$0.00 0

YOUR CART
Checkout

SUBTOTAL
DISCOUNT
VAT
TOTAL
Checkout
Banner
So many tutorials show you how to make one very specific sound, while this one will show you how...

FM8 Tutorials

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth

So many tutorials show you how to make one very specific sound, while this one will show you how to make a basic FM8 dubstep bass that you can easily tweak for your projects’ needs.

Get ready, because this tutorial is going to delve into the FM8 envelope system. Don’t worry though, it is a very easy lesson to follow along with and touches on a few things that should help you in designing future sounds of this kind. The end result should be a flexible FM8 dubstep bass that is agressive and able to be used as a straight synth, a wobble or even a more complicated sound. The synth itself only takes about two minutes to make. After that it is up to you how you want to use ut in your music.

Starting with the FM Matrix, you can see that the sound is actually very simple to set up. With only one operator routed to the main output strip, Operators B-E are being used as modulators. This is just one way that this FM8 dubstep bass is kept simple enough to be used as both a bass synth and as a lead, if that is what you need from it.

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth Tutorial by OhmLab 1

Now to set up the Master window. Here the total number of Unison Voices is increased to 3 and the entire synth is transposed down two octaves. Some Dentuning and Panning are used to spread the sound ou a bit, but not too much. And a lot of Digital Quality alongside a small amount of Analog Quality are added to achieve a true dubstep sound.

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth Tutorial by OhmLab 2

Now the Effects window is set up. Here an Overdrive unit is added to help bring out the edge of this FM8 dubstep bass synth, while a Shelving EQ and a Peak EQ are used to finish shaping the sound.

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth Tutorial by OhmLab 3

Finally, we get to the envelopes. Normally would have set up the main envelopes already, but for this sound I wanted to wait until the Master and Effects windows were dialed in before changing how our FM8 dubstep bass is delivered. This way, what we hear while setting up the envelopes curves is more accurate and revealing. Here you can see that the main operator envelopes pretty much all follow the same curve. You can use the Link feature to make this easier. If you want a different delivery, simply change the curve shape while in Link mode engaged and all linked envelopes will be changed at the same time. It’s a very quick way to sample your different options!

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth Tutorial by OhmLab 4

Usually, we would be finished with the tutorial at this point. But I want to take a few more moments to share how to use the Pitch Envelope to change this FM8 dubstep bass quickly and easily. Here is a small audio sample of the synth as it is now.

[audio:https://www.fm8tutorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FM8-Dubstep-Bass.mp3|titles=FM8 Dubstep Bass]

Here is the same exact synth with this envelope curve affecting the amplitude at 100%.

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth Tutorial by OhmLab 5

[audio:https://www.fm8tutorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FM8-Dubstep-Bass-Lazer.mp3|titles=FM8 Dubstep Bass Lazer]

And again with a different curve affecting the amplitude at 100%.

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth Tutorial by OhmLab 6

[audio:https://www.fm8tutorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FM8-Dubstep-Bass-Climbing.mp3|titles=FM8 Dubstep Bass Climbing]

And one more, with the amplitude envelope set to just 20%. Just imagine the things you can do by automating or MIDI mapping the Amplitude Envelope knob in this one window alone, and what that can bring to your recordings and performances. Of course, there is almost no limit to the things that you can do with a sound like this one!

Designing an Agressive and Flexible FM8 Dubstep Bass Synth Tutorial by OhmLab 7

[audio:https://www.fm8tutorials.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/FM8-Dubstep-Bass-Nasty.mp3|titles=FM8 Dubstep Bass Nasty]

Remember to shoot us a message before you leave if you have a tutorial request, or would like to share one of your own with the community.

Join The Conversation!

Want to ask a question about this tutorial or perhaps you have something to add to it? Click through to our forum post about this tutorial and join the conversation!

Visit DESIGNING AN AGRESSIVE AND FLEXIBLE FM8 DUBSTEP BASS SYNTH

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheers,
OhmLab

RELATED COURSES

SAVE 40%

Functional Sound Design - FM Synthesis

ADSR Courses

Add to cart
SAVE 40%

Advanced Sound Design Techniques

ADSR Courses

Add to cart
SAVE 40%

Dubstep Bass Design In FM8

ADSR Courses

Add to cart
SAVE 40%

FM8 Expert Panel Explained

ADSR Courses

Add to cart
Waveform Loaded
Waveform Played
×
PLAYLIST
Clear all
WISHLISTS
Create an account to use wishlists
×
SAVE TUTORIALS
Create an account to save tutorials
×
FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITES
Follow your favourite labels, formats and genre's and ADSR will show what's new in those on your next visit.
×
  • Create product wishlist
  • Save your favorite tutorials
  • Regular discounts and exclusives
  • Never miss a sound! Follow your favorite labels.
Sign up to My ADSR to ensure you're ahead of the pack. Save your favorite content and be notified of new content. You'll never miss a thing!
Create your account now!
CREATE ACCOUNT
Sign up to My ADSR to ensure you're ahead of the pack. Save your favorite content and be notified of new content. You'll never miss a thing!
  • Get days all ADSR courses free
  • Create product wishlist
  • Save your favorite tutorials
  • Regular discounts and exclusives
Create your account now!
SIGN IN
adsrsounds.com login Video streaming login
Remember me
Forgot your password?
DON'T HAVE AN ADSR ACCOUNT?
Create your account
FORGOT PASSWORD

Send info
  1. Enter your email address
  2. Click "Send info"
  3. Check your inbox for an activation link
  4. Visit activation link and enter set new password
Sign in
DON'T HAVE AN ADSR ACCOUNT?
Create your account
IMPORTANT: Is this product compatible with your system? Please check the product system requirements tab before purchasing. To proceed with this purchase you must check the box to confirm you have checked the requirements.


I have read the system requirements and agree to the return policy. I understand that refunds will not be given due to limitation of my software or operating system.

I don't agree
, you have loyalty credit available. To redeem click the button to claim !
Claim
Claim your free sounds

For every $5 you spend on ADSR receive 1 free credit for Sample Manager.

Even better, we have back-dated this so any purchases you made since 2017 have also been credited to your account!

Click the button below to claim your free credit.

Get my free credits
Loyalty credits
1Every purchase you make on ADSR* now earns you 1 loyalty credit for every $5 spent
2Once you make a purchase your credits are added to your account
3Credits can be redeemed in ADSR Sample Manager to download individual loops and samples
4To redeem simply download ADSR Sample Manager and/or log into Sample Manager with your ADSR login details
5Credits will have been automatically added to your account
6Loyalty credits expire 30 days after initial purchase
* Not including video subscriptions