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Looking for a keyboard bass


Dejavoodoo

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Fellow Keyboard Aficionados-

 

I'm looking for a keyboard bass to use in my church.

 

I suppose I could go with an "entry level" synth and just use the bass sounds, but I'm searching for an actual bass synth or module. The idea is to let someone else play a bass line, preferably while singing. My budget is open, as I don't know what's out there.

 

What I'm NOT looking for:

 

Fender Bass Piano

Software

Foot Pedals

 

Thanks much!

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why not a Fender Piano Bass?! :D

 

this could be fun... i'd definitely say an old analog monosyth. the SH-101 immediately springs to mind, but there's plenty of others that would fit.

 

but nothing more than a 3-octave keyboard, or else you'll just look like an asshole.

 

or how about a Yamaha DX-100 or a Casio CZ-101?

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The Fender Piano Bass would be a good choice, but there are tuning issues associated with it, and the shop I like has a 3 week turnaround on things like that. Granted, it wouldn't be an everyday thing, but I already have piano and pipe organ tunings figured into the budget. Also, I like to bend notes with the mod wheel.

 

I kinda like the analog monosynth idea - I used to use an old MicroMoog for a bass. Wish I had it back.

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a MicroMoog would be gorgeous up there. definitely shoot for something classy, the smaller the better. any idea on budget?

 

[one a side note - just saw a MiniMoog Voyager Rack for the first time this evening. wowzers! surprised at how small it was, wasn't surprised at the build quality. what a beautiful machine.]

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a MicroMoog would be gorgeous up there. definitely shoot for something classy, the smaller the better. any idea on budget?

 

I was hoping to get in for less than $500, but now I don't know. Just checked eBay. One micromoog sold for $610 plus another hundred S/H. Yet this other dude sells one for $300 or so, plus $35 S/H. They looked the same! They both worked! WTF?!??!:freak:

 

Might just have to purchase it myself.

 

... now there's an idea ....

 

"Honey, God told me to buy this synth."

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I second the Micromoog recommendation. Alternatively, you may also want to consider a Moog Source, although I have no idea what these things are going for. It seems there also was a one-space bass module on the market approximately ten years ago but I forget the manufacturer.....E-mu perhaps?

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Under 500 - take a look at the Micron. OK, so it's not analog, but it's got some pretty beefy bass sounds. If you need it to look better, build a wooden shell for it.

 

If your church has a bake sale to raise funds, check the little phatty or DSI MEK.

 

If it wins the lottery, get a Voyager. :D

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The SCI Pro One is a great bass makin' monosynth as is the Roland SH-2. These may exceed your budget depending on the day. A Roland SH-09 is a little cheaper but has 1 OSC unlike the the SH-2, which has 2. Both have SUB OSC though. Maybe the new SH-201. I played it breifly at GC, I didn't really like it...

 

How 'bout the Novation Bass Station? http://cgi.ebay.com/NOVATION-BASS-STATION-BASSSTATION-KEYBOARD-SYNTHESIZER_W0QQitemZ170076784685QQihZ007QQcategoryZ29552QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Never played one, but my A-Station can do basses quite nicely. K-Station is another option along those lines. DX-100 (as mentioned before) is known for being used as a bass synth. Roland Alpha Juno 1 or 2 would also be good. The Juno 1 is very compact for a 49 key synth. The MicroKorg might work, though I can't personally say from experience. All of these, with the exception of the Pro One and the SH-2 could easily be had for under $500.

 

Just get this...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Roland-SH-2-Synthesizer-with-case_W0QQitemZ260087136657QQihZ016QQcategoryZ38071QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem :thu:

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Here's some thoughts from someone who actually does play key bass in a praise band (that's me folks) when the bass player is off, or playng flute.

 

Use something that sounds like a bass guitar. If you are doing praise music don't go analog or even VA. I have several analog synths around, but for this I use Rolands with a Precision Bass, fretless, and acoustic bass patches called up. Any XP will do nicely and cost well below $500. But I'm sure there are other brands just as good.

 

A velocity sensitive keyboard is a must! Unless you guys blast away throughout the whole service.

 

Run it through it's own bass amp.

 

Anyone seriously recommending a Rhodes Bass for anything other than Doors music has never actually played one.

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Here's some thoughts from someone who actually does play key bass in a praise band (that's me folks) when the bass player is off, or playng flute.


Use something that sounds like a bass guitar. If you are doing praise music don't go analog or even VA. I have several analog synths around, but for this I use Rolands with a Precision Bass, fretless, and acoustic bass patches called up. Any XP will do nicely and cost well below $500. But I'm sure there are other brands just as good.


A velocity sensitive keyboard is a
must!
Unless you guys blast away throughout the whole service.


Run it through it's own bass amp.


Anyone seriously recommending a Rhodes Bass for
anything
other than Doors music has never actually played one.

 

 

 

Good suggestions ... thank you. I hadn't thought of an XP, and the velocity sensitive tip is good, too. We have an N 264, and I have used it for bass lines in the past, but only when we had a piano player and guitarist. I'd rather use it on psalms. It has some nice, airy pads that go well with a lector reading.

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Under 500 - take a look at the Micron. OK, so it's not analog, but it's got some pretty beefy bass sounds. If you need it to look better, build a wooden shell for it.


If your church has a bake sale to raise funds, check the little phatty or DSI MEK.


If it wins the lottery, get a Voyager.
:D

 

Micron is under consideration.

 

If it wins the lottery, I'll buy a new church, install a big-ass pipe organ, and put a Moog Modular next to it!

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