BASS LINES tips?

I must be the only guy who dosent seem to be getting anywhere lol, the tutorials are great and so on but im still strugling to get the sound im looking for.

when i listen to a few tracks it sounds really simple but after playing about a lot i still cant seem to get the kick and a good bassline how i want it.

ive got nexus,novations bassline so on,is there any tips i could use to help i.e layering so on.

i dont know if its me but watching the ableton vids,seems to be more control over sound files than whats in cubase using my nexus?

Are you using Cubase then? It really is a matter of layering up, think about your sound frequencies, use filters and EQs to tweek and get the sound you’re looking for and so the layers fit together. Then use a compressor to gel the sounds together.



It’s a matter of spending time playing with your sounds to get exactly what you’re looking for.



Ie: bassline, think about where in the mix you’ll have this, will it be bassier than the kick? Or will the Kick ride the low end? Work you’re filthers/EQs acordingly.



If you’re not getting the kick sounds you like then try laying those as well, get a good 909 or 808 kick for the low end, then get maybe a live kick sound for the mid frequencies then possibly a click or a hi hat to give you that top edge. Then gel them together when you’ve got that perfect kick you’re looking for.


…and of course it is a matter of good monitors… which i dont have… :(((((((

What Roben Said.



IE For a decent reese bass I try to layer the same sound but I eq at different frequencies and put effects and automation on those different layers for funk effects.



You can make them complex (ie I’ve resampled 2 or 3 times) or they can end up being simple - ie the other day I found a great one by layering two identical basses, then cutting out some of the low end of one using a phaser. The end result sounded really interesting.

Monitors are key! I just picked up a pair of Mackie MR8s!!! GOD DAMN did it make a difference in my studio! I couldn’t get any sounds I liked for the simple fact that I didn’t like the overall sound coming out of the monitors. Now that I have top notch monitors, I have a new found love for all the sounds that were driving me crazy! Definitely don’t be like me, purchase your monitors first! You’re never going to like what you hear if it sounds shit from the get go… Prolly doesn’t help at all but that’s my 2 cents on the bass. Also, keep in mind, when reviewing a track to figure out its workings, set your EQ to flat. I made the mistake of forgetting to do that a couple of times and ended up trying to replicate a coloured sound. Lastly, if it sounds simple, it is, so don’t try to make the bassline more complicated than it really is. Remember, less is more when it comes to this stuff…



Raymond