Bass Synthesizer
Bass Synthesizer
How difficult is it to learn to play a synthesizer? Additionally, should I choose digital or analog?
So, being in college you can imagine I am impulsive and eager to try new things. I played the saxophone for several years, and bass guitar for a period of time. For some time now, I have desired to acquire a synthesizer and learn how to play it. Is this a difficult task? And which would be better, digital or analog? What are the pros and cons of each? The synthesizer is intended to be used for solo indietronic experiments, and used to complement songs in a progressive rock project. Thanks
This is something that should take a bit of research to find the right synthesizer. But based on my own experience, I think I can help. First, let me point you to an excellent source. Check out www.vintagesynth.com especially the forum. Read the discussions, and learn. Feel free to join and ask a question if you can't find the answer from browsing. I learned most of what I know about synthesizers there.
I bought my first synthesizer on a whim, and by pure luck, I picked an excellent one to learn on. It was a Moog Rogue. It's a rather basic analog synthesizer, but even after adding more to my collection over the years, it's still my favorite. You should be able to find one on ebay at a good price (they've gone down in price recently). The analog vs. digital debate is a tough one to solve, depending on what sort of sound you like. But digital does tend to be cheaper. If you go digital, you'll probably want something that is called a "virtual analog." Virtual and real analogs tend to be the easiest to learn on (whatever you do, DON'T start with a DX7). Also, look for something with a decent amount of knobs and/or sliders. The more hands on control you have, the easier it will be (avoid the microKorg and Micron). Another thing to consider is if it is monophonic (one note at a time) or polyphonic. The Rogue is monophonic, but this has its advantages, too. Some others to consider are the Korg MS-2000 and the Roland SH-201. If you have enough for a modern analog, check out the Moog Little Phatty.
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Boss SYB5 Bass Synthesizer List Price: $229.50 Sale Price: $133.68 Used From: $149.95  |
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Reproduces sound characteristics of analog synthesizers. 11 DSP variations of saw, square and pulse synth waves. Enhanced wave shape mode provides sharper sounds. Hold notes with the onboard pedal and jam over the top. |
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Behringer BSY600 Bass Pitch Effect Pedal List Price: $99.99 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $74.99 |
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Ultimate Bass Synthesizer Effects Pedal |
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Electro-Harmonix Bass Micro Synthesizer XO Analog Synthesizer List Price: $376.00 Sale Price: $279.00 Used From: $278.69 |
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The Bass Micro Synthesizer has the same feature set as the Micro Synthesizer, but includes a trigger and filter sweep range especially tailored for bass guitar. The same fat analog synth textures give your bass a whole new range of possibilities: from percussive stabs to backwards-sounding bowed sounds. |
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Digitech XBW Bass Bass Synth Wah Pedal List Price: $129.95 Sale Price: $79.95 |
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It's time to bring the funk. Whether you're playing ska, reggae, or funk, the Bass Synth Wah™ is simply the most versatile bass envelope filter pedal on the market, with seven different bass envelope filter types to choose from... |
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Novation B-Station Bass Station Virtual Analogue Synthesizer Plug-In List Price: $219.99 Sale Price: $179.99 |
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Bass Station re-invents the classic sound of analogue and provides you with all the prerequisite building blocks of the sound generation process, with total control. Two oscillators that have been carefully modelled to preserve the precise tonal character of the classic sawtooth and square waveforms of the original instruments... |
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HQRP AC Adapter / Power Supply compatible with Ibanez PM7 PHASE MODULATOR W/3 MODES / SB7 SYNTHESIZER BASS Guitar Effects pedals plus HQRP Coaster Sale Price: $9.91 |
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Compatible with Ibanez PM7 PHASE MODULATOR W/3 MODES / SB7 SYNTHESIZER BASS Guitar Effects pedals. |
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Korg MONOTRON 16-Key Synthesizer List Price: $90.00 Sale Price: Too low to display Used From: $47.50 |
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Powered by two alkaline aaa batteries, the compact monotron can be held in one hand. although small enough to easily carry with you, the amazing monotron is packed with korg's legendary analog technology, generating thick and powerful sounds... |
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Chunk Systems Chunk Systems Bass Octavius Squeezer Bass Synthesizer Pedal List Price: $799.00 Sale Price: $619.00 |
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The Octavius Squeezer is the world's first analog/digital hybrid bass synthesizer to be housed in a compact stompbox format. With an analog audio path that features a variety of synth, octave, fuzz, and filter effects and a digital preset system that allows constant reconfiguration of the audio signal path and storage of parameter settings as well as an on-board tuner and tap-tempo metronome, the Octavius Squeezer is one pedal that no bassist will want to be without! Octavius Squeezer Features Include synth, octave, filter, fuzz and other effects; True By-pass Switching; True analog reconfigurable signal path; +50 digital onboard presets with bank organization; SD card socket for save/load of additional presets, firmware upgrades, etc; Analog 2-pole LP and BP filter circuit; Analog fuzz circuit; -1, +1, and +2-octave synthesis; 9V battery or external power supply (not included); No-tools battery drawer; Sturdy steel case; Backlit LCD and tempo LED; Auxiliary output for click tracks and envelope input; On-board Tuner; Metronome and beat-locked effects with tap tempo mode; 3-year limited warranty; Lovingly manufactured in Australia. |
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Electro Harmonix Micro Synth For Bass Effect Pedal List Price: $388.00 Sale Price: $282.00 |
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The Bass Micro Synthesizer reissue has the same incredible features as the Micro Synthesizer with a filter sweep range tailored for lower frequencies. From percussive sounds to backwards sounding bowed sounds, the Bass Micro Synthesizer, with its four completely mixable voices (bass, octave above, sub-octave, and square wave or distortion) and adjustable filter sweep section lets the bass player create those fat vintage analog synthesizer sounds heard on records by everyone from Bootsy Collins to the Chemical Brothers. |
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Korg Kaossilator Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer List Price: $250.00 Sale Price: $109.99 Used From: $82.99 |
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Meet your new musical addiction: the KAOSSILATOR from Korg. Play it alone or add it to your rig for over-the-top, music-making mayhem. The KAOSSILATOR's user-friendly touch-pad lets you create musical and rhythmic phrases using any of its 100 synth programs, such as leads, basses, realistic instrument sounds, playable drums and drum patterns... |
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 BOSS SYB 5 BASS GUITAR EFFECT PEDAL SYNTHESIZER SYB5  US $144.90
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 BEHRINGER BASS SYNTHESIZER BSY600 BSY 600 NR FREE SHIP US $49.77
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 Electro Harmonix Bass Micro Synthesizer Pedal US $282.00
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 Boss SYB 5 Bass Synthesizer US $169.00
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 Boss SYB5 Bass Synthesizer PEDAL PAK US $183.99
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 Boss SYB5 Bass Synthesizer Pedal US $169.00
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A Brief History of Synthesizers
Music has its own unique appeal, which transcends boundaries and touches every single soul. The most versatile amongst all instruments, which have transformed the entire musical landscape globally,is the synthesizer. Synthesizers have the magic to bring life to any performance.
History of synthesizers is replete with interesting twists and turns. The mid 80s proved to be a booming phase for this magical instrument. The history of electronic music reached a new height with the emergence of the synthesizer.
Some of the synthesizer models which absolutely proved to be the delight of musicians are as follows
CZ-2600S
CZ-3000
CZ-101
CZ-230S
CZ-1000
CZ-5000
CT-6500
Types of synthesizers
Synthesizers are primarily of three different kinds, which are as follows
Analog
Digital
Software
There are also synthesizers, which are a combination of the above-mentioned kinds known as hybrid synthesizers.
There are many synthesis methods, which have gradually evolved over the years. Some of them are as follows
Frequency modulation synthesis
Phase distortion synthesis
Physical synthesis
Sample-based synthesis
Sub harmonic synthesis
Subtractive synthesis
Additive synthesis
Granular synthesis
Wavetable synthesis
Synthesizers first hit the market in 1971. It was then that the first pre-wired synthesizer made its maiden appearance in the musical circuits. However, it was then a much simpler device. It had monophonic features and had no memory unlike future synthesizers.
The late 70s and early 80s, there was a spurt of initiatives to build ones own synthesizer. Many media reports at that time also flashed designs that were published in hobby electronics magazines. There are also interesting anecdotes on how synthesizers were evolved in each household.
Some of the noteworthy synthesizer manufacturers who has contributed to the history were as follows
Access Music
Alesis
ARP
Arturia
Akai
Buchla and Associates
Casio
Clavia
Further research in the field of synthesizers however, led to the emergence of a much-matured device in 1975, which had polyphonic features. This particular category of synthesizer was capable of playing 2-8 notes at one time depending on the model. This kind of synthesizers had amazing storage capacity with 16 separate memory slots.
The bass synthesizer was perhaps the most popular version of synthesizers, which has carved a niche for itself in the history books. This version of synthesizer was capable of producing new sounds for this version. What contributed greatly to the popularity of synthesizers were its unique features. Synthesizers could easily be integrated and synchronised with other musical instruments.
The year 1978 saw the emergence of the first fully equipped polyphonic synthesizers. This device was capable of producing 5 tones at one go. It also had increased memory capacity with 32 different memory slots. They later emerged as the most popular accompanier in the musical circuits.
However, the history of synthesizers underwent a paradigm change with the advent of lead keyboard. They were also known as analog synthesizers. These kind of synthesizers gave musicians greater freedom to editing.
Traversing a long interesting road synthesizers have emerged as the most popular musical instrument. It has become an integral part of the entire musical journey globally.
About the Author
Victor Epand is an expert consultant for guitars, drums, and synthesizers. You can find the best marketplace for guitars, drums, and synthesizers at these 3 sites: guitars, drums, and synthesizers, keyboards, synthesizer history.