Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with bass

Recommendations for DJ samples/songs ala Fatboy Slim?

heatherfl — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 18:30:56 -0800

My husband mixes dance music using Fruity Loops. I want to get him some CDs for Christmas for samples -- particularly stuff that sounds like Fatboy Slim. Help? I can buy loops already sampled or I can buy songs for that he can sample himself, it doesn't matter.

This song is a good overview of what FBS sounds like and what I'm looking for:
Mad Flava

There's a lot of retro sounding piano and brass, some funky bass/guitar, syncopated percussion, a bit of synth/electronica, and non-rap but rhythmically interesting vocals. If you're familiar with Fatboy Slim, you know what I mean!

FYI, I already got him "The Ultimate DJ Sample Box" which has actual Fatboy Slim samples. Just looking for supplemental goodies now.

So what should I get for him, music experts?

Thanks so much!

I just wanna slappa da bass while people in clown costumes swing around me.

tylerfulltilt — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:46:57 -0800

I play bass guitar. I'm not bad at it. In fact, I'm quite good. How do I get auditions to start playing for touring musicals and the like? (and do I stand a chance?) A little backstory: My wife decided to audition for a community theater production of Rent. Which got me thinking. Why don't I try to land a spot playing bass instruments in a show? The only problem is that I have no contacts. Google searches for auditions don't turn up much. How do I get started doing this? Do I need to get representation? Do I need to just know people? I have no idea where to begin with this.

And for those of you with experience, here's a brief rundown of my abilities. Perhaps you can give it a quick look and tell me If I'm being deluded.

+ : I'm very experienced on my instrument. I've played in live situations before. I've got very good technique and a great sense of tempo and rhythm. I can play really any style. I know a little theory and I can read tab, chord charts, and sheet music. I'm mostly experienced with electric fretted and fretless bass, but I can play an acoustic upright, both pizz. and arc.

- : Never actually played in a theater production before. But everyone has to start somewhere right?

Live bass guitar looping - how DID he do it?

monster max — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:01:33 -0800

A little while back I heard a bass guitar player with some kind of amazing live looping set-up - what on earth was it? I keep wondering what he was doing. All I could see was that he was grabbing (sampling) things he was playing, as he was playing them (ie while he was continuing to play), using foot pedals of some sort, and then incorporating those loops into the rest of the track. Amazing. But how?

Low threshold for noise

neworder7 — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 18:33:43 -0800

I have very low threshold for certain sounds. I can't handle noise, especially I find high pitch female or children voice unbearable. I also have trouble with neighbors walking around, the high bass thuds etc. I am 35, male.I have always had this problem even as a kid or teenager. I cannot stand people eating or chewing noisy. I have left restaurants for that reason.

I can't stand hearing chatter coming from the distance.

I can't seem to focus at work (cubicle farm) or never feel relaxed at home.

However I don't have any problem listening to music loud, or traffic, or animals, or nature.

I have a history of OCD / depression/ anxiety, tendency to get obsessed. I know you are not my doctor, but where do you think I should seek for the solution?

Is this a psychological problem or is it there a physiological condition in which a persons senses are just too acute/sensitive? I am asking this because under fluorescent light my face and eyes turn red too.

What is the signature sound of Grado headphones?

kenliu — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:59:32 -0800

What is the signature sound of Grado headphones? Are they ok for listening on an iPod, specifically for electric bass (not rap music). I play electric bass guitar, and I am looking for a good pair of headphones to go with my Tascam MP-BT1 bass trainer, which is basically a specialized MP3 player designed for practicing bass guitar (you can play along with MP3s).

I currently use a pair of AKG K240M, which are great sounding in general, but they are high impedance (600 ohm, I think) and the bass is really thin when plugged into my bass trainer, even at max volume. I'm looking to spend around $150, and am wondering if a pair of Grados would work. I'm looking for strong bass definition but clear sounding, not too boomy (no DJ headphones here). Open back is fine, I'm not terribly concerned about sound leakage. Not sure what the "signature" sound of Grados is, but I keep reading that they are "rock" headphones...which to me means "punchy bass".

Also, I've heard that they are not particularly comfortable...is this still true? I could wear the AKGs all day. Any other suggestions would be welcome.

My "reference" headphones are Ultimate Ears Triple-Fi 10Pro, so that's the level of sound quality I'm used to, although this pair will really only be used for practicing music, and maybe the occasional video game/movie.

Turn Off That Loud Music!

czechmate — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:55:11 -0800

I have a problem with hearing bass music vibrating through my windows and walls into my home. It literally echos through my every vein and makes me feel insane. Is this a sign of age? Is something wrong with me? We live in a neighbourhood where the houses are fairly close together, and primarily Hispanic. The neighbours (and when I say neighbours, I mean anywhere within 7 houses around us) like to hold parties from time to time or they just play their music loud while doing whatever it is that they do.
My problem is the bass that I can hear through the walls of my house. The music may not be that loud, but I can still hear the "thump thump" and it really sends me into a cloudy, high-blood pressure induced grumpy mood. I can feel the thump thump going through every single vein... and I feel like a pacing tiger. I can't think, I can't do a single thing because my entire mind is obsessed with this thump thump. I literally "shut down'.

I don't think I'm so much looking for a solution on how to get rid of the thump thump (i.e. headphones, just leave and go shopping, call the cops, etc...) but I am wondering if this is a normal reaction.

Is it just a sign of age? Am I next going to yell at kids to get off my lawn? Or is something wrong with me in relation to that particular sound? I know it's an odd question, but none of my friends (or husband) seem to mind the noise.. I can hear it even when it's low and it affects me.

This only started happening to me about 3 years ago. I used to live in apartments and I don't remember ever *really* being bothered by other noises. Headphones isn't an option to "fix" it. I have a 4yr old. Thanks.

Santana's bass player at Woodstock?

ackptui — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:03:33 -0800

Who was the bass player with Santana at Woodstock?

What is that groovy bass line in the Cablevision commercials?

kenliu — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:15:46 -0800

What is that groovy bass line on those Cablevision commercials? There are a series of recent Cablevision commercials with a dark haired dude talking in front of a white background - these all end with a really groovy bass line. Is that from a real song, or is it just something they just recorded for the commercial?

Suggestions for a lightweight, portable, decent sounding bass rig?

quarterframer — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:03:34 -0800

Help me defy the laws of physics and make a decent bass sound with a tiny box. I'm looking for the almost impossible: either a combo or a head and cab for bass that meets at as many of these criteria as possible:

* 35lbs or under.

* Compact enough to either be carried comfortably (walking a mile or so) or ideally, strapped to a bike rack.

* Under USD1000.00

* Loud enough just for stage volume/rehearsals with a small kit, a guitar and a couple horns. 120-150 watts should be OK but more would be better. Old school bass sounds, no tweeter or bells and whistles required.

At 25lbs or so, the GK 150MS-150 combo I tried seems like my best bet (and I like the way it sounds) but what else is out there? I've had my current (and way too large for what I need) rig for decades and am 100% ignorant of what physics defying gear is available these days.

Bass Amplification by Simulated Emission of Reverberation

shoebox — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:55:15 -0800

What exactly is the difference between a guitar and bass amp? If I were to get the latter, could I plug in the former instrument and still get similar bitchin' sounds out of my rig? I am interested in learning to play the electric bass and am set to get a beginner model + practice amp. The problem is, I have a (really) shitty guitar from a while back that i can hack out a few tunes on, and would like to amplify it as well. I would much rather not invest in a separate amp for each instrument.

My readings tell me that putting a bass into a guitar amp is not the best idea because it might explode. But how about a guitar plugged into a bass amp? wouldn't that suffice? (research doesn't turn up much) would there even be any difference in sound or anything? If so, what cheap solution can I use to compensate?

Also, past ask threads have been very useful in helping me pick out models, but if any of you have recommendations for certain brands/products, please feel free to shout across the room/

Noise canceling technology for a whole apartment?

gilsonal — Mon, 25 May 2009 11:29:39 -0800

Any good solutions for canceling out my neighbor's bass from their stereo without headphones? Headphones aren't an option all the time if I need to sleep. Are their nose canceling stereos? How well do they work? What else could I try? Just moved into a new place and my next door neighbors have about 20 people coming and going during the day, mostly right outside my patio door, and also have a huge bass hooked up to their tv and stereo. I'm a quiet person, and its starting to drive me nuts that I can't spend a day without hours trying to ignore it. I know this is the kind of situation that ends up in people being annoyed, and I'd like to get along with these guys. I'm prone to headaches and sleep day hours, and I don't want this to turn into a brawl. Its to the point I can't even spend time in my living room and I've taken to leaving my apartment altogether to escape the noise.

I see plenty of noise canceling headphones, and speakers for CB's but what I'd like is an audio player (kind of like a white noise machine) that would send opposing sound wave out. Using an old laptop with speakers to accomplish this as well would be doable.

Are there systems out there? How well do they work? Any other non-confrontational, non-passive aggressive ways to deal with this?

Wanted, bass player dead or alive

timsteil — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:33:14 -0800

Hi mefites: Possibly the whitest man in the world here currently building a bonfire out of all his Fender basses and tossing his standup on top. Anyone know who played bass on Honey Cone's "Want Ads?". I'm guessing James Jamerson, who probably walked in and did it in one take and yawned and said anything else? Sort of a throwaway tune I guess, but Jebus....guys just walk into a a studio and do that? Sorry for the earworm, but I just want to shake the guy's hand so I can count his damned fingers.

Suggestions for comedy songs to sing at the piano

chrismear — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:20:33 -0800

I'd like to learn some more comedy songs to sing at the piano along the lines of Hugh Laurie's Mystery. Suggestions? I have a book of Tom Lehrer songs, but that's where my knowledge ends. Can you suggest any classics, gems, or just personal favourites that I should seek out?

What is it?

Pants! — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:13:47 -0800

I'm watching a zydeco band right now. The bass line is being played on a stand up bass. While the neck is still there, the body has been replaced by some sort of tripod. Does this beast have a name?

Pre mid-life crisis?

mooreeasyvibe — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:26:25 -0800

I've never played any instruments in my life and at the age of 29 I'm interested in learning the electric bass guitar. Will I be able to do this? Or do you have to have been playing an instrument since you were a child? Erm, that's it. Oh, any similar experiences or useful resources would be good to hear about. Ta.

How high and or low can you go?

tylerfulltilt — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:23:01 -0800

Help me set up my bass rig. I've got a nemesis 2x10 combo and a peavey 1x15. I'd let to set these up in some kind of configuration so that only highs get sent to the 2x10 and lows get sent to the 1x15.

But I've never messed with anything like this before.

Where should I start?

Get on up...and tell me where the bass is at.

ostranenie — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 18:22:11 -0800

I'm in need of some seriously funky bass. Who or what is your favorite song/band/album that's mainly driven by melodic bass? Think Bootsie, Larry Graham, Infectious Grooves, Parliament. Think virtuoso, all over the place, like your eyes bug out when you hear it. Any style, any musician, any song - especially artists who don't usually get down like that.

Other songs like Song of the Volga Boatmen?

Izner Myletze — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 19:14:46 -0800

What songs are similar to this recording of The Song of the Volga Boatmen? (Slow, non-English solo bass vocals, powerful and gloomy)

How can I make my guitar sound like an organ?

abirae — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 12:52:43 -0800

How can I make my guitar sound like an electric organ? I was listening to a Quintron organ solo, and thought, "Wouldn't it be cool if my bass sounded like an electric organ?"
Do you know of a way to do this? Maybe some kind of pedal? Dirty noisy sounds are okay, and cheap things (like under $100) are even better.

If Sting can do it, I can too!

freshwater_pr0n — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 16:22:31 -0800

Can anyone offer some good advice on how to sing while playing bass or drums? I play bass, but it seems like advice from drummers would be in tune with what I'm trying to do. Even if I can play the bassline in my sleep whilst not singing, and sing the words backwards and forwards as long as my hands are empty, I just can't get it together. "Just practice it a lot" isn't working for me.

My suspicion is that it's the singing part that's stumping me most, not the playing. Are there tricks that will help me use less brainpower when I sing?

I am not Lilah, but I could be

Martin E. — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 16:16:27 -0800

I'd like to be able to play "The Night" by Morphine on the bass guitar, and other tunes that sound like that. Can you help me get started? Or find a better place to ask this question? I've been playing bass guitar for a few years, but just straightforward pop/rock and a little country/folk. I'd like to take a stab at moody-jazzy-postrock like "The Night" or "Audrey's Dance" or this other bit from Twin Peaks.

I'm mostly self-taught, but like to think I know a bit of theory. I'd like to think that if I had a nudge in the right direction I could pick it up. So an ideal answer might be something like:

"The Night" is B-Dorian/blues in Db composed of [this series of notes] with an occasional Eb thrown in, a standard i-v-VI progression for this type of music--see this URL for more on this style of music.

Although links to actual tab for these tunes (I did look already, but did not find) are certainly welcome. I do know this book exists, but it's rather expensive at the moment.

Bonus (or alternate) question: What would be the best bass guitar forum on the web for someone who is a bit of a novice and not devoted to metal?

How Low Can You Go ?

pickingoutathermos — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:55:22 -0800

What are some examples of high quality yet dirt cheap guitar brands/models (ex. Rondo)? I just discovered Rondo's Agile and SX line's of well reviewed guitars and basses. Any other brands like this ?

David Bowie

gnutron — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 11:57:42 -0800

Bass player. Long time pizzicato, first time arco. What do I need to know about my bow, specifically regarding rosin? I have played bass for 15+ years, with almost no formal teaching - mostly electric bass guitar.

A few months ago, I invested in an electric upright bass - which is really freakin' awesome, and has added a new dimension to my playing style.

In the spirit of exploration, I picked up an inexpensive bass bow on ebay - although I am sorely lacking some practical/technical knowledge on how to use it.

So my main question...do I *need* to rosin the bow? Will the rosin leave gunky residue on my bass strings? Any other tips or techniques would be greatly appreciated.

The Girl's Guide to Hunting for Fish

ROTFL — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:16:27 -0800

Why are St. Lawrence River/Great Lakes fish from upstate New York unavailable in New York City? Years ago, I used to fish in the St. Lawrence River, on the border between New York State and Canada. I used to catch, and eat, the most amazing, sweet-fleshed fish – primarily perch, pike, muskellunge, sunfish, and small-mouth bass.

In a lifetime of living in New York City, I have never, ever seen a single one of these freshwater fish for sale anywhere, in a fish shop or restaurant, for any price. Yet on a trip to Lake Erie a few years ago, I saw shacks selling fried perch (an indescribable ambrosia), so they’re obviously not illegal to sell as food.

Why are these fish never sold in New York? Is there any way to get them, short of fishing for them myself?

Which is the best speaker for my bass amp?

IZ — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 13:32:13 -0800

Bass Amp Filter: 2 x 10 or 1 x 15? Hi,

For live performances, I'm thinking or purchasing the new Ampeg BA600 combo amp which comes in both a 2 x 10" speaker version and a 1 x 15" speaker version.

My main experience has been with a high end 4 x 10" speaker and separate amp, which I love, but for me in the end it's all about the deep low end. I play sixties and seventies style funk and soul music and I really dig that traditional fat sound. I know, I know, I should buy a vintage tube amp. But if you forget about that for a moment, which speaker should I choose in my new combo amp?

(and, yes, although I should probably try it out first, I still appreciate your advice).

Thanks!