Bass Guitar Simulator

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Dr.Bootleg

Dr.Bootleg

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Hey guys! I'm just getting back into playing electric guitar and I would really like to find a way to simulate bass guitar to fatten up some songs I'm working on. I don't have access to a bass currently so I'd like to (sadly) fake it somehow if I can. Now, from what I understand you can do this by using various software, VSTi's and the like, or possibly by using an Octaver pedal. I would prefer using something like an Octaver pedal or some kind of bass simulating pedal. Any experience with this sort of thing? Suggestions? (Yes, I know I should just pick up a cheap bass, but right now that's financially out of the question).
 
I bought the Boss OC-3 with this exact purpose in mind and it sucks for trying to make a guitar sound like a bass.

Probably the best way is to record a dry, clean electric or acoustic guitar part and then use a software pitch shifter to drop it down an octave or two. This creates a pretty convincing picked bass sound. Then add some compression and see if you can get it to fill out the low end.

There may be a pedal out there that does a convincing bass sound, but I'd bet that you could get an SX bass from Rondo for less than the pedal would cost.
 
There may be a pedal out there that does a convincing bass sound, but I'd bet that you could get an SX bass from Rondo for less than the pedal would cost.

Exactly what I was thinking...
 
Try a harmonizer...behringer has the US600 for $30....and instead of just doing octives it does 3rds and 5ths and just harmonizes...just put the wet effect out on the track...its not real...but pretty good simulation.
 
Hey guys! I'm just getting back into playing electric guitar and I would really like to find a way to simulate bass guitar to fatten up some songs I'm working on. I don't have access to a bass currently so I'd like to (sadly) fake it somehow if I can. Now, from what I understand you can do this by using various software, VSTi's and the like, or possibly by using an Octaver pedal. I would prefer using something like an Octaver pedal or some kind of bass simulating pedal. Any experience with this sort of thing? Suggestions? (Yes, I know I should just pick up a cheap bass, but right now that's financially out of the question).

do you know how to post the songs you want bass on? a bass player could record a track for you to use.
 
do you know how to post the songs you want bass on? a bass player could record a track for you to use.

Never tried to post any songs yet. I just started a new project so I don't have much of anything finished yet. Interesting idea though. I'll keep that in mind. :cool:

I'll look into that harmonizer pedal. :)
 
NOTHING works but several things get by. Octavers - you'd need a good one that tracked really well & then you'd have to do a lot of work on the result.
 
get a digitech whammy. it's the best for simulating bass on the guitar.

Outside of that there's the Electro Harmonix Octave Multiplexer, but it's a piece of shit.
 
Digitech Wammy: $199 list

Squier P Bass: $199 list.

you can easily walk out of a GC with a Squier P Bass that will kick ass for $120. If you can't afford that, learn how to collaborate with bass players on the internet.

Absolutely. I've got a Digitech Whammy. I've also got a few basses. I'd rather record bass with my cheapest bass ($159) than my Whammy any day of the week. It's a no brainer.
 
Used off brand basses are usually pretty cheap - I picked up an Alvarez at a local pawn shop for $75. It works great. I don't have (or need, right now) a bass amp - I plug it directly into my audio interface or a preamp with a HiZ input. I heard it's generally a bad idea to plug a bass through a guitar amp, btw.
 
If you can program a midi bass line, you can play it with a VSTi, like the yohng 4Front bass, which is free.

I did this for quite a long time and still do it for drafts. The VSTi mentioned is really good (was the latest one I used), and only the fewest people will even recognize that it isn't a "real" bass... because the fewest concentrate on the bass when listening to music. Just do the midi-track right.

Probably the best way is to record a dry, clean electric or acoustic guitar part and then use a software pitch shifter to drop it down an octave or two. This creates a pretty convincing picked bass sound. Then add some compression and see if you can get it to fill out the low end.

This can also lead to very convincing results. One of the downsides is, however, that you don't hear what it's gonna sound like while tracking.

There may be a pedal out there that does a convincing bass sound, but I'd bet that you could get an SX bass from Rondo for less than the pedal would cost.

The best solution. Added bonus: you can say "I also play bass" :p
Seriously - you can only benefit from playing another instrument, even if it's very close to the one you already play. And I bet your basslines will also be better when tracked with a real bass.
As you usually can plug it directly into your audio-interface, recording bass is relatively easy.



... I'm looking forward to the day when I finally track real drums. :D
 
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