Help understanding how to "split" synths into low, mid, high

[acidsamurai]

I keep reading that you should split your sounds into low, mid, & high when your creating sounds to make some nice gritty sounds but I don't understand how its actually done. Do you just simply copy the sound three times in three different layers and edit each accordingly (I use ableton by the way) or is there another process of how to do this. As of now I would think: you enter your VST, then create a basic sound, From there you duplicate your VST three times, in each VST instance you add effects and EQ specific to low mid and high. Is this the right way or is there a simpler way (I'm sure there is) to do this? Once you actually split your sounds what are some good tips to making a gritty bassline sound from there (such as certain effects that sound good in certain layers or tips on bringing out the subs)?

[Hostile Invasion]

^^^Easiest way in Live IMO. Don't even have to make 3 different instances.

For tips on what sounds good on what bands... well, that's up to you. If you just want to sparkle up the high end then throw in some overdrive slightly wet on the highs. If you want to annihilate the mids then throw in Ohmnicide on that band. If you just want a straight mid-range bass then turn off the low-end-split or turn it down.

[Efrafa11]

^^^Easiest way in Live IMO. Don't even have to make 3 different instances.

For tips on what sounds good on what bands... well, that's up to you. If you just want to sparkle up the high end then throw in some overdrive slightly wet on the highs. If you want to annihilate the mids then throw in Ohmnicide on that band. If you just want a straight mid-range bass then turn off the low-end-split or turn it down.

This for Live, otherwise...
Bass ---->3 sends(split/effect)------>Group buss.

[Electric_Head]

1 sound, 3 sends to separate EQ bands.

[JBE]

This should cover what you're looking for.