User Guide

536 Chapter 28 Sculpture
7 To finish off, set the Level dial (to the right of the amplitude envelope) to a value of –
3 dB. The sound is now as loud as possible, without the low notes distorting.
8 Save this sound setting, as you’ll need it for further modifications later. Please name it
E-Bass Fingered Basic EQ1.
Pick Bass
The basic bass is played with the fingers. In the following example you will simulate
playing the strings with a pick, using the Pick object type. The Timbre parameter will be
used to adjust the relationship between the speed and intensity at which the string is
struck. The Variation parameter will be used to define the virtual material density (or
hardness) of the pick.
If you imagine the fingers to be very soft picks, it makes sense to alter the Pick
parameters so that a hard plastic pick is the outcome.
To simulate playing with a pick:
1 Please load the E-Bass Fingered Basic setting.
2 Set the Timbre parameter of Object 1 to its maximum value of 1.00. You’ll note that the
attack is now stronger.
3 Try several different Variation settings to get a feel for the material qualities of the pick.
Note: Not all positions will deliver usable results for the entire range of the instrument.
4 You’ll get a consistent, working setting for the two octaves above E 0 with the
following parameter settings: Position 0.17 (Pickup display), Strength 1.00 (maximum),
Timbre 0.90, Variation 0.56.
When these settings are used, you’ll find that the sound has become softer and very
thin. In fact, it’s somewhat reminiscent of a clavinet.
To compensate for this side effect with the Body EQ:
1 Activate the Body EQ and add a healthy portion of bottom end to the sound by setting
the Low parameter to 0.60. Mid should be set to 0.33.
2 Set the High dial to –0.45 as the sound is now so bright that rolling off a few of the
highs can’t hurt.
3 Now bring the volume into line. If you adjust the Level dial to 2.5 dB, nothing should be
distorting. If this isn’t the case, try reducing some more of the bottom end with the
Low dial.
4 Save this setting as Pick Open Roundwound.