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Guitarfreak 30 September 2009

I don't have a bass to use and I'm far too lazy to program all those MIDI notes when the results don't sound nearly close to a bass. I would much rather plugin my guitar DI and process the signal somehow. I am using Logic so any plugs would have to be Mac compatible and in AU format. I have tried Pitch Shifter, Vocal Transformer and Time and Pitch Machine. TPM has gotten me the closest, but it still doesn't sound like a bass. For all I know it could be impossible, but I can't be the only person to want/try this so there's got to be a way.

Thanks

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apstrong Wed, 09/30/2009 - 18:24

Ive heard you can detune severely and use something like the Electro Harmonix POG. This is supposedly what the white stripes do (if you search for more info on them, you might get more detail on the exact setup). I imagine the best solution is always going to be a real bass, even a dirt cheap one.

Anyway, with detuning, an octave shifting device, and maybe a digital bass amp modeller, you might get in the ballpark.

ps. You can simulate the sound of my bass, man, but you'll never simulate the drool coming out of my mouth.

dvdhawk Thu, 10/01/2009 - 08:16

You may come across some interesting sounds trying to simulate a real bass. That might be fun and inspire some creative songwriting - always a bonus. But, I don't think you'll ever get that driving hard-rock / metal bass sound that would be able to hold up against your guitar style. Anything you do to process a guitar down an octave will only take away from the attack you'll need for those aggressive bass tones.

I'm all for having fun experimenting with new/weird tones, but in the end I have a feeling you won't be satisfied until you tell us "I ended up scouring the local pawn shops for a cheap bass."

Oh yeah, and even if someone hands you a free P-Bass, you will be faced with the challenge of not playing the bass like a guitar player.....

Guitarfreak Thu, 10/01/2009 - 09:46

Yeah I called it. I know I'm going to have to pick up a bass of some sort. I sniffed around Guitar Center for some cheapies but it seems that their cheapest models are like $399... sorry, I'm in the market for a $50 special. I guess I'll have to sniff around the used section my next visit there. It just needs to stay in tune, I can replace the pickups to make it sound special right? At least that's how guitars work. I might even look up some basses on Rondomusic.com

I haven't the first clue on bass pickups. I have done some research but they don't even cite magnet type. There doesn't seem to be any 'ceramic high output' equivalent for bass pickups. I guess I could always go EMG active? Has anybody had any experience with taking a DI of a bass with active pickups?

jg49 Tue, 10/13/2009 - 12:20

I don't know about Craig's List where you are but around here people seem to think crap used musical instruments are worth 80% of list. Jusy yesterday there was a Jay Turser Strat that was listed used for about $45.00 more than you can buy it new including shipping. I have cruised the lists on a fairly regular basis for over a year and haven't found much I considered a value but then again I wasn't looking for a junk bass. I have had much better luck with pawn shops if I visit weekly.

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