> Step by step
3. Resampling and modulating a rendered bass
1 Using a sampler to twist up a previously-processed bass is a creative way of making something new from a static sample. Let’s look at some resampling techniques using NI’s Kontakt 5. Set your DAW’s BPM to 174 and import Backing.wav and Growl.wav, before adding a new MIDI or instrument track with Kontakt loaded. Drag Bass.mid onto the track to trigger Kontakt 5.
2 We’ll use a bass sample from the last walkthrough – drag BassProcessed. wav into Kontakt’s main window to create a new instrument. Open the Mapping Editor and change the sample’s root note to F0 so it plays back in key. Now we can detune our sound to add some extra grit: open the Script Editor and choose Unisono-Portamento from the Factory Presets menu.
3 First, enable Portamento so Kontakt will recognise the added high notes in our MIDI pattern – turn Mono Mode to Legato and switch Portamento mode to Auto. Next, push the Unisono Voices to 3 with Detune and Spread both set at 40% to give the bass a thick, detuned sound without excessive width. Let’s use the Wave Editor’s looping features to create an interesting variation on our sample…
4 Open the Wave Editor and turn on the Sample Loop tab, then drag the edge of the yellow loop until you hear a change in the modulation. We’ve gone for a loop of about a second – having the modulation early in the sample works well here. If your sound clicks or pops at the loop points, push the X-Fade amount up to smooth it out – we’ve set ours at 1300ms. Next we’ll add movement with a multimode filter.
5 Click on a free Group Insert and add a Multi » SV Parallel LP/HP filter. We can modulate the filter by right-clicking the Cutoff and choosing LFO » Multi. The Multi LFO lets us mix different waveforms for modulation – we’ve used 70% sine, 59% triangle and -100% sawtooth to create interesting movement. Sync the LFO to a Frequency of 4 beats.
6 Finally, let’s assign filter Resonance and unison detune to a MIDI controller and record a live pass of automation back as audio. Having made the assignments, route Kontakt to an empty audio channel and hit record, using your MIDI controller’s mod wheel to add organic motion to the bass modulation as you print your live tweaks to a new audio file.