Can anyone tell me what this bass sound is?

 

I recall that they used alot of DX7 on the Bad album. So I say FM synthesis.

 

Yeah, it's an FM sound for sure. Also note that they used the "beast" of FM synthesis, the Synclavier. And they also doubled and fattened FM/DX bass with a MiniMoog a lot.

 

another example of the DX7 bass very prominent... doesn't even sound layered to me

 

Just a patch.

 

DX7II, Jupiter 8,some Fairlight and the brand new at the time Roland D50 were used in the Bad album. But the most used on that album as mentioned, was the Synclavier. Other highlights should include your very familiar (Spectrasonics founder) Eric Persing did some programming in the album as well.
Btw, i know it's irrelevant, but from time to time, i have read posts around the net and in here, about Persing like how he got fat and lazy since he got money or how he lost weight or how Omnisphere sucks (what ?!!! u deaf boys?) and blah blah, mostly written by ppl who have no idea who the person is and are there just to make an impression. To those kids, stfu please, the guy is a legend and has given his life and creativity to the world since the days he was programming sounds for Roland, a good 30+ years in the industry. Learn to appreciate and grow some depth in your thick skulls you ignorant preecks.
Happy new year to everybody

 

Last edited: Jan 1, 2017

Thanks everyone! thank god none of ye was aborted :D

 

http://www.bassplayer.com/artists/1...-predecessors-pumped-up-the-king-of-pop/25998

If it's a synth bass, it's probably a Moog Bass. MJ was heavily influenced by Stevie Wonder's use of the TONTO Moog almost exclusively on his 70s and 80s hits. The second song sounds like a slap bass played by a human, IMHO.