Bass Reece Drum and Bass

nekrolog1k · 2014-03-04T12:38:34.000Z

Hi Guys,

I just got one analog 4 monster machine and im quiet happy with it

Im looking for some tips how to modulate some nice Drum and bass reece’s and bass !??

I can get some but not really that kind of typical drum and bass sound yet !

Any of you guys producing dub step or Dnb who can advice me some or have any interesting patches or trick to try ?

Thx alot

FreeFall · 2014-03-04T17:37:53.000Z

I don’t have an A4, but do have an MnM, and have been (attempting) to make DnB for a long time. A Reese Bass is actually pretty simple in theory.

For a Reese Bass you need to use two to three oscillators. Square waves work the best, but making one of the oscillators a triangle or saw wave can work too.

The bass is comprised of two or three parts - a low bass, a mid bass, and a high bass tone. Pitch the second oscillator up one octave from the first oscillator, and the third oscillator up an octave from the second oscillator. You will need to use THREE TRACKS for layering these oscillators. Detune one or two of the oscillators (mid or high) just a little bit. This gives you a phasing effect that really brings the bass to life.

Use the FILTER on each oscillator to scoop out an individual tone range for each oscillator. The low bass can be pretty dull and subby, the mid needs to be a bit growly, and the high bass can be pretty crunchy (playing with the filter settings once you have your basic bass sound set up is where the magic really happens). You want each oscillator to live in its own frequency range so things don’t get muddy (very important).

Now you should have a really thick and rich sounding bass, but it’s probably just a giant wall of sound! This is where you need to adjust the volume level of each oscillator until you find the balance you like. Usually lots of low end, some mid bass, and plenty of high bass to give it that hollow growling sound.

Once you balance the volume levels to your liking, EQ out more frequencies (in the mid and upper mid range especially) and just experiment until you find a pleasing hollow bass sound.

Once you get your bass sound worked out (which can take a long time) try some tweaking of the FILTER and EG, and the volume balances. This will make your bass move and evolve. You can make your bass move subtly, or you can make it scream and growl dramatically. Target LFOs to parameters for continuous movement.

Try running the bass through another level of EQ for even further control, so the bass really sits nice in a mix.
Never use reverb on the low bass, but a little bit on the high bass can add a lot of width and presence.
Create a separate ‘Sub Bass’ that sits beneath the Reese. Best to keep them separate for maximum tonal control.

I hope that helps!

nekrolog1k · 2014-03-05T12:34:40.000Z

Wow thx alot for your answer mate really appreciated thx for your time !

Im gonna try it asap and give you feedback !

FreeFall · 2014-03-05T19:12:44.000Z

Glad to help!

I don’t have an A4 (yet) so I can’t really guide you through how to do all of the programming on the A4, but the principle idea is the same no matter what synth you use.

Start laying your Reese bass with pads and other synth sounds and you’ll be amazed with the results! That Reese sound just carries everything so well.

I’ve been working on making a bank of nothing but Reese bass patches so I don’t have to go through all that programming when inspirations strikes!

nekrolog1k · 2014-03-05T22:14:57.000Z

Yes is exactly what im trying to do, setup some homemade patches library for my next tracks and stuff to dont kill the inspiration side when it knock at the door ^^

jonah · 2014-03-08T19:11:50.000Z

yeah the big construction difference with the a4 is neighbor tracks, i think. two or more multimode filters moving get nice. with sound locks you can still squeeze other sounds into your neighbor tracks too.

but a lot of times i use all 4 tracks and sample it. could run that back in for more filtering too.

sometimes i think about it more like a whole kit is the sound and the sounds are elements. the timing of how the filters move really changes the sound.