Making a Basic Dubstep Wobble Bass Using Break Points in Absynth

This Absynth video tutorial is obviously full of great information for those wanting to make a killer dubstep synth, but it is also an insightful look into how the advanced envelope system works.

This lesson begins how you would expect it to. A few oscillators combining to make a nice hard edge synth, ready to be tweaked into something much more interesting. He first runs through the steps of how to set up each oscillator module and then spends a little time on distortion and how it can be applied and to what effect. A waveshaper is inserted into the mix so each sound is affected as they come together.

At this point we have a basic synth that needs a wobble if it is to be used for a dubstep project. First the option of using an LFO is explored. It’s quick and easy and if you are already familiar with designing this kind of sound with other synths, it should be simple to replicate here. Absynth offers you another alternative to the LFO though, and it happens to be one of the features that helps to really set it apart from the rest of the soft synth programs out there. We’re talking about envelopes, and specifically envelopes that you can create break points at any part of the curve for added control and manipulation. A great way to automate something like a bassline.

One of the nicest things about using an envelope over an LFO in this kind of situation is that you can get very precise as to how a sequence unfolds and what parts of the sound get accentuated. It is one more layer of control over a kind of instrument meant to change drastically at the drop of a hat. The examples given in the video of how the envelope can be programmed are very elementary but you can easily imagine just how complex you can make things if that is what you want. Enter as many break points as you like for added flexibility and adjust them to set up the desired automation for your song.

As with many things concerning Absynth, what may seem quite complex and daunting at first often times turns out to be a rather simple task once you see how it all works. With a few clicks in the right places you can begin designing sequences in no time! Are you interested in learning more about a specific part of Absynth? Let us know by send us a request! We are always happy to help our community members learn and grow however we can. Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,
OhmLab