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Which plug-in?

J

jpizzay

Guest
Jan 10, 2012
36
0
#1
I have Logic Pro X and i'm wondering if I need a different plug-in to get a Richard Bona/Tal Wilkenfeld tone. Right now i'm just plugging in my Sadowsky Metro 4 > Apogee Jam > Mac (Logic Pro X) > studio headphones.

I was able to dial in some decent tones from the DI in the bass amp designer. In fact I use the "Avalon U5" only because i'm not very good with using the parametric eq on the amps. But it still feels like it's missing something. When i play with a iRealb track it kind of gets lost in the mix. Is there a separate plug-in I need to get or just some simple eq'ing?
 
#8
I've tried the amplitude fender amp and from what I've tested it's definitely extensive. I'm just looking for a clean, smooth tone. It seems a lot of these programs are geared toward 'rockers' and vintage enthusiasts. I guess what looking for is simpler and modern. Kind of like an Aguilar tone hammer 500 amp. I'm actually more impressed with Pro Logic X's bass amp designer.

It could also be my lack of knowledge on effects. I usually just back off on the mids a little and keep everything else flat pretty much.
 
#9
Ok so I've tried amplitube fender, amplitube 3, mark studio 2, and pro logic bass amp designer. I must say Pro Logic and Mark Studio produced the best clean bass tone. At least in my opinion they work great with a jazz bass (like my Sadowsky).

Amplitube mostly produced good rock compressed tones. Not my thing.
 
#10
I'd try the TBP-1 Bass Preamp or the Gallien-Krueger MB 150 S. You'd be surprised at the clean bass tones. Saying AmpliTube is just for compressed rock tones is far from the truth because AmpliTube is super flexible with tone.

A few more clean bass tone amps:

360Bass Preamp - Based on Acoustic® 360™ Bass Preamp
Orange® AD200B MK 3
B-15R (My go to bass tone)
Fender Bassman 300 PRO - Based on the Bassman® 300 PRO Model which used to be made by SUNN before Fender bought them.
Green BA250 - Based on Trace Elliot® AH250™ Head
Any of the SVTs sound GREAT clean. Especially with the Slash Booster pedal. Get some crazy clean harmonic tones that sing!
 
#12
I just got the Mark Studio 2 by Overloud, and it beats anything else hands down. It models all the Markbass bass amp line.

I have Ampeg SVX, Guitar Rig and Amplitube, and for bass the Mark Studio 2 is by far the best sounding bass amp sim. I also bought the Markbass Compressore. I am now really happy with my bass tone.

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(I have no association with these companies)
 
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#13
Are you trying to recreate that type of tone solo, or in a mix.

If solo: Hearing a reference from a mix will be deceptive on your ears. What sounds warm and smooth in a mix will often sound midrangey and harsh when solo'd.

If in a mix: Sounds like you need more mixing experience. There's no real magic to Tal's tone other than some EQ and compression to make it sit in the mix. No amp, no amp modeling requires. That's not to say that you couldn't use those to achieve the desired results, but I'd stick to the basics. Logic Pro X's stock plugins are very good. The Channel EQ is great for subtractive EQ, and the compressor is very versatile with the different circuit types, and the triangle at the bottom that allows you to adjust variables like the clipping behavior.

My general starting point for that type of tone using stock Logic plugs:

Channel EQ:
HPF @ 80hz with a 12db/oct rolloff
LPF @ 4khz with a 6db/oct rolloff

Compressor:
Circuit: FET or VCA
Ratio: 2:1
Attack: 10ms
Release: 600ms or Auto
Clipping: Soft
Threshold: As needed to catch transients and just a little more

Second Channel EQ:
Boost with medium wide Q (0.71 is the default, so go just a little wider) at a frequency just above the bulk of the kick drum's response by about 2-3db. Add a second, slightly narrower boost by 1-2db in the upper midrange around 1-2khz for some presence.

That will likely sound bad on its own, but will be a great starting point in a mix.
 
#14
Jeremy James said:
I just got the Mark Studio 2 by Overloud, and it beats anything else hands down. It models all the Markbass bass amp line.

I have Ampeg SVX, Guitar Rig and Amplitube, and for bass the Mark Studio 2 is by far the best sounding bass amp sim. I also bought the Markbass Compressore. I am now really happy with my bass tone.

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(I have no association with these companies)
Click to expand...


I COMPLETELY agree! I have been using it for a week now (demo) and i'm amazed by it. I will agree with the other poster in that Logic Pro X's stock plug-ins are also very good.

I've been tinkering with both and at this point and have found my tone in the last place I ever thought...Midrange. I cut 30-80hz and increase the low mids and mids, and slope off the high mids and highs. All this time i've kept the bass either flat and it sounded too thick and boomy in the low end. That being said i'm still on the fence about buying Mark Studio 2, a bit pricey. Maybe if I find it cheaper...
 

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