How do you make synth bass legendary rather than ordinary? This is the first of three videos on that subject, and part of a larger series “Secrets of the 1980s” where I showcase long lost production techniques and how they can turn a vanilla song into a hit record. In this video I explain the first technique, which breaks into two parts. Then I do a demo using my vintage Yamaha TX81Z, throw some chords and drums together in a speedrun, and demonstrate more. Then I do a live performance where I play synth bass live. All 100% dawless and, as per usual. I only use hardware vintage and modern analog synths, and all programming is done into my hardware Squarp Pyramid sequencer.

Instruments and devices used in this video include:

Behringer DeepMind 12
Behringer Pro1
Behringer RD9
Drawmer DS201
Korg M1R
Lexicon MX200
Roland R8 Mk1
Yamaha TX81Z

00:00 Start
00:06 How do you make perfect pop?
01:27 Martin Rushent’s rule
02:23 Looking at old multitracks
03:42 Listening to an old demo
05:15 Synth Bass Production Technique #1*
06:35 The first reason
08:16 The second reason
11:45 Speedrun
22:15 Demonstration
31:15 Live performance

* #2 and #3 will be in subsequent videos