KVR Audio

philthy_mpc · Post by **philthy_mpc** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:14 pm

I'd like to get close to the sound in Parliament Funkadelic's "Flashlight" or something similar to this:

Dam-Funk:

I have Reason 4 and NI Pro-53. Any help is much appreciated!

Philthy

v1o · Post by **v1o** » Tue Dec 08, 2009 11:23 pm

I thought you were gonna post some House tune when you said Phat bass.

MOK19 · Post by **MOK19** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:09 pm

What sound are we listening for? What time in the song can we hear it best.
The bass part I hear seems to be a saw. Just a saw. Nothin special going on with it.

himalaya · Post by **himalaya** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:26 pm

Yeah, it is a full-on saw with the filter opened up. I would experiment with adding a sub oscillator to your saw, try a sine, or square an octave below the main sawtooth. Also, don't forget you are listening to a finished song which has been mixed and mastered. That 'fat' bass sound was very likely compressed and equalised, perhaps boosting lows and highs, which always adds body to the sound.

longbongsilver · Post by **longbongsilver** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:35 pm

Referring to the Dam-Funk one, glancing at this (it's in japanese, but the names of his equipment are english) & this interview with him suggests it's either the Alpha-Juno or the Jx3p, the end result of either going to tape.

The sound itself is really simple, what makes it stand out is saturation. Try doing a similar sound w/ Thor in Reason & sending it through a Scream.

breakmixer · Post by **breakmixer** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 9:44 pm

philthy_mpc wrote:I'd like to get close to the sound in Parliament Funkadelic's "Flashlight" or something similar to this:

Dam-Funk:

I have Reason 4 and NI Pro-53. Any help is much appreciated!

Philthy

Try the Tal Elek7ro plugin, wicked for Electro Funk basses on the cheap...

http://kunz.corrupt.ch/?Products:VST_TAL-Elek7ro

Real Grooves Audio · Post by **Real Grooves Audio** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 10:06 pm

longbongsilver wrote:Referring to the Dam-Funk one, glancing at this (it's in japanese, but the names of his equipment are english) & this interview with him suggests it's either the Alpha-Juno or the Jx3p, the end result of either going to tape.

The sound itself is really simple, what makes it stand out is saturation. Try doing a similar sound w/ Thor in Reason & sending it through a Scream.

I have another post which answers a similar question, but the first thing you need to do is understand how EQ and Compression shape and alter sounds.

Synth sounds in particular tend to sound sterile and a bit lifeless when used right out of the box. It takes a bit of trial and error to get "that" sound.

That being said, a plug in like PSP's Vintage Warmer (or any really good vintage compressor plug) will go a long way to help you achieve that fat analog-to-tape bass sound you're looking for.

Hope that helps.

philthy_mpc · Post by **philthy_mpc** » Sun Dec 13, 2009 11:39 pm

Thanks for all the responses guys. Not to sound like a total noob, but what are some good compression settings for synth bass. Also, which frequency ranges typically sound best boosted and which cut for the kind of synth bass im looking for. Thanks again guys.

Philthy

fceramic · Post by **fceramic** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:18 pm

I'm a huge fan of Damian's work myself.
I would recommend using the Subtractor for those gritty sounds and then add a good amount of tape compression from Scream. Turn down the speed to give it that darker funkier sound.

"Killdat" is an excellent example of how wickedly funky synth basses can sound.

If everything fails, just get Lizard's jx3p refill or Reasonbank's Analog Nights (this is by far the best synth refill ever made).

deaneager · Post by **deaneager** » Tue Feb 09, 2010 3:24 pm

philthy_mpc wrote:How can I get a REALLY FAT synth bass?

Philthy

Use a 16:9 monitor, but set your display mode to a 4:3 one; your synth will look a whole 33.33% fatter.