Dubstepforum.com

Hey guys, I've got a question. How do you usually lead up to a drop based on your personal style? I'm trying to come up with music and even though I can lead up to a drop somewhat decently, the drop part where the bass kicks in is the part that stumps me. It always sounds strange to me and I can't seem to get my drops to sound good, they sound plain and flavorless, a bit stupid too. Is making good drops something that comes through weeks of experimentation and experience or is there just a technique behind it?

Also, how do some people make their drops so...heavy. I was checking out some soundclouds the other day and I heard some songs that have the heaviest basslines ever without overpowering the rest of the song. Is there a secret behind that? Is it just layered basslines that work very well together? When you drop are you supposed to use lower notes or higher notes?

Any tips? I'm using Reason 5 on Windows.


P.S. I'm more interested in filthy dubstep, but I still respect and enjoy all forms of dubstep if that helps.

louder doesnt always mean heavier. but raising elements for example the sub, but 1 or 2 Db at the drop definitely brings the extra presence.
Its all about arrangement imo. In my tunes i like to set a pace with a beat+ riff or atmosphere, and if theres sub then its very low in the mix. I mix the tune minimally and sparsely adding a couple elements to that bed and pace i've set. Often with layered drums, i only go with one or two layers (out of a possible 3 or 4), for the intro. usually the tighter upper layers with less body. Introduce the meaty bottom end kick and 200Hz punchy snare layer at the drop.
I like the beat to do a stutter, fill, or sudden halt, with some automated delays kicking in so some shit echoes over the silence, then a crecendo of some kind. Be it a filter sweep, cymbal roll, pad, riser, fade in, whatever. just crecendo like half a bar, a bar, then boom
On the drop, throw in the kitchen sink. Every element and every layer that has been layed down for it, goes. From there, its variation, call/response, the rest of arrangement stuff which is up to ur own taste n skillz.

That is how I do things, anyways... just one guys approach

As far as heavy b-lines not overpowering the tune.... thats proper mixing. Lots of material on that in this forum and elsewhere

It doesn't always have to be focused on a kick, if you just throw in a couple risers it can make the drop really awesome because the listener might not expect a crazy drop from just a riser or two. It can really catch someone off guard I also like to put a 2 beat pause right before the drop, just for suspense.
I dunno, I'm pretty new so I can't offer many production tips, but try everything when it comes to drops, experimentation is the best way to get better.

Also, automating delay time + feedback is awesome.

The standard is using a white noise sweep type of deal. Than a quick pause to build tension then the drop. Of course, there is always the typical percussion build up.

Tension is built through repetition, maybe take a dominant element and repeat it, building up before the drop? Also, recently I have been using a sort of "subbass" sweep/build up right before the drop and that has sounded pretty sweet. Good luck!

-[2]DAY_- wrote: I like the beat to do a stutter, fill, or sudden halt

Thanks for the help guys but concerning this, are there certain types of intros or songs that each goes along better with?

Don't just reach into your bag of build-ups and throw one in there, make one that suits the song. If it doesn't sound good, figure out why and change it.

hudson wrote:Don't just reach into your bag of build-ups and throw one in there, make one that suits the song. If it doesn't sound good, figure out why and change it.

im currently working on a track i changed the build up to the drop 3 times before i found what i liked, just gotta do you and not be gen. pop.

Hmm, interesting ideas...I downloaded a shit ton of samples today (was working with the defaults in Reason), so maybe that should help me out. Got about 100-200mb of refills, combis, samples, and whatever, gonna spend a few days tinkering with them and seeing which ones suit me the most.

So I guess there really isn't a secret behind a good drops, just experience. And good mixing.

nah i gotta stop you there since there werent many responses, the easy part is personification of your track, not replication. good luck my friend.

Chuck in a few risers. so there's something in the background building up on top of maybe that cliche but cool kick drum build up.

Also, when the tune drop, i.e, when the bass comes in, put some reversed risers or downshifters in. They can really ease in the drop.

don't do a kick roll! =o

The best thing to make your drop explode? Pause for a bar or two (or more) just before the drop.

Build up with risers, or by making things louder, harsher (filter sweeps work perfectly), or even faster, then pause, then BAM. Works every time.

I'm currently trying to make a good sounding bass in Reason for the BAM...wish Massive worked in it...would definitely make my life easier...

fuck massive, Thor all day long

-[2]DAY_- wrote:fuck massive, Thor all day long

Haha, I'd agree, but I'm not too experienced with synth creation in Reason or anything for that matter. I like the sounds that Massive gives you, any tips on how to get a deep, filthy sound with Reason? I'll search the forums for extra info.

you need a sample from snatch before your drop

filthy_ wrote:you need a sample from snatch before your drop

Err, snatch? Wtf is that

I keep trying to describe my current approach to Thor bass patches... but i'm like twisting up my words trying to do so. I wish i had reason in front of me here at work, maybe when I get home i upload one of my patches.

TheBrownie wrote:

filthy_ wrote:you need a sample from snatch before your drop

Err, snatch? Wtf is that

Soundcloud

hudson wrote:

TheBrownie wrote:

filthy_ wrote:you need a sample from snatch before your drop

Err, snatch? Wtf is that

Soundcloud

Holy shit, fuckin insane drop...I'll look into getting some samples from it then xD

-[2]DAY_- wrote:I keep trying to describe my current approach to Thor bass patches... but i'm like twisting up my words trying to do so. I wish i had reason in front of me here at work, maybe when I get home i upload one of my patches.

It's fine, take your time and thanks for being extremely helpful