Bass Syncopation Trouble

[Quasi118]

I'm using reason 5 to produce (just switched over from FL) however bass syncopation is always something i've had trouble with no matter what daws or what synth I use. I understand that you would uncheck the syc to tempo if you want to free form the speed of the osc but even when I do that my syncopation still sounds like absolute shite. I feel like everytime I try and write a bassline it goes like 1/4 for a bar then switch to 1/8 and back or i go from 1/32 and flip it all the way down to 1/8 or something like that. Take for example the bassline after the drop in the song Against the Machines by Downlink and Datsik, how in the hell do they get their syncopation to get so on point? Basically what I'm getting at is are their any tuts on bass syncopation and im not talking about syncopation for beginners because im past that I'd just like to improve. Any tips or tuts would be greatly appreciated

[Big Freq]

dubstep isnt just messing with the lfo. that is boring.

try modulating a filter with an envelope instead. write a bass line and then automate ADSR for different sounds.

try adding phasers, flangers, reverb, etc to spice it up.


http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=159658

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mKL2xCw1Ds

[Fused Productions]

dubstep isnt just messing with the lfo. that is boring.

try modulating a filter with an envelope instead. write a bass line and then automate ADSR for different sounds.

try adding phasers, flangers, reverb, etc to spice it up.


http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=159658

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mKL2xCw1Ds

This. Automation is so more creative and often better sounding than just using the LFO. Of course, you can be creative as fuck using the LFO but I don't recomend it compared to automation.

[Quasi118]

I've actually never thought of writing a bassline without solely automating the lfo speed... Should be common sense however thanks so much for the advice!

[BeastModeForDummies]

also something i saw wub post early which sounds like a helluva lot of fun to try, would take alot to master it though, is recording a bunch of different speeds then choppin the shit out of and making a giant sample out of it

[Big Freq]

bouncing to audio is always cool

saves cpu and can open new doors to creativity

[hifi]

use odd numbers/ triplets. and bounce to audio and do some choppin. odd numbers as in 3/8, 3/16, 1/3, 1/5(i don't think that ratio exists in synths) and etc. also a lot of envelope automation, filter modulation other than an LFO being applied to it just try automating the cutoff, even though that can be a pain but i guess you can get a more "natural"(?) sound by doing so

[jrisreal]

the pros get their syncopation on point by not using actual LFO's but drawing in the automation (or using Massive's performer instead of LFO's)

And a word of advice, instead of full-on switching FL to Reason, try rewiring them...best of both worlds. Easily use Audio and VST's while keeping Reason's powerful synths.