My first psybass created, who helps me improve?

[Subatomic]

Originally Posted by timtico

Thanks for your replies guys...

@Subatomic, can you please upload the midi file containing the virus settings? When I try to recreate a bass-sound with your settings It turns into something strange and glitchy.. I think i'm doing something wrong.

When you reread my post, you'll see that this is a psysound and not so much a psybass. It should be a typical ripping effect of psy.
Lemme see, maybe I entered the values wrong.

I'll make a psybass for you tho.

[timtico]

yes, it was a "sound" indeed I got by following your settings. Looking forward to see your settings. I learn heaps by reverse engineering patches.

Been working on this track today, and it's incredible how much difference very small things can make . Althought this is probably common knowledge for most producers, for me it was kinda refreshing:

- A little dash of reverb (e.g. small hall, short decay time, very dry) can do wonders to lift up your bassline.

- parallel filters in Ableton: duplicating a bassline on two different channels, One bandpass at a low setting and on the other channel a bandpass at higher frequency... can be great. Crisp basslines without being muddy.

(Does anybody know how to put the autofilter in Ableton in parallel?.. will have to take a look into this, should probably be routing audiochannels or something...)

[Subatomic]

Originally Posted by timtico

yes, it was a "sound" indeed I got by following your settings. Looking forward to see your settings. I learn heaps by reverse engineering patches.

Been working on this track today, and it's incredible how much difference very small things can make . Althought this is probably common knowledge for most producers, for me it was kinda refreshing:

- A little dash of reverb (e.g. small hall, short decay time, very dry) can do wonders to lift up your bassline.

- parallel filters in Ableton: duplicating a bassline on two different channels, One bandpass at a low setting and on the other channel a bandpass at higher frequency... can be great. Crisp basslines without being muddy.

(Does anybody know how to put the autofilter in Ableton in parallel?.. will have to take a look into this, should probably be routing audiochannels or something...)

I must say I never use reverb on the bassline, I tend to keep it dry and spice it with some saturation or even tube compression. That has everything to do with mixing other stuff in. Keeping the bassline as dry (and mono) as possible makes it much easier to mix.

Putting reverb on basslines may sound 'better' but remember, the bassline is only the backbone. A good bassline is supposed to sit well and ' aid' other instruments. Apart from that you are more likely to have phase-problems and muddyness in lows later on.

I don't use Ableton, so I fear I cannot help you.

On leadsounds try bouncing it to audio, reversing it and then putting the forementioned reverb over it and reversing it back. It's a trick common in breakbeatgenre's, but works well in psy as well.

[timtico]

Yes, I know reverb can be dangerous. But I was trying to achieve a bassline I heard in a track which just sounded as being on top of everyting.. so I added a reverb to the high end of the bassline, avoiding having it on the low ends. It is interesting.

On the Virus you can put the filters in parralel, using two bp filters (like you advised)..

So reverse lead, add reverb, reverse back. Interesting, I will try that.

[Subatomic]

Originally Posted by timtico

Yes, I know reverb can be dangerous. But I was trying to achieve a bassline I heard in a track which just sounded as being on top of everyting.. so I added a reverb to the high end of the bassline, avoiding having it on the low ends. It is interesting.

On the Virus you can put the filters in parralel, using two bp filters (like you advised)..

So reverse lead, add reverb, reverse back. Interesting, I will try that.

Getting your bass 'on top' is a mixing thing. The right EQ and the right compression can get you that effect. I'll see if I can give you some examples after the holidays.

[timtico]

Ok, I'm looking forward to hearing your examples!

I removed the reverb again as it resulted in a too long tail on the bass, overlapping with my kick possibly. Yes, EQing is soo important. I just wish I had abit more control in Ableton.