Control the low-end foundation
Bass often carries the greatest sustained energy in a mix, so small decisions can affect headroom, punch and clarity across the whole track. A successful low end depends on level, phase, timing and the relationship between bass and kick.
Sense of space
Stereo width and phase
In a classic case, a simpler bass sound usually does not have a very wide sense of space. However, increasing the sense of space in bass tracks is not an impossible process. A simple but high-quality reverb with a short decay time can greatly improve the sense of space in the bass. In this case, you do not have to worry as much about phase cancellation. Using delay on bass sounds can be confusing, so if you add delay, handle the echo with the built-in low-cut filter. This eliminates the noise-like sound and reduces the possibility of phase cancellation.
Phase cancellation
Phase cancellation can be a significant problem for bass sounds because the waveform on both sides has opposite polarity and therefore partially or completely cancels each other out. That is why spatializing bass using a chorus effect can be more problematic. Whether this effect is allowed depends on the specific tone, so its use may not necessarily cause problems, but it can happen. Check your work in mono as well. If the sound disappears, its volume decreases significantly, or you hear a strange sound, there is a chance of phase cancellation.
Low cut filter
Filtering and headroom
If we sharply cut off the lowest frequencies of the bass channel up to around 30 Hz, we get rid of the parts with the highest amplitude of the bass, but since humans do not hear this frequency range as well, we can safely eliminate it. However, this is not a golden rule; if the music as a whole does not require cutting, then only minimally handle the lower ranges this way. On the other hand, it is a fact that the recording will be clearer, and more headroom will remain for the music.
Frequency distribution
The relationship between kick and bass
The harmony of the kick drum and the bass matters. If the song allows, use a kick drum that sounds at a completely different frequency compared to the bass. For deeper bass, you can choose a more snappy kick drum. If this is not advantageous in the particular song, you should strive to match the fundamental tonality of the kick drum and the bass.
Rhythm and sidechain compression
If the bass sounds exactly when the kick drum does, the two sounds reinforce each other. Therefore, it is essential to choose the right kick drum or change the rhythmic harmony of the bass. Using a sidechain compressor on the bass track controlled by the drum can be a good solution, as the bass automatically quiets down when the kick drum hits, making the kick drum more pronounced and improving the balance between the two sounds.
Stereo width and bass
Use width with restraint
Other solutions for enhancing the sense of space, such as the Ozone Stereo Imager, are not advantageous for low frequencies, so avoid excessive use. Phase cancellation may occur.
If you need a high-quality electric bass guitar sound, try AI Bass Mini or AI Bass Ultimate. You can find more information on the Bitsonic product pages.