At the risk of looking silly... (about bass mp3s)
 

I've noticed a number of posts where people are asking questions about which synth gets a good bass sound. It often ends with a request for an mp3 expample. I have a couple of points for your consideration:

1) Mp3s are often so compressed that I would not trust what I hear and

2) If you are downloading the mp3 samples on your computer, you are probably listing to them on computer speakers. Even if they are high end gaming speakers they will not tell you the same story that studio speakers will.

3) When comparing synth bass sounds, the differences can be very subtle but meaningful to you.

Therefore

a) Go to a music store or your friend's studio if you can. Hear the beasts in person on a good system.

b) If the previous suggestion is impractical, at least move the mp3 to as good of a playback system as you can.

c) If possible, get a sample with loss-less compression or no compression.

Otherwise, you might be in for a shock when you actually purchase your new synth.

Hope this helps someone.

Or better yet, learn that getting a good bass sound has less to do with what synth you use, and more to do with how good your synth programming and audio engineering chops are :)

I haven't heard a synth in ages (RedSound Darkstar is the only one that comes to mind) that wasn't capable of awesome bass if you know what you're doing.

Just my $.02 though, feel free to 'buy' the best bass you can.

I agree. I own several hardware and software synths and I never say "synth 1 is good for bass but synth 2 is bad for bass." I do say synth 1 is good for this song.

For example, you might choose a DX7 bass sound, even though FM is not known for fat bass, because you like how it sits in the mix.

I think you would agree that not all synths sound the same when playing similar patches. That's one reason why people often own more than one synth.

All I'm saying is that mp3 examples on computer speakers may not be as helpful as one might think in choosing a musical instrument.

I really do agree with your programming comment though. Than again, I can get very fussy about my drum sounds. I guess every one has their own point of view and quirks. I know I do.

Hmmm - Ive allways thought that FM and actually every variation on additive/contructive sysnthesis is extremely good for bass sounds, and generally alot more energetic/punchy as well, without the need to engage in extreme compressor abuse.

FM is used for like all hardcore house bass

Your right of course. That's why we all make different choices as musicians.

Keep in mind howver, that I'm not trying to start another thread about what makes a good bass sound. Rather, that listening to mp3s on computer speakers may not be the best way to judge audio.


Khazul, have you tried NI's FM7?

Also, I recently switched to analogue outs from usb outs.. and damn you really can tell the difference especially for bass. You can instantly notice the dynamic range increase after using usb for months.

Can anyone recommend some good studio speakers? I've been using spdif altec|lansing gaming speakers for like 5 years.. I think new speakers are a must for me to eq bass right.

mnj, how much do you want to spend?

like 300$ max

Studio Speakers!

:roll:

Nah - I have a Yamaha DX7 MkII equivalent sound module in my Motif ES - About as close as you can get to the real thing these days - only downside - yamaha managed to make it even more painful to use than the original - definately a case of PC editor is madatory :)

I have been very tempted by the Alesis Fusion for a while for its FM synth (and as a general work-horse type hardware sequencer/multi-tracker/sampler).

Funny enough, it was the new FM capabilities on the TI that got me back into appreciating FM synthesis again :)

Only thing Im missing is phase distortion synthesis - Remember the Casio CZ series? - I wish I still had my CZ-101 - was the first synth I bought (rather than made) :)

Alesis M1 Actives, MKII's

I'll go one better than that, listening in any digital format is a crap way to judge a good bass synth, but an MP3 will at least help back up a claim - better than nothing in this I-pod world.

As far as not using compression though. I'm guessing your talking about the compression when you lower the size of a file rather than controlling dynamics. At least I hope you are. Compression (in the dynamics form) is more than useful for getting a nice bass sound.

Bullshit. Surely this depends on what sort of bass you're after. If you want a little poppy off beat trance bass then yeah, if you want a ball trembler DnB bass with a lot of movement then no.

Funny thread.

Of course I agree about using compression on bass. What I'm really talking about is the mp3 compression algorithm at what appears to be the standard 128. It's amazing to me how much mp3 collapse the stereo image and dulls the detail of audio.

I do agree with you that an mp3s can used to back up a claim but only as a starting point. When I'm about to spend hard earned cash on a synth, I want to be sure of the sound it's going to produce. That's why I always go hear it in person.. er a.. in curcuit?

Totaly agree with you here. Definitely have to have hands on before buying a synth. User reviews are so based on personal taste - specially on the web.

Id go one further and say listening to mp3's are synths (whilst fun) is not very informative of the true sonic characterisitc...

DS