PANTERA - I’M BROKEN - HOW I GOT THAT BASS TONE

May 1

G’day Legends! I’m stoked to be delivering this video.

I’m really proud of this tone. No, I didn’t use a pick, and yes…I used my Warwick.

Pantera haver always blown me away. The engineering and production on Far Beyond Driven is incredible. Rex Brown has always had a killer bass tone, so this is my tribute. I’m honoured to be releasing the cover, but also a video explaining how I achieved this sound.

Mesa Boogie, Darkglass Electronics, DR Strings, the Avalon U5, and Warwick all played their part in shaping the audio.

I used my beautiful 2008 Warwick Custom Corvette. Since releasing this cover, this bass has gained quite a bit of recognition through social media. To me, a single humbucker is enough, although I’m quite fond of the natural red FNA’s floating around.

This was also the first time I have used a cab sim, a bass cabinet simulation pedal, and it is an absolute game changer. Technology at its finest. I love using real microphones, but sometimes you just do not have the right room or setup to make that possible. In those situations, this kind of tool makes a huge difference.

I work closely with Dylan Mitrovich on the mixes. I have a strong natural ear for tone, and I usually describe what I am hearing verbally, Dylan sends me a bounce, and we refine it from there. Sometimes it takes seven or eight tweaks before we land on the final version. For an engineer to translate a verbal description into the exact sound you are hearing in your head takes real skill. That ability is an art in itself. I can vividly remember sending mix adjustment voice notes (between crane lifts) at my day job, making sure we got this exactly right.

I am very critical when it comes to final mixes. Once they are finalised, there is no going back.

I am genuinely stoked with every aspect of this tone. The global response has been incredible. I have had so much appreciation shown and plenty of questions about how it was achieved.

Tone is my passion, so being able to talk about it makes me one very happy little Vegemite.

You can view the video here.

I really hope you enjoy it.

Onwards and upwards,

Kade

tone