5 Misconceptions About Bass

[@davidcarter3976]

Yeah I feel like way too many people overlook the taking out the lows of all their instruments with highs. Kind of hilarious because that's the very first thing you learn when you watch a music production video😂😂

[@BrokenEquipment.]

I wish these videos existed when I started. Producers in this era are so lucky to have a real community.

[@PeterAse]

same, but finally the whole "oh you don't know it? figure it out by yourself" mentality is gone now - good riddance, It helped no one understand anything.

[@BeachBumZero]

Did you quit? You are in this era!

[@BrokenEquipment.]

@@PeterAse facts. That’s exactly how it was. I love how sharing secrets is a common thing.

[@BrokenEquipment.]

@@BeachBumZero I’m an old head so you gotta take it in context. Tutorials that taught new things were rare when I started KZbin. I started on “Fruity Loops 3” 😅

[@OverAndOverAndOver]

​@@PeterAseON. GOD. Mfs were toxic with that shit, glad I know it now to TEACH and not be a selfish prick about

[@anagoge]

Am I a music producer? No. Do I know my kicks from my hertz? No. Did I watch all ten minutes of this video because it was fascinating? Yep.

[@j897xce]

Yep.

[@OceanusHelios]

I have the musical knowledge of a stream pebble and I got a lot out of this video. I'm a musician like a donkey is a rocket scientist. So yeah, I hear yah.

[@sheppo]

Here’s two for you 6) EQing the low end of your kick and bass is a good idea - low end EQ adds either phase rotation to the low end, or pre/post ringing artefacts if using linear EQ which cause more issues. It’s possible to work around these issues with ducking and phase management, but it’s a lot to manage especially if you ever want to change the EQ again later. Instead get the bass or kick synthesis right in the first place so you don’t need to add EQ. Learn how to edit wave tables to bake EQ choices in to the harmonic levels. 7) stereo width in the bass is bad. This used to be true when songs were played from vinyl, or if not correctly thinking about how a mono down mix affects phase cancellation (this is relevant for large PA sounds systems where they typically still play tracks in mono or use large subs - which are mono in nature. Correctly dealing with mono down mixing can still allow you to create stereo bass in your track, which can sound great for consumer playback , especially headphones, so don’t shy away from it.

[@MadScientist267]

And 5 is basically a manual compressor and sounds like absolute $#¡+

[@RP49Music]

I WAS LITERALLY MIXING THE BASS IN A SONG WHEN THIS NOTIFICATION CAME UP 😂😂!! Thanks Alex :)

[@joeygproducedit7863]

gotta link so i can hear?

[@djmixxtreme3512]

ITS A SIGN!!!

[@leiocerayt]

cOiNcIdEnCe??? I tHINk nOt!!!1!11eleven

[@sau_as_sau]

You couldn't put it any better. I was basically at the same point on my own mix. 😀

[@Liquides11]

Google heard your bass

[@apollyon7617]

I needed a doctor to deal with my sloppy low end. Then I found this video. Truly lifechanging.

[@beatsbydoubledart]

😂

[@davidcarter3976]

Yes I am just starting my journey, and I find if I just find the right video, for each section that I'm working on, I can quickly overcome massive challenges.

[@OliverSchlecter]

Never say “sloppy low end” ever again please 🙏

[@davidcarter3976]

@@OliverSchlecter are we talking women's butts or music?

[@donutman1101]

​@@OliverSchlecter i thought the exact same thing 😂 "Come here girl, gimme that sloppy low end"

[@pimpusmane]

I like how producers describe sounds with nonapplicable descriptors like “make it wider” and “squeeze the bass” that can be interpreted in a multitude of ways

[@sigthorgudmundsson8444]

It is simple, it is clear... you only need to hear the theory once... and it is amazing that it is you Alex that gathers this and all the other pointers together in your videos. I am truly thankful for your effort and your willingness to share... I am constantly learning from you

[@taruhmei]

You literally clear my misconception of always layering bass with sub frequencies while the bass alone sound so good with its sub frequencies, thanks

[@walkedintodarkness]

1- 0:06 Misconception #1 2- 1:57 Misconception #2 3- 3:40 Misconception #3 4- 6:07 Misconception #4 5- 8:22 Misconception #5

[@JustinDuijn]

Can you pin this, please?

[@michaelpacinus242]

Useless

[@i_wateraaaaa]

@@michaelpacinus242How? How is it useless? The creator added no timestamps. This is our only way to accurately know where the chapters are.

[@michaelpacinus242]

@@i_wateraaaaa just watch the video if you want to know all of the misconceptions

[@walkedintodarkness]

@@michaelpacinus242 Adding timestamps makes it easier for when someone wants to re-learn what they learned in the video but don't want to watch the entire thing.

[@ild4099]

You know you've learned a lot when the channels you looked up to start giving tips which you already came up with yourself :D

[@ViktorSarge]

Great video. It's been about 20 years since I actively made music, but this got me wanting to start again.

[@LaRana08]

Do it!!!!

[@RKisBae]

The game has changed quite a lot for the better. START UP!

[@AnotherHYPEproductions]

Absolutely an simple but straightforward tutorial on bass mixing. I mean by the time you got to the end on bass & kick not coming through in the mix. I heard the bass not present like it should. Then you explained what had happened. Great short powerful class.❤🤘

[@jetlag_beats]

Exactly how I work with ANY layering. Find the basic character sound and layer the desired characteristics with other sounds where you simply cut out the parts in the EQ spectrum that you don't need from that extra added layer.

[@xgmode]

Good tips. For EQ-ing the low-end I'd personally use a low-shelf filter, as that doesn't change the phase as much as a high-pass filter.

[@Azzerskyy]

I'm simply amazed by how fast you got to the point and started explaining. I didn't search for this or even produce music myself but you earned my sub! Keep it that way brother 🤙🏻

[@JakebSweet]

great video! thanks for sharing Alex

[@djahvelle]

2:25 As a side note. A lot of lead synths use multiple oscillators/noise generators to synthesize the sound. Remember part one about phase cancelation? Make sure all oscillators are in phase with each other or you could end up with low end phase cancelation!

[@brettgoodrich]

Thank you, Megamind ♥

[@dunamiswihmee]

Gosh dang it I did not expect someone to point it out 😂

[@jakeh2034]

☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️noooooo, I didn’t notice until I read this.

[@brunoaichholzer8643]

Fucking gold

[@TheGobaar]

Haha best comment ever 😂

[@bingbongbooboo]

Nahhh nobody told you to cook bro like that 😂

[@StefanHolmes]

Thanks for this. Clear explanation. I’m literally on day 16 of learning how to do any of this. Immediate subscribe.

[@Tripwelleverday]

I’ve been doing this since the 90s didn’t really know why exactly but I just liked the way pushed and pulled

[@jono_young]

Been struggling with this as a total noob to production for a while now. I copied step for step, the results where what I was looking to achieve 🤯 Thanks so much man!

[@normaliize]

Awesome vid! My only argument would be your point at 3:48 - totally subjective and situational but I like to always have a mono sub because it sounds cleaner on speaker systems.. But I don’t wanna ruin the ambience of a stereo sound by making it mono so anytime I have a good sound that has a nice sub on it then I’ll duplicate (layer) and: -Take out the higher frequencies of the new sound (keeping some mid-range to give it body) and make it mono -Take out lower frequencies of original sound layer and keep it stereo and reverbed. I know you can achieve this using the Multiband Dynamics effect in Ableton to just make the low end mono on one particular sound but I forget how to do it lol. EDIT: NVM I NOTICED YOU ADDRESS THIS RIGHT AFTER LMAO 😅

[@zensational.]

I really appreciate how concise and directly applicable all of these tips are. Thank you!

[@DielectricFailure]

_It’s a breath of fresh air seeing others using Logic Pro to create good electronic music! Thanks for this tutorial! Matching the sounds of bass and leads should be another video. 🎶🏆 Like how they set moods and can create atmospheric music._

[@DIGITVLSVNSET]

I just came across this video, but I already knew this from car audio installations and tuning. But I think this video should get A LOT of traction for people just starting to make music. Very very important

[@dfp5116]

I always learn so much from your videos, I can’t wait to try this out on my mixes!!! Thank you!!

[@Skraftzz]

Me listening to the bass on a laptop speaker:

[@AboveEmAllProduction]

? I'm listening on my phone

[@kinginc.9148]

@@AboveEmAllProductionthey’re bad speakers for bass that’s what he’s saying

[@AboveEmAllProduction]

@@kinginc.9148 sounds good here

[@AboveEmAllProduction]

@@kinginc.9148 sounds good here

[@williansdejulio]

Awesome tips! I've always wondered why my bass doesn't hit as hard as ARTBAT bass for example. Now I know why lol. Thanks!

[@michaelfrietsch8246]

always helpin all producers big or just startin out! thanks man

[@joeygproducedit7863]

dude i wanted to take the time to tell you how much i love this channel bro! soo much tips and knowledge. helping me cut the cream! working on my basslines now they are tricky! 😝

[@MadMatt1810]

Broo love ur vids, can you make a video about fundamentals sounds for melodic techno, melodic house please, thank you so much for all your vids, really helpfull

[@DirtyMike124x]

Thanks alot man... My favorite stuff to try and learn. I listen while I'm working first, then after work I'm able to relisten while attempting to implement and reinforce. I'm making progress fast from creators like yourself, thanks again.

[@BorisBarroso]

Important. When hi passing with an EQ you will shift the phase, sometimes this won’t affect your sound to much but if it’s strong you can invert the phase on any of the basses and set the synth to start at phase 0 and not random

[@TvSaleem]

Amazing vid. Very to the point. To expand on the masking aspect. Sometimes it’s not just the low end of the other instruments clashing with the bass. It’s having too much low mids and mid frequencies can make you “perceive” a lack of bass. You can sometimes achieve the perception of a deeper low end by scooping out low mids on things. It’s easy to go overboard and get it too thin, but it works!

[@leiocerayt]

For Bass-Sidechaining, I usually like to put a multiband compressor onto the non-kick-track, and sidechain just the lows.

[@barcker4]

This was just the tutorial I needed 🙏🥺 I would love to see also when to use and when not to use reverb.

[@bweeno2]

I play rock and metal and amazingly, all these principles can be applied to those genres. This video isn't just for EDM producers.

[@jayfblank]

Those headphones are huge.

[@PETERGREENDAY100]

This video is a fundamental for anyone who wants to approach music production. Priceless tutorial, thank you. Even if I produce since 2018, it was an useful refresh for me too

[@tranceemerson8325]

Hey Alex what I'd like to see next is how to keep your mid and side levels consistent, there's some weird things that happens in a stereo mix that makes it so that your mono mix doesn't sound the same volume as your stereo mix

[@Walid.OnTheTrack6725]

It can be a phase cancelation, too many effects (stereo,reverb...) so your instruments lose their power. Maybe you did a huge high pass or high passing with an eq that doesn't have a linear phase, so yeah, you're definitely gonna lose something in mono, that's for sure, but these are some problems i faced, it can be masking too and how your instruments are being spread in the frequency spectrum so everything has it's place without fighting or maybe you only need to reset your volume faders cause you've been fooled with the stereo image

[@SALEENS7GTR5]

Stereo separation can make stereo mixes sound big, but get lost in mono. As such, using phase shifting for sounds instead of panning or stereo separation can make stereo mixes sound wide and mono mixes sound just as full. Dan Worral has some excellent videos on phase separation.

[@owencmyk]

My favourite bass trick is to take a normal sound, put it through foldback or sin distortion with some stereo offset, and then clip it to hell and back. Makes a big fat bass with lots of high end too

[@jessepender5239]

Way to cram a lot of legit info into 10 minutes! Super helpful!

[@wallybonejengles5595]

I like to set my tone, and play it straight. In post I will often add a second layer and wash it with a bit of reverb and stereoize them slightly. The real solution is probably change my bass strings lol. Then I wouldnt have to try and compensate for my tone. I make a lot of Reggae and Post Punk. First layer Is all the punch. The second is for texture.

[@galadhonx9825]

Nice!! I use a mid-side EQ on my Reese to stay mono in the sub bass range and wider in the high end

[@makxelmoore]

For Misconception #5: Multiband-Sidechaining would be a better fit. That way you don't get that strong sidechain effect, but seperates kick and bass way better, without taking away the high-end of the bass.

[@Guild176]

Try this method instead of side chaining compressing your bass to your kick- sidechain a multi band that ducks the bass in the most important bass range, that way you’re not messing with the bass transients

[@ElectronicBozo]

Thank you Princess Leia! (4:43) ;-)

[@grizzlythief]

Great help and super informative. I'd be careful about leaning on sidechain for your kick, as it's sort of a Band-Aid. It worked in this genre, but IMO you're better off choosing complimentary sounds to start. I think your philosophy on chords and bass still apply to kick and bass: EQ them to their own areas with intent and don't just rely on sidechain to fix it for you. Thanks for the vid.

[@sEvan_el_Evan]

It’s awesome to see how much there is to music

[@LexLeo_]

Thank you for this. I’m somewhere in the middle with my knowledge but still a noob. Love your channel!

[@aliaksandrilyushenka5597]

Sir, you singlehandedly carried everything I needed to know about the low end. Thank you 🙏

[@LohPro]

i like to place the kick & bass into separate "zones" in the low-end. for example, the old EQ channels strips have typical EQ points around 30, 60, 100, etc. so what I do first is, decide if i want the kick lower than the bass or vice-versa. 9/10 i have the kick lower than the bass, so the kick fundamental usually hits around 60Hz, while the bass hits around 100Hz or so. then i do "opposing pocket cuts", so if the kick is boosted at 60, cut the bass at 60. if the bass is boosted at 100, cut the kick at 100. this makes room for each sound. the way i like to think about the kick & bass, is like they are roommates or siblings. they are in the same house (ie; the low-end), but they can be placed in different rooms (60Hz for kick, 100Hz for bass) & be independent of the other, while sharing the same roof.

[@Scrypherz]

THIS is a really helpful video. Saw so many vids and tuts about mixing and EQing, but nothing of that quality. Thanks alot!

[@nathangrant1833]

I just discovered you today and honestly man, love your content and love the way you explain and break down issues.

[@nathangrant1833]

This was a problem I've been struggling with and wasn't even aware of phasing.

[@philipkauffman2500]

thank god, finally a likable edm tut guy

[@SudoFragz]

Great tid bits for newer producers and well explained. I knew all of these tricks but I did learn a more in depth explanation into why I do the things I do while producing. Thanks!

[@lorens2143]

You are always using so clean and crisp sounds in your videos that gives me inspiration! 👊👑

[@TripleTSingt]

The "all-bass-sounds-need-a-sub-layer"-people probably come from genres like Dubstep, where many bass sounds are so distorted or in other ways processed that you don't have a clean bass note anymore. In those cases, it's magical, what a separate Sub can do for the track. Just High-Pass your sound (best with some good quality linear EQ) and use a clean sub bass and match any automation.

[@JackAcid]

For a beginner you've explained this brilliantly. Thank you!

[@Skalakalava]

Thank you brother for all you doing for us ❤️🙏

[@SmS-pR]

You are a real creative person

[@Dilivioofficial]

great tutorial and music! That tune sounds very good, hope you have it somewhere full release

[@Impuhlz]

One of the best tuts out there- your content is gold brudda, and from my low-end and myself, danke!

[@papabear_music]

Suddenly after few months he's back with a very helpful video!

[@VAMPZDJ]

Megamind vid right here. Thank you.

[@DANI_EL_DARKO]

This is exactly how I mix. Great tips.

[@RageRaccoon]

i wish i had this video back in 2018 but damn am i glad to have it now

[@zyklos229]

There is also some interesting phase effects when kick and Bass come together

[@Sean3339]

I just learned more in the last 10 minutes, than I did in the last 10 years! 🎉 😎

[@stevensmith1788]

Thanks Alex, would like to see more output from you again

[@Beatsmithdotorg]

Alex, thank you so much for this video - I couldn't subscribe fast enough. Your explanations are excellent and I have learned so much from just this one video. Thank you again!

[@rifo1977]

This is a much talked about topic and I think you did an excellent job in explaining the issues in a very understandable way! Awesome work!

[@qzwxecrv0192837465]

Originally thought this would be a live sound video, but no. In easier way for “cutting the low frequency” would be add a high pass filter or make one that you can apply per channel Would save tons of time so you don’t have to eq each non bass channel. Great stuff

[@masonphilpott9827]

You’re so smart thank you for uploading

[@Mattrixx]

Holy shit bro! I haven’t came across you in a while, glad you still making videos bro. It’s crazy too bc a few months ago I was wondering what happened to you

[@LexLeo_]

I absolutely love the way you explain things!

[@markmallory2528]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Learned A LOT TODAY! THANK YOU MAN! 🔥🔥🔥

[@WapBamboo]

Great job keeping your explanations simple throughout, although I prefer shelf bands to brickwall, personally. Also the bald look is a win, brother

[@mjbolivar333]

Alex... this video has very nice content. Congratulations. It would be great if you'd played both before and after following each other for further consolidation of the principles you are explaining, as well as comparable portions of audio (such as in the part where you are filtering all the pads to enhance the bass, the comparing piece of audio after contains a vocal that goes on top of everything, thus making it impossible to appreciate what you were explaining before). Good and useful content man!!!

[@darryls.music.]

Super helpful. Thank you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@AugerHybrid]

It's just beautiful.

[@cameronzoladz4738]

Thanks for the tips man! Also I’m still enjoying your Orbital pack! I love it!

[@Iztreshtelia]

I love number 2, recently found it by myself by using pads for sub base and base Edit: Also vice versa I also used acid base for leads.

[@flockytheram]

You are clearly a genius. But why did you kill superman in this nightmare I had? I'm going back to the psych ward for a tune up. But when I come back. I shall change the game forever with the most futuristic bass. Thank you

[@Natedrumming]

New sub! I’ll probably revisit this video a few times. I write metal music but this is still so helpful.

[@jamesbackwardz]

Learned so much from. Thank you so much

[@natking1u1z99]

I don’t make EDM but these tips are valuable.

[@andresfernandez2032]

Alex rome the best professor I can had in my life😂😂❤🎉

[@babysunn2]

Seems to Me That CHANNEL EQ Is A Must Have For Sound Design Elitist.

[@AlexRome]

Yup, Any highly adjustable EQ is great for sound design

[@DegradationDomain_stuff]

I didn't understand any of it but it was interesting to watch and hear and... Feel. Thanks.

[@KaneFordK9]

You have a very good ear brother

[@lordaethelstan69]

great advice and super helpful thank you brotha !

[@hooligan740]

holy. freakin. crap. subbed and like, you are VERY clear and easy to understand

[@JustinDuijn]

1. Don’t add 2 bass layers in the same frequencies together; either make your first bass lines stronger or change the sound I suppose.

[@malegria9641]

Another thing for taking out the low end of everything else: ALWAYS CHECK YOUR HIHATS. You’ll be surprised how many hihat samples have phantom sub frequencies that can mess up your mix.

[@xandacab4285]

it really is true of everything tbh. i think most samples aren’t aggressively eqed out of the box bc they don’t always need to be - it’s (rightly imo) up to the end user to determine which sounds (if any) need to be whittled down to make room for something else. sometimes having some low in a cymbal or snare creates a dissonance or fullness that helps it pop more (e.g., dubstep snares, dark jazzy hihats)

[@kleinburn4061]

Yeah I started cutting off all percussion and samples to 80hz and now my mixes seems like they're missing mid section 😔 I guess I'm cutting too much?

[@davidcarter3976]

Alex Rome The Best of the Best!!

[@thomasolson8417]

For kicks, is it a good idea to just group all your other layers and then assign a sidechain to that whole group against the kick output? That way, you don't have to have lots of sidechains everywhere. Or should you customize each one for the character of every individual sound? 🤔

[@levimudhouse]

Bus mixing ;-)

[@heelfijn]

Great instruction, clear comms!

[@ArthorMC]

4:00 that bass sounded very good for a Hard Techno track