bass-less dubstep?

lilt · Post by **lilt** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 3:28 am

maybe?
maybe not?

i mean, there are really only three elements to dubstep. bass, broken beat and 140/70bpm

so would bass-less dubstep work?

im wondering cos i like making dubstep, but all my bass sounds are just too medicore, and when i listen back to my stuff it sounds better without bass

thoughts?
anybody else who makes bass-less dubstep?

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:24 am

Practice getting your basses to sound good!

But yeah, if it sounds better with no bass, just go the cop-out route and wack a pure sine sub underneath.... No one can cock that up unless they're a complete mong!

junglist · Post by **junglist** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 5:56 am

futures_untold wrote:Practice getting your basses to sound good!

But yeah, if it sounds better with no bass, just go the cop-out route and wack a pure sine sub underneath.... No one can cock that up unless they're a complete mong!

Yup. Sine + Bitcrusher + Camel Crusher = simple and effective bassline.

.klimaxx · Post by **.klimaxx** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:25 am

yeah man, for me dubstep is all about the bass...
try mixing it a bit better, eg put on some EQ, a tight reverb maybe..
then compliment it with a fat sine sub bass

try using MASSIVE by Native Instruments if you're having trouble finding a good bass sound. It is almost too easy to use lol.

theedman · Post by **theedman** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:57 am

.klimaxx wrote:try using MASSIVE by Native Instruments if you're having trouble finding a good bass sound. It is almost too easy to use lol.

+1

abZ · Post by **abZ** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 4:44 pm

I don't think you necessarily have to have a "bassline" but IMO it's not dubstep with out massive low end. Something like Blimey by Ramadanman is a good example of what I am talking about. But yeah I think if your basslines are weak maybe you should just work on that part of your production until you get good results.

slow riot · Post by **slow riot** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 6:58 pm

i think bass is very important in any form of music. it's a range in the sonic spectrum that is there to be manipulated like any other.

just cos you can't find a way to use it that fits your style at the moment doesn't mean you need to give up on it.

as mentioned, ramadanman is a great exmaple of using subs in a subtle and different way.... doesn't have the same in your faceness of a big fat b-line but he proves that a delicate touch can be just as effective.

darkmatteruk · Post by **darkmatteruk** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 8:49 pm

personally i think it can work depending on how much variation you can get out of your beats. but you would need alot of variation to keep it interesting, plenty of well worked atmospherics etc.

lilt · Post by **lilt** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:26 pm

thanks for the input peeps!
im thinking its a lot to do with wanting to making big wobbles

but not making the 'right' sort of music that they sit well with

heres an 8 bar example with bass only on the last 4
http://www.divshare.com/download/5093537-621

ali jamieson · Post by **ali jamieson** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 9:43 pm

some kode 9 stuff sounds like it doesn't have b lines, it undoubtedly does just simple and subtle... not too obtrusive

junglist · Post by **junglist** » Sun Aug 03, 2008 10:52 pm

ali jamieson wrote:some kode 9 stuff sounds like it doesn't have b lines, it undoubtedly does just simple and subtle... not too obtrusive

Backward by Kode 9 & The Spaceape is a good example. When the track hits 0:40 in, it get sick for atmosphere.

k_k · Post by **k_k** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:24 pm

I think it could work but youd need just a tad of bass. its like when your listening to a proper bass heavy tune and then the bass just stops and then starts after pause you get that feeling of like weightlessness if you know what i mean

FSTZ1 · Post by **FSTZ1** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:32 pm

no bass, no dice

misk · Post by **misk** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 5:41 pm

do whatever you want man! if you want bass, add bass, if you dont want bass, then no bass... but dont forgo a bassline because you can't make one, learn how to make badass bass and then forgo using it as a creative decision

drifterman_ · Post by **drifterman_** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 6:01 pm

Well don't forget that your Bassdrum=Bass, try boosting its low end and giving it a bit more release.

black lotus · Post by **black lotus** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:14 pm

dubstep without bass is like dirty south r&b with no soul vocals.

misk · Post by **misk** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:17 pm

whatever dude, make whatever you want. I like bass, i make bass. its really just a matter of opinion.

FSTZ1 · Post by **FSTZ1** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:20 pm

black lotus wrote:dubstep without bass is like dirty south r&b with no soul vocals.

it's like pasta with no sauce

somejerk · Post by **somejerk** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 8:35 pm

a lot of Various Production's tunes have a heavy dubstep influence but without the heavy bass.

John Locke · Post by **John Locke** » Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:23 pm

FSTZ wrote: it's like pasta with no sauce

actually quite common in italy

bass-less dubstep?

bass-less dubstep?

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