BASSED.

Stu Brooks has spent decades making bass sound bigger, stranger, and more cinematic than most players think possible. In this episode, he breaks down how that approach took him from Dub Trio and live dub experiments to Dominic Fike, Nine Inch Nails, Danny Elfman, and the kind of tone-shaping that can turn one player into an entire atmosphere.Carson Childers and Nick Bernard catch up with Stu Brooks for a deep gear-and-mindset conversation connecting dub, punk, ambient, industrial, and modern arena bass playing. Stu shares how a King Tubby tape changed everything, why he treats sound design as a core part of musicianship, and how years of multitasking on bass, keys, synths, and effects shaped the way he plays today.In this episode:How Dub Trio evolved from jungle and drum and bass into live dub, noise, and ambient experimentationWhy flatwounds, P-style basses, gates, compression, and clean gain staging changed Stu’s approach to toneHow he uses the Quad Cortex, amp sims, captures, and stomp mode across sessions and live showsWhat it’s like balancing gigs with Dominic Fike, Nine Inch Nails, and Danny ElfmanThe unusual gear that keeps him inspired, from the Swarmatron to a deconstructed pianoCarson and Nick also dig into the realities of live bass tone in huge rooms, why some pedals can be tough to capture digitally, and how Stu keeps chasing new sounds without losing the groove.Stu Brooks is a bassist, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with Dub Trio, Nine Inch Nails, Dominic Fike, Danny Elfman, and other boundary-pushing artists. His approach blends adventurous sound design with musical feel—and brings dub-informed creativity to modern live performance.Subscribe to the Bassed. Podcast for more conversations with musicians about their sound, gear, and creative process.

On this episode of Bassed., we sit down with legendary bassist Tim Lefebrve for a wide-ranging conversation covering his career, tone, gear, and the mindset that's kept him at the top of the session world for decades.Tim opens up about coming up in New York City after moving there in 1993, saying yes to everything, and why he never learned the power of no — and why that approach paid off. We get into his journey from Sadowsky 5-strings to vintage P-basses and flat wounds, the practical reason he switched (hint: it was about front-of-house), and how his deep love of drum and bass and electronica ultimately caught David Bowie's ear and led to the Blackstar sessions.We also talk in depth about the Jad Freer ecosystem — the Capo, the Sisma, and the new Luce DI. Tim also breaks down exactly how he's integrated the Quad Cortex.🎸 Topics covered:• Coming up in NYC & the power of saying yes• P-bass, flat wounds & front-of-house • Nate Smith live at Big Ears & backline upright stories• Jad Freer: Capo, Luce & Sisma• Quad Cortex in a stadium rig• Empress compressor, Union Tube and Transistor LAB, Doc Lloyd DLA-2A & more• Tyler Chester, Good Shepherd & session work• Gear picks

Sorry for the clickbait.WE ARE BUILDING A COMMUNITY, ARE YOU IN?Discord https://discord.gg/BE9Fgqg88y Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bassedthechannel/?hl=enClanker Notes:Carson Childers and Nick catch up on life updates, gear adventures, and their evolving perspectives on music production and touring. Dive into their candid conversations about studio setups, digital gear, touring logistics, and personal milestones.Key TopicsCarson’s upcoming studio session at Mountain Art Center, featuring full live band recording with a big SSL consoleThe decline of traditional band experiences in the studio and the shift toward remote and digital workflowsInsights into touring logistics: Sprinter vs. Tour Bus, hotel stays, and driving long distances across the USThe transition from performing to tour managing: managing artists, logistical decisions, and new perspectivesThe evolution of gear: quad cortex, HX Stomp, and the significance of capturing and processing in digital setupsComparing gear options: size, processing power, workflow, and market pricing, including the mini quad cortexThe importance of signal flow, capturing chains, and custom presets for consistent tonePersonal milestones: Carson wins Bass Player of 2026 Award and celebrates mentorship and communityExploring hobbies like coffee brewing and espresso gear as analogies for gear selection and investmentTimestamps00:00 - Introduction and updates on Carson and Nick02:46 - The art of live band tracking in modern studios03:47 - Unusual studio tricks: marching snare and goofy percussion toys04:13 - The shift away from traditional studio experiences and remote work06:15 - Touring stories: van vs. bus, hotel stays, and travel experiences10:14 - The challenges and benefits of touring in Sprinters and high-top vans12:34 - Logistics of gear: gear stays on the bus or in the van, packing routines14:24 - Transitioning out of performance to tour management roles16:23 - Producing and performing with artists like Taylor Lansdale and Nathan Evans Fox17:45 - The journey of collecting gear, studio setup, and shifting priorities18:41 - Nashville performances and touring logistics, including day trips and hotel stays19:30 - New music releases and working with production teams20:54 - Carson’s recent awards and mentorship reflections24:14 - The significance of community, mentorship, and recognition in music27:03 - The role of Discord as a community hub for gear tips and collaboration28:58 - Deep dive into quad cortex capabilities, captures, and workflow strategies33:45 - Gear size, analog vs. digital, and capturing complex chains for tone36:00 - The mini quad cortex and its fitting into smaller pedalboard setups39:48 - Managing gear sales, gear appreciation, and the importance of processing power43:10 - The aesthetics and workflow of digital gear: the importance of interface design44:03 - Recording with captures, presets, and creating versatile tone chains55:45 - Strategies for capturing intricate gear chains for consistency and tone preservation58:35 - The future of digital models: market evolution, open source possibilities, and market dynamics62:17 - Personal hobbies: coffee, espresso gear, and analogies for gear investment63:56 - Wrap-up and community engagement: join the Discord for tips and conversations

WE ARE BUILDING A COMMUNITY, ARE YOU IN?Discord https://discord.gg/BE9Fgqg88y Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bassedthechannel/?hl=en Clanker notes:In this episode of the podcast, host Carson Childers interviews renowned bass player and producer Gus Seyffert. They discuss Gus's journey in the music industry, including his work with Roger Waters and the production of the Dark Side of the Moon Redux. The conversation delves into the challenges of performing with a legendary artist, the creative freedom in live performances, and the intricacies of gear selection, including basses and amplifiers. Gus shares insights on his approach to music, the importance of artistic expression, and the technical aspects of sound production. In this conversation, Gus and Carson delve into the intricacies of music production, focusing on amp selection, mic placement, and the nuances of mixing and recording techniques. They discuss their preferences for bass amplification, the importance of sound control, and the challenges faced when mixing classic records. The conversation also touches on the art of limiting and compression, as well as future music projects and releases.00:00Introduction to the Podcast and Guest01:59The Dark Side of the Moon Redux Experience12:15Navigating the Challenges of Playing with Roger Waters22:24The Art of Live Performance and Creative Freedom25:03Gear Talk: Basses and Amplifiers28:01Exploring String Preferences30:19The Evolution of Bass Guitars33:41Custom Strings and Unique Instruments37:02The Importance of Amplifiers40:56Tuning Techniques and Personal Preferences46:40Navigating Amp Brands and Their Characteristics48:05Choosing the Right Amp for the Job51:03The Importance of Speaker Selection54:07Navigating Live Sound Challenges56:04Recording Techniques and Preferences01:04:03Mixing 'Dark Side of the Moon Redux'01:09:39Finalizing the Mixes01:12:30Capturing Vocals with Precision01:15:52Drum Recording Techniques01:27:48Approaching Limiting and Compression

WE ARE BUILDING A COMMUNITY, ARE YOU IN?Discord https://discord.gg/BE9Fgqg88y Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bassedthechannel/?hl=enSummary by Clankers:In this engaging conversation, Chase Chafin of 49 Winchester shares insights into the band's journey from its formation as an acoustic trio to its current status as a full-fledged band with a unique sound. The discussion covers their evolution, the dynamics of touring, the importance of fan engagement, and the role of technology in live performances. Chase also reflects on their recording experience with Dave Cobb for their upcoming album and the excitement surrounding their future projects and tours.Chapters:00:00Introduction to 49 Winchester and Chase Chafin04:12Transitioning to Bass and Musical Influences09:15Instruments and Gear Preferences12:00Lighting and Performance Dynamics15:02Touring Life and Responsibilities18:22Logistics of Touring and Personal Preferences18:50Tour Logistics and Transitioning to In-Ears21:40Adopting Technology: The Shift to Modelers24:51Family Dynamics in the Band25:51Building a Dedicated Fanbase27:57Recording Live Shows and Maintaining Integrity30:17Navigating the Challenges of Live Performance32:40Flexibility in Performance Setup36:15Setlist Management and Song Transitions38:20Headlining at the Ryman: A Milestone39:27Reflections on Recent Performances41:25Milestones and Memorable Experiences43:43Navigating the Music Industry45:34Recording with Dave Cobb53:13Future Plans and Upcoming Releases