Korn

[LSMFT6]

I always thought his tone changed (for the worse) in the Untouchables album. Before that, he had a unique thing going. The intro breakdown/verse part of Got the Life is still one of the most recognizable bass tones I've heard, huge part of Korn's sound.

I've heard plenty of covers where they detune, cut the mids and boost the lows and highs, but I've yet to hear anyone really nail his tone.

 

[mouthmw]

Ross Robinson probably had a lot to do in creating their sound. I dig their first 5 albums. I guess there's a bit of nostalgia about it now, but I can dig it.

 

[schaechtele]

Nothing related to the sound of Korn, but it seems that Fieldy is currently substituted by Ra Diaz.

 

[JesterR]

A lot of folks might not remember or can't relate but when that first Korn album came out there was nothing else like it. It was 180 degrees different than the mainstream Blink 182/Matchbox 20/Sum 41 of that time. Then much like the Nirvana effect a few years prior, every new band tried to sound like Korn.

Their first album is 1994, so definitely not too much Sum 41. I also doubt that Blink 182 was mainstream that time

 

[mmbongo]

Their first album is 1994, so definitely not too much Sum 41. I also doubt that Blink 182 was mainstream that time

meh, those are just the most generic bands I could think of

I did think that Korn was later though, like 1996 or so. I've felt for a long time that 1994 was the peak for recorded music, maybe the best year in history. Adding Korn to that list makes 1994 even stronger

 

[FaithNoMan]

meh, those are just the most generic bands I could think of

I did think that Korn was later though, like 1996 or so. I've felt for a long time that 1994 was the peak for recorded music, maybe the best year in history. Adding Korn to that list makes 1994 even stronger

Some of the things their singer mumbled reminded me of one of my favorite singers when I first heard them, then later on I found out Korn was friendly with both related bands, and they had a chord they called the "Bungle chord". And the lead singer also mentioned Chuck Mosely quite a few times.

 

[FaithNoMan]

A lot of folks might not remember or can't relate but when that first Korn album came out there was nothing else like it. It was 180 degrees different than the mainstream Blink 182/Matchbox 20/Sum 41 of that time. Then much like the Nirvana effect a few years prior, every new band tried to sound like Korn.

I think you mentioned some of the most generic bands of that time. There was so much good music. And although Korn was no slouch, there was a lot of original talent that a lot of bands took after back then.

I never wanted to burn rubber or destroy stuff to Blink 182, Matchbox 20, or Sum 41

 

[FaithNoMan]

meh, those are just the most generic bands I could think of

I did think that Korn was later though, like 1996 or so. I've felt for a long time that 1994 was the peak for recorded music, maybe the best year in history. Adding Korn to that list makes 1994 even stronger

I was 16 right around that time, in 1993. My first concert was in Daytona Beach Ocean Center seeing STP after the Purple Album with Meat Puppets as their opener. Drove too far up north and took A1A back along the coast listening to a Rush a thon on the classic rock station the whole way.

What a great time.

 

[Dincrest]

Along with what others said, I believe Fieldy also keeps his action quite low for that extra bit of clank.

Tuning your 5-string down a whole step (to ADGCF), scoop the mids, boost the bass 'n treble, use a more "loosey goosey" slap technique (unlike, say, Victor Wooten's tightly focused slapping), and you're pretty much there.

If you watch Korn live vids with Fieldy vs. the shows where Ryan Martinie subbed in, there is a huge difference. The shows with Ryan sounded too tight, too focused, and too good. Ryan is a very taut and technical bassist whereas Fieldy is a more relaxed player.

 

[JesterR]

meh, those are just the most generic bands I could think of

I did think that Korn was later though, like 1996 or so. I've felt for a long time that 1994 was the peak for recorded music, maybe the best year in history. Adding Korn to that list makes 1994 even stronger

Well Korn roots more go to early 90s with grunge meets with alternative rap-rock crossovers with RATM, faith no more, snd peppers.
Also there was first wave of pop punk there with Offspring and Green day.

And in later 90s Korn and Limp Bizkit create definiteley one of the most cringe-worthy subculture. And rise of second wave of pop punk was definiteley response on too much "angsty kid" vibe of nu metal.

Surely Nu metal absorbs some cool musicians, like Wes Borland, Fieldy, bassist from Mudvayne.
But I would not give too much credit to this scene.
Just types of MTV youth culture of that time.

 

[theunknowndude]

Can't add too much more than what has already been said…
I agree when Korn first came out they were unique and despite the fact it's not a normal eq / tone, it made the albums stand out.
I go for the first three albums out of nostalgia / uniqueness - kind of lost me after that.

Kinda sucks he left but then he doesn't seem to care as still plays in his other band still well… will have to see what the new album is like…

the only "effect" parts I did want to emulate was how he got that 808 kick drum boom slide thing so well, more than just downtuned and eq seems something else like a lpf or something… think it was in BBK or children of the Korn or something but he did it live so I'm assuming it's him and not a sample.

 

[mouthmw]

the only "effect" parts I did want to emulate was how he got that 808 kick drum boom slide thing so well, more than just downtuned and eq seems something else like a lpf or something… think it was in BBK or children of the Korn or something but he did it live so I'm assuming it's him and not a sample.

Can you give a timestamp? I know they used a trigger for the 808 kick on the intro of Blind (around 30 seconds in). Is that the tone you're thinking of? I do think his bass tone at times wanted to emulate the 808 thing though, so it's possible it's not a trigger in those songs you mentioned.

 

[LSMFT6]

There are a few other instances (mainly from Issues) where his tone gets REALLY dark and brings to mind the 808 sound, none of the signature clack at all, mainly during the verses of certain songs. I always suspected he did that by playing really softly and deliberately not "clicking" the strings, but I'm sure there's some studio magic involved too.

 

[TodaysTomSawyer]

Can you give a timestamp? I know they used a trigger for the 808 kick on the intro of Blind (around 30 seconds in). Is that the tone you're thinking of? I do think his bass tone at times wanted to emulate the 808 thing though, so it's possible it's not a trigger in those songs you mentioned.

I always liked the 808 slam starting around 15 secs into Ball Tongue. The first time I saw them play it live he hit that bass slide with it @2:27