Octave vs Unison (9-string Riffs Mix Test)

*Yes! I know Within The Ruins doesn't use 9-strings, but they have the same low end range!

If I'm being honest, I like both mixes and think a hybrid song writing style could create some killer music. Think of unison notes (or above) as the bass encroaching on the 9-string guitar's territory, utilizing that extra range for themselves, not the other way around.

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Bass Tuning:
C#0, F#0, B0, E1, A1

[BaenaCarcosa]

Regardless of which you prefer, the bass tone here was amazing either way!

[DangerDMA]

The Hell Below Subcontra sounded really good.

[nipulkradmsinatagras]

I'm with the Subcontrabass.

Edit:
By the way, you look good on that black skinny jeans.

[Mr.Goldbar]

I actually prefer the unison bass. It works with the downtuned guitars very well and adding to their tone things they didn't have, and you can only downtune to a certain point (specifically Drop G on bass), after that point you can't hear the notes at all

[nealblair]

The sludge and the attack are stupendous.

[karlwithak]

It all depends on the context. But here’s how I would have had the bass parts arranged if I wrote them:

I Dug a Grave: Unison all the way. Like you said, the subcontra range does not really go well with staccato notes.
Neo Seoul: The three octaves figures at the beginning of the riff all octave below the guitars. Then after that, the low notes stay in the subcontra range, while the higher notes are unison with the guitars.
Gods Amongst Men: Unison all the way, same reason with I Dug a Grave
Hell Below: Octave below the guitars. This song is a perfect example of when that low C#0 is suitable.

Also, I would like to point out that this is not just an issue for bands with 9 string guitars (or, more generally, guitars tuned that low). Bassists in bands with 8 string guitars also make this choice, and for the bassists that choose to tune down an octave, the do find the F#0 to be more versatile than the C#0 demonstrated in the video. Northlane and Periphery have both done this in 8 string songs, including in those that, if done with 9 strings instead, would not work so well for the subcontra.

[Noobfortress]

I really love the extra 'oomph' the subcontra gives to those low guitar chugs!

[joshstarkey]

I wonder what a mix with both regular bass and subcontrabass would sound like.

[RockStarOscarStern]

Said Too Much Productions For the Unison you're in whole step up tuning aka Solo tuning which is basically what String Bass players use in Soloing.

[Marcosedoil]

I'm still on the road waiting for a contest to win this specific bass. I don't want any other bass anymore, only the contrabass guitar fills my heart

[nevviles.]

IMO, the subcontra better suited as a support bass(that generates the rumble, also idk the real musical term of it).

[toxicduccinator]

What if you blend unison bass with octave lower bass?

[judahatkins]

I entirely just clicked on this to hear Hell Below and I am not disappointed.

[kiryucovers]

I preferred the octave below. There's more clarity and the bass is more "felt" than heard. However, I think it really depends on the song and your style. With unison, the bass is more "in your face" and can add to the intensity. Basically, the difference between an open chord voicing vs a closed chord voicing. Neither is better, just different.

[nooralamgir]

For those who didn't get it
9 String guitars and "Bass tuned to C" have the same first 4 strings.
Subcontra is one octave below the standard C.

[ossifrage]

Thank you :]
also i think both sounded great the low c# on the subcontra is a bit too much but i think the low f# works perfect though keep it up!

[tfwnoyandere]

finally someone actually play hell below correctly

[topsecret]

Thinking about it, there’s finally a connection between the double bass drumming and the guitars...

Double bass drumming- up to 8hz
Subcontrabass guitar - down to 16hz
Bass guitar- to 32hz
Baritone - to 64 hz (in drop C)
And so on and so forth, which would make a nice wall of sound by the way. I wonder if doing this would allow a cello to be put in (as the baritone part) as its lowest 2 strings happens to be the same as drop C guitar configuration (with C and G), and I’ve yet to hear any cellist use (or abuse) notes below E in metal. I think the cello’s already got a platform to be drop tuned below A if done right and if steel wound strings were made to go down even lower (which is in fact the case since you can get a low F string for not much more than C strings - that might make tuning down to E or lower possible.).

[mr.fictionaloxymoron]

Dude that was heavy. I think subcontra is better but unison is awesome as well. I think both at once would be amazing and I think you might get the benefits of both. I love that with the subcontra you still have the bass an octave below the guitar. Djent on man.🤘

[topsecret]

You ever heard of Fear Factory? Darn good test to see how these super low tuned basses handle speed and precision. Playing drop B down an octave or two would be insane.