Original Reese Bass Tutorial

How to program the original classic "reese" bass sound, originally heard on "Just Want Another Chance" by Reese (aka Kevin Saunderson), but made popular by a track called "Terrorist" by The Renegade featuring Ray Keith.
Ingredients:
1) A pair of detuned triangle oscillators (approx. +35 and -35 cents)
2) 1 loud triangle sub oscillator (one octave below the detuned pair)
3) 1 resonant low pass filter with 100% key follow
4) Optional: EQ and saturation
5) Beard (I reckon)
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[@Exit_Sign]

This has quickly become one of my favorite music production channels. Keep up the great work!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Wicked, thank you! I will indeed keep it up...

[@jodiescott01]

@@OwenTheGeek That resonant trick is UNREAL thank you. Why do some synths beat slower and faster with note position, please? I've tried this with Tyrell (Free), it's an amazing synth but when applying exactly what you're applying, the synth beats (wobbles). Operator does this too, this is no good for house or techno as the nobles just sound horrendous with the other elements. I'd greatly appreciate any help :)

[@St.Ivory_]

@@OwenTheGeek same, thank you man! Love your vibe and teaching! :)

[@ryankenny6033]

this has been the Reese tutorial I've wanted for 10 years! not the modern dnb style one the one that Kevin made on that Casio booom!!

[@nkogliaz]

There is actually a bit of pitch envelope on the initial attack of the reese, it's very subtle, but you can hear it on an actual CZ synth, it's a very short dive (think of a kick drum made out of a square wave that has had it's attack and release shaped to be percussive), I own a CZ 3000 and I've recreated the original many times over the years, interesting side trick on the actual CZ synth, if you kick on the ring modulator after creating the reese bass in its entirety on it, it actually start to morph into a sine compression sounding bass because of the ring modulation occuring at the audio frequency of the sub tone, I am long over due to make a video about this patch on the CZ 3000, maybe I will do one this year.

[@karimayoubi74]

Ahhh....! I managed to make a passable reese bass just using two sine waves detuned against each other, but it lacked that really distinctive reese rumble. Awesome tutorial Owen, love the fact that you throw in some music history too. Great channel, keep it up!

[@kahlilsmith5243]

Spot On! I'm super glad that you gave the background to origins of this popular bass sound as well.

[@multipleerrors3037]

Great tutorial Owen. I found this channel through your recent shaker thread on DOA. So true what you say about such a seemingly simple sound not sounding quite the same due to the type of lowpass filter used. My go-to reese patch was one I made in absynth many years ago & Ive never managed to make another sound as authentic or 'right' in something newer like serum for instance, even though it should be plenty capable of doing so. According to Kevin Saunderson the original was made in a Casio CZ-5000 (which ive never owned or used) so I guess it works better in a softsynth that emulates similar characteristics to that particular LPF. Once again, great work, looking forward to more videos.

[@OwenTheGeek]

These things can be tricky, but there may well be ways to nail the sound without using a LPF at all. I'm sure Serum could potentially do that just with its wavetable editing features!

[@mirceastaicu4131]

Owen Palmer, thank you for kindly sharing this with us

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thank you Mircea, I don't mind sharing at all

[@DJCouchKing]

Classic patch! Nice simple and straight to the point video. Good work.

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks, I'm glad people are digging the quick and simple style

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

The sound of the original "Reese bass", is timeless in my opinion. It one of those initially unique sounds that come around very rarely. Ok its been rinsed to death now but, think about how many different dance music genre's it has infiltrated. Great work again my main man 👍👍. Can't wait for the next episode :-)

[@OwenTheGeek]

I don't think it's been rinsed to death, I think it's become a dance music staple!

[@charlieclarkson-berry3505]

thank you I have been searching for a plugin that can emulate this sound and you have hit the nail on the head

[@alexrimeisis1298]

You manage to get it sound like it does in the video? I cant get it right.

[@OwenTheGeek]

You'll get it if you follow the steps verrrry patiently. It's a delicate one.

[@Augnos]

Put this right into Arturia Mini, and it sounds T H I C C. So many other channels make reeses with sawtooth or squares, but it was the triangle waveform that sounds the best imo.

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks! I'd love to hear your Arturia version

[@MrChamesy]

Simple and to the point with a touch of history, love it!

[@79toddy]

I managed to convert this over to The Thor synth in the Reason 11 rack and works like a treat. Thanks Owen... I've been look for a Terrorist type reece bass tutorial for a while now.

[@heanz]

I never saw a video with 1.1k likes and 0 dislikes. Props to you brotha

[@EXITMUSIC2011]

We used to call this "demon bass" in the 90s. Got the sample somewhere and worked well.

[@Randelissimo]

Bro! THANK YOU! Never knew what this even was!!!

[@unownnnn]

Thanks for the history along with the knowledge

[@PerfectViolation]

It was great to hear some history I always find that fascinating.

[@6minus3minus2]

Respect from a Detroit musician. Sounds fantastic!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Salute!!!

[@friendofp.24]

I'm doing exactly everything you do up until the 2 minute mark and it sounds completely different. It sounds a lot less crisp and a lot more "blurred." I found that turning the transpose a couple octaves more down helps but it still doesn't sound the same. Could you help me? Does it matter that I'm using Ableton 12?

[@OwenTheGeek]

Doesn't matter that you're using Ableton.... BUT hold the line... I'm gonna do an updated Original Reese Bass Tutorial, cos I've since devised more robust methods. 🙏

[@fishcakes5626]

I typically do not spend the time to log in to KZbin just to sub to someone but once I watched this I just had to, man. Keep up the good work! Big Up! 👊🏽😁

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks so much, your comment means a lot to me. I've had an unintentional break, but I'm back now

[@Nismology5]

Following along using my old Novation KS4, and got to 3:50 where you dial in the resonance... Holy shit!

[@valhallaatmedawg6446]

That's dead-on. Absolutely fantastic. 💕

[@officialkidwizard]

retrologue was the synth I used in college when we had lessons in Cubase... good memories

[@OwenTheGeek]

A highly underrated plugin!

[@Lewis-YouTube]

Nice work man! Exactly what I been looking for you Legend :)

[@Lewis-YouTube]

Do you know how I would get this exact sound that starts at 49 seconds? It has a kind of Organ/Bass sound. Happy to send over a small paypal fee for a preset if you can help. Either on Serum, Pigments or Retrologue 👍 Matthew Herbert - It's Only (DJ Koze Remix) kzbin.info/www/bejne/mandaaSAZ6dri8k

[@readventurekids]

Another fascinating tutorial! Nice to see Ray Keith's beard get a look in too.

[@OwenTheGeek]

LARGE UP the Ray Keith each and every!!!

[@dickjohnsonsixtynine]

Ray Keith is god

[@electrik_blue]

Dope bro! Thanks for the sound design class!

[@tenebrissubterra4596]

673 likes - 0 dislikes, you are doing something right.

[@the_cursor]

I finally know what a reese bass is. Thanks.

[@elissitdesign]

Man you got it super close. The original Reese bass was created on the Casio CZ-5000 for anyone curious.

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks! I can get it closer now. I have several superior methods. Watch this space.... 🔥

[@ultrajayme]

real quick. maybe you covered it but maybe i missed it too...where do you have your envelope set to? any attack on the amp? is sustain maxed? thanks man. great video. i needed a refresh on this. been making a reese for years and i always forget stuff if i don't do it like daily.

[@OwenTheGeek]

I think I didn't touch the amp envelope, I just left it as it was by default (yeah, max sustain)

[@ultrajayme]

@@OwenTheGeek thanks

[@ZONE6666]

good stuff!! can't wait to play around with this :)

[@DimaShenme]

that's a great tutorial! I loved your hoover tutorial too.

[@viewsbydrone5313]

These videos are brilliant, many thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks, more coming

[@Cosmicdoubt]

Hey man this was super helpful, thanks!

[@matttucny4400]

Another great video, thanks Owen.

[@catfishbobby2628]

Quick and easy thanks bro great tutorial!

[@slippers621]

nice work owen

[@jodiescott01]

That resonant trick is UNREAL thank you. Why do some synths beat slower and faster with note position, please? I've tried this with Tyrell (Free), it's an amazing synth but when applying exactly what you're applying, the synth beats (wobbles). Operator does this too, this is no good for house or techno as the nobles just sound horrendous with the other elements. I'd greatly appreciate any help :)

[@LOOBUUU]

Yes Owen, big appreciate on this, love it

[@LOOBUUU]

219 likes, 0 dislikes woiii

[@sniff28]

Thanks for this tutorial.

[@dustloopspace]

Are you Hattrixx by any chance... I think I've seen your name as a producer on some vinyls before!

[@thec4ke]

Huh, wow, I've wondered for years how to actually make that sound. I got close with feedback FM but it was never quite right.

[@Najstefaniji]

god bless you fella !

[@alexrobertson232]

Sick one, cheers !

[@VladimirUnique1]

Wicked bass!

[@schiribeats]

Will it work with prolouge

[@KevinArdala01]

Hey Owen, I was wondering whether you know how to make the tonal bass sound from Maya Jane Coles Remix of Sia - Alive (starts at 52sec)? m.kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXjCinx7qMmDsKc Maya's a bit of an enigma in that she makes lots of bass and lead sounds that sound classic, but are completely cutting edge and contemporary as well...like I said, just curious, as her sound design is a bit of a mystery to me!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Yeah... I'm a bit late replying, but it sounds like a filtered hoover. You could follow this tutorial kzbin.info/www/bejne/q2bLqGt-edKpiMU and then lowpass it. Nice sound!

[@djmatduke]

sick. thanks Owen

[@rogue2544]

4:35 Terrorist is a wicked jungle classic

[@OwenTheGeek]

Total game changer

[@EugeneM]

Sounds good but I've noticed that a speed (frequency) of pulsation heavy depends on the note being played which often is not good.Tried to get rid of this in retrologue but failed. Try C2 note and D2 one by one back and forth and you clearly hear the difference in pulsation.

[@OwenTheGeek]

Yes, I understand. In this case it was exactly the desired result. If you wanted to address that, you could link "Key Follow" to the detune amounts via the Matrix (although it would be a bit fiddly to adjust the modulation amount to get the desired effect).

[@anthonymetcalf660]

Surge has what you need for this now, easy

[@thriftsimple561]

Thanks for this! Only thing I can't get right in Serum is getting that level pulsating out. I tried phase offset of the 2 osc but that didn't work for me. Pretty close still though. Great video!

[@splatsquatch3934]

detune your two oscillators by a fine tune...theyve gotta be slighhhhhtly out of pitch w one another....somewhere like 6-16 cents

[@OwenTheGeek]

@@splatsquatch3934 this, but as I recommend in the video, about 35 cents in either direction will get the pulses into the right range

[@bozhidarkn]

@@OwenTheGeek Man this comments are so freaking Fresh ! Just making Reese base in Korg Volca Bass ( bought a few hours ago) and this video made my...night ! Thanks for the tips and the back story !

[@sniff28]

Sounds good. The only problem with vst and synthesisers is the sound doesn’t get close to the original. The grittiness is missing. The CZ-5000 synth is the original or maybe the CZ1000 I think. It’s a phase distortion synth. Every synth has that iconic sound that can’t be recreated. The moog for the filters, Juno’s for the chorus, the CZ range for phase distortion. But you can get near enough the same sounding Reece. Just without the grittiness..

[@ultrajayme]

making it on my nord rack 2 right now

[@trntzx00]

Thanks!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Enjoy 🙏

[@tenebrissubterra4596]

Renegade is Ray Kieth.

[@charliegrey2767]

The original Reece sound came from headphone jack not being plugged into and amp properly wasn't it?

[@OwenTheGeek]

I hear that's the technique used for one of the sounds in Warhead by DJ Krust

[@yrussq]

First of all the output jack would not generate a signal into input. Secondly, the harmonics generated could not be detuned. Thirdly, there would be no multiple waves. So i don't know where did you get this from but this is wrong.

[@Selous_Scout]

Nice Owen very close I’d say ....any chance of making a pulse width reese with the virus bud

[@OwenTheGeek]

I actually don't use the Virus at all anymore

[@foodstampz]

RESPECT

[@splatsquatch3934]

nice job getting to the point and not muckin round my dude!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Thanks, that's my aim! Can't stand fluff so I keep it trim

[@partlysimpson5154]

I wonder how to get this retrolgue running on my m2 MacBook, I have cubase 9.5 license ,I only need Retrologue from it hah

[@OwenTheGeek]

You can purchase Retrologue 2 separately - that's the only way to detach from Cubase

[@partlysimpson5154]

But I rented cubase 12, well demo and it had me retrologue2.. seems good synth out of the box sounding. I also look for dune3, I won't avenger 2 and phalanx VPS. I sell these with reasonable price to get Dune3 probably @@OwenTheGeek

[@OwenTheGeek]

DUNE 3 is in my top 5

[@partlysimpson5154]

what's ur top 5?@@OwenTheGeek

[@OwenTheGeek]

I'll give you the top 3 as that's easy: #1 Xfer Serum #2 Steinberg Padshop #3 Synapse DUNE Note these are in order of what I personally find valuable, given my tastes/preferences/skills/etc. AND if forced to remove one from the list, it would affect my other choices (as I'm using them as a team). Picking #4 and #5 is a lot more difficult. Definitely one of the Plogue synths in there, possibly Korg Triton as well.

[@MrArthurKF]

Thank you!

[@WeirdSide]

You want to hear a poem?

[@hasanmasudrifat]

Reese bass is about the phase cancellation or detune!?I wonder...

[@kaafaa5944]

phase

[@deadbeef2482]

sweet!

[@Buddy_Holly]

dont forget some glide on there (for longer-holding notes)!!

[@OwenTheGeek]

Good shout!!

[@pat7373]

thx a lot 🤓

[@OwenTheGeek]

🙌

[@allowambeBOWWAMB]

Can't do it with Thor in Reason, sadly. Just tried! i.imgur.com/tZOizsL.png - either I get a squareish sound, or I get rumbling at certain notes

[@edgarsrutkovskis1846]

Big Up Bro its classic)))

[@Flux_One]

To be fair I thought Alex Reece created it, but just realised it's a different spelling :L

[@jnny7182]

Fab

[@TheBandzai]

Nice, pls reese bass serum ;D

[@OwenTheGeek]

Couldn't get the filter to sound right in Serum

[@kidsonicofficial]

Massive does it really well check out Myth (aka Jay from Ill Truth)'s tutorial where he gets REALLY close. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWexgaR5mMeof5Y

[@JohnPaulBuce]

ooooooohhhhhhhhh

[@readheadcopy]

👏

[@VKJ85]

Ableton Live Operator.

[@celebclips_1]

just give us the preset your showing us anyways

[@OwenTheGeek]

There's no preset. I didn't save it. I'm here to help you learn, not to do your work for you for free. 😋

[@jhill4221]

chap

[@negvey]

I would thumb up but its at 808, like 808 bass get it, itll ruin it lol