[Chimpazilla]

Hi everyone, I think I have my leads under control... time for the next question... I'm finding that my lower end is an ill-defined mess! What are your suggestions for getting nice tight bass with a nice punchy attack sound? Is compression the weapon of choice, and if so what settings work well? Thanks again guys.

[Meteo Xavier]

I thought you were going to teach us how to do it.

Do you have any examples to post? We won't know what to do with it until we hear it.

[Chimpazilla]

Oops, sorry! I changed the title.

Here is eight seconds of bass. Thanks for any help!

[dannthr]

Side-chaining?

[Chimpazilla]

I've already sidechained with my kick. This sample is compressed already, 10:1 threshold of -30db with an attack of 15ms and release of 400ms. I'm thinking these settings are wrong. Eq settings are steep hp at 60hz, 6db cut at 200, and slight bump at 4khz for click. Maybe I just need to replace this sample?

[Moseph]

Example link doesn't work for me.

[Chimpazilla]

My bad. I forgot to make it the "secret link." Should work now.

I'm thinking maybe I can layer two basses, this one and one with a better attack?

secret link

[Darangen]

Make sure you're rolling the bass of everything else (except the kick) to help make sure the bass punches through.

The way I make a bass punchy is lining it up with the kick so you get the beater from the kick popping and the bass booming at the same time. Doesn't work in all styles of music though.

Do you have a sample of it with some other instruments?

[Moseph]

If you're looking for a more distinct attack, a 15ms attack on the compressor is too fast. Dial that up a bit and you should hear the bass's attack start to come out before the compressor clamps down on it.

[Metal Man]

Didn't listen or whatever but I've seen your "60Hz hp". I'd lower that to 30 then tame the kick around 50Hz.