Get Your Bass Levels Right, Everytime! 🤯

Name: Get Your Bass Levels Right, Everytime! 🤯
Uploaded: 2026-03-09T10:59:50.938Z
Duration: 7 min 6 s
Channel: Alice Efe - Mercurial Tones Academy
Description: Detailed notes and chapters for Get Your Bass Levels Right, Everytime! 🤯 by Alice Efe - Mercurial Tones Academy. 5 chapters covering: Introduction and Reference Track Selection, Compression and Sub-bass Isolation, Peak Level Matching with Metering, Bass Body Analysis and EQ Adjustment, Final Adjustments and Listening.

Alice Efe - Mercurial Tones Academy7 minNov 14, 2022

getting your bass levels right is one of the biggest issues with all type of producers and today I have developed this flowchart to help you nail that low end every time

5 chapters

Introduction and Reference Track Selection(0'00 → 0'24)
Main Problem
Bass level adjustment is one of the biggest issues producers face across all genres and skill levels
Solution Overview
A flowchart-based system has been developed to help consistently nail the low end in your tracks
First Step
Pick a reference track that is relatively close to what you are making to avoid comparing apples and oranges
Track Example
A personal track called 'Veil' is used as a reference example to demonstrate the process
Compression and Sub-bass Isolation(0'24 → 1'38)
Check Compression
Examine if your reference track is compressed by looking at the waveform; a sausage-like appearance indicates heavy compression
Match Compression
• Compress your track to match the reference, using tools like FabFilter Pro L2 • Apply compression at the limit to emulate the same effect as the reference track
Filter Application
Add a low-pass filter around 60Hz to both your track and reference track to isolate just the sub-bass frequencies
Result
This filtering helps you focus on and compare only the sub-bass layer without interference from other frequencies
Peak Level Matching with Metering(1'38 → 3'48)
Tool Introduction
Use the free plugin Yuli Learns Meter to visualize and compare peak levels between your track and the reference
Meter Setup
• Turn off the loudness setting in the meter • Bring down the scale so you can see what's happening more clearly
Peak Adjustment
Open both tracks side by side and adjust the levels so the peaks match visually; if necessary, use a utility plugin to bring down the volume
Fine-tuning
The goal is similar peak levels, not exactly identical; account for the kick hitting harder and the sub-bass needing adjustment separately
Bass Body Analysis and EQ Adjustment(3'48 → 5'31)
Define Body
The bass body refers to the frequencies between 20Hz and 200Hz; this is different from the sub-bass you isolated earlier
EQ Technique
• Use a band-pass filter set to 20-200Hz to isolate just the body of the sound • Duplicate the EQ on your reference track using high-pass at 20Hz and low-pass at 200Hz
Layer Decision
Determine if your bass is a single sound or multiple layers; layered bass allows volume adjustment while single sounds may need filter cutoff or saturation
Matching Strategy
Don't aim for exact level matching; instead, stay in the ballpark and account for different character types between tracks
Final Adjustments and Listening(5'31 → 7'06)
Verify Compression
Check your compressor settings from the beginning; if compression is around 1-2dB, volume adjustments made during the process have minimal impact and are acceptable
Complete the Circle
After finishing all adjustments, go back and review the entire process one more time to ensure all volume adjustments are appropriate
Remove Filters
Remove all the low-pass and band-pass filters you added during analysis and listen to the full bass without constraints
Taste-based Refinement
Make small, final adjustments based on your preference and what sounds right; add warmth and beefiness to emphasize your bass character

Related videos