basslines

[Tyrisia]

I used to have the same probs with basslines mate, they all used to sound too cheesy and commercial, not the aggressive techno sort at all.

It's trial and error with synths, pick one you like and feel comfortable using and then learn how the waves, modulation (very important) and frequency cutoff affect the sound.

It's all in the modulation with synths, and a sound that can sound terrible with the frequency cutoff open can sound amazing with the cutoff nearly closed and a bit of resonance. All this trial and error will help you devise a method for getting the sound you want.

Other things to try, mix a synth sound with percussion sounds (snares are good) playing the same bass melody, and then group the result and close down a cutoff filter over the lot of it.

FM creates good modulation with bass, so try a bit of that as well.

The synth that taught me the most about bass is the V-Station, I highly recommend trying that as a starting point.

[loopdon]

Make use of the randomizing feature. Then take it from there.

You could for example load up a percussive loop or single-shot,
randomize that and see where inspiration takes you. Preferably do this
with pitched down sounds.

What kind of basslines are you after? Any examples?

[tekara]

I definately agree with loopdon's randomizing advice.

Some people call it cheating, but sometimes I use it when I have no idea what direction i should be taking the bassline in. When you play the bassline manually on the keyboard, this can get frustrating when it doesnt fit into the mix properly.

Using cubase's step designer is one of the most powerful bassline random generators i have ever used. It can do wonders! Many times, I may randomize just to see where it takes me, and then i will paste the midi notes and manually re-arrange some notes on the midi map....basic trial and error stuff.


I've also noticed some producers like to program their bassline patterns with the same notes as other synth chords that are also playing in the track. For example, if you have a high pitched three note chord pattern in the track, then finding a nice low basspatch on a synth and literally transposing that exact same pattern a few octaves lower can create some interesting sounds too.

Just my 2 cents.

[Komplex]

tried using sampled 909 toms pitched down?

[MangaFish]

Cheers guys - will try them tonight.

What kind of basslines are you after? Any examples?

Anything. I can't get anything to work :(

I wouldn't mind even being able to do the cheesy funky electro house style basslines if i could but the best i can do is sample drums and remove the top end :-/

[TechMouse]

Careful (i.e. sparing) use of amp simulation / distortion.

[jk_scowling]

Setting your amplitude envelope (and filter envelope) right is important to get the right dynamics with a bass sound. I often just use simple sine waves as a source, but then with a bit of perseverance you can shape a decent bass sound out of it.

[TechMouse]

Another idea is to experiment with different types of synthesis.

Subtractive synths are great, but there's a wealth of other stuff out there. I've had loads of fun messing around with FM synthesis, additive synthesis, and vector / wavetable synthesis.

There are loads of free VST plugins kicking around the net, and some of them offer very unique sound modelling engines.

Or if you get really bored, sit down and write your own... I ended up witing a square wave synth a few years back, for my dissertation. Learnt a hell of a lot about how everything works in the process.

[MangaFish]

Another idea is to experiment with different types of synthesis.

Subtractive synths are great, but there's a wealth of other stuff out there. I've had loads of fun messing around with FM synthesis, additive synthesis, and vector / wavetable synthesis.

There are loads of free VST plugins kicking around the net, and some of them offer very unique sound modelling engines.

Or if you get really bored, sit down and write your own... I ended up witing a square wave synth a few years back, for my dissertation. Learnt a hell of a lot about how everything works in the process.

Cheers for your help dude, but could you dumb down the language a little. I know **** all about synths

[TechMouse]

Setting your amplitude envelope (and filter envelope) right is important to get the right dynamics with a bass sound. I often just use simple sine waves as a source, but then with a bit of perseverance you can shape a decent bass sound out of it.

.... and don't forget about velocity.

Most synths will let you adjust parameters according to the velocity of the MIDI note-on data. Experiment with using random velocities in your patters, or rhythmic variation in velocity. (e.g. Cubase lets you draw in velocity with Sine curves, sawtooths etc.)

[Jay Pace]

I find with basslines its almost as important to work on your mix than the bassline itself.

Need to think about what your track is doing, and what sort of bassline you are going for because its going to affect every other element of the track.

If the bassline is the main feature you have to build everything else round it.

If its supposed to help drive along the groove, you should incorporate it after you've got your groove.

You'd be suprised how ordinary the actual bassline sound itself is on many outstanding tracks. Its more down to clever positioning in the mix.

Listen to D&B for some ideas on how to use bass. The tracks with the biggest basslines just have percussions sizzling on the top, and the bass takes up nearly all the space. Other tracks are more percussion led and theres just a deep sub adding depth.

Really depends on what you are looking for. Give us some examples mate, sure we can help ;)