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Perhaps no chair in the average band has changed as much as the bass over the last decade. Technology and tastes have introduced a new set of responsibilities to the bass role, and in some styles staying relevant means integrating effects, sound-design, and synthesis into the average gig. While it might seem intimidating at first, a deep dive into the myriad ways bass players can mangle and sculpt their sound is ultimately among the most rewarding steps bassists can take. In 21st Century Bass, we’ll survey the whole effects spectrum, going deep into how effects work and ways to combine them to cop classic sounds and innovate new ones. Plus, we’ll tackle how to get the iconic keybass sounds of players like Stevie Wonder, Bernie Worrell, and modern hip-hop and dance music with an introduction to subtractive synthesis.
Mondays 8:15 – 9:45 pm 1/8 – 3/19 (10 weeks) no class 1/15 Jonathan Herrera • $395
DEPARTMENT: Bass
COURSE TITLE: 21st Century Bass
COURSE PREREQUISITES: None. Open to all
REQUIRED READING/MATERIALS: None
RECOMMENDED READING/MATERIALS: Guitar Effects Pedals: The Practical Handbook by Dave Hunter The Synthesizer: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding, Programming, Playing, and Recording the Ultimate Electronic Instrument by Mark Vail
COURSE OUTLINE:
Week 1 Introduction to the nature of sound Evolution of bass effects w/ recorded examples Survey of effect categories
Week 2 What is distortion? How distortion is implemented for bass tone Types of distortion, including solid-state vs. tube Common distortion settings
Week 3 Pitch-shifting and octave effects Analog vs. Digital Practical application, including prominent players Survey of popular products Settings
Week 4 Dynamic effects The essential role of compression for bass in the studio and live The common compression methods and their pros/cons Explanation of the most common parameters How to use parallel compression in the studio Playing examples
Week 5 Equalization Graphic, parametric, peaking, shelving, and other types Impact of EQ on basic tone Using EQ to shape the timbre of an effected sound Acoustics and mitigating bad sound w/ EQ Playing examples
Week 6 Filter effects, particularly low-pass filters w/ envelope control Description of settings w/ reference to recorded examples Survey of most popular products Using static filters to shape bass timbre Side-chaining filter envelope for rhythmic effects
Week 7 Modulation effects Çomb-filtering and the impact of phase on timbre Chorus, flanging, phasing, and other modulation effects Parameter survey Digital vs. Analog
Week 8 Delays, reverbs, and other time-based effects The different types of delay, including analog vs. digital Delay settings for thickening, widening, and/or dramatically altering tone Reverb types, including plate, spring, convolution, and more
Week 9 Combining effects to achieve tone. Emulating other instruments w/ effects Multi-effects
Week 10 Introduction to analog, subtractive synthesis Brief history of analog synthesis, including introduction to iconic synths Stage-by-stage description of analog synthesizer Achieving popular keybass sounds w/ a simple analog synthesizer Product recommendations and examples
Jonathan Herrera (bass)
B.A., University of Southern California; Honors Graduate, Los Angeles Music Academy. 2012 Artist-in-Residence, Los Angeles College of Music. Current LACM faculty, teaching Synth Bass. Former Editor-in-Chief of Bass Player Magazine, current Senior Contributing Editor. Performed and recorded with Stanley Jordan, Brain, Oz Noy, Miguel Migs, Cathedrals, Jonas Hellborg, Cyrus Chestnut, MoeTar, and many more. Extensive international touring and clinic experience. Moog, MXR, DSI, Nordstrand, and Aguilar endorsing artist. Staff Producer and Studio B Chief Engineer, Airship Laboratories recording studios. [/tab][/tabs]
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