The Keys To Huge Synthesizer Bass [Tonus VCF Demo #4]

Today in this demo I show some of the keys to getting huge bass sounds. I’m doing this on the Eurorack, but these ideas should work on most any synthesizer.
#1 Choose a quality low pass filter. I’m using my Tonus VCF module, a clone of the ARP 2600 filter. It’s a 4-pole low pass bass that uses a transistor ladder design similar to Moog.
#2 Cobble together as many oscillators as you can. Here, the Pittsburgh Synth Box wields a Tri, Saw, and Pulse along with a Sub-oscillato. Then I add another saw and square wave from the DNA Symbiotic Waves.
#3 For short basses use a punchy VCA/decay combo like the Bastl Skis. If you’re using a hardware synth, route a single envelope to affect the filter amount AND the amplitude at the same time.
#4 Modulate the filter with negative key tracking so that as you play higher on the keys, the higher notes will have reduced frequency cutoff. To do this I am sending the pitch CV to the signal inverter on my Pittsburgh Toolbox. Remember, a signal inverter just mirrors your signal across zero volts. For example, pitch CV goes from 0v to 5v. If you run that through an inverter, the output goes from 0v to -5v.
#5 Modulate the filter with a small amount of LFO to make your bass sound growl.
#6 Bass pads need a longer/slower Attack-Decay-Release envelope to evolve over time.
No effects used, audio recorded direct to Tascam DR-05

Acid Tech House MS-20 Juno-1 Eurorack Modular [Heavy Duty]

In this video I jam the MS-20 going through the DBX 160A on kick, Juno-1 on synth sequence and eurorack modular for all else. That kick! I tweak the MS-20 release time for those massive booms and Env2 to LP amount for more crunch. I'm pretty happy w/ those hats too - hats were synthesized using DNA Symbiotic Waves and Deflector Shield Ring Mod. The cracking snare is coming from a Disting sample of the Linndrum clap, with the initial transient clipped off. Bass is a square wave from the Synth Box going through the JP-6 VCF module. Juno-1 uses the classic factory patch 1-1 PolySynth1, has some Timefactor delay. Beatstep Pro sequences the kick, bass + synth. Varigate 4 + sequential switch + Little Nerd gates other percussion. Mixed on a Mackie 802-VLZ recorded direct to Tascam DR-5.

Eurorack Synthesizer ft. Mutable Rings Roland TR-8 [Barricade]

In this video I'm having a go with Mutable Instruments Rings with the Roland TR-8. Rings is getting signal from Synth Box, V/Oct from Beatstep Pro and going through Timefactor Delay. DRUMS. Okay the TR-8 is getting Big Sky Reverb and gated by the Bastl Skis, rhythmic trigger by Bastl Little Nerd. I'm really liking these Bastl modules! No, really. Bass sounds a little funky. The DNA is feeding the JP-6 VCF but gets lost underneath the percussion. So, yeah there's no mastering or EQ here. Recorded direct to Tascam DR-5.