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Help me to get this bass sound (not easy)

N

Nicolher

Mar 7, 2014
12
10
#1
hello
I hope my title was catchy enough to get you in here :)
A nice version of this song by the great young Jacob Collier
I'd like to build a sound close to the one in the video (skip to 1:16 for more bass) for some songs of the new project I'm playing in.



I hear some synth, sub basses and possibly compression but I was not able to reproduce this sound with the gear I have
(Basically a mooger fooger 101, bass octaver and compressor)
I already asked the question in the comments of the video but it's like a message in a bottle..
I need to get that sound !! Please help me with good advices on how to get it :)
(Gear + some settings if possible)
Thanks in advance !
 
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#2
I think you need to be more specific about what part you're trying to reproduce.

Up until about 3 minutes in it's just a P bass (or PJ bass in his case) with the tone rolled off. I can't tell if it's rounds or flats, but the way he's getting those harmonics makes me think rounds or brand new flats. It's probably got some compression on it.

When he switches to the Spector he's got a synthy tone going on. Whether it's just a synth pedal or a combo of octave/filter/fuzz I can't tell.
 
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#3
Dave W said:
I think you need to be more specific about what part you're trying to reproduce.

Up until about 3 minutes in it's just a P bass (or PJ bass in his case) with the tone rolled off.
Click to expand...

Nope, I disagree sorry

Dave W said:
When he switches to the Spector he's got a synthy tone going on. Whether it's just a synth pedal or a combo of octave/filter/fuzz I can't tell.
Click to expand...
Yes I said I heard the synth the octave etc but I need more specific answer!
(Settings etc)
There is more synth in the second part but you can still hear the settings of the first sound underneath the synth

Thanks for answering anyway :)
 
#4
Apart from the slick playing, it's a synth doubling the bass.

The synth is at the same pitch as the bass, so an octaver won't quite give you that sound. Also the synth is a mellow sawtooth sound, compared to an hollow square you get from an octaver. I would try a synth pedal with a filter that can be turned halfway down (like an SYB 5, an EHX Bass Micro Synth, Markbass Super Synth) blended with your bass sound.
 
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#5
Nicolher said:
Nope, I disagree sorry
Click to expand...

K. I think you're confusing all of the other stuff that's going on with bass. That recording it not just vocals, bass, and drums like it shows in the video.

Yes I said I heard the synth the octave etc but I need more specific answer!
(Settings etc)
There is more synth in the second part but you can still hear the settings of the first sound underneath the synth

Thanks for answering anyway :)
Click to expand...

I'm sorry that I can't give you a more specific answer. Without knowing what he's actually using anything we tell you would just be a guess. There are a ton of effects out there.
 
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#6
Did you try popping him a message or a comment asking. Some people can be jerks about it. But many people who post videos are glad to share how they did something. Worth a try. And better than speculating endlessly if you don't have to. I'm a firm believer in the maxim: Don't reinvent the wheel - steal the plans instead!
 
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#7
Phagor said:
Apart from the slick playing, it's a synth doubling the bass.

The synth is at the same pitch as the bass, so an octaver won't quite give you that sound. Also the synth is a mellow sawtooth sound, compared to an hollow square you get from an octaver. I would try a synth pedal with a filter that can be turned halfway down (like an SYB 5, an EHX Bass Micro Synth, Markbass Super Synth) blended with your bass sound.
Click to expand...
Ok so you think he overdubbed that bass with a synth? If you're right, I can get close to the sound he gets (with a synth pedal) but never exactly there I suppose ?
 
#11
It's just straight bass the whole way through, no octaves filters or synth, that's from other instruments sometimes not shown
The funky filtering that comes in around 1:45 is guitar or high up 2nd bass track
 
#13
The drones at the beginning could be done with any bass and judicious use of the volume knob or a volume pedal if need be. There's a synthy texture to it, but it's got so much low passing or high shelving happening, it probably doesn't matter.

When the bass kicks in around the 0:50'ish mark, as others have said, it's just a relatively clean bass tone with the tone/treble control rolled off. It probably has some compression, but that could just be the mix. All the other "stuff" you're hearing is being generated by other instruments and/or synths.

When he switches to the Spector, it's just the same rolled off tone/treble control recipe, and possibly an envelope filter set very lightly to soften the attack of the notes (you can hear it as he rolls through some of his licks).

So what I'm left wondering is: Which part of his tone are you trying to capture? The tone of the PJ? The Spector? The synth parts being played in the background by other instruments? None of it is particularly difficult to achieve. Be more clear and you'll get a more clear response.
 
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#14
silky smoove said:
The drones at the beginning could be done with any bass and judicious use of the volume knob or a volume pedal if need be. There's a synthy texture to it, but it's got so much low passing or high shelving happening, it probably doesn't matter.

When the bass kicks in around the 0:50'ish mark, as others have said, it's just a relatively clean bass tone with the tone/treble control rolled off. It probably has some compression, but that could just be the mix. All the other "stuff" you're hearing is being generated by other instruments and/or synths.

When he switches to the Spector, it's just the same rolled off tone/treble control recipe, and possibly an envelope filter set very lightly to soften the attack of the notes (you can hear it as he rolls through some of his licks).

So what I'm left wondering is: Which part of his tone are you trying to capture? The tone of the PJ? The Spector? The synth parts being played in the background by other instruments? None of it is particularly difficult to achieve. Be more clear and you'll get a more clear response.
Click to expand...

+1 You nailed it. Clean bass all the way through.
I think they key for the soft attack on the Spector is simply because it's a fretless (possibly flats) or are my eyes and ears deceiving me?
 
#17
Nicolher said:
Ok so you think he overdubbed that bass with a synth? If you're right, I can get close to the sound he gets (with a synth pedal) but never exactly there I suppose ?
Click to expand...

Yes, overdubbed. But I'm not sure which came first - bass or synth. My feeling is bass first, which he then copied almost exactly on the synth, including all the slides - impressive. Almost - there a few places where they don't match exactly which is why I'm sure there's a synth too.

He really is a talented fellow, great mastery of time and harmony. He plays live with Robin Mullarkey who is an incredible UK bass player with a similar jazz/neo soul style - I wonder if it rubbed off on Jacob.
 
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#18
JollySpudd said:
Have you considered trying to ask him?

Get in touch | Jacob Collier

"To ask a question, offer free food, give some feedback...."

Although, if he tells you, he might have to kill you :p
Click to expand...

This was my first thought. Bass ayers tend to be pretty good people for the most part. You could prolly get the whole recipe from him.
 
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