enviropig Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Evening all, I'm posting for some advice... [u][b]Scenario:[/b][/u] I'm trying to get up to speed with synth bass. I want to do a serviceable job at playing Michael Jackson basslines (and other assorted 80s highlights). I know almost nothing about interfaces and music software. At present I just have a Roland Juno-D keyboard which I simply use for fun at home (trying to sound like Toto...that type of thing). [u][b]Question:[/b][/u] Can anyone recommend a basic setup that can be used to produce serviceable synth bass live at gigs? I'm looking for something affordable, practical and simple to use alongside a real bass setup. I'd also love to be able to produce and trigger some loops/backing tracks if possible. I'm thinking I'll need a laptop, an interface device and some fancy software, but I have no idea where to start, or even if this is what I really need. I literally know nothing! [u][b]Budget:[/b][/u] My budget for the whole setup is going to be £500-1000, so it's going to be entry-level stuff. Is this all wishful thinking? Any advice would be appreciated, Enviropig Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lxxwj Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 For triggering loops, I think any sort of Midi-pad sort of thing would work. Such as: http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-FCB1010-Controller-Expression-Pedals/dp/B000CZ0RK6 I'm not any good with synth bass, but I know of a few builders. Robot Factory: http://martoneaudio.com/ WMD: http://www.wmdevices.com/ Iron Ether: http://ironether.com/ There are a few certain pedals I know of as well such as the Akai Deep Impact and the EHX Bass Micro Synth. Other than that, you'll have to ask Shep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 For the sounds that you're after, it would be worth looking at the Roland VB system (the old one). Usually @ £300 or so. You can even play your Juno from it. If you're looking for the more DnB, Dubstep, Electronica type sounds, then you're looking at Octave>Fuzz>Filter & some other pedals to tailor your sound more (can end up costing a small fortune). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted June 12, 2012 Share Posted June 12, 2012 The closest way you'll get to the sounds on the MJ tracks without buying a moog yourself is with virtual instruments & use your Juno as a controller. For example, http://www.arturia.com/evolution/en/products/minimoogv/intro.html This is by far the best Moog VST on the market imo. Almost all the iconic bass sounds on MJ's songs were recorded on 2 modded Mini Moogs. Half the feel of the tracks sounds how they do because they're being played on a keyboard and not a bass. I'm on tour with a Michael Jackson tribute at the moment and getting great results with a Moog Little Phatty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enviropig Posted June 12, 2012 Author Share Posted June 12, 2012 Hi guys, thanks very much for your advice - much appreciated. I hadn't really considered the V-bass before, but it may be worth a good look. I also really like the look of the Arturia Moog VST. Would just have to choose an appropriate interface device for my Juno, and some decent software! Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JakeBrownBass Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 [quote name='enviropig' timestamp='1339531591' post='1690145'] Hi guys, thanks very much for your advice - much appreciated. I hadn't really considered the V-bass before, but it may be worth a good look. I also really like the look of the Arturia Moog VST. Would just have to choose an appropriate interface device for my Juno, and some decent software! Thanks again. [/quote] The Arturia Minimoog is a standalone program as well as a plugin for your DAW. So if you have a interface your ready to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike257 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 [quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1339497260' post='1689204'] I'm on tour with a Michael Jackson tribute at the moment and getting great results with a Moog Little Phatty. [/quote] Wow, awesome gig to get, I tip my hat sir. So many classic songs and excellent baselines! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enviropig Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 [quote name='JakeBrownBass' timestamp='1339583697' post='1690842'] The Arturia Minimoog is a standalone program as well as a plugin for your DAW. So if you have a interface your ready to go. [/quote] That's fantastic - I'll give the standalone option a go and will see how I get on. Much obliged, and also a tip of the hat to the MJ gig! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 +1, works a treat and are cheap as chips 2nd hand [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1339453130' post='1688857'] For the sounds that you're after, it would be worth looking at the Roland VB system (the old one). Usually @ £300 or so. You can even play your Juno from it. If you're looking for the more DnB, Dubstep, Electronica type sounds, then you're looking at Octave>Fuzz>Filter & some other pedals to tailor your sound more (can end up costing a small fortune). [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1339453130' post='1688857'] For the sounds that you're after, it would be worth looking at the Roland VB system (the old one). Usually @ £300 or so. You can even play your Juno from it. [/quote] Not sure about that. I don't think the v bass does midi out. I think you need one of the roland guutar synths for that (vg20/vg33/vg55). Someone who knows more may be able to correct me though. Been sorely tempted by a v-bass myself recently. Was impressed by the one i played a few years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 [quote name='Bigwan' timestamp='1339705915' post='1693210'] Not sure about that. I don't think the v bass does midi out. I think you need one of the roland guutar synths for that (vg20/vg33/vg55). Someone who knows more may be able to correct me though. Been sorely tempted by a v-bass myself recently. Was impressed by the one i played a few years ago. [/quote] I think you might be right there. Just read that the V Bass (not VB 99) doesn't transmit note data through midi. My guitarist/singer has a Roland GI-20 & has a GK3B on a cheap bass & a Godin guitar & uses it to play either a MicroKorg or a Yamaha Synth. Sounds pretty good too & the tracking is as good as an analogue octaver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted June 16, 2012 Share Posted June 16, 2012 [quote name='xgsjx' timestamp='1339706663' post='1693240'] I think you might be right there. Just read that the V Bass (not VB 99) doesn't transmit note data through midi. [/quote] I can confirm that you can't use a V-Bass as a synth controller - just about all you can do with the Midi is save patches. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 (edited) Starting to talk myself into a vbass too... Don't know what has happened to me, i used to be such a plug and play purist! Edited June 17, 2012 by Bigwan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mornats Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Check out Scott Devine's video about his pedal board. I was watching it earlier and he can get some pretty good synth bass tones out of his bass with some of his pedals: [url="http://scottsbasslessons.com/gear/the-pedal-board.html"]http://scottsbasslessons.com/gear/the-pedal-board.html[/url] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigwan Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 Yeah the oc2 + distortion sounds good. Not as struck with the markbass synth though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hen barn Posted June 17, 2012 Share Posted June 17, 2012 hi, I'm currently playing an 80s band and using a old korg g5. it works for me!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
enviropig Posted June 18, 2012 Author Share Posted June 18, 2012 Hi guys. Thanks very much to all of you for your suggestions - I'll investigate the options and will see which looks best. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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