Project 2: Bass Lines

So, you have successfully composed your first drum loop. Time for project 2.

Your next assignment is to make a second post to your blog. This one has to be a bass line to go with a new drum loop. The drum loop has to be longer -32 dots instead of 16, Otherwise, it's like your first assignment. Compose two contrasting patterns connected by a third pattern. Feel free to dress it up anyway you like. There's an example at the bottom of the page. As always, you must make a detailed post to your blog explaining how you approached the project and what inspired your loop, and you must comment on your classmate's projects. Say something positive, and say something constructive

Some hints on bass construction:
1. Listen to your favorite music and notice the bass part. It sounds obvious, but I'm amazed by the number of submissions I get that don't sound like bass lines. Start by doing some thoughtful listening.
2. Keep the bass in the low register (below C5). Bass lines should not be very high in pitch.
3. Don't make the bass play more than one note at a time. Not that it can't be done, it's just simpler with one note at a time.
4. Be aware of how the bass line will fit with your drum pattern. A good starting place is to consider having the bass double the rhythm of the kick drum. Here's an example:



100 Maximum points :
20 The sound chosen for the bass had an appropriate bass timbre. I used the BooBass for the sample below (Channels-Add One- BooBass)
10 The bass line was in the correct register.
10 The bass line complemented the drums.
10 The mix was balanced.
10 The project was of proper length.
20 Effort/ Creativity
20 Blog post was descriptive, positive and constructive comments on classmated blogs were issued.

Good luck!

P.S. If you don't like the BooBass or any of the other bass sounds available, go download one!

How to add a sampled bass sound to your FLStudio.
1. Launch FL Studio and go to the help dropdown menu, then select FLStudio homepage.
2. At the bottom of the page click on samplefusion.
3. Select one of the samplefusion packs to get your samples from. For this project you'll probably want bass case.
4. Click on the .ZIP file of a sample to download it.
5. Save the file to your "My Documents" folder.
6. Close everything, and then open your my documents folder. Fine the .ZIP file and click on it to open it with WinZip.
7. As you click through the screens to unzip the file, watch for the one that asks you where you want to put the unzipped file. The default is the C drive and you do not have access to it. You must choose your "My Documents" folder.
8. Open FL Studio and go to Channels- Add One- Sampler.
9. Click on the sampler channel that appears in the step sequencer. Click on the folder Icon next to the word "none", and navigate to your "My Documents" folder to find your unzipped file.
10. Add the file, and write for it!