Kevin Dean Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 (edited) Are these any good these days ? Thinking about using one when our keyboard player isn't available . Edited August 21, 2014 by Kevin Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Depends really. Playing synth effects with bass can be a bit Lionel messi. Single / root notes is probably best. Digitech bass/synth /wAh is cheap and cheerful . Often sold on here. A lot of multi fx have them already . Depends on the material you play . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted August 21, 2014 Author Share Posted August 21, 2014 I've got that type on my Zoom, I'm looking at something that can play Strings & piano type stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 Mmmm ,maybe something like the sonus(poxy spellchecker), would be more suitable . I like the look of it myself. Think it's called the b2m or something ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r16ktx Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1408636616' post='2532106'] Mmmm ,maybe something like the sonus(poxy spellchecker), would be more suitable . I like the look of it myself. Think it's called the b2m or something ... [/quote] It's the Sonuus B2M. They're usable when playing so as to give a very clean fundamental, I.e. avoiding transients and overtones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted August 22, 2014 Author Share Posted August 22, 2014 what about the Roland GR55 ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted August 22, 2014 Share Posted August 22, 2014 If you stick to playing everything an octave up on the bass (and transpose it back down at the synth) then yeah a GK-3B and a GR-55 works surprisingly well if you get it set up properly. Latency isn't too bad if you play higher up, and tracking is definitely a lot better than it used to be. I've been thinking about getting another MIDI set up, but I can't see myself taking a GR-55 plus all my pedals to rehearsals and gigs, and it won't replace my pedals, and I need my pedals, so that's why I haven't done it. It's purely a matter of luggage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted August 26, 2014 Author Share Posted August 26, 2014 I read somewhere that when setting up the GR55 you have to put the correct scale length of your bass in , as mine is 36" would this cause a problem ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted August 26, 2014 Share Posted August 26, 2014 I have the Digitech Bass Synth Wah.....lots of decent sounds for 35 quid! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted August 27, 2014 Author Share Posted August 27, 2014 [quote name='thisnameistaken' timestamp='1408734005' post='2533113'] If you stick to playing everything an octave up on the bass (and transpose it back down at the synth) then yeah a GK-3B and a GR-55 works surprisingly well if you get it set up properly. Latency isn't too bad if you play higher up, and tracking is definitely a lot better than it used to be. I've been thinking about getting another MIDI set up, but I can't see myself taking a GR-55 plus all my pedals to rehearsals and gigs, and it won't replace my pedals, and I need my pedals, so that's why I haven't done it. It's purely a matter of luggage. [/quote] Can you use a wireless with this kind of set up ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted August 27, 2014 Share Posted August 27, 2014 I didn't, and I would guess not, no. There's six signals coming from the pickup, and as far as I know wireless systems will only carry one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phagor Posted August 28, 2014 Share Posted August 28, 2014 Fishman have just come out with a wireless guitar to Midi converter, but there doesn't seem to be a bass version (yet). http://www.fishman.com/tripleplay/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 The Fishman unit looks fun, but uses a USB receiver which I don't think will pass a signal into a GR55, or a VB-99 come to that. You would need a USB - Midi converter, I think they exist but haven't seen one before. You could use it via a computer to trigger synth samples in something like Studio One or Logic. I reckon it might fit onto a Bass VI, depends on how adjustable the spacing is. I have not found a way to use a wireless with a VB-99, which uses the same GK-3B and 13-pin cable. I don't know about the GR55, but with a VB-99 you can go up to 36" scale length. Unfortunately a VB-99 doesnt' do the kind of string pad and piano sounds that you're looking for, but it does have MIDI out so it might be possible to use that to drive an expander or keyboard. Latency and tracking isn't an issue with a GK-3B by the way: there's no buffering involved. Tracking on the B2M isn't great and you have to be super clean. I'm told the newer i2M is better, haven't tried one of those. If you want to play string pads and piano parts, you will need to be a demon two-handed tapper to keep a bass line going as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1409308275' post='2538496'] Latency and tracking isn't an issue with a GK-3B by the way: there's no buffering involved. [/quote] Latency isn't an issue with the VB99 but it is with the GR models. There's just no way around it, the bottom octave (particularly bottom 4th) of a bass guitar the waveform is so long it takes a little while to figure out what the pitch is, even with the best current software and the cleanest signal possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HowieBass Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 [quote name='pete.young' timestamp='1409308275' post='2538496'] The Fishman unit looks fun, but uses a USB receiver which I don't think will pass a signal into a GR55, or a VB-99 come to that. You would need a USB - Midi converter, I think they exist but haven't seen one before. You could use it via a computer to trigger synth samples in something like Studio One or Logic. [/quote] This is a USB to MIDI convertor http://www.dv247.com/cables/esi-midimate-ii-cable-style-usb-2-0-midi-interface--65367 - but you can't always guarantee that it'll work correctly with both computer and MIDI unit (it only does some of what I wanted to use it for with my Zoom B9 editor software). I can't help thinking that for the playing style you need to adopt with a bass triggering a synth (simple, clean notes) and the possible problems with tracking and latency that it'd be simpler learning how to play some simple lines on a small synth (which is the direction I took when I was more active musically). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thisnameistaken Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 [quote name='HowieBass' timestamp='1409340372' post='2538887']I can't help thinking that for the playing style you need to adopt with a bass triggering a synth (simple, clean notes) and the possible problems with tracking and latency that it'd be simpler learning how to play some simple lines on a small synth (which is the direction I took when I was more active musically).[/quote] I know what you mean but the kit is pretty good these days. If you happen upon someone with a MIDI bass setup, give it a go, you'll be surprised. Once the pickup is mounted right, the bass set up properly and the whole thing paired properly with the synth 'brain' tracking is really solid, the only issue really is latency down low and that seems to be an unsolvable problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted September 2, 2014 Author Share Posted September 2, 2014 Thanks for all the comments . after taking everything into account I've gone right off of the idea but thanks . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basexperience Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 I play a GR55 from a modified Tobias 6-string. Tracking on the low E is fine, and the low B is usable. Expressiveness is excellent. The GR55 contains the capacity to create patches with 2 synth tones, a modelled bass tone (zero latency) and your bass pickups. It's supremely configurable. Gary willis uses one! It also contains 2 effects units so creating sounds is a pretty mind blowing experience. It's possible to have different sounds on different strings - as an example, I'm doing "let me entertain you" as a cover this evening, and the top 3 strings are doing the piano intro, the A and B strings are muted, and the low E is pitch shifted using a modelled P bass up to an F so I can just strike the open string and play the intro part. Then the Ctl foot switch flips to the regular bass pickup ( all this is configured in the patch) for the rest of the song. Outstanding! Don't be put off: try a GR55 with a well set-up GK3B and see what you think. I run the GR55 into a Bass pos XT for other effects. I run the amp flat, only dialling in anything the venue needs at sound check. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annoying Twit Posted September 27, 2014 Share Posted September 27, 2014 (edited) Has anyone tried this? [url="http://jamorigin.com/products/midi-guitar/"]http://jamorigin.com...ts/midi-guitar/[/url] I have the original Sonuus G2M (the original guitar one, and not the latest model). I don't play cleanly enough for it to be usable live. Edit: I tried the MIDI Guitar software (I downloaded the Mac OSX trial). It's certainly very interesting used with guitar (mine are tuned to all fourths so could be seen as mini basses ). I also played it with the higher notes on my seven string. It seems to track from the D string upwards, or thereabouts. The software doesn't have tuning presets for bass, only guitar. I think I'd need to experiment with input level a bit, but the software seems very promising for monophonic lines. You can use the guitar to MIDI converter to drive VSTs on your computer if you get the software to scan for them. IMHO everyone here with guitars or extended range basses should have a go with this software. It's certainly interesting, but like a lot of things, it's a new instrument and it will be necessary (for me anyhow) to learn how to play the instrument. Edited September 27, 2014 by Annoying Twit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 [quote name='basexperience' timestamp='1411813844' post='2563002'] Don't be put off: try a GR55 with a well set-up GK3B and see what you think. I run the GR55 into a Bass pos XT for other effects. I run the amp flat, only dialling in anything the venue needs at sound check. [/quote] The Tobias is still working well then I must admit that I've heard this bass working with the Roland kit and it sounded really nice. Didn't hear any glitching or tracking issues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basexperience Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Have you??? Gigged it last night - "let me entertain you" worked really well: the only enhancement now is to alter the patches so that the synths are output on the stereo line and the bass and modelled bass tones are fed out of the extra mono output. Then I can feed the piano, etc out to the PA! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molan Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 [quote name='basexperience' timestamp='1411894977' post='2563527'] Have you??? [/quote] Only briefly when you picked it up We've still got some screws by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basexperience Posted September 28, 2014 Share Posted September 28, 2014 Ah, it's you! And I haven't forgotten about the screws, I had some spares - I'll call in and get them soon! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted August 28, 2015 Author Share Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) i know I said I wasn't getting one , but I've had the GR55 for about a month now , I'm very impressed with it . It's definitely worth going through the manual & setting every thing up properly including the pick up , & the back up from roland has been excellent . I've put it on my shuker 36" & perhaps the extra string tension helps the tracking ? It won't track 16th notes very well though but on the whole I'm very pleased. if at first you find a sound you like but you think it's not tracking as well as it should , you can probably sort it out via editing . Edited August 29, 2015 by Kevin Dean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.