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Hi

Im trying to make a dubstep track for my a level music tech coursework, and creating the right bass sound has really got me stumped. Im using cubase 4 and reason 3. Ive seen alot of tutorials using a subtractor synth and it sounds ok, but sounds so messy in the lower end, any tips on how to create a more solid, sub bass, kind of like the bass used alot by skream?

Also ive been finding it tough to try and get the drop to sound right, you know when the bass drops and you can relly feel it? Ive experimented with layering a few a bass synths over each other but still doesnt sound right and looses alot of clarity. any tips?

cheers

rossdog1 wrote:make a dubstep track for my coursework

man, times have changed.

Recessive Trait wrote:

rossdog1 wrote:make a dubstep track for my coursework

man, times have changed.

You fucking said it bro.

As for the OP's question. I've said it before and I'll say it again, sub bass = sine wave. Seriously. That's it. No EQ, keep the filter on the subtractor on fairly neutral settings and just don't touch anything on it. There's no need, that's your sub bass. Set it to the right level in the mix and your done. To build on that now create a new instance of a new subtractor/malstrom/whatever and work on a midrange layer to sit on top of the sub, make sure this is high passed but also roll off the highs too so your just getting the juicy midrange as I like to call it. Now you can add subtle bits of chorus/reverb to this midrange layer to give it a darker feel and just generally work from there. You probably don't need to give it to much volume either, seeings as you've already got your sub there and this lower mid section is just to beef the bass sound up and make it a bit wider it can sit quite low and still make a nice impact to the vibe of the song.

Personally I would have a second subtractor (though I would have used malstrom for the initial sub, just personal preference cos you can turn all the filters off on malstrom) and have the waveforms set to triangle and number 7 or maybe 13/14 but have the dial that lets you choose which oscillator is more prominent halfway towards the triangle so you don't get too sharp a sound off the other waveforms leaking in.

Hope that helps, kinda explained it pretty rough but it's hard when I aint there by the computer with you to show you properly lol :\

rossdog1 wrote:Hi

Im trying to make a dubstep track for my a level music tech coursework, and creating the right bass sound has really got me stumped. Im using cubase 4 and reason 3. Ive seen alot of tutorials using a subtractor synth and it sounds ok, but sounds so messy in the lower end, any tips on how to create a more solid, sub bass, kind of like the bass used alot by skream?

Also ive been finding it tough to try and get the drop to sound right, you know when the bass drops and you can relly feel it? Ive experimented with layering a few a bass synths over each other but still doesnt sound right and looses alot of clarity. any tips?

cheers

Try sylenth or NI massive for mid/high freq bass tones they're nice tones(ignore the sub bass in this stage). Then once you have your high end bass in place you can duplicate the layer wile cutting the low frequencies out of the first layer using Eq. Distortion tends to easily muddy up low frequencies making you
'feel' it a lot less. SO TO BE clear if you want to get your bass sounding anything like skream your going to want to use distortion but only on the mid high range bass layer. I recommend camel phat plug- or try bit crusher, phasing , whatever experiment
cheers

Initial wrote:

rossdog1 wrote:Hi

Im trying to make a dubstep track for my a level music tech coursework, and creating the right bass sound has really got me stumped. Im using cubase 4 and reason 3. Ive seen alot of tutorials using a subtractor synth and it sounds ok, but sounds so messy in the lower end, any tips on how to create a more solid, sub bass, kind of like the bass used alot by skream?

Also ive been finding it tough to try and get the drop to sound right, you know when the bass drops and you can relly feel it? Ive experimented with layering a few a bass synths over each other but still doesnt sound right and looses alot of clarity. any tips?

cheers

Try sylenth or NI massive for mid/high freq bass tones they're nice tones(ignore the sub bass in this stage). Then once you have your high end bass in place you can duplicate the layer wile cutting the low frequencies out of the first layer using Eq. Distortion tends to easily muddy up low frequencies making you
'feel' it a lot less. SO TO BE clear if you want to get your bass sounding anything like skream your going to want to use distortion but only on the mid high range bass layer. I recommend camel phat plug- or try bit crusher, phasing , whatever experiment
cheers

I think he was talking about stuff like "walkin bass, sub island, too much sushi, rottan etc..old school style skream. Could be wrong though.

cheers guys, yeah ive messed around with the eq a bit on the subtractor so that could be the problem.

Ive tried using a malstrom but havent had much luck , cant seem to get any movement in the bass if you know what i mean haha

but yeah ill have a mess around with sine waves and that

With regards to the type of bass im looking for, the bass in skreams in for the kill is sick, so something close to that would be good. I know its mainstream! dont rip me apart haha

rossdog1 wrote:With regards to the type of bass im looking for, the bass in skreams in for the kill is sick, so something close to that would be good. I know its mainstream! dont rip me apart haha

Lowpassed reese isnt it? With some like... fm modulation on top for that subtle bit of midrange.

yeahh i think your right mate, didnt think of low passing a reese! Been experimenting a bit, sounds sick. I was thinking about putting the bass through a maximiser?

any advice?

cheers

i tend to do alot more to my sub than just 'sine wave' and thats it... infact i do a hell of alot more. this has nothing to do with the OP haha... but more of a reply to paravrais

A-list: really dig your Oceans track. Love that bassline. Very ambient dub. The whole thing is mixed really well too! Did u have it pro mastered?

It might be also worth it to make a sine sub, mid and high reese and lowpass them at different places to get more of a richer and cleaner sound.

beatbum wrote:A-list: really dig your Oceans track. Love that bassline. Very ambient dub. The whole thing is mixed really well too! Did u have it pro mastered?

thanks man, appreciate it alot!
and nah mate, everything was done by us (including the mastering)

but not to take this thread away from the original post!

Don't be afraid to experiment... then again, we generally just stick to the sine wave then effects haha.... may try a low passed reece out and see how it sounds!

I was somewhat confused as to how to EQ a sub bass at one point. And then I realised you didn't have to at all,