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MAKE INSANE SUBS!
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MAKE INSANE SUBS!
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Storyline / Overview:
Mr Bill shares a technique for creating powerful and fat sub-bass sounds, inspired by advice from producer Copycat. The video focuses on understanding perceived loudness through waveform analysis and how to manipulate sub-bass synthesis for better impact, especially on various playback systems like phones.
Key Concepts & Techniques:
- Perceived Loudness & Amplitude Over Time: Loudness is not just about peak volume but how loud a sound is sustained over time. The ear perceives sounds that maintain volume longer as louder, even if their peak volume is lower.
- Using an Oscilloscope:
- Visualizes audio waveforms in real-time (amplitude vs. time).
- Helps to see how much of the waveform is loud vs. silent (zero crossings).
- Goal: Maximize the waveform’s loudness over time to make subs sound fatter.
- Sub-Bass Synthesis with Operator (Ableton):
- Use two oscillators running in parallel to increase volume.
- Add harmonics (integer multiples of base frequency) to enrich the sound and create psychoacoustic effects (restoration of the fundamental frequency).
- Adjust harmonic levels carefully to avoid reducing overall loudness.
- Phase Rotation:
- Changing the phase offset of oscillators shifts where loudness and silence occur in the waveform cycle.
- This manipulation can increase the perceived loudness by reducing quiet parts in the waveform.
- Distortion & Waveform Shaping:
- Adding distortion can thicken the sub by moving the waveform shape between sine and square waves.
- Avoid too much distortion to keep the sub clean but add character.
- Reverse Engineering Favorite Subs:
- Analyze a sub you like (e.g., Copycat’s 808) using an oscilloscope.
- Try to replicate the waveform shape by adjusting phase, harmonics, and distortion.
- Additional Enhancements:
- Pitch Envelopes to add punch or kick-like attack to the sub.
- Post-processing effects like light distortion, amp, erosion, and OTT Compression to add texture and presence.
- Detuning harmonics slightly to create binaural beating and movement in the sub.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Insane Subs:
- Load a sine wave sub oscillator (e.g., Ableton’s Operator).
- Insert a free oscilloscope plugin (e.g., M Oscilloscope by Melda) after the sub generator to visualize the waveform.
- Add a second oscillator running in parallel to double the output.
- Introduce harmonics by adjusting the coarse tuning of the second oscillator to integer multiples of the base frequency.
- Adjust the amplitude of harmonics to increase loudness over time without losing overall volume.
- Experiment with phase rotation to shift waveform timing and maximize loudness duration.
- Add subtle distortion to enrich the waveform shape but keep it between sine and square wave characteristics.
- Use Pitch Envelopes to create a punchy start if desired.
- Apply post-processing effects like distortion, OTT, and erosion sparingly to add texture.
- Optionally detune harmonics slightly for natural movement and interest.
- Compare your sub waveform to a favorite sub and tweak to match the waveform shape.
Key Tips:
- Perceived loudness depends on amplitude sustained over time, not just peak volume.
- Using an oscilloscope visually guides sound design decisions for subs.
- Adding harmonics and phase manipulation can make subs sound louder and fuller on all playback systems.
- Post-processing is crucial for adding character and presence to subs.
- Reverse engineering good subs can help you understand and replicate professional sounds.
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