Reply to Writing Bass and Synth

Hey guys,

I continue working on producing music. Out of all current things I work on the most trouble I have with Bass and Synths. I understand that they are arguably the most difficult parts, hence I want to ask questions.

When I listen to music like minimal or techno - the bass is very straign forward - sometime only 1 or 4 bars long or repeat. I got into Nu Disco kind of music and it seems bass there is sooo complex. 32 bars of variation. Same with Synths.

What are you tips on writing bass (and synths)? Ive been trying writing 1 bar, copying to make 2 bars, adjusting a note or two, copying into 4 bars, adjusting few notes, copying again and making some changes to have 8-16 bar bass. Is that a reasonable approach?

Same with synths. I am trying to play them out on the keyboard but they sound like crap. Off time (even quantized) and just in general off. How the hell do you blend them in so they dont sound so damn on their own?

thanks