The Art of Future Bass: How to Create Beats that Transcend Time

When we talk about Future Bass, we dive into a sea of colorful vibes and intense emotions, a genre that has evolved to become a mainstay of modern electronic music. If you've ever been carried away by the sonic waves of Flume, Illenium or San Holo, you know what I'm talking about. This article will guide you through the process of creating a future bass beat, combining technique with a touch of musical poetry.

A Glimpse into the Past: Future Bass History

To really understand future bass, we must go back in time and explore its roots. Emerging in the mid-2010s, future bass is a direct descendant of trap and dubstep, but with an identity all its own. This genre is characterized by bright, vibrant sounds, melodic bass lines and complex chords.

Pioneering artists such as Flume, Cashmere Cat and Rustie were the first to experiment with these sounds, creating an atmosphere that was both futuristic and emotionally resonant. Their productions laid the groundwork for a genre that quickly captured the imagination of producers and listeners alike.

Historical and Social Context: The Digital Age

Future bass is not only a product of its time, but also a response to it. As technology advanced and digital platforms democratized music production, a new generation of artists emerged. These producers, armed with laptops and accessible software, broke down the traditional barriers of the music industry.

In a social context marked by globalization and hyperconnectivity, future bass became a soundtrack for a generation seeking emotional connections in a digital world. Social networks and streaming platforms allowed this music to spread rapidly, creating global communities of fans and producers.

Evolution of the Genre: From Experimental to Mainstream

Future bass has evolved significantly since its inception. What began as an experiment in the confines of home studios has transformed into a global phenomenon. In the beginning, producers played with synthesizers and sound effects, creating tracks that were both ethereal and energetic.

Over time, the genre diversified and refined. Artists like Illenium and Gryffin took future bass to new heights, infusing it with elements of pop and rock, and creating hits that dominated the charts. At the same time, the underground scene continued to push the boundaries, experimenting with new textures and rhythms.

Inspiration: Where It All Begins

Before we dive into the technical intricacies, it's crucial to talk about inspiration. Future bass is more than a set of sounds; it's an experience. Find your muse in the beat of your heart, in the murmur of the wind, in the colors of a sunset. Let these sensations guide your creativity.

An important resource that you can use when creating your Future Bass beats are the samples, and luckily Soundtrap brings us Kandy: EDM Sound Pack with Loops and Samples, a sound pack that will give you all the necessary resources to start on this journey.

Step 1: The Rhythmic Base

The first brick in the construction of your beat is the rhythmic base. Here, the key is to combine powerful drums with a groove that gets the crowd moving. Go for a deep kick and a crisp snare. The kick should hit like a heartbeat, marking the beat of your creation. The snare, on the other hand, should be clear and resonant, like a crack in a cavern.

Future bass generally moves between 140 and 160 BPM. This tempo range is crucial to maintain the vibrant energy characteristic of the genre.

Pro Tip: Synchronization Is Key

Use a metronome to make sure every beat is in place. Don't underestimate the importance of rhythmic precision in this type of music; a well-timed beat can be the difference between a good track and an unforgettable one.

Soundtrap’s Beatmaker will help you build out the perfect Future Bass drums.

Step 2: Chords and Melody

Chords in future bass are often rich and complex, creating an enveloping atmosphere. Use soft and warm synthesizers, and experiment with different harmonic progressions. 

Generally you can use major keys and more complex chords like Maj7 or with ninths to generate more colors. 

The melody should be catchy but emotive, a common thread that weaves everything together, and choose a lead sound that is bright and expressive.

Pro Tip: Play with the Pitch

A common trick in future bass is the use of pitch bend to add dynamics to your melodies. Don't be afraid to bend and stretch notes; this flexibility can add an extra layer of excitement to your music.

Step 3: The Bass that Makes the Soul Vibrate

The bass in future bass is not a mere accompaniment, it is a powerful voice. It should be thick and penetrating, complementing the chords and melody. Use sub-bass to fill in the low frequencies and make sure it's felt as much as heard.

Pro Tip: Sidechain is Your Friend

The sidechain compression technique is essential. It makes the bass and kick coexist harmoniously, allowing each element to breathe. This "breathing" is what gives future bass its characteristic pump.

Step 4: Details and Texture

This is where your creativity can really shine. Add percussive elements, sound effects and layers of textures to give your track depth. Small details, like a shimmering hi-hat or a smooth background pad, can transform an ordinary track into a masterpiece.

Pro Tip: Less is More

Don't overdo it. Every element should have its space and purpose. Sometimes a strategic pause or silence can be more powerful than any sound.

Step 5: Structure and Flow

Finally, organize your beat into a coherent structure. A good future bass track usually has a smooth intro, a build-up that increases tension, a drop that releases all the pent-up energy, then lets the energy decompress with a breakdown, and finally an outro that leaves the listener wanting more.

Pro Tip: Tell a Story

Think of your track as a narrative. Each section should take the listener on a journey, with highs and lows, moments of calm and bursts of energy.

Read more: How To Make Pro Beats: Step-by-Step Guide

Layering Technique: The Magic in Layers

Layering is a fundamental technique in the creation of future bass beats. It consists of layering multiple sounds to create a rich and complex texture. Imagine each layer as a color on your palette, each bringing a unique tonality that, when combined, brings to life a vibrant soundscape.

Start with the basics: a layer of soft chords, a lead melody and a powerful bass. Then add details such as arpeggios, pads and effects that complement and enrich the base. The key is to find the perfect balance where each layer has its space and function without saturating the mix.

Think also that this technique can be used mainly to enrich the base of your sounds. If you have the sound of a bass that you like but you feel that it does not have enough strength or weight in low frequencies, you can, instead of looking for a new bass, overlay one that helps you to complement your sound, this will make your creative process much more efficient and will open the way to experiment and generate new textures in your productions.

Synth Layers

Use various synthesizers to create your chords and leads. For example, you can combine a soft pad with a bright pluck to give depth and sparkle to your chords.

Percussion Layers

Don't limit yourself to just one percussion sound. Layering different kick and snare samples can add an extra dimension to your beat. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect sound.

Effects Layers

Add effects like reverbs, delays and filters at different levels to create a three-dimensional sound space. These effects not only fill in the gaps, but also add movement and life to your track.

Tips & Tricks

To take your future bass productions to the next level, here are some advanced tips:

• Listen to music: To start creating instrumentals according to a specific genre you must be familiar with it, so having heard it will be an advantage in your creativity. Here is a recommended playlist.

• Creative Automation: Automate parameters such as filter cutoff, resonance and volume to add movement and dynamics to your tracks; as well as automate your timing effects such as reverb and delay.

• Vocal development: Vocals are a key element in many future bass tracks. Experiment with vocal chops, formants and harmonies to create unique and emotive vocal lines. You can start experimenting with the Vocoder, an amazing tool to manage your vocals and find new resources for your creativity.

Interaction and Community

An important part of growing as a producer is interacting with other musicians. Participate in online forums and communities such as Reddit (r/edmproduction), Gearslutz, and Facebook groups dedicated to music production. These spaces will not only give you feedback, but also allow you to learn new techniques and tricks from other producers.

Support yourself with tools like Soundtrap, a platform that allows you to collaborate with your projects online, this opens a great space to share your projects and work as a team with other producers.

The Future of Future Bass

Future bass is a constantly evolving genre. As producers continue to experiment with new textures and techniques, we can expect an even greater fusion with other genres such as lo-fi, hyperpop, and chillwave. Stay on top of these trends and don't hesitate to incorporate innovative elements into your own productions.

Conclusion: The Magic of Future Bass

Creating a future bass beat is both a technical and emotional journey. It requires patience, practice and, above all, passion. Let your heart guide your hands as you manipulate the sounds. With every beat, every note and every texture, you are painting a sonic masterpiece that can transcend time.

Remember, future bass is not just music; it's a connection, a vibration that resonates in the soul. So go ahead, create, experiment and leave your mark on the musical universe.

About the author

Odiseo is a music producer and mixing and mastering engineer with experience ranging from music creation as a session and concert musician, beatmaker, live sound engineer, and recording engineer, to audio production for short films, providing a broad perspective on technical concepts and musical skills to take music to another level.