Original Basslines

[EXP]

Hi there,

as i am gettin more and more into the "oldschool" sound i realise how important it is to have a moving, interesting bassline.
Many of the newer releases, especially the dungeon sounds are deep and scary but lack original basslines, just 1 note per track, 3 if you are lucky

As i try do design my basslines to be more melodic i end up with a "reggae" kind of bass, which is not what i want in most cases.
Chromatic scales sometimes tend to sound a bit toooo random or generic.
I think harmonic minor seems to work best for me, what harmoic content do you prefer?

The second problem is the rhythm, often i feel a minimal use of subbass, like on the 1st hit and on the 4th works best to create a deep feeling, but seems to generic to me.

What is your approach to interesting, original basslines? Do you know examples for inspiring bass?

[NinjaEdit]

Just fiddle around with a keyboard. Try going through the notes chromatically until you find the right one.

The other thing is if the bass is not the most important (it might be), write the most important thing first, like the vocal or the lead synth, then work the bass around it.

I know you don't like the three-note subbass thing, but one change I like is tonic, down a tone, down a tone.

If you find you don't like complex bass parts, don't use them? Keep It Simple.

[EXP]

tanx man,
its not that i dont like simple basslines, they can be quite effective. but im searching for inspiring tracks or approaches to improve da bass work
Also special technics to make more out of a simple sine, i sometimes get the feeling some artists are using envelopes to their sines which is absolutely devastating on huge systems

[press]

.....lack original basslines, just 1 note per track, 3 if you are lucky

.... often i feel a minimal use of subbass, like on the 1st hit and on the 4th works best ..... but seems to generic to me.

cant have your cake and eat it to. imo subbass is all about exploiting a groove and a simple groove is often funkiest.

the only advice i could give maybe is just feel the rythm of your drums and play your bassline over thar or with that not against it. if your sub notes are hitting in time with your kicks and or snares and your playing within a chord your usually gonna be all right.