1980s Synth Bass Arpeggio Techniques

1980s Synth Bass Arpeggio Techniques

[@ThatHammondSound]

Where the heck were your instructional videos *IN* the 80's when I actually owned these instruments, couldn't figure out how to play them, and ultimately sold them?

[@ohiorichkidbeats]

im 40..when i graduated he would have been one of my best friends... i subscribed 'ohiorichkid instagram' - producer for rapper 50cent

[@theokingshango]

He was digging through the manuals until 2017

[@theokingshango]

Yeah, my SP808EX manual is over 200p LoLng

[@justmeagain4631]

It's left me sitting here thinking the exact same thing. I too ended my Keyboard/synth era behind totally confused at not being able to recreate all those great 80's riffs & sounds. At least i got to have a VERY FAMOUS guy sit in my house who purchased my Prophet V Rev 2 ;-)

[@joshmo3472]

because it took him since the 80's to figure it out! lol jk

[@shrigg]

Thank you sir! What a great tutorial on how to finally use the gear I already have properly. Your unselfish giving to the synth community is appreciated my friend.

[@nappashow]

The thick sound of that Juno is indeed music to my ears... thank you for the video. Cheers

[@TheWorld_2099]

I remember when the Juno-6 was out, and then a friend told me about the new 60... ’it has memory...! You can save your presets!’ What?!? Awesome times back then

[@synthdadmusic3388]

Yeah, bastards released the 60 about 1 week after I got my 6 🤬 no wonder I was always broke! Just had to have it

[@h.p.brownsaucecraft7966]

Ha! Had both a 6 and a 60! The advancement was a game changer

[@MalteWilsen]

The Juno's bass sound is utterly sweet.

[@wildnites558]

That Blue Monday drum/synth bass loop was so bad ass!

[@JimShadyUK]

This video answered questions I've had for nearly forty years!

[@kalpeshkpanchal]

Do you know how the midi connection and settings are done for such setup.

[@JimShadyUK]

@@kalpeshkpanchal I sadly never owned any of this equipment, so I'm afraid I can't help.

[@kmfdm10392]

As someone who turned 12 in 1980, I geek out so hard on this kinda stuff. I could play a bit of piano, and I begged my parents for a Juno, just knowing I could be the next synth-pop sensation.

[@fizzywack]

I was 11 back in 1980 but thankfully for me my parents eventually did get me a Juno. Great era for music! Especially compared to the crap my teenage daughters listen to today.

[@mikeexits]

@@fizzywack Damn, my family gets me a couple of pairs of cheap PJ pants from Target and maybe a $20 amazon gift card for birthday/christmas (they're less than a month apart so they just combine the gifts for both) as well as paying my phone bill. You were lucky, I'm happy for you!

[@mattbelinski7760]

Begged my parents for a Juno and they bought me a Casio

[@mikeexits]

@@mattbelinski7760 It's a Casio on a Plastic Beach It's a Casio on a Plastic Beach It's a styrofoam deep sea landfill It's a styrofoam deep sea landfill It's automated computer speech It's automated computer speech It's a Casio on a Plastic Beach It's a Casio, io, io

[@mikeexits]

@@mattbelinski7760 (Casio CZ-101 is pretty damn dope though, very unique form of synthesis)

[@carlbowles1808]

The 80's was the decade of my youthful prime I want to go back forever. You killed blue Monday triggering bright memories. Now I know how the music was done. Thank you so much for the knowledge and love ❤️.

[@JyotiMishra]

You should be getting an educational grant for these videos, Paolo! Really! I used to have trigs from my 808 going to my Rogue and the sequencer on my JX-3P (and sometimes my Synsonics which I modded for external trigger). For many years, that was my songwriting staple. :-) I think it's great you're passing this knowledge on. As old guys, we take it for granted because we've grown up with this equipment but if you're a kid raised on iOS apps, it may be all new! *bows down*

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

WAY too kind, Jyoti! Thank you!! Yes, for us is taken for granted, but a lot of younger guys ask me about mixing consoles, effects, triggers, drum machines etc. so I figured I'd start posting some explanatory videos of how we recorded in the pre-Internet days :) Have a great day!

[@SPEXWISE]

That's so cool. Love how it all just works together like that. Hardware is so much more interesting than software.

[@42mantua]

Agreed 💯 👍🏾

[@dr_tomK]

I've watched a lot of your videos and listened to your music, but I've never written before. I just wanted to say thank you for doing this. I love your channel and this video is really incredibly helpful to me. I play guitar in an 80's cover band but I've been playing around with synths for a few years when I came across a dirt cheap MicroKorg. That got me hooked, and awhile ago, mostly due to your videos, I purchased a Juno 60 with gig money I saved up. It makes me so happy. Nothing better than an analog synth during a long Canadian winter. Thanks again for the inspiration.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Tom, Thanks so much!

[@mrbtboydify]

Strange thing back in these synth days I was a skinhead and went out with a girl who loved all groups like Duran Duran human league etc I laughed at her taste in music. Well now days I think it's cool music and quite clever how they made the songs.

[@scrunchymacscruff1244]

Do you hee-yoe me, doyou ca-a-are..

[@MaNuLaToRVaDeR]

I grew up listening to A-Ha, Red Flag, Depeche Mode, Information Society, Thompson Twins, Duran Duran etc. Best damn childhood anyone could wish for Donna Summers I feel love is one of my favs. Cant forget about Giorgio Moroder (spelling?) Great Video btw!! I got Arturia Keylab 25 giving to me for free! Any advice for a beginner learning to play the piano/keyboard?? Thanks in advance!

[@thelifeproductions1]

Thanks for this tutorial. I love the Octave Synth Bass Arps on the 80s. I apply this technique all the time time in my music.

[@dudeadulto]

As a millenia and son of a 80s music lover I think this videos are amazing to see the old school music production techniques, great videos Paolo.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Miguel, thank *you for watching!

[@NullStaticVoid]

It's like 'This Old House' for synths.

[@Jason-km9gi]

NSV greatest comment ever !!

[@laurencevanhelsuwe3052]

You should write a book. If it was well-written, nicely structured, and full of such information, I'm sure it would sell enough to give a return on the effort.. it would be a very interesting book. I'd buy it and cherish it !

[@jbpeconic]

Agreed.. but I'd steal it.

[@reJECT0]

I'd buy it for sure.

[@mrconcept]

same here. very interesting info

[@wolffmedia731]

But everything is already here! Great insight..and gotta love those classic tunes as well! :-)

[@AshleyPomeroy]

If you just want to read about the synths, Julian Colbeck's old Keyfax books are great fun - they're basically page after page of synth reviews.

[@mrsh101]

I'm old school and so good to see educating the youth! thank you sounds authentic!

[@chrishorsten7980]

Thanks, Excellent tutorial. I own many similar pieces of equip (TR707/727, Ultranova, PolySix, OB6, and I have 4 vintage sequencers and have only very limited knowledge. This is so helpful.

[@mwatkins0590]

I need to remember to take notes when I watch your videos. I don't plan on exactly emulating them the way you describe, but there are so many learnable takeaways that I should be writing down.

[@Torrente70]

Teach us more 80s techniques :)) I wondered always how did they do that and now I know it, thx!

[@saporob]

they do that because they used 80 presets, that's the trick.

[@jenniferhardy1062]

I wonder if they could do one for "Doctor Doctor" (Twins song of course)

[@raquel6391]

That Juno sounds so delicious.

[@mikeexits]

@DCmediaUKfilm The big keyboard makes me think it's polyphonic. Why have such a large range of keys if it's monophonic? Is it just because they couldn't fit the electronics at the time into a smaller package, so they decided "might as well have a bigger keyboard to go with it?" Or is there some actual playability benefit to it?

[@Jakek200]

@@mikeexits The Juno 60 is 6 voice polyphonic

[@mikeexits]

@@Jakek200 Oh I see, I remember being confused because the Boutique is monophonic

[@operotr8423]

@@mikeexits actually the boutique ju06a and ju06 have four note polyphony

[@clarkflavor]

hahahah

[@WorksopGimp]

That Juno 60 looks mint! well looked after and that sound wow

[@londonroulette]

I had a Juno 106 once, Roland are so responsible for SOOOO MANY 80s classics, but the talent and simplicity of the DJ’s and musicians got them there. Love the 80s, BEST DECADE! We all know that, no matter what age you are!!

[@69rootman69]

Hey man, I just wanted to say that because of you I saved all my money and got a 707 and Juno 60. This video was so helpful and literally 90% of the music I record uses this technique. Thank you for doing what you do.

[@NeuronalAxon]

How much were they?

[@steviewondek]

You know any synth that has cv in, like the DM 12 and any drum machine with gate or separate outs can do the same, for so much cheaper, Juno 6/60 go for about $7k and 707 about $4k where I live, owch!!

[@ahol967]

THANK YOU, THANK YOU , THANK YOU. Nice to see how human ingenuity overcomes obstacles.

[@adrianreyes4702]

One of the Best explanations, and demos out there. Excellent. Thank you!

[@gbkny1]

I've seen so many vids where it's stated; you don't need a bunch of "stuff" or "gear". So much can be done with the things you already have. It's just a matter or using the equipment to it's full potential. You make it so easy to do. If i can pick up some vintage stuff on the cheap i'll go for it just for the fun of it.

[@jdtorian]

who gives this a thumbs down? Lordy. Great video!

[@BMRStudio]

Yes, this is weird. Who a fuck can give negative feedback on this video? Why? Great lesson, great talented "teacher", clean words. Maybe because is not "living in paradise with Ferrari" or reacting or gaming video?

[@Lofuckyou]

JD Torian people must have tapped by accident

[@BMRStudio]

Lofuckyou hehe :)

[@jdtorian]

clearly!

[@aleciano.junior]

Standard bassists

[@deemarr4249]

Thumbs down?! Why...Sir you have such a dream collector's of analogs synths...and bless you and your lovely family..I still have certain synths...I so regret selling a few ..my source..sh101 and in blue..arrg!...ones I still have i will never sell.sooo love my Juno 60...have to say love your videos and big fan from beginning.

[@samikalastaja]

7:58 - wow, wow!!! This is like magic happening right in front of my eyes. This is so cool to finally see how it's done!

[@banjobkp8025]

having the patience to understand what is being taught... thumbs down people don't know what Creating is. Without that ability... they can't leverage this great lesson. Thank you!

[@ME-ru4hv]

you make these techniques look easy and they sound flawless even tho not the original techniques. bravo!

[@vixrobinshood]

thank you, this explains so much why im attracted to playing bass that way, and why i as im learning piano, why i love synth so much.

[@dhulme]

Really great tutorial, thank you! I got a Juno 60 VST recently and I'm enjoying learning to play 80s style synth from your videos.

[@sunchild3164]

'80's nostalgia in full effect!

[@MrMasterchickenLP]

This video is so good. Had no idea how the song was made. Now i like blue monday even more. Really interesting for a synth newbie like me.

[@stevepinnell453]

Just worked through this with Korg Gadget on my iPad and a little Akai keyboard... quick bit of drum programming and voila - a huge grin on my face!!! Thank you for the lesson Paolo, this was fantastic! :)

[@AshleyPomeroy]

Have you ever thought of hiring an Italian woman to sing over the top of your synthesisers? You could stand silently behind the keyboard wearing shades. You would be the last Europop synth duo of the 1980s.

[@luckyluke6210]

lol aka chris lowe pet shop boys. they're still going strong though...

[@lawrencedavis5459]

Giorgio moroder did it first

[@djdigital3806]

Ashley Pomeroy I stand behind my keyboard wearing my Ray Ban glasses looking cool.

[@mrlucmorin]

I take it you haven't seen this guy's daughter. Damn, I'd go see them just to see her :-)

[@Cyberplayer5]

Hey you can dance if you want to..XD

[@eleones]

Awesome vid! Amazing how some retro synth DNA can be heard in today's EDM / synth / hiphop / techno / trance... I guess nothing is truly new. Just slightly evolved or reinvented. That New Order sound just brings back great musical memories.

[@LFOVCF]

2:13 Oh Lordy I love that sound! Pure buttery heaven.

[@canadude6401]

Sorry, I had to hit the Like button, because KZbin doesn't provide the "love" button. "Blue Monday" and "I feel love" always get people moving...even after 30-40 years later! Giorgio Moroder and New Order really picked up where Kraftwerk left off and brought it to the mainstream. LOVE your channel...thanks for sharing!

[@Erik_Blomgren]

So many awesome bass lines, and very well explained! Very nice!

[@MrEffys]

One of the best synth tutorials ever !

[@luxuriousfool4593]

I have to get my grimmy hands on those instruments damn that was so beautiful I think I found my purpose in life to play synth music

[@larsnicolaysen7165]

I wonder why someone would put a finger down to a video like this? They must have seen the totally wrong video and expecting something completely different! This video just nails it!!! This is how it was done! I did it this way myself before I got the Roland MC-500...

[@claycowartisamazing]

81 dislikes...... 81 people who should have never been here to begin with. Great video.

[@BillAnt]

Maybe they just thought it's the "Dis-i-like" button. ;D

[@Tulizukka]

95% percent of dislikes in this kind of great video are accidental. Even myself accidentally clicked dislike, luckily i noticed it. It was not a first time either.

[@claycowartisamazing]

@@Tulizukka Damn, three years went by so fast!

[@pdxmetal]

Excellent video. I use sequencers, arpeggio, and even manually play bass lines cause I enjoy it.

[@tvoommen4688]

8:00 Donna summer "I feel love" .... In those days it was stunning.......The era of electronic music is born !

[@paullawson6749]

As a 80s teenager your playing my music with the gear i remember the 707 drum machine it was one of the first drum machines i got to use thank you for a great video

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Very cool! Same here, the TR-707 was the first "proper" drum machine I used (if I don't count the built-in rhythm on my Farfisa Matador organ that I owned) back in 1985 (a bandmate friend of mine had the 707).

[@charliefernandez4782]

love this guy top bloke just Honest really cool man

[@civerone]

Just love your gear! Takes me back to the good old days.

[@EdgyNumber1]

Interesting stuff. Arpeggiators always add some bulk to electronic/techno based tunes. What fascinates me is how, in particular British computer game music programmers of the 80's and 90's used to use rapid arpeggio to create pseudo-chords. Typically the programmers were limited to three sound channel so you were limited to maybe one bass, one riff and perhaps another 'instrument' or game fx, plus white noise for 'percussion' and other sounds. I was never a complete fan of that sound but it was impressive to here how these programmers would push these sound chips to their limits.

[@anthonyfranklin7137]

Fast tempo arpeggios, with delay and heavy reverb to smear the attack, create what is essentially a chord pad sound, even on a monosynth.

[@NeuronalAxon]

Rob Hubbard FTW.

[@soepil]

I used to do this kind of thing with the 707 and the Polysix back in the day. But here, I learned some new tricks. Thanks for another great video!

[@sosnin1]

Beautiful nice warm sound of the Juno 60 !

[@mrconcept]

yes agreed

[@MyPathogen]

I love my Juno but I don't see it as a "warm" synth at all. But hey, it's all opinions :)

[@sosnin1]

I meant warm analog tone

[@mainmajo]

I Feel back in shool! Thank you very much for showing! 💭🎼👍 We may have Cubase now but nothing is better than know the real basics!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

mainmajo, thanks so much!

[@wmoecke]

You missed a few handclaps running along with the snare on "Safety Dance"... hahaha I'm just being picky on purpose. Nevermind me, I love your lessons and I envy your beautiful and well-preserved collection of vintage synths and drum machines from the 80~90 era. Grazie, Paolo!

[@danotero302]

awesome. i loved the 80's and this definately takes me way back 👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@PereRevert]

Wow... feels like I need to revisit my Jan Hammer's CDs collection !! Thanks man for sharing !

[@scottstaimez1402]

Sir, what would we do without you? Long life to you my good man!

[@Hyper5nic]

Thank you very much for sharing these techniques. An old beginners handbook on programming drum machines, will get much use and i am definitely going to have fun trying out new arpeggios. Of-course in the spirit of sharing, I'll share these songs with you and other KZbinrs who happen to come across this wonderful video. Also, if you have any tips on achieving a wider stereo-sound, to make this music come alive even more, would be great! Have a wonderful weekend, stay well and have fun playing music!

[@kevinstoneham1245]

Excellent tutorial! Came to this game when it had migrated to computers sequencers, so fascinated to see how some of this classic baselines were created.

[@DA2EONE]

Thank you!!! I've always wanted to see something like this!! love that 80s bass!

[@filippomori1405]

Sei un grandissimo! Ma che te lo dico a fare... tanto lo sai! Sono i suoni e i ritmi che ci hanno fatto ballare per tutto il decennio e vedere come erano fatti e con quali tecniche e tecnologie mi dà un nuovo stimolo per ascoltarli in un modo diverso... insomma riesci a farmi piacere ancora di più quello che già mi piaceva!

[@thomassynths]

Cool! I've been enjoying your recent videos quite a bit.

[@aalihte3378]

This was the most interesting and educational video I've stumbled on all night.... And now I'm going to look into buying some oldkeyboards. ...

[@otenev]

8:43 Safety dance - Men without hats. Thank you

[@Synequanon]

So in the 80s, we made it easy with sequencers. drum machines and arpeggiators on synths :) More seriously, you're a great teacher and it was really interesting, so big thanks to you !

[@PRRazcle]

WOW...!! I had to sign into my YT account just to give this Man a thumbs up... Bravo..! Most incredible.. Both.. Videos are..Well done.. what you do and teach is.. very much appreciated Sir Thank you..!

[@hawsrulebegin7768]

Always dreamed of having a Juno when I was a kid. Never got one and now they go for so much money. Damn. My pop career is still waiting. Great video. Really useful and well presented. Thanks

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thank you!

[@steviewondek]

Perhaps get a Deepmind 12 ( pretty cheap and close enough to a Juno) or even a Roland boutique JU06a, Jx-08 and any drum machine that spits out cv/gate, hey presto.

[@benelux365]

Great job. As far as I know, the bassline from "I Feel Love" wasn't intended to sound like that, but half speed. But Giorgio Moroder used a short delay and magically it speeded up. Everybody at studio loved the effect and, alas, the first techno disco track ever was created.

[@OliFreke]

Don't forget that it was hard panned LR as well, so if you listen to just one side you only get half the bassline, and doesn't sound complete at all. Like when the Beatles used to put the whole drumkit on the left side just for fun!

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

Not sure about 'just for fun', but a lot of older records placed the instruments in stereo stage according to where they might be on an actual stage. It does sometimes come in handy if you want to edit a track though, as you can sometimes separate stuff out that way...

[@OliFreke]

MrMargaretScratcher yeah, I do think part of their ethos was to try stuff out for fun. Perhaps I should have said 'tried stuff out in the spirit of experimental creativity '. Doing it to replicate the sound stage positioning sounds a bit pedestrian to me. They were more interesting than that I think (especially on tomorrow never knows). But if that's what they said they were doing, fair enough!

[@MrMargaretScratcher]

Oli Freke ah yeah, with all the weird kind of seagull noises etc! Check out the leftside wobble edit of that track. But yeah, the more 'orthodox', earlier recordings of funk and rock n roll bands were very commonly laid out with drums panned off centre, until it became the convention to have the drums and bass in the centre.

[@museum1401]

I've heard that the mixer the Beatles used only had switches for left/right/centre, instead of pots. I haven't checked that one though.

[@stereoheads]

Love this series seeing you speak! Nice to see the genius behind the videos!

[@billypilgrim1]

Lovely tutorial Paolo, can we get more lessons like this in the future?

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Sure

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

The sequencer of the Poly-800 is very basic... what would you like to see done with it? I don't have a Delta at the moment

[@PieroCozzi]

Hi Paolo !!! Wonderful video tutorials ! Thank you so much !

[@bloodmapedit]

If I remember correctly the P800 had a 256 notes polyphonic step sequencer. My first synth ever :)

[@CubeRepublic]

BillyPilgrim

[@eduvinyl]

I just love how much I'm learning just by watching your videos. Great job, Paolo!

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

eduvinyl, thank you very much!

[@maxcohen13]

I can't be the only one who was singing aloud to every one of those demos.

[@TomClarkSouthLondon]

He is🤦🏻‍♂️

[@dacrowster]

I used to work for Roland repair service and on my desk there were these cheap desktop speakers which sounded shit until i connected this Juno 1O6, man!! What a freakin thick full sound! Never will forget it.

[@cryogeneric]

So now I'm off to listen to Blue Monday again.

[@michaelbauers8800]

A good plan! Love that song

[@kbtube8125]

very good use of time.

[@ReneeNme]

Pseudo Echo - Funkytown

[@kbtube8125]

lipps inc.

[@ReneeNme]

I prefer Pseudo Echo's cover. Just my opinion, of course.

[@swpderf]

Great tutorial. It's a new world for me because I am an ordinairy keyboard player . Thanks for the lesson.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Fred, thank you!

[@BillAnt]

What can I say, I'm just a sucker for base arpeggios. :)

[@AdamTheAd-vanc3d]

Nice horse gallop rhythm . Great tutorial . Had to watch this again ☺☺

[@The12dangs]

Thanks for sharing Paolo! Always love seeing your vintage gears. Would love to see you do some Depeche Mode and Erasure songs

[@DaveMcGarry]

Love the Juno 60 and New Order... so great video!

[@Darchyism]

What a BRILLIANT video - I love it. Sub'd and shared. Thanks!

[@bony_fernandez]

Fantastic Technics!!! Great, Thanks!!! Very good!!!. Congratulations!!!

[@themovemotion]

i am so impressed ! thank you so much

[@bca10101]

What got me hooked on the so-called "synth octave bass" was hearing Blue Monday over and over again on a cassette tape as a kid. I sort of grew up thinking that basslines on a synth weren't complete unless they somehow included 2 octaves

[@sunilsolanki]

Loving these new vids Paolo! More please! Could we see an Sh101 and Lately bass/Solid bass layering video? Sort if like the early industrial sounds of Nitzer ebb Murderous or Front 242. If you were into that sound...

[@exnihilo415]

Belgian New Beat tutorials? Yes please!

[@TT.Hell.]

Very interesting to see how it was made back in the days! I dont play keyboard but I tried play the famous octave bass anyway and thought they had incredible stamina to play those lines over and over :D However, I play bass guitar and that thing is not so hard if playing with fingers. But the bass sound of those early synths are insanely fat. I have made soe songs where I have synth bass programmed and also play bass guitar "analog" over it and that combination is magic. The steady bass beat from midi together with midi drums along with my bass guitar makes it swing and become more live. Best of both worlds.

[@DigitalDesires87]

Great video! And man, that Juno looks like factory new!

[@michaelbauers8800]

amazing how clean it was

[@gieselats]

It makes so much fun to listen to you. Thank you for upload. I enjoyed it. Wow. I miss the 80s.

[@SynthManiaDotCom]

Thanks for listening!

[@stefaninselaffe]

The bass remembers me the typical Italo-Disco sound ...

[@f.w.1318]

I used to use an Alesis module with a Roland controller, layered with an Alesis nanosynth, the Roland D50 had the sequencer it was the closest I could get to the Duran Duran covers we used to play in the 90s, great video brings back allot of memories,

[@MikuPinky]

I want a synth, now.

[@mcplutt]

Now?

[@janosKern1]

@@mcplutt how about now?

[@dummyload7803]

I wish i had a "green thumb" when it comes to music. I´m just a fan with open mouth and deep envy and appreciation for those who understand how to do it.

[@TheAudiostud]

Blue Monday New Order = One Classic Tune!

[@2PacDonKilluminati]

very cool channel! nice to see how they composed songs in the 80s.

[@ZbuntowanyAniol-zs6iz]

bardzo przystępnie wytłumaczone:-)

[@RRKS69]

Always love coming back to this video!

[@m1k1b0y]

the moment it started to play it reminded me to New Order - Blue Monday

[@charlessomerset9754]

Your Blue Monday was spot on. Good tutorial.