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bass synth from “holiday” by madonna | ToneDB

holiday

madonna

bass synth

75% ai confidence

Tone Profile

The bass synth sound is a funky and driving low-end foundation with a bouncy and slightly metallic tone. It provides a rhythmic pulse that complements the overall upbeat and danceable vibe of the song.

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The Story

Madonna's 'Holiday' bass synth was created using a Yamaha DX7 synthesizer, with the track produced by John 'Jellybean' Benitez at Sigma Sound Studios in New York. The DX7's FM synthesis capabilities were utilized to create the characteristic metallic, percussive quality of the bassline, which was likely recorded direct into the mixing console with EQ and compression applied during the mix.

Production Credits

Producer: John 'Jellybean' Benitez

Engineer: Michael Hutchinson

Recorded at: Sigma Sound Studios, New York

Signal Chain

Instrument: Yamaha DX7Shop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

  • Start with a basic FM synth patch on a Yamaha DX7 or a comparable FM synthesizer.
  • Experiment with different FM algorithms and operator settings to achieve a metallic and bouncy tone.
  • Adjust the envelope settings to create a punchy attack and a relatively short decay for each note.
  • Use EQ to shape the tone, boosting the low frequencies for depth and cutting any harsh frequencies in the upper mids.
  • Apply compression to even out the dynamics and add sustain to the notes.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Native Instruments FM8Plugin Boutique$149-199

Alternative to: Yamaha DX7

Advanced FM synthesis plugin with DX7 emulation patches and deep programming capabilities for recreating metallic, percussive bass sounds

Arturia DX7 VPlugin Boutique$99-149

Alternative to: Yamaha DX7

Official DX7 emulation with authentic FM synthesis algorithms and factory presets, perfect for nailing that classic '80s bass synth tone

Yamaha MODX7Shop on Reverb$1,299-1,499

Alternative to: Yamaha DX7

Modern Yamaha synth with authentic DX7 engine included, providing hardware FM synthesis with the original algorithms

Dexed (Free Plugin)Plugin BoutiqueFree

Alternative to: Yamaha DX7

Open-source DX7 emulation that accurately recreates the FM synthesis engine and can load original DX7 patches

Sources

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