I think a Sub-Bass forum would be helpful because it seems like a lot more bass players are doubling on the Sub Bass often transitioning from one to another in the middle of the song. Very common in the Praise and Worship communities as well as Pop and R&B I would guess.
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Dedicated Synth Bass forum?
- Thread starter lm183902
- Start date
The ambient thread in the effects section definitely gets into this territory but I think it would make sense to have a place for general discussion not necessarily related to ambient noise making.
I agree that the modwiggler site is probably worth a look, but would certainly appreciate a TB/bassists perspective on gear and techniques.
I agree that the modwiggler site is probably worth a look, but would certainly appreciate a TB/bassists perspective on gear and techniques.
I think there could be a decent amount of traffic on a sub forum because it's not just a "FAQ and now you're done" subject. I personally would be in favor of excluding the "bass guitar into pedals synth bass" and only including keyboards. There really is very little good information about keyboard synth bass out there, at least pertaining to live performance. I play probably close to half the songs in an 80's band with a keyboard, so I am always looking for info to do it better. It's a deep subject, so I think there's potential. I suppose someone could start a thread instead of a sub-forum, but it might be a really forward thinking thing to just try a sub-forum, because I think it's only going to get more common.
I could see the usefulness of it. As others have said, a lot of bass players are doubling on synth bass as well and there could be opportunities for people needing advice. I mean, its not like the population at large here would be upset about a whole new topic of gear to discuss: "Which bass synth is best for metal?" "Digital vs Analog?" "Bass Synth replaced my Fender! Help" "Synth Rigs of Doom" Maybe we'll even get a new vegetable out of it. I propose turnips, as carrots are for bass.
Seriously though, I could see good conversations about how to run both a bass and synth rig, from either a logistic or sonic perspective. Getting started in bass synth, recording bass synth, how to cover both on a gig. I don't even play synth, but I do see a benefit.
Seriously though, I could see good conversations about how to run both a bass and synth rig, from either a logistic or sonic perspective. Getting started in bass synth, recording bass synth, how to cover both on a gig. I don't even play synth, but I do see a benefit.
Wow! You want to circle the wagons even before you have a wagon train to circle? Sounds like a great way to alienate many in the TB community and guarantee pushback. If you really want that exclusive an online community your best option is to start your own site. That would quickly determine the degree of interest in the topic and the true size of the interest group. Creating and hosting a forum isn’t that difficult nor does it need to be expensive. If your forum is still active and growing after its first year there’s a good chance you’ might actually be on to something.
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Woah, we're just talkin' here!Wow! You want to circle the wagons even before you have a wagon train to circle? Sounds like a great way to alienate many in the TB community and guarantee pushback. If you really want that exclusive an online community your best option is to start your own site. That would quickly determine the degree of interest in the topic and the true size of the interest group. Creating and hosting a forum isn’t that difficult nor does it need to be expensive. If your forum is still active and growing after its first year there’s a good chance you’ might actually be on to something.
I think @KJMO presents a fair consideration; for all that the goal is of producing synth sounds in music is the same, there are many, many considerations when playing key bass that don't trouble those of us that use pedals to make those sounds.
Wow! You want to circle the wagons even before you have a wagon train to circle? Sounds like a great way to alienate many in the TB community and guarantee pushback. If you really want that exclusive an online community your best option is to start your own site. That would quickly determine the degree of interest in the topic and the true size of the interest group. Creating and hosting a forum isn’t that difficult nor does it need to be expensive. If your forum is still active and growing after its first year there’s a good chance you’ might actually be on to something.
I don't see it as exclusion, just agreeing on the subject. Playing synth bass on a bass guitar is totally different than using a keyboard. I have no use for information about synth pedals, string choice, etc. etc., so I'd rather see the subject narrowed to keyboard synths. I don't understand the attitude because if you followed that reasoning, we would just have one thread called "bass". Categories have to exclude things or they aren't categories.
Maybe that isn't a big enough topic to fill a sub-forum, but even if it's just a thread, I'd like to see it specific to keyboard bass, and hopefully someone could keep people on subject. In a recent thread someone asked about keyboards and he got an answer about bass synth pedals, and that's the kind of thing I would hope could be kept to a minimum (yes, talk bass would be half the size if people couldn't answer questions that weren't asked, but it's a goal).
Ok, I did not realize exactly what a sub-forum is. I was thinking another category like "Basses", "Amps and Cabs". I could also see a case that keyboard is a different instrument, like bass guitar vs double bass. But sub-forums are under a category like "Basses" (there are only a couple that have sub-forums). In that case, I wonder what keyboard bass would go under? I tend to look at categories differently than this site is set up, so it's hard for me to wrap my head around.
I have tried many of those, they are all lame as hell.
I would be totally into a synth bass forum. It would be interesting to discuss different keyboards and how people are using them to achieve different tones.
Yet the Source Audio C4 has been warmly recieved. As well, the Boss SY-1. I’ve yet to try those myself, having concocted a synth sound from various individual boxes, but I do have a Meris Enzo. However, I gave that to my wife as it lends itself better to upper frequencies(she plays the harp).
When I get around to shaking out the couch for loose change I’ll probably get a used C4, but I’m currently distracted by the MXR Layers.
I actually like a handful of synth pedals, but not for the purpose of emulating synth bass tones from records. Sometimes they end up being their own thing, which can be pretty cool.
I ultimately realized a while ago that the only way to get the sounds I was going for was to just get a synth, which is why I thought having a dedicated synth corner on this site could be cool. I was super naive about all things synth bass when I started, from just physically playing a keyboard to learning to program sounds. It might be nice for people starting that journey to have advice and info from other players who have already taken the plunge. And lets not pretend we are going to mind more opportunities to talk about gear...
Again it’s you not having any use for synth pedals. There are others who may. I don’t see why the control interface should make that much a difference. Especially since modern synth pedals contain all the key modules of a keyboard synth such as oscillators, envelopes, filters, triggers, gates, etc.
And by your logic, if categories have to exclude things, then one could argue that a keyboard synth subforum on a site primarily dedicated to double bass and bass guitar is by definition not within the categories this forum is intended for. Which is why I think it might be better to broaden your definition of the synth category rather than just restrict it to your personal preference.
Besides, there’s a good opportunity to encourage players to consider getting a keyboard bass if they’re working with synth pedals should they be welcomed into your proposed safe space.
The keyboard proficiency needed to perform a synth bass line isn’t difficult to acquire. And there are plenty of relatively inexpensive synths that can be used to handle the bass role in an ensemble. Most are far less difficult to work with, and more cost efficient than gearing up to play synth bass lines on a bass guitar. I’ve already converted a few synth effects pedal players over to using keyboards. But I doubt they would have been open to it if I just dismissed their efforts to do it with pedals up front. There’s a lot to be said for the ‘all are welcome’, gentle persuasion, and a lead by example approach.
Or so I think anyway. Just my tuppence.
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Synth pedals are effects. There's already a sub for that. Synth bass is not covered with a sub on TB. We have DB and EB, but nothing keyboard/synth based. It's a different bass, but still bass. I think it deserves a place here.
Tried the C4. Cool tech, but it's just not practicable. The problem with all of these things is response time. The lag is horrible. Even the stuff that gets kinda close, it's still nowhere near close enough. All my work is playing covers, so if I can't get it close to the sound I'm trying to replicate, then it's useless to me. As far as the actual timbre is concerned, I could definitely dial in great sounds on a C4, but they won't play right because the thing is trying to interpret information coming from a bass guitar.
This is even true of the MIDI stuff. I tried the GR-thingy from Roland, complete with the pickup. Response time just wasn't there, and tracking was wonky.
It all ended up leading me back to a keyboard. Some songs just feel RIGHT on a keyboard. Try playing Ain't Nobody on a bass, then try it on a board. It was absolutely meant to be played on a keyboard.
I miss my old SH-101 with the handle that I used to rock in the 80's---I even stopped playing bass guitar for while.
These days I use synth bass a ton for recording, mostly software, but I'm not a modern day live doubler currently. But I think a BassStation is in my future for that purpose.
These days I use synth bass a ton for recording, mostly software, but I'm not a modern day live doubler currently. But I think a BassStation is in my future for that purpose.
Great idea! I’m a lifelong keys player (well before becoming a working bassist), so I’m probably biased, but I agree that synth/keys bass is still “talking bass”.
I have a bunch of synths and keyboards in the collection, but a few standouts I use on bass often are my Moog Subsequent 37 AND 25 (they are actually a bit different!), my Bass Station 2, and the Behringer Toro (Taurus clone), among a bunch of other polysynths I own.
I have a bunch of synths and keyboards in the collection, but a few standouts I use on bass often are my Moog Subsequent 37 AND 25 (they are actually a bit different!), my Bass Station 2, and the Behringer Toro (Taurus clone), among a bunch of other polysynths I own.
Sounds like a great setup! I’m also using a Subsequent 37 for most things, but I also got the Minimoog Reissue last year, which is amazing. I’m definitely partial to Moogs as I think they’re great for bass sounds, but I would love to check out a Sequential Circuits Pro One if I could get my hands on one
The Pro-One is what I went with during my foray into synth bass in the early 80’s. For one thing, in that time it was cheaper than the Moog, lighter, and the layout was more straightforward, at least for me. Soundwise, it was brighter, with not quite as much fat low-end, but that wasn’t too much of an issue. Plus, it had two sequencer patches available (although volatile)that I’d clock with a Roland Drumatix drum machine.
