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Doubling on bass synth -- hardware suggestions
- Thread starter markxander
- Start date
- May 16, 2007
- 3,395
- 4,869
- Disclosures
- Volunteer developer/beta tester with Source Audio, Morningstar Engineering & MORTRIX
Minilogue has three octaves; it’s the Monologue which has two.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).
- May 16, 2007
- 3,395
- 4,869
- Disclosures
- Volunteer developer/beta tester with Source Audio, Morningstar Engineering & MORTRIX
If you don’t mind hooking up a small controller keyboard then stuff like the Behringer Model D, Pro One or Roland SE-02 are good. The Roland Juno JU-06/06A are poly and digital recreations but but do mono too and have a nice easy interface.
On the keyboard side, Korg Monologue, Novation Bass Station II, Korg ARP Odyssey, Moog Subsequent 25/37, Sequential Pro 3.
Don’t discount polys though: the Sequential Take 5 is a 5-voice poly that does great bass and has the classic 44-key layout from the Minimoog.
Even the Yamaha Reface CS can do nice mono bass.
Personally I find anything under 37 keys to be a pain, but your use case may difffer.
On the keyboard side, Korg Monologue, Novation Bass Station II, Korg ARP Odyssey, Moog Subsequent 25/37, Sequential Pro 3.
Don’t discount polys though: the Sequential Take 5 is a 5-voice poly that does great bass and has the classic 44-key layout from the Minimoog.
Even the Yamaha Reface CS can do nice mono bass.
Personally I find anything under 37 keys to be a pain, but your use case may difffer.
- May 16, 2007
- 3,395
- 4,869
- Disclosures
- Volunteer developer/beta tester with Source Audio, Morningstar Engineering & MORTRIX
Hah. I've been considering the Reface DX for some time now.
Another vote here for the Moog Sub/Subsequent 37. Full size keys, 2 osc + sub, noise, and drive, a spectacular Moog filter with selectable 6/12/18/24 dB/oct slopes, duo-phonic capability, sequencer, step sequencer, and lots of routing options. I have the original Sub 37. It's a killer synth in a small package. The Subsequent 37 came out shortly after with a few sonic tweaks.
Wow a lot of advice in here for me to go through!
Some common themes are small keyboard vs polyphony -- polyphony definitely isn't a MUST have for me, more like a nice to have. Another big one is all-in-one vs a standalone unit. For the sake of quick and easy pack up and set up I'd prefer an integrated unit, but it definitely looks like there's more options if you don't mind carrying two pieces of gear.
I'm going to start with some demos of the Moog Subsequent models (that seems like the most commonly recommended one!) and the Novation Bass Station.
Some common themes are small keyboard vs polyphony -- polyphony definitely isn't a MUST have for me, more like a nice to have. Another big one is all-in-one vs a standalone unit. For the sake of quick and easy pack up and set up I'd prefer an integrated unit, but it definitely looks like there's more options if you don't mind carrying two pieces of gear.
I'm going to start with some demos of the Moog Subsequent models (that seems like the most commonly recommended one!) and the Novation Bass Station.
Great suggestions in here so far SO I'll add one more off the wall/outside the box one:
Get a module that suits your needs (If youre an 80s tribute, an old Yamaha TX81Z.... variety band? Behringer K2, etc)
...and get a Playstation Rockband Keyboard Controller
It is a fully functioning MIDI controller including mod control and bend control...AND it is also a keytar. I dont have pics but Ive done this before, especially the keytar use, and it is visually entertaining as well as a conversation piece
Get a module that suits your needs (If youre an 80s tribute, an old Yamaha TX81Z.... variety band? Behringer K2, etc)
...and get a Playstation Rockband Keyboard Controller
It is a fully functioning MIDI controller including mod control and bend control...AND it is also a keytar. I dont have pics but Ive done this before, especially the keytar use, and it is visually entertaining as well as a conversation piece
For a point of comparison, the Behringer Model D ($300 moog clone) and Arturia Keystep 32 ($130) would be an example of a 2-piece kit along with those great all-in-ones you’re looking at. Happy shopping!
I'm JPJ in a Zeppelin tribute band, so I need more than just a micro or mini keys rig. For several songs I play keys with bass in LH.
I use a Korg Kronos. a bit overkill for just synth bass, but that's what I've used for 10+ years for any sound imaginable.
I've always toyed with owning a dedicated synth just for bass, but never pulled the trigger.
A friend of mine has a Fender Rhodes piano bass like Manzarek used in The Doors. That would be a very good, but one-trick pony.
I use a Korg Kronos. a bit overkill for just synth bass, but that's what I've used for 10+ years for any sound imaginable.
I've always toyed with owning a dedicated synth just for bass, but never pulled the trigger.
A friend of mine has a Fender Rhodes piano bass like Manzarek used in The Doors. That would be a very good, but one-trick pony.
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For polysynths that are “small sized”, I agree with the Sequential Take 5 suggestion above. Or perhaps go find an old (relatively) Access Virus Indigo. All the power of the Virus synths, which are modelers that can literally emulate almost any synth sounds, in a cool little 3 octave package.
I double on keys, just basic stuff so I don't need anything fancy. I went with a MIDI controller and plugged it into my iPad and used the sounds on GarageBand. You can find many 31-key controllers for about $100, if you already have an iPad it's an easy way to go. My controller is very light and fits in a backpack.
Edit: Use a 1/8" to 1/4" stereo breakout cable to plug the iPad into a 2-channel DI box (or two 1-channel boxes), then straight to the PA.
Edit: Use a 1/8" to 1/4" stereo breakout cable to plug the iPad into a 2-channel DI box (or two 1-channel boxes), then straight to the PA.
Personally I would go with:
- Controller: Novation FLkey 37 (polyphonic/knobs/pads) or CME Xkey (polyphonic/bluetooth)
- Sound module: iPhone/iPad
- Output to amp: Orange Omec Teleport (or something similar)
- Output to FOH: any DI
TL;DR
Either Korg MicroKrorg, Arturia Microfreak or Behringer MS-1-RD
I do not have nay of those but had them at one point or play tested them. I am recommending them because they are all under 500, 400 and 200 respectively - they have presets (except the MS-I and not monophonic. If you can get them use the Korg Minilogue is even better
I have the Arturia MiniBrute 2 - it has a 2 octave keyboard. All analog and mono. I prefer mono for synth bass. They do not call it the Brute just because, it is very punchy and slightly different philosophy tan Moog when it comes to their oscillators. However Moog guys will say that the Brute circuit is nothing more than the headphone out over drive trick. One thing they have is the Metalizer circuit which set's them apart.
Behringer has some really cool reproduction of classic synths, some have keyboard, some do not.
Even though I favor the analog synths, they usually do not have presets, so may be an issue for you
My favorite is the Korg MS-20, but unfortunately it always need you to do some patching and the sound may change a bit the next day. I consider this to be a desert island synth even though it has mono. I have one and is the only 1 I tinker with on a regular basis.
For more money the Moog Sub Phatty/25/37 are awesome.
Either Korg MicroKrorg, Arturia Microfreak or Behringer MS-1-RD
I do not have nay of those but had them at one point or play tested them. I am recommending them because they are all under 500, 400 and 200 respectively - they have presets (except the MS-I and not monophonic. If you can get them use the Korg Minilogue is even better
I have the Arturia MiniBrute 2 - it has a 2 octave keyboard. All analog and mono. I prefer mono for synth bass. They do not call it the Brute just because, it is very punchy and slightly different philosophy tan Moog when it comes to their oscillators. However Moog guys will say that the Brute circuit is nothing more than the headphone out over drive trick. One thing they have is the Metalizer circuit which set's them apart.
Behringer has some really cool reproduction of classic synths, some have keyboard, some do not.
Even though I favor the analog synths, they usually do not have presets, so may be an issue for you
My favorite is the Korg MS-20, but unfortunately it always need you to do some patching and the sound may change a bit the next day. I consider this to be a desert island synth even though it has mono. I have one and is the only 1 I tinker with on a regular basis.
For more money the Moog Sub Phatty/25/37 are awesome.
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Good choice, but not polyphonic. Like many monosynths it’s possible to dial up patches that use the 3 oscillators to play one finger block chords. You can power it with the supplied wall wart or a USB phone charger. Skip the Behringer desktop monosynths like the Model D Moog clone…no memory, need to add a keyboard (more wires and wall warts on stage).
Korg Minilogue lacks full size keys but they are larger than most “mini keys” and you do get 3 octaves. I owned one for a while and I don't think it sounds that great, but it is 4-voice polyphonic and analog. Has a wall wart.
Behringer DeepMind 6 ($599) has 37 full size keys and other than only 6 voice polyphony it’s the same synth as the pricer DeepMind 12 (12 voices, 49 keys, $799) but smaller. How badly do you need polyphony? The DM 6/12 are OK for bass but the Novation would be better for bass duties. For pads, the DMs will smoke the Novation.
