Electronic music from EDM to Trap all has one element that drives the music – Bass. And how your basslines cut through the mix and complement your tracks is fundamental. In this guide, we check out 3 techniques that can help give your basslines a commanding presence – even on phone and laptop speakers.

Distort and Filter

This is a great technique for thickening basslines, especially long, sustained notes, without crowding the sub frequencies. By blending subtle distortion with precise filtering, you can enhance the presence of your bass in the mix while keeping things clean and punchy.

Step 1: Duplicate the bass track
Start by creating a copy of your bassline. You’ll process this duplicate to enhance the upper frequency content without affecting the original sub layer.

Step 2: Add distortion
On your duplicated bass channel, use a distortion plugin to add some simple distortion to the bass line. Clipping distortion works well as you want to introduce some grit and attitude to the bass sound.

Step 3: Apply a low-pass filter
Next, use a low-pass filter with a steep slope to roll off the high and midrange content. This keeps the focus on the low mids and upper bass, helping to extend the perceived weight of the bass without cluttering the mix.

Step 4: Cut the sub frequencies
To prevent your distorted layer from interfering with the clean sub, use a high-pass filter to remove the very low end. Again, use a steep curve to make a clean cut. You only want the duplicate to enhance and not compete with the original bass.

Step 5: Blend and refine
Adjust the level of the duplicated track in the mix. Aim for a subtle lift in the bass presence that supports the original without introducing unwanted buzz, unless it sounds great and works with the style of the track.

It might not sound amazing when soloed, but in the context of the full mix, it thickens the bass in a way that cuts through more clearly, especially on smaller speakers. And unlike in the past, with so many people consuming music on mobile devices, it’s important that mixes are optimised for this.

The Missing Fundamental Trick

This classic psychoacoustic trick creates the illusion of deeper bass, without actually boosting the sub frequencies. It’s particularly effective for 808s or deep subs when you want that heavy feel without overdriving the energy in the low end.

Step 1: Add an octave-up harmonic layer
Use a harmonics generator like Waves R-Bass or a saturation plugin to add upper harmonics an octave above your bass’s fundamental frequency. You’re targeting frequencies around 100 Hz and above—the range that translates well on phones and laptops.
Alternatively, duplicate your bass track and pitch it up an octave manually. If your bassline is MIDI then transpose it up or use a pitch-shifting tool if it’s an audio track.

Step 2: Blend for depth, not volume
Bring in the harmonic layer subtly beneath the original bass. The goal is not to hear the higher layer distinctly but to feel a fuller bass sound. By doubling up on the waveforms, the missing fundamental effect gives the impression of a deeper bassline, even on playback systems that can’t reproduce true sub-frequencies.

As this technique doesn’t physically boost your low frequency, there is more space for any low-end thud on your kick drum.

Synthbass Layering

This method is perfect for enhancing the depth and presence of acoustic bass parts, such as electric or upright bass, without losing their organic feel.

Step 1: Duplicate or convert your bassline
If your bass is MIDI, just duplicate the track. If it’s audio, use an audio-to-MIDI converter set to monophonic mode to accurately capture the bassline pattern. Most acoustic basslines are monophonic so the audio-to-MIDI conversion tends to work well, but if you do hear any duff notes, you will need to edit these.

Step 2: Add a synth bass layer
Add a synth bass sound to the duplicated bass track. This works well with buzz synth sounds. You also want to find a sound that doesn’t have a pronounced or exaggerated attack. It should have a constant sustain with a sharp release. This is because you need the synth bass to fill the bass notes fully without shaping the character of the original bass notes. You may want to experiment with sustain as it may sound effective with a gentle release but always keep a fast release.

Step 3: Shape the frequencies
Analyze how your original bass sits in the mix. If it already has strong low-end, roll off the sub frequencies in the synth layer to prevent buildup. If it’s more midrange-heavy, use a deeper synth tone to reinforce the low end without muddying things up.

Step 4: Blend with subtlety
Bring in the synth layer just enough to feel it, but not fully hear it. You should keep the character of the acoustic bass sound. The synth layer acts like a foundation, adding solidity and presence while keeping the natural tone of the original intact.

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