Dubstep-drop-variety QuickTips (easy)
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:25 pm
Hey guys!
I've heard a large amount of producers (new AND experienced) that seem to run into the non-existing wall of repetition within a bassline, so I'm going to attempt to share a few techniques that I use to keep a reasonable amount of variation in my drops (without creating ugly harsh chaos.)
1: Find a few (2-5) synths that could potentially fit into the song (I also generally stick to sounds that I can fuck around with on my keyboard for a short amount of time before I start to form ideas.)
2: Make an 8-16 bar bassline that somewhat resembles the melody to get things started off. (Make sure it doesn't directly copy your melody, but keep in mind that if you change too much, the rest song won't flow with the drop giving it an 'out-of-tune' sound.)
3: Take that same melody and repeat it for about 30 seconds; make minor changes to pitch/note arrangement (avoiding the creation of a whole new melody, but creating a little variety)
Tip: I highly reccomend using automation clips to modulate wobble speed/pitch/other fx instead of using a set ratio. This can create more unique sounds with ENDLESS possibilities. You probably won't enjoy it at first, but once you get the hang of it and start experimenting with combinations of FX automation, you'll understand why it's such a powerful technique.
3: After I got a nice 30 second clip of bass with proper modulation (according to taste,) I go construct a beat that moves with the melody; arranging snares, kicks, and hats to compliment the melody (basically my kicks and snares sound like they are triggering the synth by putting kicks and snares on the starting point of each specific note that will stay in beat; using hi-hats to influence the swing, crashes to create impact, and rides to keep flow.)
4: You can try chopping up the bass clip and moving pieces around. You can also make a couple basslines (8-16 bar) similiar to your original, change up a few more notes, maybe add a few new sounds, change up the beat some, (as much as everyone hates when people say it. Do whatever sounds best; atleast it actually fits in this situation.) Experiment with the arrangement of each clip. I usually chop each clip in half and do a random assortment. If that doest work I'll continue to swap them around, cut them into smaller pieces, and more shuffling. Again, once you get the hang of it, it's a very helpful, quick, effective technique.
5: Don't be afraid to repeat an already used bass clip in your drop. Alot of people avoid this tactic, which is rather stupid IMO. You can slightly adjust the drum pattern if it sounds odd, but I tend to just change the sound effects like sweeps/crashes/risers that are ontop of; or leading up to the repeated piece.
6: A tactic drum I personally love; referred to as "double pump" by dubba jonny (I think I got that right) is a great way to add variety to your drop, but it also changes the feel and style of the song in a way. Double pumping is just an electro house beat using dubstep drums and a higher bpm. I typically use this for the second/later drops, or sometimes (very sparingly) in the first drop if I have a specific synth that is pitching up, or a synth that is moving much faster than the others. (For those who don't understand what I'm saying, listen to the song "disco stick rock and roll" by trolley snatcha. The first 2 drops use a common beat; focus on the third drop, you will hear the difference because the song sounds faster for that amount of time, and the kick/snare are hitting 2x faster than average.)
I'm just going to end it here, considering I did say "quicktips."
Let me know if you need me to go into more detail about anything, or if I left out something important.
I'll add onto this post as I find a way to explain additional techniques I use.
(Additional note: If you want to hear some of the things you can do by automating drop synth FX, check out my newest preview WIP on soundcloud "Trigger Finger;" the drop is 100% automated as of right now, containing literally 0 synths with a set fx ratio.)
I've heard a large amount of producers (new AND experienced) that seem to run into the non-existing wall of repetition within a bassline, so I'm going to attempt to share a few techniques that I use to keep a reasonable amount of variation in my drops (without creating ugly harsh chaos.)
1: Find a few (2-5) synths that could potentially fit into the song (I also generally stick to sounds that I can fuck around with on my keyboard for a short amount of time before I start to form ideas.)
2: Make an 8-16 bar bassline that somewhat resembles the melody to get things started off. (Make sure it doesn't directly copy your melody, but keep in mind that if you change too much, the rest song won't flow with the drop giving it an 'out-of-tune' sound.)
3: Take that same melody and repeat it for about 30 seconds; make minor changes to pitch/note arrangement (avoiding the creation of a whole new melody, but creating a little variety)
Tip: I highly reccomend using automation clips to modulate wobble speed/pitch/other fx instead of using a set ratio. This can create more unique sounds with ENDLESS possibilities. You probably won't enjoy it at first, but once you get the hang of it and start experimenting with combinations of FX automation, you'll understand why it's such a powerful technique.
3: After I got a nice 30 second clip of bass with proper modulation (according to taste,) I go construct a beat that moves with the melody; arranging snares, kicks, and hats to compliment the melody (basically my kicks and snares sound like they are triggering the synth by putting kicks and snares on the starting point of each specific note that will stay in beat; using hi-hats to influence the swing, crashes to create impact, and rides to keep flow.)
4: You can try chopping up the bass clip and moving pieces around. You can also make a couple basslines (8-16 bar) similiar to your original, change up a few more notes, maybe add a few new sounds, change up the beat some, (as much as everyone hates when people say it. Do whatever sounds best; atleast it actually fits in this situation.) Experiment with the arrangement of each clip. I usually chop each clip in half and do a random assortment. If that doest work I'll continue to swap them around, cut them into smaller pieces, and more shuffling. Again, once you get the hang of it, it's a very helpful, quick, effective technique.
5: Don't be afraid to repeat an already used bass clip in your drop. Alot of people avoid this tactic, which is rather stupid IMO. You can slightly adjust the drum pattern if it sounds odd, but I tend to just change the sound effects like sweeps/crashes/risers that are ontop of; or leading up to the repeated piece.
6: A tactic drum I personally love; referred to as "double pump" by dubba jonny (I think I got that right) is a great way to add variety to your drop, but it also changes the feel and style of the song in a way. Double pumping is just an electro house beat using dubstep drums and a higher bpm. I typically use this for the second/later drops, or sometimes (very sparingly) in the first drop if I have a specific synth that is pitching up, or a synth that is moving much faster than the others. (For those who don't understand what I'm saying, listen to the song "disco stick rock and roll" by trolley snatcha. The first 2 drops use a common beat; focus on the third drop, you will hear the difference because the song sounds faster for that amount of time, and the kick/snare are hitting 2x faster than average.)
I'm just going to end it here, considering I did say "quicktips."
Let me know if you need me to go into more detail about anything, or if I left out something important.
I'll add onto this post as I find a way to explain additional techniques I use.
(Additional note: If you want to hear some of the things you can do by automating drop synth FX, check out my newest preview WIP on soundcloud "Trigger Finger;" the drop is 100% automated as of right now, containing literally 0 synths with a set fx ratio.)
