How Can I Recreate the Michael Cassette Bass Sound?

[SubtleT]

Hi everyone, Michael Cassette is a producer who I've really got into recently, and one thing I've noticed about his tracks is that he uses pretty much the same bass sound in all of them. And to be honest, I can see why. It's a really plucky, funky synth bass that cuts through the mix nicely, but at the same time is not overpowering.

I was wondering if any of you wonderful musicians might be able to help me recreate it.

I have a couple of examples:
1. - the sound comes in at about 1:42, but you can hear it in its clearest from about 4:00
2. - it's the bass that comes in at 1:05

It really is a fantastic sound, I'd be eternally grateful if you could help me recreate it.

[osiris]

I LOVE M. Cassette...

[deep-cold]

i also wonder how to make that bass sound. Maybe there is some detune/stereo saw bass on top and sine for bottom end? I wonder if they use minimoog v for bass. i just cant get that kind of sound with moog.

I hope someone has idea??

this is also good example.

[soul_junkie]

Sounds to me like a preset from Trilogy called 'Cosmo Decay'.

Reasonably simple to make though...

3 x OSC's

OSC 1 = SAW -12


OSC 2 = SAW -11.90 (-12 but detuned +10 cents)

OSC 3 = SAW =0.10 (flat but detuned -10 cents)


AMP ENV

A = 0
D = 75
S = 100
R = 25

FILTER = LOWPASS

CUTOFF = 0 (all the way down) and maybe a touch of resonance if you want.

FILTER ENV

A = 10
D = 40 (or to taste)
S = 0
R = 100

Send amount = 100 (or a little less if you think its too bright)

Unison (4 voices min) and maybe a touch of chorus, and you should be there.

It's essentially a big angry detuned saw lead that's filtered down to a plucking bass.

Hope that helps

[Mindscramble]

Sounds to me like a preset from Trilogy called 'Cosmo Decay'.

Reasonably simple to make though...

3 x OSC's

OSC 1 = SAW -12


OSC 2 = SAW -11.90 (-12 but detuned +10 cents)

OSC 3 = SAW =0.10 (flat but detuned -10 cents)


AMP ENV

A = 0
D = 75
S = 100
R = 25

FILTER = LOWPASS

CUTOFF = 0 (all the way down) and maybe a touch of resonance if you want.

FILTER ENV

A = 10
D = 40 (or to taste)
S = 0
R = 100

Send amount = 100 (or a little less if you think its too bright)

Unison (4 voices min) and maybe a touch of chorus, and you should be there.

It's essentially a big angry detuned saw lead that's filtered down to a plucking bass.

Hope that helps

Hi, complete newbie here so forgive me for any stupid questions but tried applying the above settings on Thor using Reason 5 (only software I've got at the moment) and it sounds nothing like what it should. Are you able to translate the above into Thor settings?

For example you've put -12 on the first Saw tooth, is this the detune?

I'm also very into michael cassette & would love to be able to recreate not only the bass but also the glacial cool synths he uses on Shadows movement - any advice (reason 5 remember - I guess I'm the only one on here using it?).

Thanks guys in advance

[soul_junkie]

OK, I'm not a big reason user (maybe someone else might help out) but I'll break it down a bit and hopefully that will help!

The -12 is in 'semitones' so essentially 1 octave down. Detuning is done in 'cents' (a decimal fraction of 1, so detuning 10 cents is like detuning .10 of a semitone). This allows the OSC's to move out of phase and not stack symmetrically on top of each other, giving a thicker sound. Think of it like building a brick wall - you don't stack the bricks straight up, you overlap them. You can detune in both directions, so for instance a 3 OSC sound you might leave the 1st OSC flat, then detune the 2nd by +10 cents, and the 3rd by -10 cents.

You can use the semitone tunings to create a chord, or add an OSC an octave higher or lower. Very useful for opening up sounds without worrying about playing those notes.

The ENVelope settings I gave are essentialy in %. So when I say S (Sustain) at 40, this just means 40% - so turn the dial (or slider) to 40% (where 100 is open and 0 is closed)

Hope that helps

[Mindscramble]

Thanks mate, that actually makes more sense as I was trying to apply the settings based on the notches on each slider and it didn't make a nice sound.

Really appreciate your help - what software do you use btw and how long have you been producing? (just had a quick listen to "say it"....nicely done!!!)

Cheers

[soul_junkie]

I use logic mate so alot of the synths that are bundled with it get a workout from me (mainly the ES1, ES2 & ESP - as well as most of the effects).

My main goto synths are NI's Massive, Rob Papen's synths, FabFilter Twin and of coursed my outboard synths.

[DrWashington]

Michael Cassette is actually two people, neither of whom are actually named "Michael". I agree, great stuff tho!!

I first heard their work on Balance 013 - SOS with the track "Shadow's Movement". Brilliant work, that!

[soul_junkie]

I first heard their work on Balance 013 - SOS with the track "Shadow's Movement". Brilliant work, that!

Yeah that was their first release (I think) the b-side of that 'Fox & The Shooting Star' got a thrashing from me back then.

Think they've got an album either out or coming out.

[Mindscramble]

I use logic mate so alot of the synths that are bundled with it get a workout from me (mainly the ES1, ES2 & ESP - as well as most of the effects).

My main goto synths are NI's Massive, Rob Papen's synths, FabFilter Twin and of coursed my outboard synths.

Yeah Logic is on my radar, but need to save for a Mac first but definitely the stuff I've heard made on Logic sounds way better than what I've heard produced on Reason (unless someone can show me otherwise).

Are the goto synths compatible to feed into logic (or do you have to record seperately using these synths)? Cheers for the advice - btw following you on soundcloud now, "lovin your work" as they say

[soul_junkie]

Yeah, Logic runs AU (Audio Unit) plugins, so anything that supports that format is usable in Logic. If you use FXpansions VST to AU wrapper you acn also run VST's (I have a few really old plugins that I use like this, that were never updated to AU format)

Outboard synths are quite easy to use in Logic as well. There's a tiny little plugin that comes with it called "External". You insert this as you would any synth and al it is is 2 drop down boxes, 1 where you select the audio channel your synth is coming into your soundcard on, and the other the midi channel. This then allows you to play an outboard synth like a plugin. There is also a plugin called I/O (In/Out) tha allows you to send to external effects like compressors, delays reverbs etc. in real time.

Although I'm not a big reason user, I stil thnk it is reasonably powerful. Alot of people use it 'Re-wired' into logic, which essentially makes it an extension of Logic with the 2 programs working together.

Check out videos of Dave Spoon using Reason for a bit more of an idea on how all that works

[DrWashington]

Wow, I'm listening to this "Fox and a Shooting Star" right now, and you're right! Very, very nice! Great main hook.

I really, really wish I could go to clubs and hear this kind of stuff on a big system with a good light show. Americans just don't get it, by & large.

[monopoli]

I often use the first bass-preset of the Korg Legacy Polysix as a sort placeholder for my basslines in electronic music (to later replace it with some hardware or keep it or combine it); this bass-sound sounds kinda similar too that to me.

I can't be bothered to check the settings of that preset though. Really, as a newbie, this is the sort of thing you should work out for yourself and not ask on a forum. You can't expect us to hold your forever do you?

[Euphoric Vibes]

@Soul_junkie - Thanks a lot for that recipe!

I'm also a Reason user, and it's very possible to make the sound using Thor.

I managed to make something similar myself just now.

A few things about Reason though:

1. Mastering in Reason is very "manual". I've heard that a lot of the VST's and presets in other programs (like logic,ableton etc.) comes "pre-mastered".

When producing in Reason, you will need to add compressor,reverb,EQ etc. manually for each and every synth you make. You should also add some simple effects to the main mastering mixer as well, and adjust the pan for all channels except deep bass sounds, to make your track more dynamic.

This is the reason many people who's using Logic etc. find it hard to use, and get a good final product. (I've heard MANY people complaining about the fact that their tracks sounds like it's a blanket over it, which often is true when using the default mastering suite, and not doing what I mentioned above)

2. When making this synth, you will need to add unison and chorus filters, as well as an EQ.
For the notes, you can either use a RPG-8 sequencer, the matrix, or draw them up manually.

3. I've heard Deadmau5 uses Reason for many of his synths...

I hope that helps! I love Cassette's new album btw! AND, if you like Cassette, check out some of Paul Keeley's stuff... Sunset Boulevard, Disco Belle etc.