grooving bass propelling the thing. Please point me in the direction of anything remotely similar (already a fan of STS9).
 
#18
@ loungesurfer.

Yeah those tones are doable; I can get very close approximations of them no prob with my Dingwall ABI-5; ( though my strings are the original set of Voodoo's, 6 years old now) without a lot of effects even.

For those styles of music the predominant effects are filters. Octave and chorus are also widely used. Alot of bass lines are played on fretless or uprights, as well as synths. Also, while being played on electric/acoustic basses, alot of the sounds are heavily engineered as mentioned.

For a low pass filter one could certainly use an older model DOD FX25 envelope filter;(cheap on Ebay/Craigslist, etc. Ive seen them go for between $30-$50)

( I've found models from the 80's and earlier provided the best sound for these types of applications. And this is one method that Bill Laswell uses to help achieve that subterranean bass sound. Even another brand of envelope filter could work as a solution, my Pigtronics EP-1 cops the sound as well.)


May also consider examining ones playing technique. Playing close to the neck and plucking the strings w/ the meatiest part of ones fingers helps.


I tried flats on my Dingwall, liked the sound, BUT... it just didn't feel "right" to me so I put the originals back on. I read recently there are some Labella nickels that were designed to work on Dingwalls so that may be an option to peruse. ( Can get exact info. on the Dingwall forum.)

To be honest I think what is providing the most challenge is your amp. IME, Eden gear isn't known for having a super booty or being Traditional sounding.; it leans more toward modern/Hi-Fi tones. First try a set of good flats on yourfretless. If you can't get close to the sound with that combo, I'd wager it is the amp that is challenge.

May consider stepping up to 2x12 or 1x15 cabs for extended freq. reproduction. Of course there are 10's that can work, like AccuGrooves and other high end cabs, but not everyone can afford those. Could also try adding a 1x15 to your 2x10 (if possible.)

Honestly, I'd be running 15's & 18's if my bank account or my spinal column could afford it. :D


musicandme said:
:hyper: OMG NEED MORE MUSIC LIKE BILL LASWELL THIS SECOND

I Please point me in the direction of anything remotely similar.
Click to expand...


I listened to these genres about a decade ago, but off the top of my head.

Check out these:

Ambient Systems I & II
Abstract Vibes I&II
A Journey into Ambient Groove
After Hours Vol. I-III
Songs of the Siren
Panthalassa: The Remixes ( Miles Davis remixes, feat. Bill Laswell.)

Also releases by:

Massive Attack
Tricky
Portishead
Lamb
Zero-7

There are 100's more I'm sure, but the comps are a good way to familiarize oneself with the style and individual takes on it.
There are also vids on Youtube of the majority these groups.

May want to listen to some experimental dub as well, such as:

Qaballa Steppers
Eastern Dub Tactic
Scarab
Dub Syndicate
Zion Train
Sounds From the Ground
Bill Laswell and Style Scott: ( Spec. Dub Meltdown)
& Just about anything released on DubMission Records

Keep in mind most of these releases are a decade+ old; I'm not too familiar with newer groups that continue to produce in these genres. What I've listed should provide a fairly broad example though.
 
#19
@ 4lPh4n0m3g4

Thanks for all the great suggestions.

On the filter end I'm picking up a used Filter Queen unit for cheap - to get LPF along with others. Also, I'll take your suggestions on technique.

On the 15" cab I'll see what I can find used locally.

To everyone else STS9 sounded great - too bad I didn't know of them two weeks ago when they played at HPB in San Diego.

Thanks again to all - loungesurfer
 

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