How to Sound Like Hedex: Jump-Up DnB Bass Sound Design Guide

Who is Hedex and Why Does He Sound So Good?

Hedex has become one of the biggest names in jump-up drum and bass. His tracks are instantly recognizable, built on bouncy, aggressive basslines, punchy drums, and an energy that is completely infectious on the dance floor. Tracks like “Copy Cat” and “Dollars” have become anthems in the DnB scene, and his sound has influenced a whole generation of jump-up producers.

The Hedex sound is characterized by several key elements. Tight, snappy bass patches that bounce between notes with precision. Punchy, well-processed drums that hit hard without cluttering the mix. Vocal chops and samples used creatively for hooks and fills. And an overall mix clarity that lets every element punch through, even on massive sound systems.

This guide breaks down the core techniques behind the Hedex-style jump-up sound. While you should always develop your own style, understanding how these sounds are made gives you tools and techniques you can apply to your own productions.

The Jump-Up Bass Sound

Oscillator Setup

Jump-up bass in the Hedex style is typically clean and tight rather than overly distorted or complex. In Serum, start with a wavetable that has moderate harmonic content. The “Basic Shapes” saw wave is a classic starting point. You do not need extremely complex wavetables for this style because the character comes from the processing and modulation rather than the raw oscillator.

Set your unison to 2-4 voices with light detune. You want width but not excessive spread. The bass needs to feel centered and punchy. Too much unison creates a washy, unfocused sound that does not work for jump-up. Keep it tight.

Filter and Envelope Settings

The filter is crucial for jump-up bass. Use a low-pass filter with moderate resonance. The key technique is using a fast filter envelope that creates a short, snappy attack on each note. Set a medium-fast attack, short decay, moderate sustain, and short release. This gives each bass note a “blip” at the beginning that makes it bounce.

Experiment with different filter types. The MG Low 24 filter gives a cleaner, tighter sound. The Dirty and Rough filter types add more grit and character. For Hedex-style sounds, you generally want something clean that can cut through a busy mix.

Drum Processing for Jump-Up DnB

Kick and Snare

The drums in jump-up DnB need to be punchy and present. Start with a tight, short kick with a strong transient and a controlled low end. Layer a top kick for extra click and presence. Your kick should punch through the bass without competing for the same frequency space.

The snare is equally important. Jump-up snares are typically bright and cracking, with a fast attack and a short tail. Layer multiple snare samples for thickness. Add parallel compression to bring up the body while maintaining the transient. A touch of reverb on a short room setting adds space without washing things out.

Hi-Hats and Percussion

Hi-hat programming in jump-up DnB is where a lot of the groove lives. Use a combination of closed and open hi-hats with varying velocities to create a rolling, energetic pattern. Offbeat hi-hat patterns are common and add to the bouncy feel. Add ride cymbals and percussion loops for extra texture in your drops.

Arrangement and Track Structure

Jump-up DnB follows a fairly established arrangement format. A 32-bar intro builds energy with drums and FX. The first drop hits with full bass, drums, and hooks. A breakdown strips things back, often featuring a vocal sample or atmospheric element. The second drop usually brings in a variation on the bass or a new bass sound entirely.

Hedex tracks often feature multiple bass sounds within a single track, switching between them to keep things interesting. This requires having several bass patches ready to go. Having a solid preset library makes this much easier because you can audition different bass sounds quickly and find combinations that work together.

Mixing Tips for the Jump-Up Sound

The Hedex sound is clean and punchy. This requires careful mixing. High-pass everything that does not need low-end energy. Sidechain your bass to the kick drum for clarity. Use surgical EQ to carve out space for each element. And keep your overall levels in check to maintain headroom for mastering.

Parallel processing is a powerful technique for this style. Instead of crushing your sounds with compression directly, blend a heavily compressed version underneath the original. This adds punch and presence while maintaining dynamics and transient detail.

Browse the Preset Drive shop for Serum preset packs with jump-up bass sounds, punchy leads, and DnB essentials. Having a library of go-to sounds means you can focus on writing tracks rather than spending hours on sound design.

Try our Free Serum Taster Pack to hear the quality of our presets before buying a full pack.

Build your jump-up arsenal. Visit the Preset Drive shop for bass music presets that will bring the energy to your DnB productions. Instant download, professionally designed, and ready to drop into Serum.

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For a complete overview of jump up bass sounds and preset recommendations, see our Jump Up Bass Serum Presets guide.