mattplaysguitar
Thanks for the listen and detailed observation, Danny. Appreciate it.
You're right on that kick drum! I never even thought about it as I was concentrating on the bass, but I can barely even feel it. All the punch comes from the attack of the bass guitar. You and Mike both have made the point the sound and feel could just be literally coming from the fact he is playing low notes on the bass. I guess I'm starting to think now G&tC started with a good, low powerful bass and through equipment (including the guitar itself) and maybe processing, added the mid end growl into the sound. I guess I've been taking the opposite approach, trying to start with the mid bass notes by playing at an octave higher on the guitar, then trying to put the sub lows back in with the OctaBass.
You're right with that sample of your song. It's got a bit of a different sound still (as it's obviously a different style), but in general, it's that sound I was going for. I always just assumed with a 5 string bass that the extra string would just continue on after the G. Quick google check up made me realise of course you can always add a B string lower than the E! So yes, good point there. G&tC use a Fender Jazz typically, but that's not to say the tuning is standard. Who knows. I guess I could always work on listening to the notes in the song and work it out, but eh.
Anywho, thanks for the comment. Some good stuff to think about when I get down to mixing. I've already started recording now so will continue with the sound I came up with. I'm happy with it being different anyway. Hopefully it's a bit more of a unique sound in the end anyway which is often something nice to strive for if it works (which is always subjective!). I will experiment with the OctaBass off and hitting some real low notes too with some other songs if I find they fit. I don't always find the songs allow me to get that low because of the way I want to work the feel of the bass. I'm really starting to learn a lot more about how different writing bass lines are from normal guitar because choosing the right octaves and whether things go up or down makes so much of a difference to the feel of the song. On guitar, it's just more of a sound choice and I think it's much more free to do whatever you feel like (Within reason). Bass you kinda need to get it right or it doesn't feel right.
Hi Matt,
Yeah I think you're thinking along the right lines now. I knew my tune wasn't the same stylistically, but I'm glad you heard what I mean about the bass there. It just sits in that little pocket and can go down really low without walking on anything. The key is getting that where you want it, and then making sure the kick drum isn't anywhere near the same area. That's how the bass stands out like it does.
Also keep in mind, that's a very clean bass on G&C and the compressor is super tight. They got rid of all the unwanted frequencies on that, comped it nice and tight probably using an multiband comp or something....or it could be as some of the others suggested....it very well could have a hiint of synth bass in it.
If we listen to the basses you posted up, personally man....I think yours have more personality than the G&C bass. However, that G&C bass just occupies that low end so well, it's easy to spot why you'd want a tone like that. But I dig what you came up with too. Now here's the other thing to think about...if you decide to go with your bass tone, because you're not hitting that sub low area like they are, you got room to pump your kick drum which in my opinion, for your song, that would be the better choice. As long as you have a good bass sound that has an identity or a definition, it's ok if you pair it up with the kick drum and allow them to work as a team. This is a mistake people make all too often when they try to cop tones. They think a bass has more lows in it than it really does. Little do they know...the kick drum (as well as mastering) is enhancing things as well. I always listen to the song in my head before I record it and ask myself:
"do I hear a boomier 70's type bass for this? If I do, the kick needs some beater attack and a different bottom. Do I hear a thumpier kick drum? If that's the case, I need less lows in my bass, maybe a bit more pf a percussive clack at around 2.5 k or so...and a different low end accentuation that's far away from the possible 55-65 Hz I may try in order to make the kick have that thump and pump."
Anyway, I'm glad you've gained some ground on this and I wish you the best of luck with everything man. :)
-Danny