Non-metal uses for extended low range

[pklima]

Not sure where this thread should really go, so "general instruction" it is, I suppose.

Because I wanted to try some stuff, I set up a 5-string bass with a low E an octave below standard and am doing some very specific recording. I've even tuned that 0.190 string to C and A.

The plan is to record some stuff with it, then trade the bass for a regular 4. However, maybe I could be talked into keeping this bass and the super-low range around. I know there are metal bassists who tune that low, but that's another world. Are there any bassists using extended low range in R&B, pop, Latin, hip-hop etc? And if so, what exactly do they do with it?

To get things started, here's Burniss Travis with a 7-string. (Edit: d'oh, it's just a 6... leaving this up, though, it's a great live hip-hop set and Big KRIT's awesome.)

 

[adje]

Looks a lot like a 6-string, though. With slow grooves like these, you could use an octaver to get those dubby lows (and not worry about latency).

Liking Big K.R.I.T.!

 

[pklima]

Haha, you're right, it's a 6, the slightly asymmetrical headstock and clip-on tuner confused me. Back to square one as far as examples go, then...

 

[bholder]

I play stuff on my E0-tuned Knuckle Quake that definitely isn't metal. More like subterranean blues, perhaps. But I also suck.

Got really good speakers?

 

[Bob_Ross]

There was a guy on TB >10 years ago who was doing a lot of urban funk/jazz/something on super-low tuned basses, not sure he's still a member, goes by the name of Jaquo III-X

 

[Gigas444]

like bholder said in his post, I see an issue in how to reproduce those lows (I play metal and used to tune in F#), you need serious cabs (and subs too), because make that lower tune sound good in blues and funk it's not a big issue (IMHO of course, but I can imagine many songs which will be fuller with that bass tuning, I know this can be considered heresy ), when you want to record only that's not going to be a problem, but while playing live I believe crowd will hear what you play in their "guts" i.o their ears (I mean they will feel the vibes, but not the notes you play)

 

[Les Fret]

I can’t think on other genre than metal where a F# or E0 string would be practical or needed really. Even a synth bass (that has a stronger fundamental than a real bass) doesn’t go that low very often. Maybe to low A or Ab but that’s it I think.

 

[pklima]

I can’t think on other genre than metal where a F# or E0 string would be practical or needed really. Even a synth bass (that has a stronger fundamental than a real bass) doesn’t go that low very often. Maybe to low A or Ab but that’s it I think.

Perhaps not even that often; during the peak of big room house, which had clearly pitched kick drums, a lot of tracks were in A minor as around 50 Hz is the lowest frequency typical systems in large clubs could really reproduce, so that basically lets you have the biggest kick in the club.

IIRC there's a Richard Wagner piece where the double basses are asked to detune to a low Ab, too. Not that those can produce much of a fundamental, but I think that's the lowest note for orchestral strings.

On the other hand, on VI-Control, which is a forum full of media composers who use virtual orchestras and a lot of other sample libraries, there's a thread about the best bass going down to C0, and someone asked for A below that. His reasoning is to be able to play an octave below the guitar, which I suspect might not be needed - at that point, if you have a strong fundamental, playing an octave above the guitar might even be the best way to give it a solid and thick low end.

Having said that, it is kinda fun, if you're doing weird ambient stuff that range would certainly be usable, muted notes that low sound like kick drums, and I do like playing in the "normal" range but being able to double that an octave down sometimes for emphasis, or sliding an octave down from an already low note. Is it "needed", certainly not. Fun to try, though.

 

[Motoboy]

Not bass, but listen to what Junior does with that chromatic harp.

Tuba Mirum is what I say.

 

[Snarf]

Can it help with IBS? If yes then I want in.