How to get the 70's 80's classic punk bass tone?

[Alyctro]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gu4fjIm ... Lw&index=7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN1WwnEDWAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-KTsXHX ... te&index=9
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVZA05P ... 3C&index=3

These are some examples. I especially like the hardcore punk bass tone. That distorted yet present tone. Could i replicate the setup with amplitube 5? I tried cranking the gain and or adding a distortion pedal but it all just makes the bass sound like fuzz.

[Benedict]

A lot of this is playing style. Lots of heavy "gouging" at the strings with repetitive spite.

As you may have noticed your first video sounds like it has no bass in the mix at all, yet the bass part is strong and present. This is the clue. Rather than focusing on the 40-60hz range, the drive (and clanky playing) is pushing the bass part into the mids. Some EQ will help pull that though wherever it is needed in the mix.

There is no exact number for this but in the 80s it was common to start with a peak around 2kHz. Then adjust based on the needs of the song and mix.

Be aware that many of those VST are made for wannabe Metalists who want to sound like one specific band (or all those bands who want to sound like each other). Sooo the VST have a sound built in. Also be aware that IRs do not sound like the real thing. Or perhaps more accurately, they sound like it but only for a few milliseconds so in really they feel completely off compared to a real live amp through a real live desk. Fear not tho as software can do the real live thing but you want to use algorithms not IRs or anything similarly static. An algo moves the same way that an amp/speaker/box does. You simply need to learn

The other thing to be aware of is that the sound you hear on the record is not the sound that the player has as the 100 Club. Therefore a lot of the instrument tone is sculpted in the mix. It starts with the player's tone (sometimes) but is adjusted so it shines in the mix. If you watch those wonderful Classic Album vids where they dig into records like Steely Dan "Aja", you hear how "nasty" many of the sounds in solo are. Yet in-the-mix the same thing feels wonderful.

This is long and detailed but shows all you need to know to start your journey.
https://youtu.be/o8VTu0cU87I?si=2aiMImR249neCcfx

[donkey tugger]

When I'm after something a bit spiky with some grit I always tend to go for the mighty Bass Grinder Free;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2082/

Bass Professor MK2 is also great for adding that bite;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/

[Alyctro]

When I'm after something a bit spiky with some grit I always tend to go for the mighty Bass Grinder Free;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2082/

Bass Professor MK2 is also great for adding that bite;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/

Funny thing, i already use those. I even use the bass professor on guitars to add the dirst back to otherwise sterile di's.

[Alyctro]

A lot of this is playing style. Lots of heavy "gouging" at the strings with repetitive spite.

As you may have noticed your first video sounds like it has no bass in the mix at all, yet the bass part is strong and present. This is the clue. Rather than focusing on the 40-60hz range, the drive (and clanky playing) is pushing the bass part into the mids. Some EQ will help pull that though wherever it is needed in the mix.

There is no exact number for this but in the 80s it was common to start with a peak around 2kHz. Then adjust based on the needs of the song and mix.

Be aware that many of those VST are made for wannabe Metalists who want to sound like one specific band (or all those bands who want to sound like each other). Sooo the VST have a sound built in. Also be aware that IRs do not sound like the real thing. Or perhaps more accurately, they sound like it but only for a few milliseconds so in really they feel completely off compared to a real live amp through a real live desk. Fear not tho as software can do the real live thing but you want to use algorithms not IRs or anything similarly static. An algo moves the same way that an amp/speaker/box does. You simply need to learn

The other thing to be aware of is that the sound you hear on the record is not the sound that the player has as the 100 Club. Therefore a lot of the instrument tone is sculpted in the mix. It starts with the player's tone (sometimes) but is adjusted so it shines in the mix. If you watch those wonderful Classic Album vids where they dig into records like Steely Dan "Aja", you hear how "nasty" many of the sounds in solo are. Yet in-the-mix the same thing feels wonderful.

This is long and detailed but shows all you need to know to start your journey.
https://youtu.be/o8VTu0cU87I?si=2aiMImR249neCcfx

Did you mean algorhythmic reverb plugins or cab sims? I haven't found anything about this on google. And if you meant reverbs then i also don't understand. I've never heard about it being used as cab sim. I can't even think of a way how, or which specific one even work that way.

[donkey tugger]

When I'm after something a bit spiky with some grit I always tend to go for the mighty Bass Grinder Free;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2082/

Bass Professor MK2 is also great for adding that bite;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/

Funny thing, i already use those. I even use the bass professor on guitars to add the dirst back to otherwise sterile di's.

If you've got the starting point (i.e. something suitably aggressive played with plectrum) then you can get a pretty good JJ Burnell of the Stranglers type tone (or something further..). Just using those two with the free Toneboosters Ferox as a compressor first - 100%, just into the red!

Like so;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K_MdOI ... sp=sharing

[Alyctro]

Bass Pro first, Grinder next, And tape after. I actually like using tape emulation more than compressors. It's a much simpler way to clamp dinamics and add warmth or texture to the sound.

[donkey tugger]

There I'm using Ferox more to really bring out the attack from the pick, rather than as a tape simulator or compressor in the more 'levelling' role. Also use it on 12 string guitars for that jangle 'glue'..and to smash drums to buggery when required.. It's a great plug-in.

[Benedict]

...software can do the real live thing but you want to use algorithms not IRs or anything similarly static. An algo moves the same way that an amp/speaker/box does. You simply need to learn

This is long and detailed but shows all you need to know to start your journey.
https://youtu.be/o8VTu0cU87I?si=2aiMImR249neCcfx

Did you mean algorhythmic reverb plugins or cab sims? I haven't found anything about this on google. And if you meant reverbs then i also don't understand. I've never heard about it being used as cab sim. I can't even think of a way how, or which specific one even work that way.

This is all explained in the video. An algo can be made for anything "real world". It may not have as many factors as the real thing (like reverbs) but can definitely deliver a very cool result. Watch the video (above) and see me build and alter the algo for a guitar cabinet thingee.

Further, I even made a simple VST for Higher Hz built on these ideas - an expansion of one of the devices in the first video.
https://youtu.be/UcVbnJPV5kg?si=wtawAFGY-OpWRYIE

[VOODOO U]

I especially like the hardcore punk bass tone. That distorted yet present tone. Could i replicate the setup with amplitube 5? I tried cranking the gain and or adding a distortion pedal but it all just makes the bass sound like fuzz.

It's all about the type of bass man. There's something about a cheap Washburn bass that can get that sound without much tweaking.
A Fender Jazz bass would work too. Since the 4th E has a beefy low sound to it making it more prominent than the other strings, it's a matter of getting rid of that low end so all the strings sound balanced. That results in that type of sound you hear on early punk records along with a shitload of saturation, compression etc. The usual shit.

[Alyctro]

When I'm after something a bit spiky with some grit I always tend to go for the mighty Bass Grinder Free;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2082/

Bass Professor MK2 is also great for adding that bite;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/

Funny thing, i already use those. I even use the bass professor on guitars to add the dirst back to otherwise sterile di's.

If you've got the starting point (i.e. something suitably aggressive played with plectrum) then you can get a pretty good JJ Burnell of the Stranglers type tone (or something further..). Just using those two with the free Toneboosters Ferox as a compressor first - 100%, just into the red!

Like so;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K_MdOI ... sp=sharing

Also, i heard your example and i believe a lot of that comes from having an actual amp and its acoustics. Which is wat the person above escribed. Also, i don't own an actual guitar i use sample libraries and vst's. So it's difficult finding the good stuff.

[donkey tugger]

When I'm after something a bit spiky with some grit I always tend to go for the mighty Bass Grinder Free;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2082/

Bass Professor MK2 is also great for adding that bite;

https://plugins4free.com/plugin/2590/

Funny thing, i already use those. I even use the bass professor on guitars to add the dirst back to otherwise sterile di's.

If you've got the starting point (i.e. something suitably aggressive played with plectrum) then you can get a pretty good JJ Burnell of the Stranglers type tone (or something further..). Just using those two with the free Toneboosters Ferox as a compressor first - 100%, just into the red!

Like so;

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1K_MdOI ... sp=sharing

Also, i heard your example and i believe a lot of that comes from having an actual amp and its acoustics. Which is wat the person above escribed. Also, i don't own an actual guitar i use sample libraries and vst's. So it's difficult finding the good stuff.

That was my Bass VI recorded DI and just the effects. Haven't got a bass amp, only a little Fender guitar practice amp these days, and I only use that rarely. VSTs are so good these days, and I definitely don't miss miking up amps etc.

If you're using sampled stuff there's a few tricks (most of which you probably know...) For aggressive bass stuff one thing I like to do (if using a VST) is duplicate the part and move it ever so slightly forward, and play this with just the attack portion (so pick noise in essence), mixed in with the main effects chain. Doesn't need necessarily to be the same instrument as all you're wanting is that attack. If the patch has randomization all the better - small variations in attack, sample start , cutoff etc can add a lot.

[noiseboyuk]

A lot of this is playing style. Lots of heavy "gouging" at the strings with repetitive spite.

As you may have noticed your first video sounds like it has no bass in the mix at all, yet the bass part is strong and present. This is the clue. Rather than focusing on the 40-60hz range, the drive (and clanky playing) is pushing the bass part into the mids. Some EQ will help pull that though wherever it is needed in the mix.

This was a GREAT answer (excuse the snip).

There's a terrific bass in Trilian called Hardcore Finger. It's a really gnarled thing you'd think would be good for punk, but it's 100% wrong for it. It's got a really rich range, tons of low end and crisp strings for the highs. Perfect for modern day aggressive stuff, but punk has none of that low end. It's all mids. And yes to a picking style, as rough as you can get.

Most VIs aren't good for that, they're too hi-fi, so there's a lot of EQ and trickery needed. Interesting ideas from donkey tugger above.

[kraster]

In true punk style don't overthink it.

With People like JJ Burnell, Paul Simonon and even Sid Vicious it's all about pluggin in and turning up and hacking into the guitar.

Play down near the bridge and lower the action for extra clank. Bright roundwound strings work best.

Marshall or Hiwatt for the amp heads and whatever you're having yourself for the cab. A busted speaker won't go amiss!

I can get a decent punk sound from softube's Marshall JCM 800.

I'd most associate Punk with a P-bass.

[donkey tugger]

I can get a decent punk sound from softube's Marshall JCM 800.

In that vein there's also a good Marshall-y type bass preset in Guitar Rig called 'Jump Bass', which is great.