How to Mix Sub Bass in Drum & Bass
If your sub bass isn't right, nothing else matters. It's the foundation of every DnB track — and the hardest thing to get right.
1. Keep It Mono Below 150Hz
Stereo information in the sub range causes phase cancellation on club systems. Keep everything below 150Hz in mono. Most DAWs have a utility plugin that can handle this.
2. High-Pass Everything Else
Every element in your mix that isn't the sub or kick should have a high-pass filter. Vocals, synths, pads — cut below 80-120Hz. Give the sub room to breathe.
3. Saturation Is Your Friend
Pure sine subs sound great on headphones but disappear on small speakers. Add subtle saturation (try a tape emulation or soft clipper) to generate harmonics that make the sub audible on any system.
4. Sidechain to the Kick
The kick and sub share the same frequency range. Use sidechain compression (or volume shaping with LFOTool/Trackspacer) to duck the sub when the kick hits. This keeps the low end clean and punchy.
5. Reference on Multiple Systems
Check your sub on headphones, monitors, a car, and a phone speaker. If the bass translates across all of them, you've nailed it.
The BASSWAV Test
We test every track on a real sound system. If the sub doesn't hit in the room, the track doesn't come out. That's the standard.
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