Synth Bass Techniques

[PhilMckracken]

I have a number of synths, each has a few very good and usable bass sounds. I have tried recording bass straight, compressed, uncompressed, through a dbx pre amp, through a Universal Audio 2-610 pre-amp High Z input and line input etc.

I have not yet gotten the right combination to get the bass as punchy as I would like it. For the most part, I am not getting enough gain. By the way, I have alternately used either an HHB Tube Compressor, a Raduis 40 (Ithink its 40 maybe 30...) and/or a Behringer Composer Pro.

The problem ma y be in the synth programs but I don't think so. It is not the sound of the program that is the problem, it is capturing it with enough gain so that there is no distortion and enough headroom. Also, the problem is to capture enough bottom end without the bass becoming muddy.

So, I have been wondering if the use of a direct box would give me the sound I need. Possibly the output of the Synths is not enough. On the other hand, I have been considering a Universal Audio 1176N since I understand this can provide quite a good bass sound.

I am not sure what would be best for a synth bass and samples of real basses.

Any suggestions.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Yo Phil:

I still love and use my Yam DX7 Synth to do stuff. Over the eons of recording and using different types of gear, I got the best bass patches by sometimes tweaking the patch a bit on the synth.

Then, I'd take the bass track, and lower the hi EQ a bit and raise the Low EQ a bit and I'd get a pretty good response on the recorded track.

I don't use reverb on a bass track; it's got plenty of punch. Also, the Yam Synth has a touch sensitive keyboard and I found that by hitting the keys a bit harder I got a nice response.

At present I record on the Yam 2816. But, I still use the same ideas as I did with several other recorders including the MD8.

Hope this gives you some ideas.

Green Hornet