Quik Tipz: Sub-Bass Secrets for Hip-Hop Pro's
There's nothing more powerful to add to a hip hop mix than smooth "feel it more than hear it" sub-bass! Read below to learn some of the most coveted sub-bass secrets in tha industry...
Hip-Hop Sub-Bass Secret #1: Learning the Low Pass
Many amateur mixers think the way to create powerful sub-bass is by boosting low-shelf EQ. Well, we have news for you...it's not! The most direct route to creating sub-bass textures is through the powerful use of a low pass filter. By applying a low pass filter to a source signal such as a bass guitar track, high timbres can be filtered out completely letting only low-sub frequencies pass through to be heard.
Easily control how high or low of timbres to let pass through the filter by assigning the filter's settings to a specific frequency number such as 80hz or 70hz, etc. The lower you toggle your low pass filter setting (70hz, 60hz, 50hz), the more sub-only signal you are creating in your mix. Try it on your kicks & bass instrument tracks and experience the control!
Note: Before testing out the techniques described above, please keep in mind the following...To monitor sub-bass frequencies accurately, you will need a sub-woofer. While you can still hear some sub frequencies without a sub-woofer and apply the techniques described, the accurate amount of sub-bass being produced will go somewhat unnoticed when using only near-field monitors/speakers.
Quik Tipz: Sub-Bass Secret #2 Revealed
Low pass filtering can work wonders for creating some serious sub-bass textures. But...it doesn't stop there! To further sculpt the perfect sounding sub-bass, proper sub-frequency EQ methods need to be implemented. Read below to learn in depth what EQ methods the Pro's sculpt sub-basses to perfection...
Hip-Hop Sub-Bass Secret #2 - Sub EQ Methodz
1) Low Bell-Curve EQs are the first step to sculpting sub frequencies from bass tracks. Applying a low bell-curve EQ to a bass track allows you to boost only a small specific range of low end frequencies, say 40hz-80hz. Boosting the EQ 4db-6db forms a bell shaped curve above the selected frequency range where the peak tops off in the middle of the range. Ideally, you want to place the peak of the bell curve exactly over the most desirable sounding sub-bass frequency. For most Hip Hop applications, this frequency is from 40hz-60hz depending on the desired sub feel.
2) Once the peak of the bell-curve EQ is positioned directly above the desired sub frequency to boost, further sculpt the size of the bell by assigning a narrow Q value to the bell-curve. To really focus and pinpoint only desirable sub frequencies, a narrow Q value from 10 to 23 is typically best.
3) With the narrow Q value set, you are now ready to concentrate whole-heartedly on boosting only the targeted sub frequencies captured within the tight Q width. Depending on your source signal, them amount of sub frequency boost needed will vary widely. Use your ear and boost anywhere from 2db to 20db to sculpt your sub-bass EQ level to perfection. After finding the perfect amount of boost, be sure to apply a high pass filter below the bell curve range to remove any unwanted rumble 35hz and below for an overall smoother sound.
Note: Before testing out the techniques described above, please keep in mind the following...To monitor sub-bass frequencies accurately, you will need a sub-woofer. While you can still hear some sub frequencies without a sub-woofer and apply the techniques described, the accurate amount of sub-bass being produced will go somewhat unnoticed when using only near-field monitors/speakers.
Quik Tipz: Sub-Bass Secret #3 Revealed
Low pass filtering & targeted EQ methods can work wonders for creating some serious sub-bass textures. But...it still doesn't stop there! Read below to learn how compression is a crucial component to sculpting the overall sub-bass sound...
Hip-Hop Sub-Bass Secret #3: Tailoring the Compressor
Knowing how to set a compressor to best control bass means ending up with a mix that has solid foundation and sounds consistently warm & welcoming to the ear. The trick is to even out differences in low/high signal peaks within the track to deliver an overall vibrant bass presence.
Ratio & Threshold Settings for Sub-Bass:
For most Hip-Hop applications, a Ratio setting of 4:1-6:1 is favored by most Pro engineers for leveling out any inconsistency in bass levels. For Threshold settings, try not to exceed 15db. A Threshold of 10db is typically a good amount so to avoid excess gain reduction.
Attack & Release Settings for Sub-Bass:
Be careful to avoid having too slow of Attack settings as this will cause the compress to not be quick enough to compress signals that cross the threshold. Good Attack settings that allow for a smoother sound lie between 20ms-40ms. For Release settings, it's important to set the compressor to recover from a compressed signal rather quickly. For sub-bass, a release time between 120ms-300ms usually creates the smoothest feel.
Apply the above bass compression techniques along with ModernBeats' low pass filtering & sub-frequency EQ methods all together, and you are on your way to becoming a sub-bass mixing master!