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5 Drag the ball down a little, and the sound becomes more wiry. The ball should now be
directly above the word Steel on the horizontal axis.
From the models at your disposal, Strike is the most suitable for simulating a thumb
physically striking the strings from above. This model is not, however, as appropriate for
the slapped (popped) strings. It makes the most sense to choose the Pick model for this
purpose.
6 To be safe, turn the Level knob to −25 dB.
7 Choose the Pick model for Object 1.
8 Drag Object 1 to position 0.90 in the Pickup display. This position corresponds to a playing
position above or on the fingerboard.
Note: Given its universal concept, Sculpture will not react exactly like a bass, where one
would tend to play in the middle of the string on the upper part of the fingerboard. Try
moving Object 1 to this position and see how it sounds. You’ll find that the sound is a
little too smooth.
To set the parameters for Object 1
1 Set Timbre to a value of 0.38, which corresponds to a rapid attack.
2 Set the Strength parameter to 0.53.
3 Set the Variation parameter to −0.69; this defines the softer material that constitutes the
fleshy part on the side of your slapping thumb.
You’re probably familiar with the sound of low notes when played with your thumb.
What’s missing, thus far, is the typical bright rattling that is created when the string strikes
the fingerboard. Use Object 2 to this end, and choose the Bound type menu item. Bound
limits the antinode of the string in exactly the same way as the fingerboard on a real
electric bass.
411Chapter 14 Sculpture