Programming MIDI Bass Guitar

[schismatic]

I usually use samples such as Zombass for my bass but I've always had issues with realism when it came to programming basslines, particularly getting the feel of fast triplets or 16ths.

Lately however I have been using an electronic drumkit to play the basslines. I usually punch them in via a couple of toms and then shift notes as required manually later on. I'm finding it just gives a bit more realism to the timing, plus it's obviously realistic in terms of varied velocities.

Does anybody else take this approach?

 

[FarBeyondMetal]

I like to record guitar before programming bass. Afterwards I program the bass to the grid, but later move all the notes around so that they align with the imperfections of the guitar's timing. It seems to help with realism for me.

 

[schismatic]

That's a good approach as well, but doesn't it leave you with a big job slightly adjusting every note??

 

[AntonioPetrole]

Get Zombass II

Problem solved

 

[schismatic]

Get Zombass II

Problem solved

This comment is pretty irrelevent . You've just recommended me a samples product that my MIDI notes will trigger. If you read the initial thread, you'll see it's actually about how you create those MIDI notes and that I do it using an electronic drum kit.

It doesn't matter whether I then trigger Zombass 1 or Zombass 2 .

So it's not "problem solved" .

 

[AntonioPetrole]

This comment is pretty irrelevent . You've just recommended me a samples product that my MIDI notes will trigger. If you read the initial thread, you'll see it's actually about how you create those MIDI notes and that I do it using an electronic drum kit.

It doesn't matter whether I then trigger Zombass 1 or Zombass 2 .

So it's not "problem solved" .

Well it solves a good amount of your problem

.....I've always had issues with realism when it came to programming basslines, particularly getting the feel of fast triplets or 16ths.....

Zombass II and Zombass I are night and day as far as fast notes are concerned

.......realistic in terms of varied velocities......

Literally the exact same answer for this one

You're asking how people approach it? My problem with your technique is that you are just varying the velocity and timing. That has nothing to do with how a bass player actually plays and seems like a bit of a cop out. Besides your technique sounds like something the humanize function in most DAW's would take care of in seconds.

Your best bet would be to do exactly what you should also do for drum programming, learn the techniques. Obviously a drummer dominant right hand is gonna hit harder on his right strokes than his left, also his 3rd hit in a roll will be weaker than his first etc.

It's the same thing with bass guitar. Study up on the technique, its pretty straight forward and doesn't call for a thread.

I'm not shitting on you by any means, I'm just saying that Zombass II that will take you 80% there. It's equivalent to trying a kit with 1 sample per drum sound realistic, its not gonna happen.

The REAL best way would be drop a hundred bucks on a used bass

Cheers! Sorry if I sound hostile in this post, I'm at work and everybody is freaking out because of the storm we are getting. If you have any other questions, fire at will!

 

[schismatic]

I respect that you have good knowledge of the benefits of Zombass II over Zombass I however I have to say that you're still missing the point.

I'm not asking for help with drum programming. Never said I was. I know how to click notes into a midi editor, I also know how to humanise notes by varying velocities (particularly with respect to playing techniques - I actually play both bass and drums myself and have a real bass, although I choose midi and Zombass for other reasons) and also through varying the timing on notes. So the issue here isn't about how to program.

I also know that Zombass II is advanced enough to automate velocity variation and enhance realism through intelligent sample selection - like most decent sample libraries.

What I am saying is that I achieve a better feel of the notes and timing for a song by actually playing them into midi instead of using a mouse. And the method I use is an electronic drum kit, mainly because I, personally, get better timing and tighter basslines using a pair of sticks rather than my fingers on a keyboard when playing the basslines.

I don't think you're being hostile at all - you're trying to help me, but with respect I don't think you have understood the OP correctly. Maybe I don't articulate my thoughts correctly.

 

[Terminus]

I usually use samples such as Zombass for my bass but I've always had issues with realism when it came to programming basslines, particularly getting the feel of fast triplets or 16ths.

Lately however I have been using an electronic drumkit to play the basslines. I usually punch them in via a couple of toms and then shift notes as required manually later on. I'm finding it just gives a bit more realism to the timing, plus it's obviously realistic in terms of varied velocities.

Does anybody else take this approach?

Not on a drumkit, i think that would just make it harder to do. Really? A drumkit for basslines? I'd need to see a video of that but it just sounds like a hassle.

I just program them when I do program bass (which is never these days, got a bass why not use it)...I have a little 25 key midi controller keyboard that I could use for that, but so far havent since again, got bass will play bass.

 

[nezvers]

So the issue here isn't about how to program.

Were than is issue?

Timing? - on grid.
Velocity? - Same principle as drum programming. If you play bass you'll know when you hit harder.