jeff schmidt said:One might say an "ACTUAL" answer wouldn't be a guess.
I'm just downplaying my answer, because I haven't done an exhaustive analysis of GL's sound. But, I tried to give him some practical help in the answer.
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Geddy Lee
- Thread starter Andy Flees
- Start date
I'm just downplaying my answer, because I haven't done an exhaustive analysis of GL's sound. But, I tried to give him some practical help in the answer.
My understanding:
He uses DI signals as mentioned above. Clean from an Avalon U5. Dirty from a SansAmp RBI. He also uses a Palmer speaker simulator. Here's a quote form an interview:
"I've been experimenting the last few years, using three different types of speaker simulators and not using any real live amp at all in terms of speakers or mic-ing speakers. Out of a need to develop something that I could use at home rather easily, I developed this system. Presently I am using an Avalon U5 DI Box. That signal then goes to Palmer speaker simulator and then goes to one of two different kinds of SansAmps that I use. I use all three of those signals. One for distortion - the SansAmp. The Palmer gives me a low-end speaker sound and out of the Avalon I get a really deep and clear DI-sounding bass. It gives me lots of flexibility when it comes to mix."
Geddy Lee, Guitar Center interview. Google! Gotta love it!
Note: he used a variety of basses over the years (Ric, Wal, Fender, Steinberger, etc.) but always (IMO) got a killer sound both live and recorded.
He uses DI signals as mentioned above. Clean from an Avalon U5. Dirty from a SansAmp RBI. He also uses a Palmer speaker simulator. Here's a quote form an interview:
"I've been experimenting the last few years, using three different types of speaker simulators and not using any real live amp at all in terms of speakers or mic-ing speakers. Out of a need to develop something that I could use at home rather easily, I developed this system. Presently I am using an Avalon U5 DI Box. That signal then goes to Palmer speaker simulator and then goes to one of two different kinds of SansAmps that I use. I use all three of those signals. One for distortion - the SansAmp. The Palmer gives me a low-end speaker sound and out of the Avalon I get a really deep and clear DI-sounding bass. It gives me lots of flexibility when it comes to mix."
Geddy Lee, Guitar Center interview. Google! Gotta love it!
Note: he used a variety of basses over the years (Ric, Wal, Fender, Steinberger, etc.) but always (IMO) got a killer sound both live and recorded.
THe setup stated above with the Avalon and the Sansamp are Geddy's modern equipment.
On the original recording he went direct with the Fender Jazz w/block inlays, through Ashley pre-amps.
I personally believe Geddy's Rush in Rio and R30 sounds are his best sounds to date, although he plays YYZ better on Exit Stage Left. (Red Barchetta is better on R30, however.)
On the original recording he went direct with the Fender Jazz w/block inlays, through Ashley pre-amps.
I personally believe Geddy's Rush in Rio and R30 sounds are his best sounds to date, although he plays YYZ better on Exit Stage Left. (Red Barchetta is better on R30, however.)
Impress yourselves with all the technological jargon if you must...it's in the fingers stupid.
Good luck copping that sound!
Good luck copping that sound!
I'd say it's about 5% in the fingers and 95% in the equipment for someone like Geddy as far as sound goes.
Come on Till...you know better than that.
You might want to try to establish your own sound and identity on the bass before you criticize players who are light years beyond the level you could ever dream of achieving.
You are a hack and have way too many posts on a website about bassists instead of being a working paid professional. Doesn't reality suck Till? Regardless of any garbage rebuttal you have to this, you will always be an internet bass poser who criticizes people who actually make a living at this.
You might want to try to establish your own sound and identity on the bass before you criticize players who are light years beyond the level you could ever dream of achieving.
You are a hack and have way too many posts on a website about bassists instead of being a working paid professional. Doesn't reality suck Till? Regardless of any garbage rebuttal you have to this, you will always be an internet bass poser who criticizes people who actually make a living at this.
Red Wonder said:
Wow... ha. Alright, I didn't know I was suppose to NOT have an opinion on anything. Everything is great, I'll have to keep that in mind. ALSO famous = good. You're famous? I didn't know that.
MY POINT WAS, if you don't mind, this thread is asking how to get Geddy's tone/sound, not how to phrase like him, not how to attack like him, not what skin lotion he uses.
I've heard plenty of bassists sound like Geddy, not too many play like him. That wasn't a stab at Geddy, I happen to be a huge fan.
P.S. If that isn't kissing Geddy's ass enough, let me know, I'll delete it. Sorry for the inconvience. I'll go work on being famous now, or get my sound famous, whichever one you said I needed to do.
Now, for a non sarcastic one:
This is a forum, I'm allowed to have an opinion, don't get all damn huffy if you THINK I'm bashing your hero, who once again, I'm a HUGE fan of.
I'm in a band, not a famous one, but famous doesn't mean ****
I have a bass TONE that I have never heard before, which isn't famous.
This is a forum, I'm allowed to have an opinion, don't get all damn huffy if you THINK I'm bashing your hero, who once again, I'm a HUGE fan of.
I'm in a band, not a famous one, but famous doesn't mean ****
I have a bass TONE that I have never heard before, which isn't famous.
I apologize immensely.
Just didn't expect something like that coming from you...
Still you need to explain what you meant 95%settings and 5%fingers...
Regardless, you're wrong.
Just didn't expect something like that coming from you...
Still you need to explain what you meant 95%settings and 5%fingers...
Regardless, you're wrong.
OHHHH, that ratio was COMPLETELY false, I'll admit. All I'm saying, Hand Geddy a Rouge bass, plug him in to a Crate practice amp, and see if he has that Geddy Lee sound. I think there is too much credit given to the, "It's all in the fingers" saying.
No hard feelings
No hard feelings
I would say it's about 60%equipment and 40% technique.Attack is and fretting is crucial tone.Like if you had Geddys equipment set up and he played a set with Rush then,let's say,Timmy C comes out and plays a set with Audioslave or whatever they wouldn't sound exactly the same.In my opinion anyways.
jeff schmidt
no longer red carded, but my butt is still sore.
Red Wonder said:
The YYZ bass SOUND is highly distinct in the way it's produced.
listen.
I also have to say to everyone here - if have not been in a studio - working on music - using the tools of production (sorry m-box doesn't count) you are probably not going to HEAR the production element of music and you'll think the sounds you hear are ALL in the someone's fingers. Plead ignorance at least- but don't claim to know what is fingers and what is production until you've ACTUALLY produced something.
The way a person plays is unique and contributes greatly to the sound - I agree.
On a release like Moving Pictures - which is one of the more HEAVILY produced rock albums of its time - there are DISTINCT bass sounds that Geddy had not gotten before - and not went back to since. YYZ being one of them. THAT difference is in the way the tracks are produced.
Please - especially you guys born AFTER this album was even released - Get out of mp3 world - put that track on a nice stereo with decent speakers - put your head in the sweet spot - LISTEN - and then come back here and say THAT bass SOUND is 80% fingers.
on a side but releated note - the latest EQ magazine has an interview with legendary producer Eddie Kramer. He's released a foot pedal that mimicks the signal chain used in the studio to get Jimi Hendrix's signature sound. He ought to know - HE CREATED IT.
