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Right direction for Synthy stuff?

So at church lately we have been doing songs every now and again with synthy basslines. Think Muse's "Madness" without the wobbles. I did a little looking on youtube and am thinking about getting an affordable octaver + synth (i'm thinking the digitech bass synth wah) to get a similar vibe... am i on the right track?
 
Definitely on the right track! However, there are soooo many options for synth bass sounds.

Basically, it's like saying "I wanna go to Tokyo," and I say, "Well, go west. It's in Asia."

Turn knobs, flip stomps, and trust your ears.
 
I think the digitech has an octaver built in. I think it sounds ok on it's own, but I had problems cutting through the mix with it, plus it has some weird glitchyness, which is good for some things, but annoying other times for me.

The pedal I have been relying on for quite a while is the Source Audio Multiwave Distortion Pro. It's not technically a synth pedal, but it works great

However, a good distortion plus octaver is not a bad combo.
 
I LOVE the Digitech synth wah! It's got a perfectly glitchy octave. It use the "sub bass" setting alone to do a Moog like sound or add some distortion for over the top stuff.
Great price and a great place to start. I don't really like many of the other sounds on it (on their own) but, you can make some work with a little EQ and distortion. Maybe an envelope filter too.
I think the poor tracking is what gives synth sounds that perfect artificial voice.
 
I use the Zoom MS-60B for that exact same purpose. Almost every track on Hillsong's latest album has a synth core to it.

Seriously love that new "Zion" album! Been doing bits and pieces of it and other songs ("Let It Be Known", "Search My Heart remix", etc) that require me to get synthy (and by "requires me" I really mean "I finally get to go off with my sounds!")

My current fav synthy sounds are all based off of an octaver, an od or fuzz, a chorus, a tremolo, and sometimes a Meatbox.
Depends on how sick the sound needs to be.
If you're talkin dubstep, I'll kick on the octaver, od, tremolo and Meatbox. It's NUTTY.

If you're talkin a slightly less angry synth, the octaver (with the direct octave turned off, just the suboctave on), and an od or fuzz. Really gets nice!

For a smooth and chill synthy sound, the octaver (with the direct signal on and the suboctave on) plus the chorus plus a tiny bit of "wobble" from the tremolo (or a good bit of reverb or delay instead) can really sit well in a mix. For added boom I'll kick the Meatbox on for the bridge/up-chorus of the song.

Just get creative!
 
I've joined the crowd and have also been experimenting with synth tones lately for worship music. I've settled (for now) on an Aguilar Octamizer with a Swollen Pickle (fuzz) and digital delay/reverb. I'm using this combo mainly for synthy swells (with a volume pedal) and it seems to work pretty well. The Octamizer by itself can get pretty synthy, depending on how the suboctave filter is used.
 
Regarding the digital route, you might want to consider the SA Pro Bass Envelope Filter paired with the SA Pro Bass Multiwave Distortion. Definitely a pricey option - but I think you will probably be able to get whatever synth sound you desire (have not yet bought either yet, but I've read good things on many threads)

Here is an example: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed] go to #8

As far as analog goes, after looking through an insane amount of demos and threads i agree with:

What you want is the EHX Bass Micro Synth. It has a superb octaver and it does all the synthy stuff while still sounding analog. Great pedal.

Looks like the most versatile analog bass synth with a manageable price tag.

I will own both setups when funds allow.
 
There are two models of the EHX BMS available used - the old, big box 12v model, and the new, smaller 9v one.

The old ones are supposed to sound better (I have one and it's brilliant) so they go for more money.

But the new one is smaller, easier to power and true bypass, so I would go for that one if I were buying now.

Old:

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New:

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Right now there is the midi guitar version. But a midi bass version will follow I'm sure. Anyway I use the guitar version on bass. It does not work on the E string up to A. But other than that it is MIGHTY...

You simply take an A/B box route between you bass amp or between the laptop wich allso goes to the bass amp. Now push A for regular bass and B for synth bass.... ROAAAKS...