You struggle with the Bass? Try Starting your beat with the Bass

[@mpchead]

Weekly samples www.patreon.com/mpchead Sample packs mpchead.bandcamp.com

[@TeraGreene1]

I think it's time I invested in some of your packs. Which are your top 3-5 fave? Any style... I'm an audiophile. :-)

[@KarasamaBeats]

Hi bro i want to grab the Digital Discography , but beforehand could you let me know the terms i'd have to follow since its a non royalty free pack ? Thanks bro .

[@akaixl83]

I used to start a beat with a beer .. now a la croix pop , 3 years sober no alcohol !

[@martinvelazco6889]

Awesome man, 4 months myself, what’s your method to staying sober?

[@akaixl83]

@@martinvelazco6889 there’s a KZbin channel I follow talk sober , exercising walking , meditation, eating healthy, vitamins , chamomile tea , ashwaganda on stressful days or l Theanine , getting solid sleep is also helpful, I get my days where I want a beer here and there but then remember the hangovers , I’m better without it , good luck on your journey

[@brave7033]

CONGRATULATIONS !!! KEEPIT UP BRUH

[@SteveYeagerMusic]

Bass is playing Bbmaj 7th arp. rhodes d- to e-. you found pitching e- down to eb- worked cos it now has the Bb. good ears

[@findingsolutions198]

Sounds like you know stuff that i would LOVE to learn . Where i can read about ? Could you Please tell me Some key Words for the research on this field ?

[@SteveYeagerMusic]

@@findingsolutions198 just gotta learn the 12 major scales. 12 key signatures. There are 8 notes in each scale.On each note we build triads that are major, minor, or diminished. Study circle of 5ths. Marlow here is working with his ear. He's really good at finding chord motions/bass that work. The tricky part is developing arrangements further, past the first jam - to make full compositions that hang together with harmony, or dis-harmony

[@mpchead]

Thank you for the observation I understand what I did now 😅 I have to admit, luckily my hearing took me to key

[@SteveYeagerMusic]

@@mpchead You have good ears cos you've listened to a LOT of good music. young creators listen up: you HAVE to listen to good music, 1000's of hours, vinyls, master instrumentalists and vocalists, then you start understanding the concept of form, harmonies and melodies

[@findingsolutions198]

@@SteveYeagerMusic thanks ! I Also play by ears with success but this can be an useful tool

[@grndwrk9515]

Bass is such a struggle for me! I always go sample->drums->bass/struggle. I’ll try that out thanks for the videos!

[@johnjohnjohnh]

Your depth of creativity is insane. I wish more people where comfortable in showing their process of trial and error to get the tracks to fit together like this.

[@101Mastersword]

So many beat makin videos like rhythm roulette only show the part where they figured out the beat as if they always instantly know. I feel like they really miss the mark on the journey and the struggle of making the beat. Not that there has to be one, but that journey- that struggle makes that eureka moment where you figure out the beat feel just that much better.

[@Stefch0o0]

I can relate to the bass line struggle as i usually start with drums or some chops and then it's hell until you find bass that is the right tune for the beat. But if you find really good baseline that stands on it's own like in the case of this video it seems easier to fill the rest afterwards. That's the great thing about making music that it's different every time and you have to figure the puzzle out by feeling.

[@mpchead]

👊🏼

[@DorianTwist]

If y’all have a modern MPC you can always just use the scale mode ... find whatever key your sample is in, then assign matching scales in scale mode and play your one shot bass samples in that way. I’ve had great success doing basslines this way. Just gotta get some quality one shot bass samples that have a good sustain to them.

[@VinylAthletes]

Will scale mode work in MPC One? Still learning the machine. It’s definitely not a 2000 lol

[@DorianTwist]

@@UncleBenjs good tip ... appreciate it. I bought some bass samples that were designed for samplers. It’s illmind’s “Rumpshaker”. They are long enough that you can hold the note as long as you want and they are all sampled from analog synthesizers, so they are really high quality.

[@DorianTwist]

@@VinylAthletes yeah, the One does have scale mode because it uses the same operating system/ software as the other new MPCs. There’s also chord mode as well.

[@DorianTwist]

@@UncleBenjs Cool yeah. I play analog synths into my Daw sometimes as well. That’s the great thing about the MPC software is that it lets you open your MPC within your DAW and add any VSTs or instruments that you want.

[@TheRealNativeSun]

💯

[@rickywashington2594]

I always start with sample, drums, then bass. Its really easy for me to work around the samples! Always inspired by your videos!! Boombap forever!!!!!

[@coffeeknuckles4802]

I've been doing this a bit lately too, starting with bass or a melody and find that it does send me in some surprising directions.

[@i-never-look-at-replies-lol]

As someone who uses an old MPC primarily for electronic music, this has actually always been common practice for me, but I still use the machine itself and it's 8 outs as my drum machine though.

[@leewightman8619]

I use do drums sample then bass but lately iv been doing bass first and getting samples to fit the bass it makes stuff u would not make doing it the other way around so always good to switch it up

[@jaysoncornish4779]

I'm just starting with the lofi/boom bap style of production after a little over 30 years playing bass. The only samples I'm using are the one shots that I'm building my drum parts off from usually I lay down drums then keys so it's kinda like setting the margins.

[@ralfmoss]

As always you work on my motivation ... I'm bussy with renovation.... But fuck it ... I'm going into my studio

[@mpchead]

😂 Just a quick 5 min beat

[@SilverWizy]

There is no one way to do things, it's always interesting and fun to try new approaches and starting with the bassline is great!!

[@billywitchd0ctor]

I've been doing the bass lines first lately and the results have really been surprising. Never really considered it until I sampled my bass on the MPC and just started going off with it. Definitely more jazz oriented but I'm liking it.

[@DopamineOverload]

Got damn man. Just going down the rabbit hole every day... seeing videos you posted that I missed, show up in the feed. Another perfect tutorial, Marlow. Thanks!

[@mpchead]

Thanks Chris 🙏🏼

[@campidilimoni8928]

yes, it's the best way doing the bass as first thing!

[@MS-1]

I usually go samples, drums, bass or samples, bass, drums. (Interesting going bass first in a beat).

[@undergrounderCDA]

That is true.. I have very oftten the same problem to put the bass after melody. I love your videos. Thanks ;-)

[@BeauTylerMakesMusic]

Oh snap. First love. What can I say? I see a Marlow vid... I immediately show up. :)

[@dadivozo656]

Since I started I usually go about it like this: make some nice melody/harmony with sample chops, find drum sounds that match, program them, and then find the bass. Especially in the beginning I sought to find bass in some of the sample chops and filter out all the highs (to not have to tune the sample) but now I also add bass sounds from other sources and tune them, sometimes layering with a chop. Would be a real challenge to go about it differently but definitely good for my beatmaking I guess. Peace

[@mpbangamusic9673]

Great video! I used to struggle with bass back in the day. Then I saw a producer using 16 level (tune mode) and the rest is history!!!

[@michael.henery]

Thanks for the great video. You can see from my last few posts, I've been really struggling with bass lines so I haven't had any in my writing. This is a great way to start. Thanks again Marco!

[@TheTokyoAmducias]

I usually do chops, drums, bass, but I’m definitely going to try this.

[@DJ279V]

I usually add the bass later depending on how the beat flows as some require no additional bass added.

[@RicoN.glacius]

I think I’ll try this to unleash my creativity more. Why not. I’ve done it with loops but not with my mpcx.

[@CoolCalmMaurice]

Yeah man, this is super helpful. Never really thought about starting with the bass first. I really struggle at finding a bass, in the future I do want to pick one up and learn how to play it. But for now, definitely gonna try this on my next beat. Thanks man!

[@101Mastersword]

So many beat makin videos like rhythm roulette only show the part where they figured out the beat as if they always instantly know. I feel like they really miss the mark on the journey and the struggle of making the beat. Not that there has to be one, but that journey- that struggle makes that eureka moment where you figure out the beat feel just that much better. I enjoy the vids and seeing the process in em, leep it up

[@mpchead]

🙏🏼🔥🔥🔥

[@dleaf4132]

More videos like this for sure! Very interesting to see your thought process

[@intrxvrtbeats101]

Exactly what i've been looking for

[@bogard08]

Yoooo them kicks is butter.

[@mpchead]

🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@thomaseibl9038]

Ahhh sampling Bass, good idea! For me, the easiest and fastest workflow always is to make drums first, then samples, and then bassline. It never came across my mind you could sample a bassline since I always recorded them directly into my SP404mkII. When there is no synth in sight you could also for example take any E.Piano sound from a Piano App or so and record it mono and filter out everything above 132Hz when resampling. And you will have yourself a fitting Bass 😉 I love your videos and beats, man! Awesome Input!! Greetings from Germany

[@desdoeseverything2366]

I love the simplicity and experience you put you put into you videos!

[@ResurrectingJiriki]

Me, feverishly working to understand how my MPC Live works, (which I just bought together with my NXS2 set about two years ago, from the money my mom left me, thinking I would be needing it when I would want to further develop as a D'nB) DJ) and after three weeks just 'grinding it out' with it, see what I could find on vids that would be helpful. Your video came up and I the title/you idea seemed something that could be very useful. Started the video a day later, see you behind your MPC X... Also me: *subscribes instantly*

[@mpchead]

keep on that grind ✌🏼

[@mcflyart]

For me the most difficult thing is to create a bass, in fact I really like that concept and I would love more things like that on your channel, since I learn a lot by seeing how you think. Thy Marlow💛

[@TeraGreene1]

I think because I started playing music on a flute in 1986, I often approach music fluidly and with a melody-focus. Sometimes I start with a bassline or a drum pattern, or chords. haha. I'm just a painter of music. Good on you for doing what you do! I think this year I may be really to step into the MPC X. Still geting my chops on the LIVE, but you entice me with that X. Gracias por todos! PS: by 3:40, when you got your legs into the groove, I was already able to riff a vocal melody with your groove. So, I was into it! It felt groovy and spacious for vox, or anything really. :-)

[@mpchead]

You should put out some of those vocals on your youtube ✌🏼

[@TeraGreene1]

@@mpchead That's the next step in my journey. Just vocals only you mean, or on top of songs I'm creating? Thanks for the feedback!

[@beatsbyclaessic]

Great video as always man! I usually start with chopping the sample but have recently more and more started with the bass. In my opinion both ways are equally as good but the end result differs since the focus in the beats that I start with a sample tend to be more melodic and the beats with the bass tend to be more groovy with focus on atmosphere/vibe. Keep it up Marlow, you rock!

[@biggrime]

Great video. I very rarely if ever start with a baseline but in theory that is great if you want the bass line to be the driving force of the track. I remember watching the interview with Michael Jackson talking about when he created Billie Jean. They started with the Baseline. So as you can see and that's all the bass line is kind of like the driving force of that song. Definitely a technique I will be using their future thanks

[@wolfunplugged]

an interesting challenge to construct in that order. might reveal slight different creative potential indeed. great beat construction from you!

[@MrDeeKayTV]

Great idea... very helpful for Reggae also. Bass dominated genre...

[@miseryloveseverything]

"Lets see if the bass goes with this. - Nope!" This is me when creating the bass track for my beats haha What I usually do is either take the bass sound from the subsonic FX on SP404 + 16 levels. Or just filter the sample to the point where its all bass and layer that with the sample chops and is all golden :)

[@miseryloveseverything]

Also are you muting the mic when you're freestyling over it keep it unmuted man

[@mpchead]

Yes don't want you guys listening to my mumbling percussion

[@rnmultimedia7162]

Thats dope bro yeah i felt like it was already on point the first time you played the rhodes and the bass together- its that jazzy swag. In glad you left the upright bass as the constant and pitched the rhodes - that was awesome

[@lebronsinclair8012]

This was very pleasant. Like watching Bob Ross of beatmaking! Keep the content coming.

[@BeeLineInternational]

Happy beats...happy beats☺️

[@Leo352S]

That’s a tough bassline to build off of. It was cool to see you work through it like a boss.

[@rockybouja]

I usually start with a sample but sometimes I like starting with a bass or an 808.

[@LocaliLLocano]

This is how i currently work. I have a bass track playing at -18dB-24dB as a loop. I do this because when I am playing the kick live I need to figure out who wins the low end space.

[@MUROMC1985]

Yahhhhh. Big up my brother ❤️❤️❤️

[@caelsalmond2365]

definitely like these videos where you just make a beat from start to finish

[@messbeatss]

Always trying new things, thanks for the inspiration 🌄

[@mpchead]

✌🏼🌊

[@madluper]

Nice lifehack XD. I always struggle the most with bass as someone without musician background.i will try that method!

[@Thechango_]

A real artist in the presence

[@sylegg]

Always a pleasure watching you put stuff together :-) I’d be really interested in another video where you show the process for hooking up the analogue heat and using it to resample some samples. Other heat vid is great too.

[@BoombapArt]

I think I start most of the time with the samples and often make a “dummy” drum track or just lay down hihats or snare.. and build from there. Nice beat M! 👊🏻

[@raaappa3027]

@boombapart , would be be wrong to start on basslines ? Since it kinda leads the way i think

[@BoombapArt]

@@raaappa3027 definitely not, but personally I find it harder to make my samples fit.. if you’re using single shots/stabs it might be easier to fill in the gaps.. but everything is possible with some pitching and tweaking! 👊🏻

[@raaappa3027]

@@BoombapArt true that ! Hehe, i think if i have the compass (sample) to lead the way i will be a little bit more limited i believe :) but everything is doable man, thanks, one love !

[@dj78west]

Gotta admit, I usually add bass or a bassline later once the beat is flowing or feels like it is needed. No matter the technique, the only wrong thing my book is to not try and try. Thx for sharing the jems!!

[@mpchead]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@jjbing3]

This hit right on time. I’ve been working this way sometimes.

[@playgroundofsound7683]

Really like this track. So relaxing

[@meinemudda3095]

Thanks man :D thaaaanks I never do that Thats why i was never satisfied with the bass But it makes sense With Chords and drums you have more options and its easier to make this really thight and sick But the bass must be perfect to fit into the beat

[@entyce66]

you always have dope beats

[@mpchead]

✌🏼thank you

[@epson_ecotank_et-2850]

this is something Ive thought about doing but never done for some reason

[@kirkstate]

you mustve seen my video where i was struggling hard with the bass lol

[@alfredwillis2827]

Your videos helped me with certain things.props

[@weststarr2046]

GREAT vid....& good challenge 🤔🤔!!!

[@robertgarvin4953]

Liked this vid! Enjoyed the process!

[@robertgarvin4953]

PS what was the second device you used after the outro talk? during the outro music?

[@mpchead]

Sp 202

[@hip360hop]

Great video as always. Bass lines have always been my achilles heel

[@marcosouslice]

Nunca experimentei, obrigado pela tip! Bons beats!

[@TheRealNativeSun]

Good stuff. Thanks Brother!

[@PeteOnTheBeat]

Lmao, I'm gonna watch this tomorrow,but yeah, I've been struggling a lot with the bass. I have 0 musical background and I got a MPC MPK Mini last week and I've been trying to have some fun making some music (nothing serious). I can lay down some drums and some stock samples,add a bit of piano or wtv,but i always miss the freaking bass. It's like 2 or 3 days to get one going ( got 2 "tracks" already with bass,but it was hard). I also have been struggling to add bass to a stock melody of the MPC Beats Software. I figured it would be good practice,but ffs it's hard. It's still in the drawer waiting for some inspiration. This being said,I've been searching for some bass line tips, especially for keyboards. I'm gonna watch this video with full attention. Thanks!!

[@bengreenes4238]

"I drop the soul inside your ear hole Add the bass line, then I hit you with a fat drum roll (Hit it!)" - loop digga, quasimoto

[@najeebreyes8988]

Dude I love this concept! im gonna try it now with @cookincoul 's lowbaplife3 kit . . . keep it coming this is great stuff man.

[@KarasamaBeats]

Bro did you make any videos on how to create templates for MPC live 2 to improve overall workflow ? Thanks a lot mate . Another great vid

[@mpchead]

Can't remember if I have! But I actually want to do it for myself one of these days. I want to create a new template and I'll share it

[@KarasamaBeats]

@@mpchead Bro that would be a great help to the community . Let people follow you on insta and DM you for the template and you can share the link. Let your good deed give you something in return as well :)

[@TheNathtube]

I do sometimes, but usually do the 16 level thing for the bass, matching the first note of the the sample with the bass note, great vid as always Marlow.

[@findingsolutions198]

Me too 👍

[@markgonzalez1713]

i always go sample, drums, and then bass lol starting with the bass sounds like a nightmare to me but it could be an interesting challenge

[@PoliPopo]

Question about [Previews] I can just make them on the MPC and hear playback On programs Before I make an expansion pack with my sounds.Just figured if I had it Done right in the x that it would work in the expansion builder? I watch the video a few times I’m definitely gonna watch a few more and thank you for putting it together 💯

[@jamesmeleady1397]

Thank you so much ✌️

[@MrNguela]

É curioso teres postado este vídeo hoje... Ainda ontem estava a fazer um beat com outro produtor, e a nossa maior dificuldade foi fazer o baixo "casar" com o sample. Por mais que tentássemos, nunca soava bem...! Até que tivemos de mudar de sample, e após muita tentativa e erro, acabámos por criar uma boa bassline (constituída por um bass mais "slap" e outro sub-bass a "fazer a cama" para o primeiro baixo), que ficou a soar uma maravilha! Mas foi preciso queimar muita tecla, pq nenhum de nós é baixista nem temos perfect pitch. Boa dicas, bro. Keep them coming!

[@mpchead]

O baixo é tramado, às vezes é mesmo uma batalha 🤕

[@MrNguela]

@@mpchead Sobretudo quando não se têm noções (mínimas e adequadas) de teoria musical; e o hip-hop é um caso particularmente complicado por causa da importância que o(s) baixo(s) ocupa(m) na mistura final. Ainda por cima num género em que as drums são tão essenciais quanto o baixo - é obra conseguir meter ritmo, melodia e harmonia em paz uns com os outros! Talvez trabalhar com baixista(s) venha a ser uma opção num futuro próximo. Sampling é bom mas um instrumento "a sério" é outro nível, e portanto o complemento ideal, eu diria.

[@asoloapexaudio]

I start with atmosphere 💡

[@beadlebamford9999]

Great video Coach! I’d be interested in a video talking about what equipment you have, when you got it, the memories they bring etc.. Maybe two or three pieces at a time. 🤷‍♂️

[@mpchead]

I don't have old gear. I am not that close to the gear I own. I love the craft more than the gear I use.

[@Harm95]

I've learned so much from u man for real thank you 🙏🏾

[@mafiacefalicarecords]

Começar pelo baixo é sair da zona de conforto. Obrigado pela dica!

[@oskarlstelling]

thanks for the advice. only read the title ;)

[@PatronMazaka]

Fire Bro 🔥

[@paulred158]

I start with chords play them on the piano make a nice progression and know what key. Then play that on midi into mpc. Then bassline then drums and samples. If you make the riffs you don't have to muck around pitching stuff. If you know your key you can really make use of the pad performer too. A little bit of music knowledge goes a loooong way. You don't have to be mozart just lean the basic scales and some triads and a little theory. You have a good ear.

[@mpchead]

yes but you are playing everything. What happens if you are using samples? The video is more towards that. Playing with samples is tricky.

[@TimBurtonTim]

Bro are you European? Your accent is very unique. Keep it up, I got my stimulus check today so I'm supporting you on Patreon now. I don't usually get as heavy in to a KZbin channel as this one, but I keep coming back!

[@francomatiasmarron1274]

He's portuguese I believe.

[@TimBurtonTim]

@@francomatiasmarron1274 I knew it. The reverence and respect the Europeans have for the art form is far greater than we have here in America.

[@mpchead]

Thanks Tim, as France said I am Portuguese. Thank you for your support ✌🏼🙏🏼

[@brave7033]

DOPE !!!!!!!!!!!💯

[@Paddydacook]

i often do the bass first it's the hardest part to do for me...

[@Philtho]

Would love to hear the final result of this loop. Do you make them into entire tracks? It's so smooth, I want to hear the whole thing.

[@mpchead]

In a beat tape to come

[@m-chopbeats7526]

I tried this method a few times...and it's like starting with drums and playing out your chops to the drumline .. so it's the same method but instead it's playing out chops trying to follow the bass pattern

[@snip_king428]

Subscribed!!!!!

[@ralfmoss]

Superb Video Bro 🔥🔥🔥

[@raaappa3027]

Sempre me deram este concelho, bass line primeiro, faz com que o resto tenha um bom flow, so nunca tinha visto alguem fazer :) big up

[@mpchead]

bom advise, acho que é aglo a explorar

[@raaappa3027]

@@mpchead sem duvida! Mais uma vez obrigado pelo boost na comunidade ! Cheers

[@ORISTAS]

Love your vids. They’re insightful and inspiring. Your vibe? Super chill, super cool, super carefree. I think it’s time for me to cook up. So grateful that you and this channel exists. Salute! 🎤 🎶 🎛🎚

[@mpchead]

Thanks man, appreciate the words ✌🏼

[@danielalexanderorjuelaroja2775]

God Video Brother greetings from Buenos Aires

[@mpchead]

✌🏼 Buenos Aires

[@BoombapST]

💥💥💥💥

[@antg208]

i actually prefer to start my beats with the bass, i never really understood why

[@ickekiecke]

would be nice if you show the display...greets

[@XekeStyle]

cool bro

[@fernandomiranda3082]

muy util

[@darksunnmj]

nice one!

[@RnBGarvey]

i just learned bassline and i stumbled onto a halfass kev brown sound

[@TheRealNativeSun]

I can hear Erykah Badu on this 🔥.