Chaka Khan - I Feel For You (Moog bass along)

Coolest period in Funk music for me was from 1981 to 1986.
This track is one of my faves from 84.

I Feel For You had been recorded twice before, but this is the coolest version. It's extremely over-produced, so it took me a while to get the same sort of result.

The machine drums at the start, which keeps on running throughout the whole track, was originally done using a DMX, Linn and TR808. All these can now perfectly be recreated inside Reel Machines by XLN-Audio.
I wasn't really pleased with Reel Machines initially, but having given it a second chance it's rather convincing and pleasant to work with.
After the rap intro Addictive Drums kick in, to put another layer of drums ontop and to give it a live feel.
My aim is always to find the middle between the original recording and a live feel.

I could have left Melle Mel's rap out, unless I had the original isolated track, but no one has that luxury, so I did it myself.
Only then I realized how difficult that rap was. Not having an American accent and of course Melle's deeper voice makes it somewhat sound silly, but it's effective enough (I hope?).

A lot of Prophet-5 and Jupiter-8 was used, especially all the brass sounds.
The harmonica was another difficult thing to replicate.
I used a sample from my Korg TR-Rack.
The Minimoog is completely unprocessed.
Enjoy!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Chaka
• Khan
• Prince
• Pointer
• Sisters
• Feel
• For
• You
• Moog
• Minimoog
• Analog
• Synthesizer
• Bass
• Prophet-5
• P5
• Jupiter-8
• JP8
• Juno-60
• Oberheim
• DMX
• Linndrum
• Addictive
• Drums
• Reel
• Machines
• XLN-Audio
• Fairlight
• CMI
• Logic-8
• 80's
• Eighties
• Dance
• Soul
• R&B
• Funk
• Funky
• Synthbass
• 合成器
• 键盘

[LeeroyK2009]

firstly great track, secondly loving that section @2.47

and thirdly was it you that remade the track? If so what are you using for the harmonica? It's very convincing, as is the real slap bass.

[Geeljasjes]

@LeeroyK2009

The harmonica is the Korg TR-Rack.

Yes, the whole track was remade by me using Logic.

Thanks mate.

[snowboard360]

is that the original backing track?...if so where do you get it from?

[Geeljasjes]

@snowboard360

No, it's completely redone.

[jebeq2007]

I really love the sound of your Mini. I also have a mini with the older OSC board in it.

I have been trying to replicate your Minimoog sound but mine sounds a bit diffrent. I was wondering if you might be able to share all the settings for this Chaka Khan bass that you made on your mini. From what I can tell 3 OSC are on Saw tooth , 8,16and 32. I'm just not to sure of the rest of your filter & ENV settings.

Thanks

[Geeljasjes]

@jebeq2007

Only one oscillator was set to 8 steps, the others to 16.

The shape of the sound is really what makes this sound funky.

Short Decay on the filter.

Most important to get that click is to set the contour open.

Filter should be almost closed.

I generally don't detune the two oscillators.

[grondo2001]

Fantastic work dude!!!

It's so nice to see that you use your vintage keyboards for actual playing unlike 90% of the people here who either play endless pentatonic scales or just make awful "dance music" on them!

Keep it up.

[pianoman74]

This is RIDICULOUSLY hard to do. Hats off!

[jgk381]

would love to hear you do "aint nobody"

[mastvictims]

Dude! I used to DJ back in days so I know the original track by heart but your version is amazing! The rap is great too. Fantastic job from beginning to end. Watching you play that funky bassline is a treat. I'd love to have a real Moog some day :-) Having Chaka Chan on speed-dial would be great too ;-) This song was always an instant floor-filler. Thank you and take care!

[wnieke]

Amazing! I don't know your other work (yet), but feel tempted to say "You've outdone yourself!" Well - you've done a really, really great job here, absolutely stunning!

[LeeroyK2009]

@LeeroyK2009 LMAO, my tune of choice would be pointer sisters - automatic but you''ve already done it!!! Just listening now :D

[LeeroyK2009]

@Geeljasjes I assume you did it all by ear so kudos on that.

So much variation throughout the track even on just the bassline, it's the tiny little stabs that make it, along with the runs.

It's the D that always stands out as pure funk, what is that, a flat 5th?

I've got a trinity v3, so I'll have to dig out the harmonica patch when next in the studio and have a play.

Keep up the good work, I'll have to dig out a request for ya ;)

[LeeroyK2009]

@303machine another great tune, this is my favourite cover of it.....

watch?v=xTDqhiavP3E

[303machine]

You did a great job. By the way, nothing match fat moog bass.

"Ain't nobody" also have great bass line, perfect for your moog, maybe someday you can cover this song to.

[JohnDogg2009]

Minimoogs are the SHIT! Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't they use a MiniMoog in the actual "I Feel For You recording" ? Because it does sound similar!