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Doubling on bass synth -- hardware suggestions

markxander

markxander

don't fret instrument repair, kitchener ON
Supporting Member
Jan 15, 2012
192
234
Kitchener, ON
dontfret.ca
#1
Not sure if this is the right section or not. I'm looking to add a standalone bass synth and not sure where to start. I'm a pretty good keys player so it'd be easier for me to just play on a keyboard instead of dealing with pedal latency or midi pickups or whatever.
  • I'd like something relatively small and light, but reasonably close to full sized keys (only an octave or two needed)
  • I'd either go direct or run it into my bass amp and cab
  • Polyphony/the ability to do some pads and chords and stuff in addition to fat bass lines would be excellent
  • I don't care if it's analog or digital
  • An onboard sequencer isn't necessary but it would be a plus
Is anyone here doubling on synth bass? What hardware are you using?
 
#2
I did for some years when I played guitar. I was mono though with a moog little phatty and some Roland pk-5 midi footy keys.

oh yeah, I guess I did a version of that band running midi, trax and software instruments from logic on a MacBook. The moog was also used there for sounds and as a controller usually set to low note priority.

there are too many cool synths out there. Be like Zia from the Dandy Warhols and use a mS-20!
 
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#3
Korg microKey Air, a collection of iPad apps (most of the time I’m using the excellent Korg iWavestation app), and an OMEC Teleport. The OMEC lets me play through my normal bass rig, and toggle between an actual bass and the keyboard bass.

The MicroKey air is very convenient, with its built in Bluetooth LE. But the mini-keys are very mini, and have a cheap feel. I keep watching the market for a nicer feeling 25 or 37 key unit with built in Bluetooth, but haven’t found anything yet.
 
#6
Full size keys, two octaves, and polyphonic is a rare combo. You might be able to find a Korg MicroX with a bit of looking. It's basically a late model Korg Triton with no sequencer and a 2 octave keyboard. Not to be confused with the Microkorg.
 
#9
Take a look at the Deepmind 6. The biggest drawback will be the keybed coming from your keys background, but if you can overlook that (or buy the desktop version and plug in your own keys) it's very powerful and can do most of what you asked
 
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#10
I've got a little Alesis Q25, 2-octave, full size keys MIDI controller.

I've got a Korg Volca bass (analog synth) that gets some monster sounds if you're patient/persistent with the knob twiddling. I'm more likely to just take my laptop and use the digital sounds in mainstage though.
 
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#13
I did the key bass thing for a while. I’d strongly recommend going with something that has 37 keys. I learned the hard way that I hate having to frequently hit the octave switch on those little 25 key boards when playing live.

Moog is where it’s at for classic synth tones but they’re heavy, expensive, and mostly monophonic. On the VA side I used a Novation Ultranova for a while and liked that. I also played a Roland GAIA and enjoyed having the robust surface control layout.
 
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#14
Behringer Poly D is an awesome synth, very cool MiniMoog clone with some extra features, extra oscillator, sequencer, midi, and distortion and a Juno chorus.
Currently I’ve got a Korg MS2000 and that is also an absolute bass monster and it does so, so much more.
Arturia Minifreak is a great suggestion as well, I had a Microfreak and loved that thing, that capacitive touch key bed was weird but great. It was awesome for blipping the pitch slider and jumping blazing fast around the Key bed.
 
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#15
I own a Korg Minilogue Bass. I got one last year but I mostly use it for spacey stuff (not doubling bass) as it can also load standard Minilogue patches. I’m quite ok with anything keys and the smaller keys and 2 octaves range don’t bother me at all. Polyphony is 4 voices as it’s an analogue synth.

Feeding it through an Echolette NG-51 S tube tape delay and Boss Chorus CE-2. The sound is quite dry if you don’t use any effects to fatten the tone. Going then through guitar tube amps (3) :).
 
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#16
Probably no longer relevant, my experience with synth rigs is from the 80's.
I went from a MiniMoog, to a Moog Source (for the instant patch changes) to a MemoryMoog.
That was heaven, and heavy.
18 oscillators, 6 note polyphony, multiple splits on the keyboard, instant and programmable patch changes, tuning stable, and fat, fat, fat.
Teamed it up with the Moog Taurus foot pedal midi controller (to get my "Squonk" vibe on when needed)

Lovely bit of kit, but big and heavy.

Did I mention it was FAT?

Wish I could be of more help.
 
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#17
For mono bass synth stuff, I heartily 2nd the vote for a Moog Subsequent 25, or the 37. I have both. Surprisingly they are not the same engine, so it’s not just a matter of keys and more presets. The 37 is far more fully featured, but that little Subsequent 25 has got some juicy Moog tone magic in it. It’s a straight work of art when it comes to basses and leads.

Lower budget mono go-to is the Novation Bass Station 2.

Not very many 2 octave poly’s. They usually start at 3 octaves. I hold my poly suggestions if you HAVE to have only 2 octaves.
 
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