How popular are bass synths amongst ambient musicians today?

[Castleview]

I know they're more limited texturally than a traditional analog synth but the low end can be downright intoxicating on a good bass synth. There's a lot of potential for good minimalist drones with just a bass synth, but I'm sure somebody has done that already and I just don't realize it yet.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

Theres not a great deal of actual bass synths that come to mind.....Novation Bass Station, though that can do leads as well.  I have a Minimoog Voyager and its a bass synth for sure but its great at other timbres as well.

The monophonic nature can be a little challenging, but with the minimoog you can set each of the 3 oscillators to different pitches and create tri tones.

Things get more interesting with the addition of Fx, soft or hard and guitar pedals can really expand the sonic potential.

[Castleview]

Things get more interesting with the addition of Fx, soft or hard and guitar pedals can really expand the sonic potential.

I love mixing pedals and synths. It's something that I've been doing more of with my new setup and it's opened me up to a lot more soundscaping possibilities.

I was actually thinking about getting a Behringer Model D to do some deep drones. That's what inspired this topic TBH. Plus, I've been thinking about albums like Time Machines by Coil and I'm wondering if a lot of that was done with bass synths.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

I have not explored drones on my voyager.....yet.

Personally I would look elsewhere then Behringer Model D....not being snobby because I have a minimoog but because there are better options out there within the similar price points that are not trying to be like something else but instead are a unique voice.

Artruria Brutes...any of them.

Roland SE-02....this little thing has a sound, with lots of tweaking possibilities.

Novation Bass Station 2....seems very solid

Moog Sub 37.....big jump in price but used has less sting and would be my first choice for huge programing potential and its duophonic.


I know you did not ask for recommendations but when I saw the word Behringer I had to suggest others for you  to look at in case you had not considered them.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

What Pedals do you use?

My pedals are primarily for the bass guitar that Im learning to play.

Cant be sure but was it you who said that you lived near the Iron Ether pedal/eurorack co.

[doombient]

[...] I've been thinking about albums like Time Machines by Coil and I'm wondering if a lot of that was done with bass synths.

If I recall correctly, it was EMS Synthi A/AKS/VCS-3 in the first place, plus a good deal of Thighp.'s Synton Fenix(es) and ARP 2600 thrown in. This, plus a lot of looping and processing.

Stephen

[Castleview]

What Pedals do you use?

My pedals are primarily for the bass guitar that Im learning to play.

Cant be sure but was it you who said that you lived near the Iron Ether pedal/eurorack co.

Yes I do. About 40-45 minutes away.

Nothing too expensive.

I have a few reverb pedals like the Digitech Polara, Mr. Black Supermoon, and the Iron Ether Nimbus.

I have a few fuzz pedals from Noisemaker Effects including the famous Loveless pedal and a cheap metal pedal. I also have a Minifooger Boost pedal and a cheap delay pedal.

I really like the MF Boost. It adds some nice subtle coloring to my sounds.

Also, thanks for those synth recs. I had never heard of the Roland one.

[...] I've been thinking about albums like Time Machines by Coil and I'm wondering if a lot of that was done with bass synths.

If I recall correctly, it was EMS Synthi A/AKS/VCS-3 in the first place, plus a good deal of Thighp.'s Synton Fenix(es) and ARP 2600 thrown in. This, plus a lot of looping and processing.

Stephen

Interesting.

[Julio Di Benedetto]

The Roland SE-02 is a Studio Electronics design partnership.....video below goes into it.   This is on my synth list and for me is the only synth that caught my attention for a long while.  There"s plenty of video demos out there so you'll be able to determine if it is the sound for you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYLloIcu7us


The Iron Ether Nimbus sounds good!

[Castleview]

It's really good, even if you don't use it with a bass guitar.

I'll definitely think about the SE-02. The price is a little high but it sounds great. I'm not that hard to please when it comes to hardware analog synths though.

[Scott M2]

Both Jamie & I (from dreamSTATE) have bought SE-02s are are digging them a lot. They're good for hands-on evolving drones and for sequencing work. They can also get very twisted. These days, I like big sound in a small package with lots of knobs and these little things deliver.

[Scott M2]

I wouldn't have thought about the MF Boost, but now I'm intrigued.

[Castleview]

Both Jamie & I (from dreamSTATE) have bought SE-02s are are digging them a lot. They're good for hands-on evolving drones and for sequencing work. They can also get very twisted. These days, I like big sound in a small package with lots of knobs and these little things deliver.

Nice. I like smaller synths too. I already have a MIDI keyboard so I'm looking for something I can plug into and start playing.

I wouldn't have thought about the MF Boost, but now I'm intrigued.

I use it all the time. However, If you have the money (which you probably do), you may want to look into the Moogerfooger Filter instead.