How I make arp'd basslines

[kid_merkury]

This is geared towards trance artists.



I keep getting asked how I make my basslines and stuff. So I made this small file, to give you a more isolated example of what I do.

Step one: Add something (an instrument, or synth) you want arpeggiated

Step two: Make your arpeggio (whether it be a piano roll, or a gate, or a sequenced arp)

Step three: Add a new bassline, to compliment your arp bass.

Repeat as needed, but try not to go more than like, 3 or 4 basses, or it sounds bad.

I made a short audio file for an example, and added kick, hi hats, plucks, and fx at the end of it. Bit of reverb for space, but thats it.

http://www.mediafire.com/?sharekey=5...4e75f6e8ebb871

[kid_merkury]

Originally Posted by KgZ

I just find it easier to punch in the "arp" bassline yourself. Most trance songs don't have complex chord progressions anyway, so it's not a big deal.

Wait, what do you mean by that - When i say arped bassline, its usually a simple pattern ¬_¬

Also, I recently heard this song that had a lot of changes and tensions and stuff; it sounded amaaazing

[Mans0n]

sounds like odd placed notes lol. it that specific pattern doesnt really have much rythm. but yeah.
its cool i guess.

[Pyroshock]

Originally Posted by KgZ

Yeah, isn't the pattern usually 16ths or triplets with a perfect fifth interval between them?

ex. C, G, high C, G

I'm not sure if I've heard many triplet basses in trance songs, but used a lot is 16th P5s like so:

D D D A - D A -

[kid_merkury]

If I were to "type sequence" my typical bassline, it'd look like so:

(16ths)

|| : - g3 g2 g3 - g2 g3 g2 | - g3 g2 g3 - g2 g3 g2 : ||


then, I'd have a deeper "bassier" bassline underneath, going in 8ths like so:

|| : - g2 g1 g2|__ f2 g2 g1 : || <--in that, underscore = hold

[Cyanite]

I usually have at least 3 basses playing at the same time, with a low clicky bass playing 16ths on everything but the beat, and a saw bass on syncopated 8ths. The clicky bass is usually an octave lower than the saw, so it achieves the same effect. Then I usually have another bass playing syncopated 8ths to give it a more full, "mainstream" sound

I recently got Sylenth, though, so I've been doing a lot more with my basslines.

[kid_merkury]

Originally Posted by Cyanite

I usually have at least 3 basses playing at the same time, with a low clicky bass playing 16ths on everything but the beat, and a saw bass on syncopated 8ths. The clicky bass is usually an octave lower than the saw, so it achieves the same effect. Then I usually have another bass playing syncopated 8ths to give it a more full, "mainstream" sound

I recently got Sylenth, though, so I've been doing a lot more with my basslines.

Smart move there, getting sylenth.

My basses usually end up being a combo of the following:
Sylenth
Nexus
ES2*
Clav*


The ones with the star are Logic Pro native plug ins

[Mans0n]

Is Clav or Sylenth free?

[kid_merkury]

Nope:

Sylenth1 is by "LennarDigital" and it might be around $150.

EVD6 (Clav) is by Apple, and can only be used in Logic Pro, which is for OS X

But if you need that clav sound, there's plennnnnnnnnty other vst's that can give it to ya.

[Mans0n]

Can you name a few?