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Post by Johnkenn on May 23, 2024 20:37:51 GMT -6
Got a bass track that just sounds like nothing but bottom end. Huge goes down to 40 with no definition in the mids. Obviously, I’m eqing it, but it still resonates on certain notes - it’s just the whole timbre is wrong if you know what I mean.
Tried my usual Ampeg plugs. The classic svt can really shape it with the treble switch. That’s kind of what I’m going with, but how do you guys “re-tone” an unruly bass?
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Post by rowmat on May 23, 2024 20:44:50 GMT -6
Sounds like you need some kind of harmonic exciter that works on low frequencies but opposite to a sub harmonic generator. Something that synthesises a couple of octaves above.
Or can you use the original track to trigger a sampled bass with more definition and then maybe filter out the low end of the sampled version and mix it together with the original?
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Post by bossanova on May 23, 2024 20:52:41 GMT -6
Sounds like you need some kind of harmonic exciter that works on low frequencies but opposite to a sub harmonic generator. Something that synthesises a couple of octaves above. Use melodyne or something to get a synced midi copy, then use that to add upper synth octaves to taste? Or route it to something like Modo Bass and blend the upper harmonics from that. There’s also RBass but I don’t know how effective it is with something like you’re describing. |
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Post by Tbone81 on May 23, 2024 20:54:49 GMT -6
MaxxBass works well for that. Helps create those lower and upper mid harmonics.
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Post by rowmat on May 23, 2024 21:00:33 GMT -6
MaxxBass works well for that. Helps create those lower and upper mid harmonics. Doesn’t MaxxBass use expansion to boost the upper mids as opposed to generating harmonics? If there’s nothing much there to boost it may not be very effective. This bass thread brings back memories of a client from hell! 😵💫 |
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ericn
Temp
Balance Engineer
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Post by ericn on May 23, 2024 22:13:33 GMT -6
Got a bass track that just sounds like nothing but bottom end. Huge goes down to 40 with no definition in the mids. Obviously, I’m eqing it, but it still resonates on certain notes - it’s just the whole timbre is wrong if you know what I mean. Tried my usual Ampeg plugs. The classic svt can really shape it with the treble switch. That’s kind of what I’m going with, but how do you guys “re-tone” an unruly bass? Double it with a H3000 an octave or 2 higher and mix to taste. The trick came from Bass with no lows and an old hand with a DBX 120 subharmonic synthiser, it’s the only reason to grab a used Aphex exciter, for the big bottom. |
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Post by bgrotto on May 23, 2024 22:14:59 GMT -6
Distortion of some kind. Or maybe consider blending EZ Bass into the original performance.
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Post by drumsound on May 23, 2024 22:23:49 GMT -6
Decapitator?
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Post by yotonic on May 23, 2024 23:48:58 GMT -6
Got a bass track that just sounds like nothing but bottom end. Huge goes down to 40 with no definition in the mids. Obviously, I’m eqing it, but it still resonates on certain notes - it’s just the whole timbre is wrong if you know what I mean. Tried my usual Ampeg plugs. The classic svt can really shape it with the treble switch. That’s kind of what I’m going with, but how do you guys “re-tone” an unruly bass? Like Eric Valentine, re-play it. Seriously it’s a timeless solution. |
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Post by theshea on May 24, 2024 0:03:35 GMT -6
if its a DI just re-amp it.
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Post by sentientsound on May 24, 2024 2:14:59 GMT -6
I'd echo what others have said. Reamp or parallel for distortion. First I'd use some automation or clip gain or multiband type tool to reign in resonant low end notes and even out the performance.
I have a dedicated chain for this with a few different drive pedals going into a ZOD DI. Also I often use an Audioscape V-COMP+ or Level-Or as a parallel.
I picked up the Kazrog Airline sim recently which also sounds really cool as a bass reamp blended in for midrange presence. It's still on sale for relatively cheap I believe.
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Post by thehightenor on May 24, 2024 2:43:50 GMT -6
Got a bass track that just sounds like nothing but bottom end. Huge goes down to 40 with no definition in the mids. Obviously, I’m eqing it, but it still resonates on certain notes - it’s just the whole timbre is wrong if you know what I mean. Tried my usual Ampeg plugs. The classic svt can really shape it with the treble switch. That’s kind of what I’m going with, but how do you guys “re-tone” an unruly bass? Re track it. Problem Solved. Quicker than a turd polishing exercise - obviously you need to get permission from the artist. Bass is 50% of a mix! |
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Post by rowmat on May 24, 2024 3:20:56 GMT -6
Got a bass track that just sounds like nothing but bottom end. Huge goes down to 40 with no definition in the mids. Obviously, I’m eqing it, but it still resonates on certain notes - it’s just the whole timbre is wrong if you know what I mean. Tried my usual Ampeg plugs. The classic svt can really shape it with the treble switch. That’s kind of what I’m going with, but how do you guys “re-tone” an unruly bass? Re track it. Problem Solved. Quicker than a turd polishing exercise - obviously you need to get permission from the artist. Bass is 50% of a mix! So don’t polish an old turd. Excrete a new one! 💩 |
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Post by EmRR on May 24, 2024 3:35:36 GMT -6
The old tone knob rolled off thing, frequently a tragedy.
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Post by thehightenor on May 24, 2024 4:20:10 GMT -6
Re track it. Problem Solved. Quicker than a turd polishing exercise - obviously you need to get permission from the artist. Bass is 50% of a mix! So don’t polish an old turd. Excrete a new one! 💩 Why would playing the bass part again on a decent bass through a decent preamp giving a great bass sound be excreting a new one. Odd reply to my post that I don’t understand. Care to elaborate  |
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Post by rowmat on May 24, 2024 4:26:37 GMT -6
So don’t polish an old turd. Excrete a new one! 💩 Why would playing the bass part again on a decent bass through a decent preamp giving a great bass sound be excreting a new one. Odd statement that I don’t understand. I was agreeing with you. It was an ANALogy. 😉 Don’t bother trying to fix (polish) the old one (turd) Make (excrete) a new one (bass part) |
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Post by nick8801 on May 24, 2024 4:29:49 GMT -6
I like neutron/ozone exciter for this. It has multiband excitement. As long as there’s some information up there it should work. If not, re-amp. If not that, track it again.
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Post by thehightenor on May 24, 2024 5:03:07 GMT -6
Why would playing the bass part again on a decent bass through a decent preamp giving a great bass sound be excreting a new one. Odd statement that I don’t understand. I was agreeing with you. It was an ANALogy. 😉 Don’t bother trying to fix (polish) the old one (turd) Make (excrete) a new one (bass part) Got it |
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Post by Dan on May 24, 2024 7:10:48 GMT -6
Vintage Warm or Decapitate it
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Post by Johnkenn on May 24, 2024 7:20:39 GMT -6
Got a bass track that just sounds like nothing but bottom end. Huge goes down to 40 with no definition in the mids. Obviously, I’m eqing it, but it still resonates on certain notes - it’s just the whole timbre is wrong if you know what I mean. Tried my usual Ampeg plugs. The classic svt can really shape it with the treble switch. That’s kind of what I’m going with, but how do you guys “re-tone” an unruly bass? Like Eric Valentine, re-play it. Seriously it’s a timeless solution. That's not a possibility |
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Post by Johnkenn on May 24, 2024 7:21:38 GMT -6
Got a bass track that just sounds like nothing but bottom end. Huge goes down to 40 with no definition in the mids. Obviously, I’m eqing it, but it still resonates on certain notes - it’s just the whole timbre is wrong if you know what I mean. Tried my usual Ampeg plugs. The classic svt can really shape it with the treble switch. That’s kind of what I’m going with, but how do you guys “re-tone” an unruly bass? Re track it. Problem Solved. Quicker than a turd polishing exercise - obviously you need to get permission from the artist. Bass is 50% of a mix! Again...you guys think I would've asked if I could've re-tracked? lol |
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Post by sean on May 24, 2024 8:19:02 GMT -6
You probably own it and don’t even realize it but Waves Vitamin is pretty decent for this. Or try duplicating the track, high pass until all that’s left but whatever little mid range/high end is there, and compress that and blend it in with the original bass. Depending on the song some distortion on that track might be helpful. Shit that free SansAmp plugin in Pro Tools is still really good sometimes
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Post by robo on May 24, 2024 8:21:56 GMT -6
Maybe that’s how they envision the bass functioning in the track?
Sometimes a little low end is all that’s needed, especially if there are low guitar or left-hand piano things happening.
But yeah, distortion tricks will fill in those freqs. Sometimes blending in a pitched-up octave version is cool too.
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Post by thehightenor on May 24, 2024 8:52:45 GMT -6
Re track it. Problem Solved. Quicker than a turd polishing exercise - obviously you need to get permission from the artist. Bass is 50% of a mix! Again...you guys think I would've asked if I could've re-tracked? lol Good point |
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Post by the other mark williams on May 24, 2024 10:21:32 GMT -6
Distortion of some kind. Or maybe consider blending EZ Bass into the original performance. I was going to suggest EZ Bass, but then I remembered Johnkenn sold his EZ Bass license to me, and then I sold it to wiz. After I sold it to wiz, I realized it could do exactly this - take a poorly recorded bass part and essentially assign a new bass to it. Once I realized that, I wished I'd kept it. You might want to check it out, Johnkenn. They probably have some kind of Memorial Day sale going on this weekend. All these distortion methods others have brought up might work to one degree or another, but having the part transcribed and "played" by a different bass with actual mids and actual highs in it is honestly the best way. If EZ Bass can pull that off without having to actually replay the bass (which it sounds like isn't a live option), then that's a major win in my book. |
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