Step by step

1. The classic detuned sine bass

1 Along with the iconic 808 kick, the old-school wobbly sine is one of the signature bass sounds of old-school jungle. To synthesise this basic but weighty sound, set up two identical sine wave oscillators in any two-oscillator synth and detune them in equal opposing directions.

2 The phase inconsistencies of the detuned oscillators create a familiar rhythmic ‘beating’ effect as the two waveforms drift in and out of phase. Two factors define the speed of the beating: the oscillators’ pitch, and the amount by which the two oscillators are detuned apart.

3 To help the rhythmic beating fit with your beat’s groove, first program your MIDI notes in context with your drums and other melodic parts, then fine-tune the detune values until the rate of the wobble fits your groove and the notes played. Push the wavering oscillators through analogue-style distortion for grunt.