fuzz + ? = synthy keybass

[mattq]

i'm looking for something to alter the overall character without going into washy variations like a wah or envelope filter. something that is reminiscent of a moog playing a bass part. a good comparison would be the main bass part in radiohead's "all i need." i'd like to sound like that for a couple songs i'm doing, so does anyone know how to get that?

 

[kevteop]

You might get that from just an OC-2 into a fuzz.

 

[Jared Lash]

You might get that from just an OC-2 into a fuzz.

+1

I play that line all the time at practice. FWIW I can get very close with an OC-2 and the Bass Micro Synth.

 

[The Lurker]

+1

I play that line all the time at practice. FWIW I can get very close with an OC-2 and the Bass Micro Synth.

+1

 

[warwick.hoy]

+1

+1

 

[The Lurker]

actually, just as a follow-up, I have found it helps when you compress the signal before it goes to the octaver... helps sharpen the attack so on, makes it sound a little more like a keyboard.

 

[dantheman6690]

Does it have to be an OC-2? Don't have my fuzz here at school but was wondering if i could use the octaver on my bass synth wah to get a similar sound or if it needs the second added tone from the OC-2 to sound more like that.

Edit: Really actually haven't used the octaver much so I can't remember if it has more than one added tone but I'm assuming it only has one.

 

[Jared Lash]

Are you talking about the EHX BMS?

Really, as long as it's an analog octaver, you'll get close.

I liked my old EBS Octabass in "Low" mode for this song.

 

[markjazzbassist]

for synth i like

bass -> octaver -> fuzz -> envelope filter -> amp

you can get some great textures with the right stuff. especially with a gated fuzz (lovetone big cheese, subdecay flying tomato)

 

[dantheman6690]

Are you talking about the EHX BMS?

Really, as long as it's an analog octaver, you'll get close.

I liked my old EBS Octabass in "Low" mode for this song.

nope. I meant the Digitech Bass Synth Wah. Pretty sure it's digital so it probably won't get the right sound, but I'll be sure to test it out when I get the chance anyway.

 

[kevteop]

nope. I meant the Digitech Bass Synth Wah. Pretty sure it's digital so it probably won't get the right sound, but I'll be sure to test it out when I get the chance anyway.

I've never tried the BSW but others have said the octaver is the best thing on it. Definitely give it a go - no point shelling out for another pedal if you've got one that will already do the job.

 

[fightthepower]

The octaver is the best feature in the BSW in my opinion. I think it sounds better than the sub octaver in the HOG (and micropog by default); very good tracking and a bit dirtier than the (x)OG's, and still with a bit of warmth despite being digital.

 

[mattq]

hmm. i'm kinda having a hard time understanding this one. granted i haven't tried it, so i really don't know. but speaking strictly from my theory standpoint, how does an extra octave equal "synthy key bass?" or is that the secret i've just never understood before? i figured it would just be some kind of weird filter in addition a fuzz. i really didn't think it would any kind of oscillating effect either, like an auto-wah or something. maybe that's just not how i'm used to hearing those kinds of pedals (bsw, bms, deep impact)

 

[dannybuoy]

Also try fuzz > octave and octave > fuzz you may prefer one over the other (I prefer the former, but many people never try it as general consensus is to put pitch tracking effects early in the signal chain).

 

[katri]

Filter>B:Assmaster>Eq gets pretty synthy.

 

[Big John]

Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synth is the way to go!!!

 

[Projectile]

I'm hearing something like a ringmod or a brassmaster in that radiohead bassline. There is some weird added upper harmonic content going on that isn't just an octave pedal IMO.

 

[fightthepower]

hmm. i'm kinda having a hard time understanding this one. granted i haven't tried it, so i really don't know. but speaking strictly from my theory standpoint, how does an extra octave equal "synthy key bass?" or is that the secret i've just never understood before? i figured it would just be some kind of weird filter in addition a fuzz. i really didn't think it would any kind of oscillating effect either, like an auto-wah or something. maybe that's just not how i'm used to hearing those kinds of pedals (bsw, bms, deep impact)

This works by replacing your original signal with the octave- So by playing farther up the neck, and using only the octave tone generated from your clean tone (no dry signal) as a base to then put through other effects.

For instance, when you try this out, do it two ways- First play a Cmaj scale starting from your low G- using your bass+fuzz+filter. Then add in a suboctave effect with no dry signal and play the same scale an octave higher, so starting on the E string at the 15th fret instead of the 3rd fret, and again it's suboctave+fuzz+filter.

This should sound much closer to a keyboard synth, as the generated suboctave you're fuzzing (shaping) and filtering is closer to that which a keyboard would produce. I think the shape of the octave's wave and lack of harmonics has something to do with it as well, though I haven't fully grasped all of the technical stuff yet myself- Point is, it works!

 

[JohnDavisNYC]

that's a tough sound... totally 'ROYGBIV' off of 'Music Has the Right to Children' by Boards of Canada...

it is definitely a synth, not bass. if i were going for that sound i would use OC2, Woolly Mammoth, Moog LPF, and probably a Rotovibe for the pitch modulation.

the key is getting the filter at the right position in terms of how open or closed it is... there is some key tracking going on, so higher notes have a more open filter than lower notes, so it requires some careful foot action.

john

 

[kevteop]

there is some key tracking going on, so higher notes have a more open filter than lower notes, so it requires some careful foot action.

Do you think maybe that's a static BP filter that the lower notes just don't reach?