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Bubblegum Bass Tutorial in Ableton Operator

by | Aug 21, 2024 | Blog

bubblegum bass tutorial in ableton operator

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

What’s up, everyone? Subterranean here. And today, we’re going to dive into creating a unique sound that’s inspired by the artists on the PC music record label. This label is known for their expertise in the bubblegum bass sub-genre. Sounds like this are commonly used by artists such as Sophie and Agy Cook. But, the beauty of this sound is its versatility. You can easily incorporate it into other genres like dubstep, trap, future bass, or any style you can think of.

Table of contents

Introduction to Bubblegum Bass

The sound we’re going to create today is both unique and distinct, the kind that’s more defined by effects than intricate oscillator tweaks. So, let’s get started from scratch by booting up a fresh instance of Operator.

Setting Up the Oscillator

First, let’s set up our initial oscillator:

  1. Oscillator Settings:
    • Change the first oscillator to a Square D.
    • Crank up the level to 0 decibels.
    • Set the release to 1 millisecond.

And that’s it for the oscillators! We’re keeping it simple because the real magic happens with the effects we’ll apply later.

Adjusting the Pitch Envelope

Now, let’s move on to tweaking the pitch envelope:

  1. Turn the pitch envelope on.
  2. Set the pitch envelope to 100%.
  3. Set the spread to 100% for a nice stereo effect.
  4. Transpose up twelve semitones, which gives us a full octave.

Here’s how we further refine the initial pitch:

  1. Set the initial pitch to 48 semitones.
  2. Adjust the attack until you find a desirable sound. Around 14.2 milliseconds seems to hit the sweet spot.

Fine-Tuning the Parameters

Next, we’ll make some minor adjustments to perfect the sound:

  1. Volume:
    • Reduce the volume slightly to avoid clipping.
  2. Decay and Sustain:
    • Set decay around 189 to 191 milliseconds.
    • Set the sustain to 24 semitones.
  3. Peak:
    • Set this to -24 semitones.
  4. Attack, Decay, and Release Slopes:
    • Adjust the attack slope to -100.
    • Set the decay slope to 29.
    • Aim for around 30 for the release slope for consistency.

Adding Effects

Vocoder

Now, let’s introduce some effects. Starting with a vocoder:

  1. Settings:
    • Keep the carrier on noise.
    • Set depth to 200.
    • Adjust release to 52.2 milliseconds.
    • Increase the bands to 40.
    • Set the range to 18 kHz.
    • Adjust the format to 140.

Multiband Dynamics

Next, let’s add a Multiband Dynamics effect using the OTT preset, tweaking it to fit our needs:

  1. Set the high output to 10.5.
  2. Keep the mid output the same.
  3. Decrease the low output to 4.3 decibels.
  4. Slightly adjust the slider next to the mid output for more emphasis on the mids.

Reverb

We also need some reverb to give the sound more ambiance:

  1. Enable the low cut and high cut with a narrow slope.
  2. Adjust decay time to around 140 milliseconds.
  3. Turn off the chorus, as it doesn’t add to this sound.
  4. Set the dry/wet to 28%.

Equalizer

Now, let’s fine-tune our sound with an EQ Eight:

  1. First Band:
    • Change it to a low cut times four.
    • Cut unnecessary low frequencies around 178 Hz.
  2. Fourth Band:
    • Set the frequency to 4.65 kHz.
    • Adjust the gain to around 1.67 decibels.

Arpeggiator

Lastly, for that iconic bubbly, watery effect, we’ll use a MIDI effect – the arpeggiator. Place this at the very beginning of your rack, even before the Operator:

  1. Settings:
    • Set the gate to 48%.
    • Adjust the distance to 8 semitones.
    • Set the steps to 3.
    • Optionally, tweak these settings depending on your desired sound.

Here is our newly crafted sound!

2 bubblegum bass tutorial in ableton operator

Modulating the Rate

To make the pattern more interesting, let’s modulate the rate:

  1. Start at 1/16.
  2. Change to 1/8.
  3. Then switch to 1/12.
  4. Return to 1/16.

Final Sound

And there you have it! This unique sound is ready to be used in your next hit track.

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Bubblegum Bass Tutorial In Ableton Operator – music production tutorial – sound design tips

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. It’s been a blast showing you how to create this distinctive bubblegum bass sound using Ableton Operator. Feel free to download the full Ableton project file from the link in the description box below.

Please like this video, leave a comment, and subscribe to our channel for more awesome tutorials!

“The distinctness of this sound truly comes from the effects applied to it rather than the oscillators.”

Happy producing!

FAQs

What is bubblegum bass and how can I use it?

Bubblegum bass is a genre characterized by its upbeat, playful sound with a heavy emphasis on effects. You can use it in various genres like dubstep, trap, and future bass to add a unique and energetic touch to your tracks.

What are the basic steps to set up the oscillator in Ableton Operator for bubblegum bass?

Start by setting the first oscillator to Square D, adjust the level to 0 dB, and set the release to 1 millisecond. These settings provide a simple foundation before applying more complex effects.

How do I adjust the pitch envelope for bubblegum bass in Ableton?

Turn on the pitch envelope, set it to 100% with a spread of 100% for stereo effect, transpose up 12 semitones, and fine-tune the initial pitch to 48 semitones. Adjust the attack to around 14.2 milliseconds for the desired sound.

What effects are used to enhance the bubblegum bass sound in this tutorial?

Key effects include a vocoder with noise carrier, multiband dynamics (OTT preset), reverb with specific decay and EQ settings, and an arpeggiator to add a bubbly, watery effect. Each effect contributes to the unique character of the sound.

How can I modify the arpeggiator settings to get different patterns?

Start with a 1/16 rate, switch to 1/8, then 1/12, and return to 1/16. Adjusting these settings will create varied rhythmic patterns, making the sound more interesting and dynamic.

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