RedMeansRecording’s Bass Sound Odyssey with the M8

Kicking Off with the M8

RedMeansRecording starts us off on an ambitious journey: crafting a drum and bass album on the M8 in just two weeks. The plan is to break down the process into bite-sized videos. First up is understanding the creation concepts and organizing samples for easy access during the heat of production. The goal is not just to make music but to create a personal stamp on the drum and bass scene. This introduction sets the stage for a deep dive into sound design, mixing, and mastering. It’s a bold move, showcasing the sheer determination to not just play in the genre but to own it.

Dialing in the Drums

Jeremy, the mastermind behind RedMeansRecording, spills the beans on his drum choices. All drums are sampled, pulling from a variety of sources like the Decoded Drum and Bass Drums and Native Instruments’ Rolling Tides. This eclectic mix sets the rhythmic backbone for his bass-focused album. But the real challenge? Designing every bass sound from scratch, ensuring they aren’t just genre-appropriate but truly his own. This approach guarantees that his sound is unique and memorable, escaping the pitfalls of overused samples. By crafting 60 distinct basses before even setting sail to New York, he’s armed with a fresh arsenal that speaks to his commitment to authenticity. While he admits to sometimes being baffled by the genre, his enthusiastic exploration and goal to impose his sonic signature in this bass-heavy territory is undeniable.

Nailing That Sonic Signature

Jeremy highlights the magic of FM synthesis in drum and bass, underscoring its integral role in creating those snapping, dynamic basslines. He explains the challenges posed by the M8’s modulation limitations but sees them as an invitation to get creative. Using the FM synth, he dives deep into crafting harmonic layers and popping intervals. He narrates the blend of sine waves, macros, and distortion effects that contribute to his uniquely aggressive bass sounds. Jeremy encourages viewers to experiment, emphasizing the limitless potential in iterating his pre-designed basses. By dissecting each synth engine, he showcases how every tweak can lead to new, sometimes unexpected, sonic landscapes.

From Throb to Tear: The Bass Variations

Jeremy takes us through a wave of hypnotic bass designs, from simple sine subs to intricate FM setups. He stresses the importance of movement in bass sounds, achieved by strategically applying LFOs and distortions. His approach is methodical yet exploratory, viewing each bass like clay ready to be molded. Everything, from the classic sine sub to the throbbing pulse wave, gets a test drive. Jeremy’s detailed walkthrough shows his commitment to creating basses that don’t just fill the low-end void but define it. Whether it’s the buzz macro oscillator or subtle additions like pitch envelopes, he shows us how tiny tweaks can transform basic waves into formidable bass threats.

Reese’s and FM Synth Delight

The video dives into crafting the beloved Reese bass, synonymous with drum and bass. Jeremy leverages the Hypersynth within the M8, tuning its parameters to extract that rich, enveloping sound. He explores variations of the Reese, from the standard low-pass filtered version to wider, stereo-enriched iterations, achieving that classic low-ended throb. Additionally, he highlights the value of the FM Synth for layering intervals, creating the illusion of a relentless sonic wall. With each harmonic tweak and filter adjustment, Jeremy ensures every sound remains fresh yet rooted in genre territory. His playful yet precise method offers insights into the balancing act of making a bass both powerful and versatile.

Final Flourishes and Takeaways

In wrapping up, Jeremy offers gems of wisdom for those venturing into bass sound design. He underscores the importance of EQ in shaping each sound, a simple yet often underestimated tool. The potential of pairing one-shots with intricate post-processing is highlighted, proving that starting with a sample can lead to uniquely personal creations. Jeremy even touches on the quirks of side-chaining within the M8, pointing out the workarounds and limitations. His down-to-earth closing underscores the essence of discovery—encouraging viewers to learn by doing and iterate their own way into the drum and bass world.