Repeating Notes, different pitches

[SparkyNZ]

When you say "strings playing in the background" are you talking about stringed instruments, like cello, violin, etc.
If so, they are likely using heavy vibrato, which is a technique that slightly changes pitch in a rhythmic pattern.

I play a little violin, and my playing didn't sound "violin like" until I learned to do vibrato. It is used much more than you think to get that classical sound.

They're synth pads/strings - either a Massive or Spire patch.

Interestingly enough.. when I first piece my tunes together (using Renoise) I tend to use an old Dimension Pro bass patch. It always sounds out of tune to me but I don't worry because I know I'll always replace it with my bass guitar anyway.

 

[BassBrass]

Oh I'm totally with you on that one. I'll post a few clips when I get round to it to show what I mean. I've reached the "I've had enough and need a break" point with this tune.. time to turn to another hobby for a couple of days I had a good run at recording bass for 4 tunes lately. Then I hit this riff and it's just been frustrating. Sometimes it's a good idea to walk away for a while.

Good, I can't further define what a "perception artifact" is, but taking a break is the answer to 90% of problems. I'm a many projects in different stages person. In different locations, different (related) skills too.

 

[Killing Floor]

Check your bridge. The harmonic at the 12th fret should be the same as the fretted 12. Not flat or sharp. It's fairly easy to adjust and you can't break anything trying.

 

[Lobster11]

Good, I can't further define what a "perception artifact" is....

He explained this in an earlier post in which he said (as I had suggested in a still-earlier post) that:

It's an illusion. I have some strings playing in the background and these are giving the effect that the bass is shifting pitch. The strings do have a bit of phasing going on and possibly do shift pitch a little.

That is, the apparent change in sound between two identical bass notes is an "illusion": The bass notes are actually the same, but they are perceived as different against the changing background: i.e., strings that "have a bit of phasing going on and possibly do shift pitch a little."

I'm all for setting aside something frustrating and coming back to it later, but it seems to me that the problem is in the background recording of the strings, and the solution is to change that rather than anything on the bass.

 

[SparkyNZ]

He explained this in an earlier post in which he said (as I had suggested in a still-earlier post) that:

That is, the apparent change in sound between two identical bass notes is an "illusion": The bass notes are actually the same, but they are perceived as different against the changing background: i.e., strings that "have a bit of phasing going on and possibly do shift pitch a little."

I'm all for setting aside something frustrating and coming back to it later, but it seems to me that the problem is in the background recording of the strings, and the solution is to change that rather than anything on the bass.

I had a listen this morning to what I'd recorded lastnight. Even though I was about to throw in the towel for a day or so, I have to admit it didn't sound too bad this morning. The experiment with the capo definitely paid off though.. in fact it's made me lazy. I recorded some more riffs using the capo earlier - one less finger to move in my riffs - doesn't worry me as long as I get the end result though.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Hey at least you're consistent.
It could be pressure, the harder you push down the sharper the note.

And yes a day away from recording always puts things more in perspective.

 

[sawzalot]

You could be inadvertently slightly bending the string, or applying more pressure to the fret, or applying pressure to the neck, any of which would change the pitch of the note.

Also check the height of the pickups. If they are too close to the strings, the magnetic pull from the pickups can do strange things to the pitch.

 

[JimK]

Technique.
Same fret? Technique.

A B is a B is a B. Only difference in timbre, is how and where you hit the string.

I was thinking maybe technique. I have noticed some players with their fretting hand fingers more straight vs. arched...will sometimes bend the string a bit. Makes that "B" slightly sharp/out.

 

[JimK]

You could be inadvertently slightly bending the string, or applying more pressure to the fret, or applying pressure to the neck, any of which would change the pitch of the note.

Yes!