How to Use Multiband Distortion in Bass Music Production

Multiband distortion is one of the most powerful tools in a bass music producer’s arsenal. Unlike standard distortion that processes your entire signal at once, multiband distortion lets you apply different types and amounts of distortion to separate frequency bands. The result is aggressive, detailed bass sounds that maintain clarity and weight.

In this guide, we cover how to use multiband distortion effectively in dubstep, riddim, and other bass-heavy genres. These techniques work in any DAW with any multiband distortion plugin.

What Is Multiband Distortion?

Standard distortion applies the same processing to your entire audio signal. This can cause problems with bass sounds because distorting low frequencies creates harsh intermodulation distortion, while the mid and high frequencies might not get enough grit.

Multiband distortion solves this by splitting your signal into separate frequency bands (usually 2-4 bands) and letting you apply different distortion types and intensities to each one. This means you can keep your sub bass clean while absolutely destroying your mid-range with aggressive waveshaping.

Best Multiband Distortion Plugins

• Xfer OTT + Trash 2: A classic combination used by countless dubstep producers
• FabFilter Saturn 2: Arguably the most versatile multiband distortion plugin available, with extensive modulation options
• Kilohearts Multipass: Modular approach that lets you build custom multiband processing chains
• Serum built-in distortion: The distortion module in Serum can be combined with the multiband compressor for similar results
• Ableton Multiband Dynamics + Saturator: Free if you have Ableton Suite

Setting Up Your Frequency Bands

The most common setup for bass music uses three bands. Here is a starting point that works well for most dubstep and riddim bass sounds:

Band 1: Sub (20-150Hz)

This is your foundation. In most cases, you want little to no distortion on this band. Heavy distortion on sub frequencies creates ugly harmonics that eat up headroom and muddy your mix. If you do add distortion here, keep it subtle – a gentle tube saturation at most.

Band 2: Mid (150Hz-3kHz)

This is where the magic happens. The mid-range is where you get all the character, aggression, and movement in your bass sounds. This band can handle heavy distortion – waveshaping, bitcrushing, and hard clipping all work well here. Experiment with different distortion types to find the character you want.

Band 3: High (3kHz+)

The high band adds presence and air to your bass sounds. Use moderate distortion here – enough to add sizzle and detail, but not so much that it becomes harsh or fatiguing. Tape saturation and soft clipping work particularly well on this band.

Distortion Types Explained

Different distortion algorithms create different sonic characteristics. Understanding what each type does will help you make better choices:

• Soft Clipping: Rounds off peaks gently. Warm and musical. Good for sub bass and subtle mid-range processing
• Hard Clipping: Chops peaks flat. Aggressive and buzzy. Perfect for creating that riddim-style square wave bass
• Waveshaping: Uses a transfer curve to reshape the waveform. Extremely versatile and can create anything from subtle warmth to extreme mangling
• Bitcrushing: Reduces bit depth for a digital, crunchy character. Great for adding texture to mid-range bass
• Tube/Valve: Emulates the harmonic saturation of vacuum tubes. Warm, rich, and musical. Works well on all frequency ranges
• Tape: Emulates the gentle compression and saturation of analog tape. Adds subtle warmth and glue

Practical Techniques for Bass Music

The Clean Sub, Dirty Mid Technique

This is the bread and butter of modern dubstep production. Set your crossover point at around 150Hz. Apply zero distortion to Band 1 (sub). Then go heavy on Band 2 with waveshaping or hard clipping. Blend the two bands to taste. This gives you a powerful sub foundation with an aggressive mid-range character sitting on top.

Progressive Distortion Automation

Automate the distortion drive on your mid-range band throughout your drop. Start with moderate distortion at the beginning and gradually increase it as the drop progresses. This creates a sense of building intensity that keeps the energy rising.

Frequency Band Width Modulation

Some plugins like FabFilter Saturn let you modulate the crossover frequencies. Try automating the crossover point between your sub and mid bands. Moving it up and down changes which frequencies get distorted, creating evolving tonal movement.

Mixing Considerations

Multiband distortion can dramatically change the spectral balance of your sounds. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Check your levels after processing: Distortion adds harmonics that increase overall volume. Use a gain plugin after your distortion to level match
• Watch for phase issues: Splitting audio into bands and processing them differently can create phase problems at the crossover points. Most quality plugins handle this well, but it is worth checking
• Use a spectrum analyser: Keep an eye on your frequency content before and after distortion. Make sure you are not creating unwanted resonances or frequency buildups
• Reference your mix: Constantly compare your processed bass to reference tracks to make sure your distortion levels are appropriate for the genre

Start with Quality Sounds

Multiband distortion works best when you start with well-designed source sounds. Our Serum preset collections are crafted with processing in mind, giving you a solid foundation to build on with your own distortion chains.

For a deeper dive into distortion theory and advanced techniques, check out iZotope’s learning resources which cover the science behind different distortion types in detail.

Related Preset Packs

Looking for professional bass music presets? Check out these Serum preset packs:

• Dirty Bass Master Bundle Vol. 1 & 2