Sting, bass tone. How?
- Thread starter Demanic
- Start date
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Get a noise gate that you can control the attack and set it to slightly slower attack so it almost works like a volume pedal swelling really fast on each note. I used to use a gate in an SPX90 rack unit to do that kind of sound. If it's constant, rhythmic on tempo, you can also use a tremolo effect and play in time with it and it will swell in like a synth on each note like that. Pink Floyd's "One Of These Days" was done like that, as was the guitar of The Smiths "How Soon Is Now?"
Also has some kind of chorus or flange sound on it.
Also has some kind of chorus or flange sound on it.
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Learning what? That you should probably head to the emergency room?
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
I'm just repeating what Sting said...
eclecticsynergy
New member
Two sounds (at least) layered in that bass sound. There is bass guitar but it's overshadowed by synth. The synth, I think, is actually long sustained notes with the volume modulated by a triangle wave (or maybe sine wave) to make it pulse in time with the tempo.
Decades later the same technique was/is sometimes being used by DJs and in EDM to pulse whole mixes.
Decades later the same technique was/is sometimes being used by DJs and in EDM to pulse whole mixes.
Last edited:
NegativeEase
New member
Demanic:
Here's a breakdown of what was used on the album that might get you closer
https://the-police-equipment.fandom.com/wiki/Ghost_In_The_Machine_equipment
Here's a breakdown of what was used on the album that might get you closer
https://the-police-equipment.fandom.com/wiki/Ghost_In_The_Machine_equipment
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
I think eclectic synergy is correct. I also think the live vid seems to be exactly what is going on in the studio version. You can see Sting holding down bass notes on the synth without repeating them. Then you can also see a touring bassist back in the darkness playing bass guitar and pumping 8ths. Short answer is still the personality of the tone is coming from a synth. That's what gives it that harmonic content.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
So is the question: How do I get this sound with my bass and my amp? or is the question: What exact equipment did Sting use so I can buy all of that?
Demanic
PenultimateTone Member
Not going on an equipment binge. Just looking for suggestions that I can use with what I already have to get as close as possible. I've never had much interest in copping someone else's exact sound.
Clint 55
OH THE DOUBLE THICK GLAZE!
Probably a synth pedal for bass then since I'm assuming you want live. If not live, you could probably find a free synth vst.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Then post #4 would be my suggestion. Some kind of gate with control of the attack and a trigger mask to set the tempo/timing of the gate opening at the right speed for the music. An SPX90 rack unit does it, but I'm not sure what pedal has that level of control. Otherwise, a tremolo pedal where you can set the ramp/fade-in of the volume opening and closing.
NegativeEase
New member
This is timely also, one of my bands covers this and were discussing how far we take it -tone wise -I have a Korg that can make a similar pulse sync fuzz thing
eclecticsynergy
New member
Doable with any synth and a tremolo pedal. You just need to get the speed right. Pedal synth + tremolo would allow doing it with one person doing both synth and bass guitar, like Sting did.
PS: Ghost In The Machine is probably my favorite Police record.
Wore it (and Synchronicity) out on vinyl back in the day.
PS: Ghost In The Machine is probably my favorite Police record.
Wore it (and Synchronicity) out on vinyl back in the day.
