5 Proven Ways to Enhance Your Basslines

Boost your basslines, catch up on the latest industry buzz, and discover the best gear for your studio in this week's newsletter.

Hey there! This week we're getting into tips to supercharge your synth basslines, John Summit's hot take on Nelk, and our top pic for studio monitors. Let's get it!

5 Proven Ways to Enhance Your Basslines

Ever feel like your basslines are lacking that extra oomph? We've got you covered. Check out our latest guide on supercharging your synth basslines. We're breaking down five key techniques that can help you elevate your bass game:

  1. Emphasize Off-Beats: Instead of always placing your root notes on the downbeats, try putting them on off-beats. This creates a rhythmic contrast with the drums and adds an unexpected twist to your basslines.

  2. Create Fills with Chord Tones: Fills are short musical phrases that can add flavor to your basslines. Using the main chord tones (root, third, fifth, and seventh) can make your fills sound more harmonious.

  3. Jump Between Octaves: Don't be afraid to move beyond your comfort zone. You can make your basslines more interesting by jumping between different octaves.

  4. Use Dead/Muted Notes: Dead or muted notes add a percussive quality to your basslines and can be used to emphasize off-beats or to create rhythmic variation.

  5. Write Using Themes: Consider using themes when writing your basslines. Themes are recurring musical ideas that can provide a sense of cohesion to your music.

Track of the Week:

Industry News: John Summit on Nelk

Did you catch John Summit on the Nelk Boys podcast? He dropped some hot takes on masked DJs. The same week he released an official remix for deadmau5, a renowned masked DJ, Summit made waves by calling out the trend of DJs wearing masks or helmets. "I think that sht is corny as fck," he said, even claiming he'd turn down a billion dollars to avoid DJing with a helmet.

His comments sparked a heated debate in the EDM community. Some fans saw it as a jab at deadmau5, while others defended Summit, suggesting he was targeting DJs like Marshmello.

Despite the backlash, Summit stood his ground. He believes the music should do the talking, not gimmicks or theatrics. This has ignited a broader conversation about image and branding in music. Are masked DJs a unique spectacle or a distraction from the music? What's your take? Let's chat.

What's your take on this? Are masked DJs a unique spectacle or a distraction from the music?

When it comes to building a studio, one of the most crucial components is the monitor. And while it may be tempting to opt for cheaper alternatives, it's important to remember that you get what you pay for. That's why our choice for the best studio monitor under $500 is the Adam Studio T7V. The Adam Studio T7V is renowned for its clear mid/highs and transparent sound. It's a fantastic monitor for its price range, offering a level of audio quality that you'd typically expect from more expensive models. Plus, if you're looking to enhance your bass experience in the future, you can always add the Adam T10S Sub. Get them here.

Upcoming Events:

  1. The Wednesday Roast - Twitch stream at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT on July 19th, 2023. Get feedback on your track mixdowns and ask production questions!

E.R.N.E.S.T.O's links that don't suck:

Learn: Patreon | Discord | Youtube | Kick

Download: Beatport | Bandcamp 

Follow: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook 

The Label: Broken English Traxx 

Meme of the Week: