WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE MIDBASSES

[MistaBossman]

Just wondering literally where to start with mid basses. I have Massive and Logic as well as FM8 and Absynth and i litterally am not sure where to start when it comes to making them. Any clue? Im talking midbasses like this http://soundcloud.com/symmetry-recordings/break-something-new-xtrah which we often see people like Break, S.P.Y, and Calyx and Teebee use in there productions. Those deep dark, growly, almost groaning baselines? Anyone care to explain or have a patch? Thank you.

 

[Prideinyouride]

I've found it's all about distortion and harmonics. Start with a straight sine wave (EX24 default) disable output 1&2, add some slight overdrive to provide some harmonics, add an analyser after and you can see what it does to the bass and make 2 equal sends.

Send 1: Add some overdrive, enough to give it weight, but not so much to colour it. Low pass the 1st at approx 90hz

Send 2: hi pass at approx 90hz and distort using small amounts of your favourite distortion plugs to give distinctive colour, lots of a little not visa versa. At this point in might sound a mess dont worry, try to then filter, modulate and EQ to taste, that should bring it back. What you can then do is make a send on this bus to another and hi pass that around 2000hz and make a real high gritty nasty top end to it. I then tend to buss the mid and hi back together and compress/EQ leaving bus 1 pure and uncompressed (except side chain if necessary)

It doesn't have to be a sine. Experiment.

 

[logikz]

emu sampler. you cant even load anything in that thing without it turning into a neuro warp bass

 

[Labrat]

+1 on the emu, i got a 4xt ultra and its boss.

in the old days it was a synth overdriven through a tube and resampled as many times as you need. try samplers not so much synths (especially massive, sounds like digital crap for midranges imo)

 

[MistaBossman]

Thanks Pride in your ride, will try that but guys i dont have an EMU sampler, i wrote what i own above!

 

[Elzerk]

Experimenting - layering and effects, all you need to start making any kind of midheavy basslines.



If you are lazy tho, get massive.

 

[Prideinyouride]

I'd stay away from massive. I've got it and never use it however its a good starter synth as its relatively easy to get the basics of synthesis. However I can pretty much guarantee the likes of break etc don't use massive. It has a very blatant digital feel to it, It is good at what it does. I prefer the sample/resample route, an EMU would be great but not all of us have access. Make a bass, resample it into the EX24 fuck it up, bounce and resample and so on and so on. The process is called "Rinse and repeat"

 

[logikz]

if you want some solid tips, methods, not to mention step by step tutorials, you can always try the sticky up top. the 'dirty basslines exchange' thread.

 

[Apearon]

just stick some classic waves in a sampler + filter, lfo, pitch, envelope, apply fx, bounce and stick back in again... surprising what you can do with a few rich waves + some plugs

 

[MistaBossman]

Thanks all x