One of the iconic sounds in dubstep and drum’n’bass is the wobble synth bass, or “wub”. Thought to have originated from acid house, this sound has become increasingly popular within Dubstep over recent years.
Create a wobbly bass by routing a soft synth’s LFO through filters and other parameters. This is an excellent opportunity to experiment with sound design while building upon existing bass lines in your productions.
Dubstep
Dubstep is an electronic music genre that features bass sounds and rapid beats. Invented in the late 1990s, it has since blossomed into a global phenomenon enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.
Dubstep music has developed into various styles and subgenres over time, such as Deathstep, Riddim and Wobblestep.
Dubstep has long been associated with rave music, but the genre now encompasses a variety of musical genres. Some fans believe it to be the new rock n roll while others argue that its sound helps people of all ages and backgrounds connect.
Dubstep has become so popular due to its fast beats and bass. Additionally, it is an incredibly versatile genre that allows musicians to craft unique songs.
Popular dubstep songs typically feature a deep bass line and energetic beat, making them more inviting for dancers.
Dubstep production offers a range of tools and techniques for crafting the ideal track. For instance, you can adjust the pitch of the beat and incorporate various effects to craft an unforgettable sound.
Another way to add depth to your beat is by layering different drum samples together. This technique works great for creating a more complex sound.
For instance, if you have a snare sample, you can use it as the foundation of your beat and then add in deeper bass notes for extra impact.
You can play around with the rhythm of your bass pattern to keep things interesting. For instance, start off the song with one basic pattern and then switch it up for the drop. This is a great way to keep listeners engaged and entertained.
While there are various styles of dubstep production, it’s essential to remember that each has its own distinct qualities. It would be wise to experiment with several different approaches before selecting the one best suited for you.
Hardcore
Hardcore is an electronic dance music genre that emerged in the United Kingdom, Netherlands and Belgium during the 1990s. Its tempos tend to be faster than dubstep, house or techno’s and it stands out for its distorted sawtooth kick (160 to 200 BPM), intense bassline and use of saturation similar to industrial dance music.
Subgenres within this genre have emerged, such as raw style and terror. DJs such as Tiesto and Hardwell have even added it to their sets!
The early hardstyle sound was heavily influenced by Dutch hardcore or older hardstyle, featuring darker melodies, more dissonant elements and harder kick drums. Although considered one of the oldest genres in hardstyle history, it remains popular in certain European countries today.
Composing music is usually done using software designed specifically for this purpose, such as Cubase, FL Studio, Ableton Live, LMMS, Logic, Nuendo and Reason.
Hardcore music began as a niche phenomenon in the UK and Europe, but has since gained global reach. Nowadays, fans can listen to this genre of music in numerous countries around the world through clubs, bars and festivals alike.
Hardcore music is a popular genre of electronic music, but the term can also be used to denote someone who is highly dedicated and involved with something, such as gaming or religion. It could also refer to something extremely complex or intricate.
Hardstyle music often uses the term to connote the fury of rave gods, such as in duo Showtek’s track “The Colors of Harder Styles.” Additionally, some movies use this term to signify violent or extreme content.
Over the past couple of years, more terms have been coined to distinguish developments within hardstyle music. These include “rawstyle”, a modern form of hardstyle that utilizes darker melodies and dissonant elements; as well as trapstyle – an amalgamation between hardstyle and trap music.
Hardstyle
Hardstyle is an electronic dance music genre that began gaining momentum in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy during the 1990s. Drawing inspiration from techno, new beat and hardcore genres alike, hardstyle has remained a mainstay of dance music ever since.
Hard style tracks are characterized by synthesizer melodies, distorted sounds and an iconic combination of percussion and bass. Their tempo typically ranges between 140-150 BPM; however, more modern productions may reach up to 160 BPM.
Hardstyle music began as a distorted kick drum sound and reverse bass (an offbeat bass within a beat). Artists such as DJ Zany and Donkey Rollers helped spread this genre throughout Europe in the late 1990s.
Hardstyle’s exact origins are unknown, but it certainly draws inspiration from other electronic dance genres such as hard house and hard trance, particularly its use of a reverse bass. Over time, however, hardstyle became more sophisticated with songwriting and production techniques tailored towards a commercial audience.
Hardstyle has become a globally-popular genre within electronic dance music (EDM), with numerous artists creating various styles. Subgenres include freestyle, euphoric, uptempo and extra raw.
Some of the more well-known freestyle artists include Headhunterz, Brennan Heart and Noisecontrollers. These artists tend to focus on melodic, uptempo sounds but also experiment with genre in other ways.
Another version of hardstyle is more soferic, featuring cheerful melodies combined with some less soferic kicks and drum breaks to create a harder and energetic vibe. Drops can sometimes be complex and heavier, encouraging fans to start dancing when the beats resume.
In addition to the more well-known euphoric and hardstyle styles, there have been several other subgenres within this genre that have emerged over time. These include raw and extra raw styles as well as big room house hardstyle.
Wobble bass lines are becoming a staple element of Dubstep and hardstyle music. These basslines typically feature wobbly sonic textures created with instruments such as SONiVOX’s Wobble synthesizer.
DnB
DnB (Deep House) is one of the most beloved electronic music genres in Europe, particularly Belgium and The Netherlands. It draws influence from various genres such as hip-hop, drum & bass, techno, and electro.
Originating in the mid 90’s, its popularity has spread worldwide over the last two decades. DJs use it to craft energetic sets with fast-paced beats and bass that can be quickly distorted or layered for unique sounds.
Producers face a unique challenge in managing bass frequencies in their mixes. They must ensure there’s enough low end to bolster kick drums and other instruments, yet not so much that it takes away from the overall sound.
Wobbling is one of the techniques used to achieve these effects. It typically involves routing a synthesizer’s LFO (low frequency oscillator) through low pass filters and other parameters, though this can take some time and effort if done manually.
There are a range of plugins that allow you to manually or automatically create this type of wobble effect, including Wobble, Monolith and MaxxBass by Waves.
Another excellent way to create wobbling bass is by investing in a synthesizer specifically designed for this task. These devices usually come with pre-set sounds so you can get started right away.
For optimal performance, you must become familiar with your instrument’s internal mechanisms and features. Many modern instruments come equipped with built-in automations that let you regulate how much wobbling occurs during a bassline playback.
You can learn to automate your sounds using a pattern generator and other tools. This is an essential step in making your wobbles more realistic and sophisticated.
The ‘Filth-scope’ is an innovative feature on the synth that produces sound wave images that move and change speed when touched. This enables you to craft various harmonies and percussions, including drum hits.
If you’re looking to create wobble bass music, the SONiVOX Wobble app is a great option to consider. This synthesizer can be downloaded onto your computer or mobile device and comes with over 200 presets that are ready for immediate access. Plus, its tempo-synchronized modulation generator and pattern generator allow it to work both as an integrated plug-in for your DAW or as its own standalone application.