What synth did The Chemical Brothers use for Block Rockin Beats bass?

The Chemical Brothers used a Roland TB-303 as the primary bass synthesizer on 'Block Rockin' Beats'. This classic acid house synth provided the foundation for the track's aggressive bassline before being processed through distortion and chorus effects.

How to get Chemical Brothers Block Rockin Beats bass sound?

Start with a TB-303 or clone set to a square or saw wave, then run it through a Proco RAT distortion pedal for aggressive saturation. Add spatial width with a Roland Dimension D chorus/spatializer and adjust the RAT's filter and distortion controls to taste.

What distortion pedal did Chemical Brothers use on Block Rockin Beats?

The Chemical Brothers used a Proco RAT distortion pedal to add harsh saturation and grit to the TB-303 bass sound on 'Block Rockin' Beats'. The RAT's distinctive filtering and overdrive character was key to the track's aggressive tone.

Can you recreate Block Rockin Beats bass without a TB-303?

Yes, you can use modern TB-303 clones like the Behringer TD-3 or Roland TB-03, or software like Arturia Acid V. The key is getting that characteristic acid filter sweep and then processing it through RAT-style distortion and chorus effects.

bass synth from "block rockin' beats" by the chemical brothers

block rockin' beats

the chemical brothers

bass synth

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Tone Profile

Aggressive and distorted analog synth bass, with a gritty, driving quality. It's a raw and powerful sound that forms the backbone of the track.

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Roland TB-303(instrument)
Proco Rat(processing)
Roland Dimension D(processing)

The Story

The aggressive bass synth in 'Block Rockin' Beats' was built around a Roland TB-303 run through a Proco RAT distortion pedal for harsh saturation, then processed through a Roland Dimension D for spatial widening. The Chemical Brothers used this chain to transform the TB-303's characteristic acid house sound into something more raw and driving for their big beat style.

Production Credits

Producer: The Chemical Brothers

Signal Chain

Instrument: Roland TB-303Shop on Reverb

Processing: Proco RatShop on Reverb, Roland Dimension DShop on Reverb

Recreation Tips

Start with a Roland TB-303 or a similar analog bass synthesizer.
Dial in a square wave or saw wave to get a similar starting point.
Use a Proco Rat or a similar distortion pedal to add a layer of overdrive and grit.
Experiment with the Rat's filter and distortion knobs to find the sweet spot.
Add subtle chorus or spatial widening using a Roland Dimension D or similar effect.
Adjust the mix to taste, ensuring the bass remains punchy and defined.

Original Gear

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Substitutions & Recommendations

Behringer TD-3Shop on Reverb$150-200

Alternative to: Roland TB-303

Faithful clone of the TB-303 circuit with the same squelchy filter and oscillator character needed for this aggressive bass tone

Roland TB-03Shop on Reverb$350-400

Alternative to: Roland TB-303

Official Roland recreation using ACB modeling of the original TB-303, providing authentic acid bass sounds

Proco RAT 2Shop on Reverb$70-90

Alternative to: Proco RAT

Current production version of the same RAT circuit used on the original track, delivers identical harsh distortion and filtering

Boss DC-2W Dimension C Waza CraftShop on Reverb$200-250

Alternative to: Roland Dimension D

Faithful recreation of Roland's Dimension D chorus/spatializer circuit, providing the same stereo widening effect

Arturia Acid VPlugin Boutique$100-150

Alternative to: Complete signal chain

Software emulation of TB-303 with built-in distortion and effects that can recreate this processed acid bass sound

Sources

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bass synth from “block rockin' beats” by the chemical brothers | ToneDB