Sequencer to replace bassist

ZeeOne · Post by **ZeeOne** » Sun Jun 29, 2008 11:32 pm

Our band cannot find a bass player to save our lives, and so we now figure-f**k it.

However, our music does make use of low frequencies and grooves, so we need a sequencer that can store entire songs. It should have good bass sounds (obviously), and it should be footswtichable. It should also (if possible) be less than $1000.

Any suggestions?

Post by **wiss** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:27 am

do you use a real drummer?

do you own a bass?

just get an mpc, write/record the bassline(s)

sequence those in song mode with the correct tempo(s)

store the sequece and samples in the mpc of course

live, just take the mpc out and have the drummer trigger the songs

you can even program live jams

or you can do it with a sequence program and laptop of your choosing.

Bitexion · Post by **Bitexion** » Mon Jun 30, 2008 2:56 am

All the "workstation" keyboards like the Roland Fantoms and Motifs have sequencers you can record every song you have, they also have tons of great bass sounds, not just synth but good samples of real bass guitars.

So with that you could just record your basslines in the sequencer and play it back live. Can quantize too so the rythm is steady all the time.

Laptops are scary to bring on a tour, you never know if it will crash suddenly..I've had that happen, it is embarassing to wait for the machine to reboot and load the files up again while the others and audience waits

crystalmsc · Post by **crystalmsc** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:13 am

a Roland XP-60/80 plus a SR-JV80-10 bass and drum would get you closer for way cheaper than a grand. I got the board and it's great.

Post by **shaft9000** » Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:36 pm

Just learn to play bass.

It will take about a week for any reasonably intelligent/musical person to come to grips with.
It's 4 strings and a fretboard, with a narrow range of variables. Think about it...

I say this because keyboards are thoroughly terrible at emulating them - playing one is an entirely different feeling and process, and will change the vibe of your piece so much it's not worth 'substituting' for.
...and sampling real bass constricts your composition options so i wouldn't wish that one anyone except the strictly "loopy".

reset · Post by **reset** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 1:10 am

Roland TB-303 anyone?

ficusrock · Post by **ficusrock** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 3:28 am

I second the MPC, that's the way I'm going. But if you don't want to deal with sampling or MIDI sequencing an external unit, you may have better luck with one of those Roland things (MC-909, Fantom).

I went from an MPC to an MC-808 and now am going back. The MPC is very intuitive, rock-solid, and fun to use.

sacredcow · Post by **sacredcow** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:05 am

I'd actually recommend buying a micron and having a band member tweak and change the short sequences it can play live.

Hossinfeffa · Post by **Hossinfeffa** » Wed Jul 02, 2008 10:07 am

reset wrote:Roland TB-303 anyone?

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw this thread. Someone using it for what it was intended for.

Bitexion · Post by **Bitexion** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:15 am

The Dandy Warhols warmed up for The Rolling Stones on their stadium tour 2 years ago. A girl was playing a Korg MS-20 all the time, but I couldn't figure out what sound she was playing, coz I heard no real synth sounds. Turns out she was the bassist in the band, and it sounded totally good. I didn't see a bass guitar player anywhere, but heard bass all the time. They are nowhere near electronica or techno, it's a light rock band.
The only times I noticed was when she'd turn the filter up and down manually once in a while. But mostly she stuck in the deep, low bass areas and you wouldn't notice it was a synth at all.

Angstwulf · Post by **Angstwulf** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 4:16 pm

How close to a real bass guitar do you need?

How "live" sounding are your bass lines? ie, can you do with rhythmic patterns or do you want the bass lines to go all over the place?

If you want to "replace" a bassist, go with a keyboard workstation w/ a built in sequencer. In the mix, some of them do a good job at sounding like a bass guitar and you have the option of programming other instrument sequences: synthy stuff, pads, percussions. Maybe a used Fantom or Triton. You should find the lower priced ones for under $1000.00.

If you like the non-guitar and patterned stuff, go for a groovebox like a Roland MC or an Electribe EMX-1.

Or get the best of both worlds and find a used E-Mu MPC or Yamaha RS7000.

adsr · Post by **adsr** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 6:53 pm

if you cant find a bass player, try looking for a keyboard player...

i know a band that had guitar and drums but no bass player. they found a keys player who played a Roland AX-7 thru a Roland JV1080 (or similar). she used a real jazz bass type sound and it sounded great (she was faster in her bass lines then most bass players i know). just a thought...

Post by **Jack Spider** » Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:48 pm

adsr wrote:if you cant find a bass player, try looking for a keyboard player...

A good idea - it didn't harm The Doors, with Ray Manzarek handling the low end on his Piano Bass.

Marching Pig · Post by **Marching Pig** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 3:43 am

My band, The Repetition(http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fu ... =205570487), has no Bass player, I use a Micron (used to be just a Korg TR), triggering short (1-bar) sequences, or playing the groovier/less intense bits. I wasn't too crash hot with my left hand when we started the band (january '07), and had only had about 3 months of piano lessons.

So i'll play sequences with my left, and leads/pads/keys/chords/whatever with my right. Works like a charm

The only recording on there isn't that great, it was done over a year ago with just a TR through a bass amp... but I'll be sure to show anyone who's interested some new ones we're doing at the moment, once they're done.[/url]

kraku · Post by **kraku** » Mon Jul 07, 2008 6:21 am

I also suggest getting a keyboard player in your band who'll play the basslines with a synth. It's also cheaper than your budget limit of $1000

I've had a few gigs with my friends and about 50% of the time I was the one playing bass parts with a midi-controller & synth plugins. Worked great and I love it.

Sequencer to replace bassist

Sequencer to replace bassist

MPC?