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J. Anthony Allen

Welcome to Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book, Vol 1: Bass.

In this class, you won't just be hearing from me. You will have 5 incredibly experienced, professional instructors. I'll be one of them, but I've brought in some of the top sound designers working right now to give up their secrets.

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Welcome to Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book, Vol 1: Bass.

In this class, you won't just be hearing from me. You will have 5 incredibly experienced, professional instructors. I'll be one of them, but I've brought in some of the top sound designers working right now to give up their secrets.

  • Jack Denny: Best known for his role as one of three producers and performers in the super-group Ternion Sound. These guys are all over the world right now.

  • Joe Dumpling: Known primarily under his alias Dumpling, Joe is a top-notch producer and multi-instrumentalist. And an experienced teacher, too.

  • Zak Khan: Zak is making some of the funkiest, coolest music I've heard in a long time, so I was super excited he agreed to help out with some videos here. Get ready for something special.

  • James Patrick: You've met James before in some of my other classes, but he is also a world-renowned producer and performer, and accomplished teacher (and Ableton Certified Trainer)

  • Me.  I'll be guiding you through all of the lessons from these guests and filling in anything that needs to be filled in.

The goal of this class is to help you define your sound by learning some of the tricks of the best in the world.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor. Software:This course is NOT specific to any DAW program.

This is a course about techniques. Most techniques that you see the instructors doing can be replicated in several different applications. We will focus here on techniques, and learning with step-by-step examples of how to make specific sounds.

Topics Covered: 

  • FM Bass

  • Dirty Bass

  • Funk Bass

  • Wobble Bass

  • The Wub-Wubs.

  • Subbass

  • Some Weird Bass Sounds

  • And much, much more.

If you are ready to start making professional sounding tracks, this is the class that will start you on that journey. Get started today.

Dr. Allen is a university music professor and is a top-rated Udemy instructor - with nearly 100 courses and over 300,000 students.

In 2017 Star Tribune Business featured him as a "Mover and a Shaker," and he is recognized by the Grammy Foundation for his music education classes. 

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough sound design course available ANYWHERE on the market - or your money back (30-day money-back guarantee)

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢  "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢  "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢  "Excellent explanations.  No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢  "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You. " - Jeffrey Koury

⇢  "I am learning LOTS.  And I really like having the worksheets. " - A. Deichsel

⇢  "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips. " - J. Pook

⇢  "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class. " M. Smith

Students who register for this course will receive ongoing exclusive content and discounts for all future classes in the series. 

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction
My Approach in this Class
How to Use This Class
Let's start with FM Bass - classic, but still edgy.
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Features insights from multiple experienced sound designers, offering diverse perspectives and techniques for creating unique bass sounds
Focuses on techniques applicable across various DAWs, making it versatile for producers regardless of their preferred software
Explores a range of bass sound design, from FM and dirty bass to wobble and sub-bass, catering to diverse electronic music genres
Includes content from Ableton Certified Trainer James Patrick, who is known for his expertise in music production and performance
Requires familiarity with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) and basic music production concepts, which may not be suitable for absolute beginners

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Reviews summary

Practical bass & subbass sound design recipes

According to learners, this course offers a highly practical approach to bass and subbass sound design, presenting techniques as actionable recipes. Students particularly value the insights from multiple expert instructors, praising their real-world techniques for creating a variety of specific bass sounds like FM, wobble, and subbass. The focus on DAW-independent techniques is a significant plus, making the skills applicable regardless of software. Overall, students find it highly effective for producing professional sounding tracks, although some prior synthesis knowledge is helpful.
Covers a wide range of styles
"Really enjoyed diving into FM and Wobble basses."
"Covers essential types like Subbass and Reece that I needed."
"Liked the variety from funky bass to heavy wubs."
"Explores interesting sounds I hadn't thought of making myself."
Techniques work across software
"Great that the focus is on techniques, not just one synth or DAW."
"I use Logic, and I could follow most lessons and apply them."
"Appreciate the general principles that apply anywhere."
"Not tied to Ableton which is refreshing for users of other DAWs."
Actionable step-by-step sound design
"It's exactly what it says - a recipe book. Clear steps for great sounds."
"Loved the breakdown of how to make specific basses."
"Very actionable content, I could replicate sounds immediately."
"Helped me build a library of go-to bass sounds for my productions."
Learn from industry leaders
"The guest instructors are amazing, bringing real-world expertise."
"Loved learning from people actually working in the industry."
"Jason's guidance ties everything together perfectly."
"The insights from Jack Denny alone were worth the price of admission."
Best for those with basic synthesis
"Might be a bit fast-paced if you've never touched a synth before."
"Assumes some familiarity with basic synthesis concepts."
"Good if you know the basics, but maybe not for total novices."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1: Basses and Subbass with these activities:
Review FM Synthesis Fundamentals
Solidify your understanding of FM synthesis principles before diving into advanced bass sound design techniques.
Browse courses on FM Synthesis
Show steps
  • Review the basics of oscillators, modulators, and carriers.
  • Practice creating simple FM synth patches.
  • Experiment with different modulation routings and ratios.
Read 'The Secrets of Dance Music Production'
Study a book on dance music production to learn more about the context in which bass sounds are used.
Show steps
  • Read the chapters on sound design, mixing, and mastering.
  • Pay attention to the sections on bass sound design and mixing bass sounds.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Read 'Sound on Sound' articles on synthesis
Explore articles on synthesis to deepen your understanding of the underlying principles.
View In Bloom (Set) on Amazon
Show steps
  • Search the Sound on Sound archive for articles on FM, wavetable, and subtractive synthesis.
  • Read articles related to the specific bass techniques covered in the course.
  • Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Document Your Bass Sound Design Process
Reinforce your learning by documenting your sound design process for creating different types of bass sounds.
Show steps
  • Choose a specific bass sound to create (e.g., FM bass, wobble bass, sub bass).
  • Record a video or write a blog post detailing each step of your sound design process.
  • Explain the choices you made and the reasons behind them.
  • Share your documentation with other students for feedback.
Recreate Bass Sounds from Popular Tracks
Sharpen your sound design skills by attempting to recreate bass sounds from your favorite tracks.
Show steps
  • Choose 2-3 bass-heavy tracks from genres like dubstep, drum and bass, or trap.
  • Analyze the frequency spectrum and sonic characteristics of the bass sounds.
  • Use your DAW and plugins to recreate the sounds as closely as possible.
  • Compare your recreations to the original sounds and identify areas for improvement.
Design a Bass Sound Library
Apply your knowledge to create a collection of unique bass sounds that you can use in your own music productions.
Show steps
  • Define the scope of your bass sound library (e.g., genre, style, specific types of bass sounds).
  • Create a variety of bass sounds using the techniques learned in the course.
  • Organize and categorize your sounds for easy access.
  • Create demo tracks showcasing the sounds in action.

Career center

Learners who complete Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1: Basses and Subbass will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sound Designer
A Sound Designer crafts auditory elements for various media, frequently working in music, film, video games, and interactive installations. This role involves creating original sounds, manipulating existing audio, and integrating sound effects to enhance the overall experience. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1: Basses and Subbass can be exceptionally valuable for a sound designer looking to expand their skillset, especially in bass and sub-bass design. The course provides methods for FM bass, dirty bass, funk bass, wobble bass, and more. Learning from experienced instructors like Jack Denny and Joe Dumpling prepares the sound designer to create professional-quality sounds.
Electronic Musician
An Electronic Musician creates music using electronic instruments, synthesizers, and digital audio workstations. This encompasses a wide range of genres, including EDM, techno, house, and ambient music. Electronic musicians can benefit from Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 by expanding their toolkit of sound design techniques, specifically in crafting bass-heavy tracks. The course's practical recipes for creating FM bass, dirty bass, and wobble bass, taught by experienced professionals, offers a foundation for creating cutting-edge electronic music. In particular, modules on the wub-wubs, sounds, and sub-bass give electronic musicians insight into creating rhythmic dance music.
Music Producer
A Music Producer oversees the creation of music, from initial concept to final master. This includes composing, arranging, recording, mixing, and mastering tracks. Music producers should take Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 to gain a competitive edge in creating distinct and impactful basslines. This course, with its focus on various bass techniques, helps build a foundation in sound design, a critical element in modern music production. The course's modules on FM bass and wobble bass production are directly applicable to creating commercially viable tracks.
Audio Engineer
The Audio Engineer is responsible for the technical aspects of recording, manipulating, mixing, and reproducing sound. Skills in sound design, especially concerning bass and sub-bass, enhance an audio engineer's ability to deliver high-quality audio products. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 offers insight into creating diverse bass sounds using methods applicable across different digital audio workstations. The knowledge gained about FM synthesis and sub-bass techniques from experts like Zak Khan can directly improve the engineer's mixing and mastering skills, and ability to process low end frequencies.
Remixer
A Remixer takes existing songs and reinterprets them, adding new elements, changing the tempo, or altering the overall feel. This often involves a deep understanding of sound design and music production techniques. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 can be especially useful for remixers who want to add unique and impactful basslines to their remixes. The course, with its focus on various bass techniques, provides the knowledge to create cutting-edge sounds, helping the remixer to stand out. The modules on FM bass and wobble bass production are directly applicable to creating commercially viable remixes.
Game Audio Designer
A Game Audio Designer creates the sounds and music for video games. This role involves designing sound effects, composing background music, and implementing audio cues that enhance the game's atmosphere and player experience. Game Audio Designers should enroll in Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 to improve their competence in crafting impactful sound effects, particularly those involving bass and sub-bass frequencies. The course explores creating a variety of bass sounds, which adds depth and realism to in-game audio. The course's instructors offer useful approaches to dynamic and engaging sound effects in video games.
Synthesizer Programmer
A Synthesizer Programmer designs and creates sounds for synthesizers, often working for music software companies or as a freelancer. This role requires deep knowledge of synthesis techniques and audio processing. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 can be useful for synthesizer programmers since it provides a wealth of knowledge and techniques specifically focused on FM synthesis, dirty bass, and wobble bass. It also provides approaches for synthesizer programming by experts such as James Patrick. The course may help programmers learn new sound design approaches.
DJ
A Disc Jockey, or DJ, selects and plays music for an audience, often blending tracks together to create a continuous mix. DJs leverage the power of bass and sub-bass to engage dance floors and create memorable experiences. DJs can study Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 to gain a deeper understanding of how to manipulate and enhance the bass frequencies in their mixes. The course explores the creation of funk bass, wobble bass, and diverse sub-bass sounds, offering the basis for unique and compelling DJ sets. The techniques taught will help DJs set themselves apart by creating custom sounds.
Film Composer
The Film Composer creates original music scores for films, enhancing emotional impact and storytelling. While film scores often feature orchestral elements, electronic sound design is increasingly important, especially for action and science fiction genres. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 may be valuable for film composers seeking to integrate electronic bass and sub-bass elements into their scores. The course provides a foundation in creating various bass sounds. A better understanding of bass production techniques is useful to composing scores with that include modern electronic elements.
Audio Post Production
Audio Post Production professionals handle the final stages of audio production for film, television, and other media. Audio Post Production specialists may find The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 to be useful for learning how to create various bass sounds. This course, which covers techniques for FM bass, dirty bass, and more, offers a basis for post production specialists who want to improve the depth and impact of their audio projects. This course may help broaden horizons.
Multimedia Artist
A Multimedia Artist creates art using a combination of different media, such as audio, video, and interactive technologies. This role involves creating immersive experiences and visual communication using a variety of tools and techniques. Multimedia artists may find Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 useful, as it provides a foundation in sound design specifically focused on bass and sub-bass. Because the course teaches how to create a range of bass sounds, this may help artists looking to incorporate unique auditory elements into their multimedia projects.
Sound Installation Artist
A Sound Installation Artist creates immersive auditory experiences in physical spaces, often using custom-built sound systems and interactive elements. This role requires a strong understanding of acoustics, sound design, and spatial audio techniques. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 can be useful for sound installation artists, as it provides a foundation in sound design, particularly focused on creating diverse bass and sub-bass sounds. The course's techniques may help artists who wish to add unique elements to their art.
Podcast Producer
A Podcast Producer manages the creation and distribution of podcasts, handling everything from recording and editing audio to adding sound effects and music. The role requires a good understanding of audio production techniques to ensure professional-quality sound. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 may be useful for podcast producers, as it provides methods for enhancing audio, especially with bass and sub-bass. The course's modules on making and manipulating bass may help enhance a podcast's production level.
Virtual Reality Audio Designer
A Virtual Reality Audio Designer creates immersive soundscapes for virtual reality experiences. This involves designing sound effects, composing background music, and implementing spatial audio techniques that enhance the user's sense of presence. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 may be useful for VR audio designers, as it provides methods for creating various bass sounds. The course's modules may help VR designers create more detailed audio.
Music Educator
A Music Educator teaches music theory, performance, and history to students of all ages. While typically associated with traditional instruments, modern music education increasingly includes electronic music production and sound design. The Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1 can be useful for music educators, as it provides a solid base of methods and techniques in bass and sub-bass production. The course, and its techniques for FM bass, dirty bass, and wobble bass, may help educators teach more advanced methods to students.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Ultimate Sound Design Recipe Book Vol 1: Basses and Subbass.
Provides a comprehensive overview of dance music production techniques, including sound design, mixing, and mastering. It covers a wide range of genres and styles, making it a valuable resource for anyone who wants to create professional-sounding dance music. It is particularly useful for those who want to learn more about bass sound design, as it has many chapters on this topic. It adds more breadth to the existing course.
Sound on Sound magazine with a large archive of articles on synthesis. These articles cover a wide range of topics, from the basics of synthesis to advanced techniques. It useful resource for anyone who wants to learn more about synthesis. It is particularly useful for those who want to learn about FM synthesis, as it has many articles on this topic. It provides additional depth to the existing course.

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