Dubstep

[raynebowdash]

Reason 5 is SO HARD TO USE!!!

I can't figure out how to make the filthy, dirty Dubstep wobble like AlexS or Skrillex... Any pony got some pointers?

[Aussie]

Lots of dubstep musicians use the Massive VST synth for their wubs and wobs AFAIK, and Reason doesn't use VSTs...

But hey, look, I just found a good tutorial on Youtube!

[sci]

here's what I know:
1. use an FM synth
2. lowpass filter with a tempo-synced LFO modulating the cutoff
3. change the speed of the LFO to keep things interesting
4. distortion helps but can also clutter your sonic space very easily.
5. add another oscillator for sub-bass!

Massive is a wavetable synth, and I hear those are really good for dirty "dubsteppish" sounds...but there seems to be a very distinct lack of free wavetable-based VSTs. (not that Reason can support vsts, but yeah.)

[Whitetail]

It's all about the lowpass filter with LFO as Sci said
Aside from that, it's just a matter of EQing and distorting your newly wobbled bass-line into something massive and filthy.

Also automation is your friend here, mess with the rate of the LFO to get the trademark sounds while at the same time making your bassline more interesting sounding.

[Spirit]

basically what Sci said, for your sub bass I find a Square wave with a saw works really well. for the actual bass, well thats just experimenting until your find a sound you like. also look into using other filters such as a bandpass filter when making your bass. if in doubt though a lowpass is the way to go.
a lot of my synth creation is basically starting with a 2/3 oscillators with one running 2 octaves lower that the main oscillator and then experimenting with filter cutoff and such until i find a sound i like
EDIT: also i find modulating the cutoff works quite well

[ArtAttack]

I have a bit of a question, how low should I put my subbass? I have a really low frequency sound, but I'm unsure as to put it around c4, c3, or c2. C3 has been working for me, but I'm wondering whether it's the best.

[Pinkie Cake]

I usualy put my subbass around 100-200 hz (i think )

[PinkieGuy]

I think beefy dubstep can be done on reason 5, it just takes hours of automation to really get it cranking.

Here is a hatchet job of one of my song to illustrate the point:

http://hizzoner.bandcamp.com/track/pony ... zzoner-mix

NOTE: This song hasn't been mixed or mastered, and was a chopped up version of a different song that I've started using as a template for my Pony Swag remix. Be gentle, it's just as an example.

[Gersh66]

I think beefy dubstep can be done on reason 5, it just takes hours of automation to really get it cranking.

Here is a hatchet job of one of my song to illustrate the point:

http://hizzoner.bandcamp.com/track/pony ... zzoner-mix

NOTE: This song hasn't been mixed or mastered, and was a chopped up version of a different song that I've started using as a template for my Pony Swag remix. Be gentle, it's just as an example.

This is a good remix IMO. It uses lots of different styles and isn't really repetitive like some dubstep can get.

[Whitetail]

My last attempt at something dubbish (that I'm not embarrassed to show):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgLR-q1JINU

I just can never seem to come up with really filthy lines like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AISjlp7mwvc

Any advice on getting a "pointier" (for lack of a better word) sound for the bass + writing more interesting dub lines?

(hope this isn't hijacking the thread)

[DerpyGrooves]

My last attempt at something dubbish (that I'm not embarrassed to show):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgLR-q1JINU

I just can never seem to come up with really filthy lines like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AISjlp7mwvc

Any advice on getting a "pointier" (for lack of a better word) sound for the bass + writing more interesting dub lines?

(hope this isn't hijacking the thread)

Try throwing a distortion in there to give your tone some crunch

+It sounds like the second example is using a lot of dblue glitch, in addition to the filter.

That said, I really dig your sound. It's nice and mellow. Too much dubstep lately is schizoid bullshit.

[sci]

Any advice on getting a "pointier" (for lack of a better word) sound for the bass + writing more interesting dub lines?

in my experience...this is pretty magical:

adding an EQ that boosts mid-to-high frequency range really makes a crunchier sound.
(this picture is of the second (0:25) bass synth in my derpy battle song from ZIQ02)
but! again, this can quickly clutter your sound space.

hey let's make a checklist from that picture based on my first post:
1. Frequency Modulation on Osc 1.
2. low pass filter set (cutoff is automated)
3. LFO isn't really doing anything, but it is routed to the filter cutoff.
4. A modest amount of distortion.
5. Saw wave sub-bass at -1 octave.
6. EQ boost at something like 3kHz

yep. magic.

[raynebowdash]

Hey guys! I've recently moved onto Ableton Live with FM8 and other amazing Synths! Can you list off some other great synths you guys use?

[senntenial]

Massive, Razor, anything from NI basically. Sylenth 1. Also WOW filter is helpful.

[ph00tbag]

Low pass filters are okay. Formant filters are raunchier.

[senntenial]

Bandpass, Scream, Vowel, Formant, Allpass (for groany basses)
yeah i actually have no idea what im talking about

[colortwelve]

Guise. Guise.

Liquid dubstep.

Sub-bass, eerie leads, powerful bass kicks, sharp snares, reverb, phasing, etc.

(I only like it because it's so much easier to make than brostep.)

[senntenial]

I never did Liquid but I sure do love listening to it.

[ph00tbag]

When you say liquid dubstep don't you mean just... dubstep?

As in dubstep before America got to it and decided it lacked... whatever it is brostep has?

[ChromaticChaosPony]

My secret technique for bass drops: glitch. I'm not kidding, it gives some really interesting effects and has gain that actually sounds nice. Only problem: no good for chillstep, which happens to be my favorite sub genre of dubstep. Any advice for chillstep?

[Navron]

I'm all for calling it dubstep and heavy dubstep.

What's it with electronic genres and needing specific names for each variation of pre-existing genres?

Rock...Hard Rock
Metal...Heavy Metal

Brostep wouldn't be mislabeled as dubstep if the original pioneers of that genre didn't have any kind of similarities to dubstep, so why not call it heavy dubstep and get rid of the hipster dubstep elitism?

[bartekko]

I'm all for calling it dubstep and heavy dubstep.

What's it with electronic genres and needing specific names for each variation of pre-existing genres?

Rock...Hard Rock
Metal...Heavy Metal

Brostep wouldn't be mislabeled as dubstep if the original pioneers of that genre didn't have any kind of similarities to dubstep, so why not call it heavy dubstep and get rid of the hipster dubstep elitism?

isn't heavy metal like... classic metal?

[ChromaticChaosPony]

I'm all for calling it dubstep and heavy dubstep.

What's it with electronic genres and needing specific names for each variation of pre-existing genres?

Rock...Hard Rock
Metal...Heavy Metal

Brostep wouldn't be mislabeled as dubstep if the original pioneers of that genre didn't have any kind of similarities to dubstep, so why not call it heavy dubstep and get rid of the hipster dubstep elitism?

isn't heavy metal like... classic metal?

Yes, bands like Iron Maiden and such... When used in that context, heavy doesn't mean the same thing. Perhaps you could compare the 'brutal' dubstep drops to brutal death metal...

Actually, no. Dubstep isn't even close to being as brutal as Cannibal Corpse, Dying Fetus, or Skinless.

[ChromaticChaosPony]

Any hints for a bass wobble that doesn't sound uber heavy? I'm trying to make a dubstepish bass for a subgenre called chillstep. Everything I make lacks the 'wubs' or sounds too distorted.

Chillstep= Dubstep + Calm + Melodic + Liquid

Also, does anyone understand how the waveforms work? I know what they are, but can't figure out what to do with them to shape a tone.

[vladnuke]

Guise. Guise.

Liquid dubstep.

Sub-bass, eerie leads, powerful bass kicks, sharp snares, reverb, phasing, etc.

(I only like it because it's so much easier to make than brostep.)

Aww, but I like (make) brostep! I find that pretty easy to make. Tbh, I have no idea what genre I make, (I already call it Speedstep/Stepcore, but maybe there's another word for it). Basically, you'll really find out what genre I make once the fucking Russia cops let me out of this country and I release my latest EP: From Russia With Wub. It'll be the greatest thing since diced bread.

butyeahliquiddnb/dumbstepiscooltoo.