I really like this guys explanation for mixing the low end. If you have not watched before and are new to music production it should help improve your sound.
That guy BigZ has got a few good videos on mixing bass which I have found really helpful in improving my mixes and just learning music production skills generally.
4 easy ways to make pro bass lines:
How to layer basses for EDM:
I mixed 500 songs, this is the no.1 problem:
Mixing Low End…The Right Way
Low end of the kick
Low end of the bass: sub bass < 100-120hz
Make sure the low end of the kick and the low of the bass are not interfering with each other at all. The easiest way is to separate the sub bass from your main bass.
Bass track 1 Main bass:
- adjust eq so it starts at 120hz (so no sub frequencies playing)
Bass track 2 Sub bass:
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In serum choose Sub Osc, select Saw or Sine Wave and put the sound in Mono so the notes don’t interfere with each other.
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EQ to only allow frequencies between 30 - 120hz.
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Adjust the sub bass so the root note, the lowest frequency you can on the frequency spectrum analyzer is inside the 30 - 100 hz range by adjusting the octave -1 -2 or changing the key of the track.
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Put a sidechain plugin on the kick track and bass track, so they don’t play at the same time.
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Try to match the level of the sub bass with the level of the sub bass in your reference track.
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Heavily compress the Sub Bass so there is not a lot of variation in the loudness between different notes. You want a constant volume.
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Make sure nothing else in your track is going between 120 or 150hz, just the kick drum and the sub bass.
4 Easy Ways To Make PRO Basslines
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Keep the root note frequencies between 40 hz to 80 hz. This is the lowest frequency you can see your bass playing on the frequency spectrum. If one or more notes are outside that range there are two options. Option 1, change the whole key of the track. Option 2, if just one note is outside the range, then you can just change the octave of that note until it fits within the range. Most notes need to be within the range, not all of them.
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Add octave jumps or other intervals to bring more movement to your bassline.
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Add pitch bends to make your bassline sound more professional.
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If adding an extra bass layer, keep it in the same octave, but cut the lower frequencies so it is not competing with the main bass.
How To Layer Basses For EDM
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Usually use 4 layers for a bass. Main bass layer, plucky bass layer, stereo bass layer and then a sub bass layer.
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Main bass. EQ so it’s out the way of the sub bass layer, plucky bass layer and stereo layer. Allow frequencies between 150 hz to 1300 hz. Example a saw bass sound.
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Plucky bass. Main bass already has the lower end of the frequency spectrum covered. EQ, allow frequencies from 300 - 350 hz. Maybe roll off the high end frequencies. This is leaving a lot of room for the main bass to sit underneath this bass in the frequency spectrum. Turn volume all the way down, then slowly mix it in. Consider using a transient designer to increase attack.
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Stereo bass. This layer is wider in the stereo spectrum. Perhaps increase unison voices so it is nice and wide. Perhaps also use a dimension expander to make the sound a little wider. EQ, cut everything below 300 hz. Use mid/side EQ to take out the middle of the stereo spectrum and reduce the sound by several decibels. Turn volume all the way down, then slowly mix it in.
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Sub bass. Serum Sub Osc using a sine or saw. Allow frequencies between 30 - 120 hz.
I Mixed 500 Songs, This Is The #1 Problem I Found
- Create a new track for your Sub Bass. Make sure it is sitting between 40 - 90 hz. Make sure each note is the same volume by adding a lot of compression. Match the length of the Sub Bass sound to the length of the Main Bass sound by adjusting the AMP Envelope.
Essential Mixing Bass Guide
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Make sure the bass root note and majority of other bass notes are between 40 - 80 hz by adjusting the octave or key.
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Sub bass layer 30 - 120 hz. Choose a Saw or Sine wave. Select mono mode, so only one note can play at a time. Heavily compress the sound so the volume is a constant level. Adjust the Amplitude Envelope to match the duration of the main bass sound.
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Main bass layer 150 - 1300 hz. Eq so it is out of the way of the sub bass.
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Plucky bass layer 300 hz - ~6000 hz. Roll off high end if needed. Consider using a transient designer to increase attack.
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Stereo bass layer 300 hz - ~6000 hz. Roll off high end if needed. Use mid/side eq and reduce mid by several decibels leaving mostly the stereo wider sound. Perhaps increase Unison voices for a wider sound.
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When adding bass layers, keep them in the same octave, but cut the lower frequencies so they don’t compete.
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Add pitch bends to make the bass sound more professional.
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Add octave or other interval jumps to make the bassline more interesting.
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Put a side chain on the kick and bass.
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Make sure the low end of the kick and low end of the bass are not interfering with each other.
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