Drum and bass: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 18:33, 29 May 2006

Revision as of 22:22, 29 May 2006

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The name "drum and bass" should not lead to the assumption that tracks are constructed solely from these elements. Nevertheless, they are by far and away the most critical features, and usually dominate the mix of a track. The genre places great importance on deep [[sub-bass]] which is felt physically as much as it is heard, the "bassline". There has also been considerable exploration of different [[timbre]]s in the bassline region, particularly within [[techstep]]. Basslines exist in many forms, but most notably they originate from [[Sampling (music)|sampled]] sources or [[synthesizer]]s. Live played basslines are rare. Sampled basslines are often taken from [[double bass]] recordings or from publicly available loops. Synthesized basslines are very common.

In drum & bass productions, the basslines are subjected to many and varied [[sound effect]]s, including standard techniques such as echo, flanger, chorus, over-drive, equalization, etc. and drum & bass specific techniques such as the [[Reece Bass]], in fact not a technique per se, but the degrees of processing, distortion and filtering placed upon a widely-used sample of Kevin Saunderson's most infamous 'Reece' bassline sample. These techniques are fully appreciated in a club or rave environment as only high grade bass speakers can fully reproduce the sounds of the eponymous bassline, whose frequences are sometimes lower than audible (they can however be felt on the body). This has led to the creation of very large and intensely loud [[soundsystems]] by producers wishing to show off their tracks in a true high fidelity environment, such as [[Dillinja]]'s [[Valve Soundsystem]]. This however does not mean that the music cannot be appreciated on personal equipment.

The drum element, that is the syncopated break, is another that producers spend a very large amount of time on. A drum fragment lasting seconds may often take a day or more to prepare, depending on the dedication of the producer; here [[Remarc]] is an acknowledged master.