Smooth Rolling Bass and Crisp Drums?

[madcat]

Hello everyone,

I know solid recording techniques are modified by experience, so I'm not expecting a miracle by tomorrow. I just wanted to get an idea of what programs some of you electronic musicians are writing your basslines and drum beats on.

Do you master it as you go, or write a gritty beat and import it into a mastering program when it is completely finished (same with your basslines). Do you master tracks individually (in what?) or do you do everything at once.

Everyone has a different method I'm sure, but if you know of an article for tips on producing solid basslines and beats via software or whatever that would be cool too.

Thanks for any insights...
Madcat

 

[BrettB]

You're talking 'bout electronic music, right?

In that case it depends on your synths for the basslines (fiddling with the analogue filter knobs etc) and your drumcomputer for your drums.

If you want software: Reaktor is a good virtual synth and Fruity Loops is often used as a drum computer.

 

[barefoot]

I use natural and electronic sample libraries for my drum sounds and heavily tweaked samples and/or my Korg MS-2000R for basslines.

I arrange everything in Acid Pro.

I’m not sure I know what you mean by “Do you master it as you go?”

barefoot

 

[madcat]

Thanks for your replies...

BrettB - Yep, electronic music. Ok, analog synths and drum machines for basslines : I use Reasons Redrum...

I'm looking for techniques to create strong rolling basslines so they'll come out sounding clean on a record.

barefoot - Do you master as you go: I mean when I create sequences in Reason, the sound is very rough - I haven't been at it long enough to know if I can take that rough mix and throw it through Soundforge or something and make it sound nicer...know what I mean?

Ahhh...I'll figure it out sooner or later

 

[barefoot]

Re: Thanks for your replies...

I'm looking for techniques to create strong rolling basslines so they'll come out sounding clean on a record.

barefoot - Do you master as you go: I mean when I create sequences in Reason, the sound is very rough - I haven't been at it long enough to know if I can take that rough mix and throw it through Soundforge or something and make it sound nicer...know what I mean?

Trying to fix things after the fact is definitely not the way to go.

You have to make each part as strong as it can be before you do any sort of “mastering”. It does take a lot of time to get a good handle on this whole mixing thing, but you’ll get it. Most importantly remember that mixing is like painting. If you throw a bunch of colors down in the same spot all you get is the color of mud. You need to carve out a place for each sound. A track may sound great on it’s own, but if its stepping all over another track and creating mud, then it needs to be trimmed so it can fit into the mix.

This bbs is the right place to find answers to how to make your basslines sound clean. But as far a how to actually create strong rolling basslines, well that’s not so easy. Probably the most anyone can do is point you in the direction of some good equipment. Rules for avoiding lame basslines? That’s anyone’s guess.

Btw, have a listen to my latest tune. I’d like to know what you think.https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57445

barefoot