Wobble bass

[Kopachris]

It is my understanding that wubs are usually produced by modulating a low-pass filter's cutoff frequency with a low frequency oscillator. It just occurred to me that a similar effect (though less controllable) can be had in the subbass range simply by playing two close notes at the same time (closer notes will produce a slower beat, of course). I'm just curious: does anyone actually do this?

[Kromium]

Personally, I don't, but there is reasoning behind the "wobble" you get when you play sine notes together. It pretty much boils down to acoustics. The general idea is that when sine waves are played with each other the amplitude (wobbling) of the sound varies between the frequency of the two notes played together and the 2 sine waves play an average frequency made by the 2 notes.

Here's a diagram of what happens when you play 2 sine notes together.

[Kopachris]

Personally, I don't, but there is reasoning behind the "wobble" you get when you play sine notes together. It pretty much boils down to acoustics. The general idea is that when sine waves are played with each other the amplitude (wobbling) of the sound varies between the frequency of the two notes played together and the 2 sine waves play an average frequency made by the 2 notes.

Here's a diagram of what happens when you play 2 sine notes together.

Well, yes, of course. I already knew the physics behind it. I'm still just wondering if other people use it or have a reason not to use it. I can't be the first person to have come up with this, can I?

[Navron]

You're pretty much describing what dissonance is.

I wouldn't necessarily call it a good technique for creating wubs though, as you would have 2 basses playing at their full level, with no cutoff.

In other words, you're muddying up the mix, because you're adding more to the same frequency spectrum, vs cutting frequencies off.

[the4thImpulse]

I have used it before to create a 'rolling' sub bassline that would sit underneath a couple other synths that were all panning around and stuff. It has very limited practical uses so I would not recomend anyone use it.

[Kopachris]

You're pretty much describing what dissonance is.

I wouldn't necessarily call it a good technique for creating wubs though, as you would have 2 basses playing at their full level, with no cutoff.

In other words, you're muddying up the mix, because you're adding more to the same frequency spectrum, vs cutting frequencies off.

I understand what you're saying, but I'm not sure if I agree with you. I actually don't think what you're saying applies here. What I'm thinking of is pure subbass: Each note is a single sine wave of a specific frequency below 100Hz. A low-pass filter on that will achieve the exact same effect as simply changing the volume.

This is what I'm talking about: http://vocaroo.com/i/s0n0ypQTKsUC
Part of that rendering is done using an automation clip for the low-pass filter cutoff. The other part is done by playing two notes a semitone apart.

In any case, I guess my original question has been answered.

[Versilaryan]

You can, but it's hard to make the wobbles stand out. That, and you get MUCH more dynamic sounds with filters as well as automating various other parameters than you would with difference tones.

By all means, though, you're free to experiment.

[Kagetori]

I use it a lot with almost anything.

[Captain Ironhelm]

If you fine detune two oscillators a very small amount, the pitch will sound the same, but the troughs and peaks meet together at different points. With the two sound waves combining, you'll get a pattern of pulsations in the sound. Adding another oscillator with yet another slight pitch difference can make the pulsation pattern even more complex. Also, off-setting when the sound waves start can help change the way the sounds match up together as well.

[Kagetori]

If you fine detune two oscillators a very small amount, the pitch will sound the same, but the troughs and peaks meet together at different points. With the two sound waves combining, you'll get a pattern of pulsations in the sound. Adding another oscillator with yet another slight pitch difference can make the pulsation pattern even more complex. Also, off-setting when the sound waves start can help change the way the sounds match up together as well.

Woah man, I have NO idea what ya'll are talking about. I just mess with dials n' stuff until I get a sound I like. That's pretty much how all my sounds have been made lol, especially the wubs.

I have used it before to create a 'rolling' sub bassline that would sit underneath a couple other synths that were all panning around and stuff. It has very limited practical uses so I would not recomend anyone use it.

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED!
Umm... explain what you're talking about or, like, send me a file or settings or something, and I'll figure out plenty of ways to use it (whatever it is) I bet! Pssh, there are no limits! I mean, unless you're talking about just wobble bass in general which I already use.

[ChromaticChaosPony]

Recently I tried combining sawtooth waves in osc 1 with square waves in osc 2. The square gives a cool harmonic tone to the bass. Just something I think you should try.

I found a few cool tricks on the internet for wobble bass, but haven't tried all of them yet. If I find something that sounds good (like saw + square), I'll let you know.

Also, try setting the rate of the LFO (if you are using one) to 3/16 beats. It gives that nice wobble tone. Isn't LFO one of the secrets to making the bass wobble?

[Captain Ironhelm]

Depending what you have the LFO linked to, you could get a wobble sound, if I remember right.