Hardware synth for angry bass? :)

dna598 · Post by **dna598** » Sun Oct 03, 2010 11:49 pm

The funny thing is, none of you make this type of music, or know anything about these artists. Yet youre all here expounding the virtues of your knowledge, which in this case is just calling out names of hardware synths.

SO I dont know exactly where you attain your galling arrogance and insolence. Youre actually just being rude. I didnt come in here expecting a fight, (well I did really as some of you people clearly live and die by this forum)

Yes it can be as easy as sticking a distortion after a synth, and some of those artists mentioned are incapable of doing so.

I DELIBERATELEY recommended operator because it has a massive sound pallette once you start experimenting. And it is very fucking good for disgusting bass. And it is easier/more useful to use than my Virus, Juno, etc....which incidentally are hardware.

dum · Post by **dum** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:07 am

you're so right. Robmobius just needs to spend some time experimenting with the oscillator levels and Saturation frequencies.

dna598 · Post by **dna598** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:14 am

dum wrote:you're so right. Robmobius just needs to spend some time experimenting with the oscillator levels and Saturation frequencies.

yes, if he has Operator, he does. He owes it to himself to do so, especially after all the shit youve brought to this thread.

Cunt.

Robmobius · Post by **Robmobius** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:26 am

Hey guys,

Looks like I've opened up a can of worms here.

However, I do appreciate everyone taking the time to answer.

I hear what people are saying about "soft synths" - and I have collected quite a few at this stage. I've been really pleased with some of th "Dark bass" stuff I got out of them. I also know some guys out there who use them to great effect. And make awesome stuff with them (The artist Subfocus springs to mind with NI Massive). And yes! My experimentaiton with soft synths will continue on - I've still loads to learn...

But to my ear (and personal taste) I think hardware is prolly better for the type of sounds I'm after. The artists I refer to, all used hardware back in '97 (as well as EMU 6400 Ultra samplers). I noticed on the Access Virus hall of fame "Optical and Matrix" are both lited there. These guys were legends in the drum bass scene just for people that may not be in the know.

If anyone is interested in the type of sounds I'm after (and could be bothered

) have a gander on youtube for "Ed Rush & Optical" (Their album Wormhole is well worth checking out).

I had heard that Ed Rush & Optical named their record label "Virus" in honor of the Access Virus. In one way, guys here my think I've answered my own question... But I've heard some really nice stuff recently as I was saying... So I'm just looking for the best bang for the buck.

Spending 1000 euros on a Virus or some other synth will clean me out for a long time. So I'd like it to be the best choice.

Anyway, all help is appreciated and thanks again!

Rob.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:39 am

dum wrote:
LeifonMars wrote:SEM?

what a beauty.

IMO this might be the best round about suggestion.
The SEM is a great idea for bass though, huge sounding with nothing else added in!

No LeifonMars I bought an Xpander off ebay a couple years ago, great synth!

SEM demo that shows off the growl, if OP can afford one, this is a beast.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IBC0OUj ... re=related

dna598 · Post by **dna598** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:41 am

To the OP, Sorry about all this. I was only trying to help as I dont see these artists mentioned so often here. And I happen to work in that particular scene.

You should just get an EMU 6400 Ultra/classic, sample any synth (soft or otherwise) and crank the output knob up on it. Then record it. The DAC on it distorts in a way that is quite unique.. Its Long winded and can get quite complicated with all the filters, but that sampler is the sound youre after as far as i can see. Plus they are cheap these days.

In the meanwhile please try out my suggestions with operator/saturator. It really is very good and after time you will achieve some wicked sounds in the box. Personally there is no way I can be bothered to hook up my EMU, as It is possible to emulate it with eq, distortion, etc....

Robmobius · Post by **Robmobius** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:58 am

@dna598
I had considered purchasing an EMU and as you said they are pretty cheap these days (saw a couple on Ebay). I'm still trying to get my head around "Sampler". How does it compare to an EMU?

Unfortunately, I don't have operator. I've been using Massive, Predator and Sylenth, I had purchased them before I was using ableton. But I should, and will continue tinkering about with them.

@Machinesworking
That Xpander sounds pretty damn cool and so does the SEM (reminds me of the Doepfer Dark Energy). Very nice warm but distorted sounds. I'll look into those too.

Cheers,

R.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:56 am

Robmobius wrote:@dna598
Unfortunately, I don't have operator. I've been using Massive, Predator and Sylenth, I had purchased them before I was using ableton. But I should, and will continue tinkering about with them.

@Machinesworking
That Xpander sounds pretty damn cool and so does the SEM (reminds me of the Doepfer Dark Energy). Very nice warm but distorted sounds. I'll look into those too.

Massive is really IMO the beast for bass, it's what all the cool kids are using for Dubstep. You can do it with Operator, but it's not as easy, or IMO thick sounding as with Massive.

Dark Energy is cool, IMO the SEM is even thicker sounding!

The Evolver is still probably going to suit you better, and it's almost half the price of the SEM.
Between the SEM, Evolver and Massive, if you can't get dirty bass???

LeifonMars · Post by **LeifonMars** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 5:56 am

Machinesworking wrote:
dum wrote:
LeifonMars wrote:SEM?

what a beauty.
IMO this might be the best round about suggestion.
The SEM is a great idea for bass though, huge sounding with nothing else added in!

No LeifonMars I bought an Xpander off ebay a couple years ago, great synth!

I'm on the verge of buying SEM, hence I'm asking: wanted to hear some user experiences. I'm pretty convinced, though.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:04 am

LeifonMars wrote: I'm on the verge of buying SEM, hence I'm asking: wanted to hear some user experiences. I'm pretty convinced, though.

If I hadn't decided on an Xpander long before this came out, I would be all over it. Seriously, do you really need any convincing?? The thing sounds like god and costs less than $1K. IMO a much better choice than a Voyager, (though for a live performer the Voyager is still pretty cool IMO) and waaay more versitile than the Little Phatty.
It begs you to set a sequencer to it and start playing with the knobs etc. It's really a lot of work not to just buy one even though a lot of the same sound pallet is possible with the Xpander.

LeifonMars · Post by **LeifonMars** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:19 am

Machinesworking wrote:
LeifonMars wrote: I'm on the verge of buying SEM, hence I'm asking: wanted to hear some user experiences. I'm pretty convinced, though.
Seriously, do you really need any convincing??

No, I don't. I just sold my Prophet 08. I need something to fill the empty void on my desk. No seriously, I love mono synths, they lead my creativity in a certain way because of their restriction, and that turns often into a wider pallette of solutions. I've noticed that with polyphonic synths I end up often with pretty boring and predictable solutions. It's strange, restrictions often end up serving creativity.

rikhyray · Post by **rikhyray** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:40 am

dna598 wrote:Hi there I make dnb of the type you speak of.

With Operator plus the saturator plug-in, you can get absolutely disgusting bass. You just need to spend some time experimenting with the oscillator levels and Saturation frequencies.

The angry does not equal disgusting and the OP asked for angry bass not angry posts, however you are really on the money here. Operator is perfect for "disgusting" sound which is the reason I never ever used it for anything. I respect Henkes wonderful design it is great synth for those who want, like this kind of sound, yet there are some people who dont need, dont want to ever hear such sound - BTW. when I want FM I use whichever real DX.
Which reminds of this one, could be an option:

There is simple trick checking instruments, just like buying electric guitar the first test should be playing it dry, no amp at all, similarly with electronic - checking the "naked " oscillators first.
Above is my personal opinion, experience and practice, anyone and everyone can disagree and I absolutely do not care about it.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:47 am

LeifonMars wrote:
Machinesworking wrote:
LeifonMars wrote: I'm on the verge of buying SEM, hence I'm asking: wanted to hear some user experiences. I'm pretty convinced, though.
Seriously, do you really need any convincing??
No, I don't. I just sold my Prophet 08. I need something to fill the empty void on my desk. No seriously, I love mono synths, they lead my creativity in a certain way because of their restriction, and that turns often into a wider pallette of solutions. I've noticed that with polyphonic synths I end up often with pretty boring and predictable solutions. It's strange, restrictions often end up serving creativity.

That coupled with the fact that most monophonic synths have a dedicated knob/slider or button for every feature. It's a real intuitive way to work.
Only monophonic I have is the Wretch though. I do a lot of monophonic work with a modified Memorymoog I bought when I was a kid though.
Stacking the voices or not, I tend to stick to five or lest notes in a chord on synths anyway.

Synthbuilder · Post by **Synthbuilder** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:48 am

I never really found the Xpander to be that great for bass or fast plucky stuff. I guess that was down to its rather primitive software generated envelopes - complex but laggy. The Xpander is great for pads and other more evolving sounds. The power supply, the displays and the rotary encoders are weak points on these now very old units.

The SEM both old and new are awesome machines. They do not sound like the Dark Energy - which I'd admit does have a later Oberheim feel to it. But the SEMs are raw simplistic machines that can do no wrong. A limited palette of awesome sounds. Bass included - although for me I tended to use mine as a lead synth.

Evolver is good for nasty stuff bass though - but not quite my cup of tea since I don't do nasty bass.

Machinesworking · Post by **Machinesworking** » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:55 am

Synthbuilder wrote:I never really found the Xpander to be that great for bass or fast plucky stuff. I guess that was down to its rather primitive software generated envelopes - complex but laggy. The Xpander is great for pads and other more evolving sounds. The power supply, the displays and the rotary encoders are weak points on these now very old units.

For playing live I would agree they're a bit laggy, but lag is easily made up when writing in Live. I disagree on the primitive part though, the routing pretty much makes the envelopes super useful. Plus coupling them with LFOs and you get these mad crazy generative music patches. Something that still kills CPUs on soft synths.

The actual sound of the bass patches you can get with the Xpander are sweet as sin though!

Hardware synth for angry bass? :)

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