"David Foster" 80's synth bass sound

[bdr]

Any hints on how to get a good sounding version of David Foster's classic synth bass sound?('Hard To Say I'm Sorry/You're The Inspiration +100 others). I realise it's a Moog of some type and have a couple of Kontakt patches that are in the direction, but sound kind of mushy and unfocussed.

Thanks for any help.

[Gravity Jim]

I believe that David Foster was running more than one track of bass. That killer super pop bass thing always sounded to me like a real bass guitar, both amped and direct, and doubled (or more, for all I know... Those 80s guys went a little nuts on the track counts) with synth bass.

Also, those mini-Moogs didn't have presets. You had to dial in the patch for a given production, and the first-call synth guys knew how to tweak a patch to make the producer happy. So sample playback may not be the hot set-up for those tones... I often use the Arturia Analog Experience stuff for tweak-able synth tones. If your copy of Kontakt came with Komplete, try some of the synthier programs... Massive or Absynth take a walk on Kontakt for this application.

[mikehalloran]

Never occurred to me that would be a desirable sound - probably because I never cared for the song (still don't) - but, you're right, it is a cool bass sound.

Part of the sound is that every note has a bass drum hit. In the '80s, bassists like I and studio drummers got really annoyed by producers who insisted that the drum and bass lock on every note - not an issue if there was a chart but usually there wasn't.

Sampletank 2.5 - yes, the free version - has some synth basses that I really like. None nail the David Foster sound but some are quite useful such as the 008 Synth, Bass Taurus - which is close and P Bass Fingered (doesn't sound like a P Bass but it's a cool synth bass).

Actually, the Bass Taurus patch combined with a soft hit bass drum comes very close. Maybe the original was a set of Moog Taurus bass pedals.

I would give it a try - after all, you can't knock the price.
http://www.ikmultimedia.com/sampletankfree/features/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If you haven't downloaded it before, there is a long thread on this somewhere on this board. It will be much easier if you install IK's updated License Manager first - also free. Sampletank 2.5 wants to install an older version that is not compatible with later Mac OS.

[bdr]

thanks guys. I have Sampletank so I'll check out those patches. Probably layering will help also. I always avoid layering basses cause I worry about mud.

As far as desirable..well that's in the eyes of the beholder obviously but I'm working on a track for a songwriter who wants a 'We Are the World' kind of vibe.

BTW did anyone see the newer 'We Are the World' for Haiti. Good intentions notwithstanding, for me it's a summary of why I don't listen to current pop music.

[mikehalloran]

>As far as desirable..well that's in the eyes of the beholder obviously but I'm working on a track for a songwriter who wants a 'We Are the World' kind of vibe.<

"I've been slandered, libeled - heard words I never heard in the Bible. Just trying to keep the customer satisfied, satisfied..."

[David Polich]

I am touring with David Foster as keyboard tech/programmer (mostly as
keyboard tech).

The answer is that it depends on the song. Yes, a lot of David's "hits"
featured layers of real electric bass and synth bass, and where there
were orchestral strings (such as Chicago's "Hard to Say I'm Sorry") there
are obviously double bass parts included as well.

I don't have access to multi-track master track sheets or Pro Tools sessions
of the numerous songs he produced and/or co-wrote. And the list of tracks he
produced or co-wrote would be way larger than a list of what he didn't do.

You can't go wrong with synth bass layered with electric bass. A minimoog,
minmoog Voyager, or Prophet 08 or Mopho or Tetra will always sound good.
I've also gotten fantastic results with Arturia's Minimoog V as well as
Spectrasonics Trilian.

[Gravity Jim]

David: Please tell Mr. Foster for me that his sides with The Tubes are among my very favorite productions of all time. Outside/Inside is a masterpiece.

"I feel somethin' special about that one dere. It's a hit!"

[mhschmieder]

Oh wow, I forgot that he ever worked with The Tubes!

In my previous apartment, the upstairs neighbour was using The Tubes' current keyboardist in his band (as a side project). Really nice guy, and super-talented. And of course Prairie Prince is always an on-call drummer.

[bdr]

Thanks for the reply David. Yes I love a lot of his earlier work, before the pop ballad became his bread and butter...EW & F 'I Am' (After the Love is Gone is an awesome song), Bill Champlin's "Runaway", The Tubes, Airplay w/Jay Graydon, Boz Scaggs, James Ingram, Chicago 16 and 17...OK I'm making myself nostalgic for when I used to listen to 'pop' music.

[mhschmieder]

Yeah, I know the feeling -- the rare listening that I do to recorded vs. live music (I primarily attend Opera, Ballet, New Music and Chamber Music concerts and recitals, when I'm not busy gigging myself or in the studio recording/mixing/mastering/producing), is mostly classical, then world, then jazz. I rarely have time for casual listening, especially pop.

But David Foster's work is near the top of my list. In fact, his playing and production values on Chicago 16 have informed three to four songs that I wrote and recorded in the mid-2000's (never got around to final mixes but hope to soon). I've always strived towards his ideals.

[David Polich]

By the way, David's career isn't "over"...he's still producing and writing:

http://www.davidfoster.com/album/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

What audiences and listeners don't get to hear is what a great piano player
he really is. The man has serious chops, which I get to hear when he goofs around with the band during rehearsals. He's an amazing jazz player but can
also play in just about every other genre you can think of.

[bdr]

I have some old Lee Ritenour albums from the late 70's with DF playing keys...I've always known he's a terrific musician. I wish he'd do some material that's more jazz/R&B oriented as I'm sure he'd kill it. Really, how many Josh Groban/Celine Dion/Barbara Streisand/Andrea Boccelli ballads can one listen to?

[jantoman]

Another unforgettable bass synth track by David Foster: Chaka Khan's "Night in Tunisia (and the melody still lingers on". Awesome!
I could write a long list of records that I L-O-V-E where he played/arranged/produced. On the other hand, there's some of his recent stuff that I really hate... BDR just named a few
Oh well... pop production is a dirty job but somebody's got to do it.

[bdr]

I was pleased and surprised to see him introduce the Dirty Loops at a recent live concert..if you don't know who they are, they are a killer trio from Sweden, a guy that sings like Stevie Wonder and plays like Greg Phillinganes, an amazing bass player and a fantastic drummer. They do 're-arrangements' of current pop songs in a funk/fusion style, really quite phenomenal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjVGJ3YFDc8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nsqh9jHkHlM

[jayismyson]

Actually, the Bass Taurus patch combined with a soft hit bass drum comes very close. Maybe the original was a set of Moog Taurus bass pedals.

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