EDM Production Techniques: Basslines

1h 53mIntermediate2014-08-01

Authors

J. Scott Giaquinta

EDM veteran who has remixed A-list talent such as Madonna

Course details

Electronic dance music has exploded in popularity the last couple years. Knowing how to create dynamic EDM bass lines can make your tracks stand out. In this course, author J. Scott Giaquinta showcases his techniques for EDM basslines—the same techniques he's used on productions and remixes with such artists as Madonna, Seal, David Bowie, Paul Oakenfold, and Johnny Cash. The course focuses on creating bass lines for four different genres: dubstep, electro house, progressive/trance, and drum and bass. Scott also touches on layering, automation, and sub-basses, and finishing techniques like bussing, tape saturation, and limiters that can give your EDM tracks a distinctive sound. Note: this course features Ableton Live and Native Instruments MASSIVE, but you can follow along with these tutorials in the DAW of your choice.

Want to learn more about creating solid EDM tracks? Check out EDM Production Techniques: Drums.

Skills covered

MASSIVENative InstrumentsAbleton LiveAbletonSongwritingMusic ProductionAudio and MusicDeep Dive (X:Y)

Concepts

0. Introduction

01 - Welcome
02 - Using the exercise files

1. Dubstep

03 - Creating dubstep drums
04 - Exploring rhythmic synth elements
05 - Getting powerful growl bass sounds
06 - Adding sub-bass
07 - Secret bass tricks and tweaks
08 - Basic dubstep mixing techniques

2. Electro House

09 - Creating electro-house beats
10 - Using side-chain compression effectively
11 - Working with electro-house bass sounds
12 - Additional bass tips and tricks
13 - Basic electro-house mixing techniques

3. Progressive and Trance

14 - Creating basic progressive and trance beats
15 - Programming progressive and trance bass lines
16 - Evolving bass lines with creative automation
17 - Using sub-bass to reinforce the lows
18 - Additional FX techniques
19 - Basic progressive and trance mixing techniques

4. Drum and Bass

20 - Drum-and-bass beats
21 - Drum-and-bass bass lines
22 - Basic drum-and-bass mixing techniques

Conclusion

23 - Next steps