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How To Improve Bass In Music

How To Improve Bass In Music

Bass can be a very complicated part of your mix. Actually, we’d even go and say that the majority of home-producers or home-recorded work, don’t have a good low-end, which is really the basis (get it, bass-is?) for any mix. In this article, we look at how to improve bass in music.

Whether you are in a home or professional-grade studio, you’re going to come across certain issues such as noise in the room, or just plain ole’ bad acoustics. We always try and advise that home producers check out some good bass catchers as well as tiling for recording, as a lot of music with bass can and should be handled in your mix.

The bass, even if it’s tough, is also a main part of your sound. Imagine how necessary it is to have bass in rap, the rhythmic need for it in rock music and of course, EDM’s signature bass drop. Be sure that you are giving yourself time to really understand the bass components found in your mix. It’s also the main layer that gives placement to your other sounds.
It’s a pyramid! This is needed for a solid foundation. The lows give you a great layer that carries you the rest of the way. It might sound cheesy but your bass really is the base for your mix!

When a track lacks a low end it can sound:

Weak

Dead lows, really don’t do much for your record’s strength. If you don’t have a good bass mix, your record is just going to feel.. Lacking.

In Your Face

If you don’t have a low end, everything else is going to be pushed forward. So, that means it’s going to be loud, aggressive and even repetitive.

Flat

Your lows are intended to add a bit of warmth to your music. That being said, if it doesn’t have lows, your tracks are just going to come out missing that “boost” of life, really. It sounds silly, but if you don’t have the proper bass, your mix sounds cold.

Your gut instinct is going to be to mess with the lows and the faders, but that might not be the root of your problem.

Here’s how to improve bass in music by toggling your DAW to ensure your bass is playing nicely with the rest of your mix and giving it the proper foundation.

  1. Ensure that your low-end is mono, and then pan your low-end towards the center.
  2. Always mix the lows first! This is why it’s your platform! Turn down your other channels except lows.
  3. Now using your lows as a reference point, begin to bring back the other components in your mix.
  4. Now you will need to use compression to piece your bottom end together. When your mix is where you want it to be, all your other key parts will become enhanced.

From this point, set your loop, and edit as you deem fit.
These are just a few ways how to improve bass in music and ensure it is serving as the proper pyramid for the rest of your sound. Be sure to take the time to simply listen to the bass in your favorite tracks, and radio, to really understand how vital it is to your work.

Our Mixing & Mastering course is peppered with tips on how to improve bass in music and lots more.