15 Ideas for Coming up with Basslines

There’s nothing that gets your listeners’ bodies moving more than a well-written bassline, so here’s 15 ideas to make your own

Some people start with the bass. Some add it last. Others are somewhere in between. Well, we’re here to tell you there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to composing funky basslines.

Although, if you’re struggling to find your groove with the grooviest element of your tracks, perhaps this list of 15 inspirational ideas for creating basslines will be of assistance. Without further ado, let’s jump right in!

 

Convert audio to MIDI as a template

Did you know you can convert an audio track into MIDI data? It’s a reliable way to get ideas flowing for basslines

 

Depending on your DAW, you should be able to convert an audio file into MIDI data. Naturally, this works best if the audio file you’re processing is a melody, bassline or chord loop. The AI will struggle if processing multiple patterns embedded in a single file.

So, whether you’ve found some chords you like, a melody, or even a pre-existing bassline sample that you fancy rewriting into your own MIDI sequence, you can always rely on this method.

 

Use Scaler 3’s music theory tools

Bosh out basslines true to music theory in no time at all – the best part: they’ll automatically harmonise with your chords and melodies

 

Platforms:	Windows and Mac
Type:	Music Theory Assistant
Format:	VST3, AU, AAX, Standalone
Features:	Chord detection, scale/mode mapping, bassline & melody generation, MIDI drag & drop

Scaler 3 is a beast when it comes to inspiring basslines. Start by selecting a scale and browsing its chord sets. Once you’ve locked in a progression, choose a Motion (a MIDI performance, basically) from the menu just above the piano keyboard.

Lock one in, drag it to your DAW to take it further, or you can also tweak the MIDI in the Arrange view to fit an exact rhythm or tone to make it yours.

 

Use your melody as a base for the bass

When running low on creative fuel, you can always use your melody as a template to create your bassline

 

If you’ve already got a melody down into MIDI, you can flip it into a bassline with some minor changes. Copy the rhythm, pitch it down a few octaves (as many as necessary), and suddenly you’ve got a groove that’s locked in and low-end ready. It’s one of the easiest ways to create a bassline that automatically harmonises with your track.

Be careful not to follow the melody note for note. Try simplifying the melody or transposing parts an octave down. Keep the energy but switch the context — now your bass and melody are moving like brothers in arms.

 

Use MIDIQ’s chords to inspire a bassline

Enjoy swift and intelligent MIDI generation to generate, or serve as a foundation for, a groovy bassline

 

Platforms:	Windows and Mac
Type:	Music Theory Assistant
Format:	AU, VST and VST3
Features:	Innovative shape sequencer, variable voice settings for chords, harmonies and melodies/basslines, automatic MIDI sequencing in-key

MIDIQ is another theory wizard you can count on within your DAW. It lets you feed in a signal, then spits out MIDI sequences in a fun and constructive way. Generate chords to inspire a bassline, or set the Voices to 1 to create one entirely in the plugin.

Even if you don’t use the exact output, it’s perfect for sparking inspiration. You might catch a rhythm, a movement, or a groove you wouldn’t have thought of otherwise. That makes MIDIQ an ideal creative springboard for basslines!

 

Drums first, bass after

The drums and bass often go hand-in-hand in compositional terms – so, why not use the kick rhythm as a basis for the bass?

 

Another simple and reliable way to create an effective bassline is to put your drums together first, or even just the kick, and let that drive the direction. This works because, most of the time, a bass note triggered at the same interval of a kick can emphasise the rhythm.

You can then, of course, add variations to make the bass stand on its own. This technique is especially reliable if you’re familiar with the typical drum patterns of whatever genre you’re composing. For instance, an 808 nearly always follows the kick in trap and drill.

 

You can count on Melody Sauce 2

If saving time is a priority, this plugin can generate you a top-notch bassline instantaneously

 

Platforms:	Windows and Mac
Type:	Melody Generation, Music Theory Assistant
Format:	VST, AU
Features:	Instantaneous melody and bassline generation, harmonious with other elements, multi-genre options

Melody Sauce 2 is a melody-generator that can produce surprisingly consistent basslines too. Just dial in the vibe — dark, funky, laid-back — and let the plugin work its magic. From there, you can extract and rework the pattern if you wish, or even move forward onto generating complementary chords and melodies.

Really, Melody Sauce can generate more options than your heart could desire. Just set the genre and the style, then rest assured at the click of a button.

 

Chop a pre-existing bass loop

Perhaps importing a bass loop into a sampler will give you the spark you need to produce the goods

 

If sampling is more your style, you can also go down the route of finding and splicing a bass loop to fit your needs. This works great for hip-hop and its sub genres like trap, lo-fi or drill.

This method can be especially useful if working from within a sample pack, where numerous loops match up. You also don’t have to limit yourself to taking the samples as they come. We encourage you to stay creative and chop those bad boys up to stay original.

 

Dive head first into Bass Master

What could be more useful for creating basslines than an entire plugin dedicated to bass itself?

 

 

Platforms:	Windows and Mac
Type:	Sophisticated bass instrument
Format:	AU, VST2
Features:	Loads of presets, comprehensive tuning controls, high-quality bass for any occasion

This instrument comes jam-packed with a ton of bass presets for you to load up whenever you need. You also have an intuitive interface loaded with macro controls to shape the sounds however you see fit.

In summary, if you like playing your own basslines on a MIDI controller, Bass Master can give you a wide range of possibilities under one hood. Or, you could even input into an external tool to generate the MIDI yourself. Either way, this instrument has you covered when in need.

 

Use a reference track

Yet another handy way to spark ideas for a bassline is to use one of your favourite tracks as a reference

 

Hey… there’s really no shame in listening to one of your own favoured tracks as a fan, shifting your focus to the bass pattern and then using that as a template to come up with your own. In fact, this can be one of the best ways to keep spirits high in the studio, as we’re often most excited as fans first and foremost.

So, next time you’re in a purely listening mood, keep a keen ear out for any notable basslines and remember them when next in the studio.

 

Use a groovebox, like Dialekt

A common-sense way to inspire grooves is by using a groovebox, of course!

Platforms:	Windows and Mac
Type:	Self-contained, comprehensive groovebox
Format:	VST2, VST3, AAX, Standalone
Features:	All-in-one beat maker with step sequencing, FX processing and sound design utilities, 27 synth engines and randomiser

A groovebox like Dialekt can be a failsafe instrument to keep things interesting in the studio. It can also take some of the weight off your shoulders when looking for a suitable bassline by allowing you to create one, in harmony with other elements all from within a contained interface.

Simply use the step sequencer inside of Dialekt to pattern a bass, and then sculpt the sound to your preference from the dedicated bass module settings. After (or before) you can introduce other elements too.

 

Ask AI for a helping hand

Nowadays, we can allow our machine to take free reign over bassline writing if we wish – and, it can do a pretty neat job too!

 

If inspiration is running thin and you’re throwing notes at a wall with nothing sticking, why not hand over the control to one of many AI tools available on the market? Something like Vondy or BassNet are promising AI prospects when it comes to bass specifically, but there are a whole array of tools out there for music assistance in general.

So, do some research, or even just hop into your preferred chatbot and ask it to recommend some. You’ll have new go-to bass-generating options in no time at all.

 

Synthesise your bass in SubBoomBass 2

If you want a titanic synth capable of generating acoustic-sounding bass patches, along with artificial ones, Rob Papen has you covered

 

Platforms:	Windows and Mac
Type:	Bass synthesiser
Format:	AU, VST, AAX, NKS compatible
Features:	Many high-quality presets, NKS compatible, modulation controls, included granular engine, resizable GUI

If you prefer to go down the route of virtual instrumentation to create basslines yourself through MIDI, SubBoomBass 2 is loaded with a vast expanse of fully customisable and modular presets for you to explore at your will.

It’s an ideal companion for those looking for synth sub bass sounds that have a more organic and natural sound, comparable to acoustic bass guitars. Although, some of the patches also go fully into the terrain of futuristic synth sounds too.

 

Collaborate with a bassist

You’re not alone out there, and requesting some real-world assistance from time to time can create some truly remarkable basslines

Photo Credit: Los Muertos Crew on Pexels

Stepping out of your comfort zone and mingling with other musical minds is a guaranteed way to get creative juices flowing and produce outcomes you wouldn’t have otherwise. There are plenty of talented musicians who can be ‘hired’ virtually on various websites, and with a wide variety of prices out there, this

With that being said, it’s a worthwhile investment to network with other musicians, and perhaps ask a real-life bass player to come up with something next time you need a bassline. This can work especially well if you’re going for acoustic instrument vibes.

 

Go inside of Kontakt with Bass Elements

Kontakt users can get themselves a reliable bass patch from this huge collection of bass sounds

 

Platforms:	Windows and Mac
Type:	Kontakt Instrument
Format:	Kontakt Instrument
Features:	Highly revered bass sound presets, 28gb of content, internal FX modules, 1400+ preset patches

Bass Elements comes stocked with 1400+ patches, demonstrating a wide variety of legendary and sought-after bass sounds from classic instruments (digital and analog), from Roland, Korg, Oberheim, Moog, Buchla and more.

In total, you’re getting a whopping 28GB of some of the most elite bass samples out there. With a wide variety of internal FX processing modules too, including reverb, delay, chorus, phaser, flanger and saturation, you’re getting a whole lotta bass bang for your bass buck.

 

Use a basic arpeggiator

Similar to using drums as an inspirational trackpad for your bass, get experimental and try out the same with an arpeggiator

 

In a lot of EDM music, basslines are repetitive and basic, whilst upholding danceability. They often follow a simple, yet effective groove that draws upon an arpeggiated rhythm. So, why not harness that knowledge when coming up with your basslines?

You can allow an arpeggiator of your choosing to spit out some patterns, and then build upon that groundwork to create a groove that carries the track. Jumping octaves or sidechaining certain arps to basses can create super pumping and momentum-building energy.