11 Tips: Mix Sub-Bass Like A Pro!

11 Tips: Mix Sub-Bass Like A Pro!

Mixing sub bass is a crucial aspect of producing a track, especially in genres like electronic, hip-hop, dubstep, and other bass-heavy music. Sub bass is typically in the 20-60 Hz range, and its presence is felt more than heard, which means that proper handling in the mix is vital to ensure it doesn’t muddle your track but still provides the necessary weight and depth.

Here's a detailed step-by-step guide to mixing sub bass effectively:


1. Understanding the Role of Sub Bass

  • Sub bass typically refers to frequencies below 60 Hz, often from bass synths, kick drums, or other low-end sounds.
  • Its primary role is to provide the low-end foundation and weight to a track.
  • It adds energy and movement to the rhythm but can easily overpower the rest of the mix if not managed well.

2. Start with a Clean Sound Source

  • Choose the right sub bass sound:
    A sine wave or triangle wave is commonly used for sub bass, as these waveforms are pure and allow you to control the sub frequencies easily. If using a sampled bass or instrument, make sure the sound source is clean and designed to produce sub frequencies well.

  • Ensure the sound is tuned:
    If you’re using a bass synth or sampled bass, tune it properly to fit the key of the track. Sub bass that is out of tune can mess with the harmonic structure of the track and sound off.


3. Low-Pass Filtering (High-Pass Filtering for Other Instruments)

  • Low-pass filter the sub bass:
    Use a low-pass filter (LPF) to remove unwanted higher frequencies from your sub bass. Typically, you want to cut off everything above 100 Hz—you can experiment depending on the track, but a low-pass filter around 80-100 Hzis standard.

  • High-pass filter other instruments:
    To prevent masking and muddiness, apply a high-pass filter to other instruments like guitars, vocals, and even some mid-bass elements, cutting frequencies below 80-100 Hz. This ensures the sub bass has room to breathe and prevents congestion in the low end.


4. Balance and Level Control

  • Avoid making the sub bass too loud:
    While sub bass is important, too much of it can cause a mix to sound muddy, and it will often distort on small speakers or earbuds. A good reference is to have the sub bass level around the same or slightly lower than the kick drum, depending on the genre.

  • Use a reference track:
    If you’re unsure about the sub bass level, find a reference track in the same genre that has a great low-end mix and try to match the balance of your sub bass to the reference.


5. Sidechain Compression

  • Sidechain the sub bass to the kick:
    To prevent the sub bass from clashing with the kick drum (both of which occupy similar low-frequency space), use sidechain compression. This technique reduces the volume of the sub bass whenever the kick hits, allowing the kick to punch through clearly.

    • Set the sidechain compressor to react to the kick drum, with a fast attack and release time.
    • Experiment with the threshold to control how much compression is applied. A common setting is to have the sub bass duck by 3-6 dB whenever the kick plays, giving the kick space in the mix.

    Tip: You can also sidechain other bass elements (like mid-bass) to the kick or the sub bass to clean up the low end even further.


6. Use EQ to Shape the Sub Bass

  • Low-end EQ shaping:
    After low-passing the sub bass and applying any necessary sidechain compression, you can further shape the sound using an equalizer:

    • Cut any unnecessary low frequencies below 30 Hz to make sure you're not overloading your mix with inaudible or unneeded sub-bass content. These frequencies won't translate well to most playback systems.
    • If needed, boost around the 40-60 Hz range to give the sub bass more presence and depth, but do so carefully—small boosts (1-2 dB) can make a big difference.

7. Use Saturation and Distortion (Cautiously)

  • Subtle saturation:
    Adding a little saturation or distortion to the sub bass can give it more harmonics, making it more audible on systems that can't reproduce very low frequencies. Use a mild saturation plugin or an analog-style distortion effect to add warmth.

    • Use the "Drive" or "Saturation" controls sparingly to avoid muddying the low end.
    • Some saturation can add weight and punch to the sub bass without making it sound too distorted.

8. Monitor in Multiple Environments

  • Use good monitors and headphones:
    It’s essential to check the sub bass on both large monitors (with good low-end response) and headphones that have a good bass response. Many consumer headphones and speakers don’t reproduce low-end well, so you might need to adjust to make sure your sub bass translates across various listening systems.

  • Check your mix on small speakers:
    After adjusting the sub bass, it’s also helpful to check how it sounds on smaller speakers or laptop speakers, where the sub frequencies will be less prominent. This can help you see if your sub bass is still clear and present across the frequency spectrum.


9. Use a Spectrum Analyzer

  • Visualize the sub bass:
    Use a spectrum analyzer to visualize the frequency spectrum and ensure your sub bass occupies the correct range. A spectrum analyzer will show you how much energy is in the sub bass area (below 100 Hz) and how it compares to the rest of your mix.

    Tip: Make sure there isn’t too much energy in the ultra-low frequencies (below 30 Hz), as this can cause issues on playback systems that don’t reproduce those frequencies.


10. Keep Your Mix Mono Below 100 Hz

  • Mono the sub bass:
    Most low-end frequencies, especially sub bass, should be in mono or centered in the mix. This ensures that the sub bass energy is solid and consistent, and that it translates well across all speaker systems. You can use a stereo imager or simply pan the sub bass element to mono.

    • Avoid stereo widening on sub bass, as the low-end is less perceptible in stereo and should be focused on the center of the mix for consistency.

11. Test Your Sub Bass Across Systems

  • Test on multiple systems:
    After mixing your sub bass, it's important to check how it sounds across different systems: studio monitors, car speakers, small consumer speakers, and headphones. Sub bass that sounds perfect on large studio monitors might be inaudible or too boomy on small speakers.

  • Use reference tracks:
    Use tracks with well-balanced sub bass that you know sound great in different systems. Compare your mix to these tracks to ensure your sub bass is in the right ballpark.


Quick Recap: How to Mix Sub Bass

  1. Use a clean sound source (like a sine wave or dedicated bass synth).
  2. Low-pass filter the sub bass to remove unnecessary high frequencies (cut off around 80-100 Hz).
  3. Sidechain compression to let the kick drum punch through without conflicting with the sub bass.
  4. EQ the sub bass to cut anything below 30 Hz and boost around 40-60 Hz if needed.
  5. Use mild saturation to add harmonics and make the sub bass more audible on smaller systems.
  6. Monitor in multiple environments (headphones, studio monitors, and small speakers).
  7. Visualize the sub bass using a spectrum analyzer.
  8. Keep the sub bass in mono below 100 Hz.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to mix a powerful, clean, and well-balanced sub bass that drives the track forward without overwhelming the rest of your mix.

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