.279 Malstrom Bass Patch: Gravel

Here's a moderately unpleasant bass patch, full of grit and flatulence.

• Gravel ( Malstrom Patch | RNS File )
  

Remember that you're not limited to the mod and pitch wheels to make a patch come alive in a track. Automation of your Filter Frequency or Resonance is a pretty classic technique, but also try automating your Filter Envelope. In the RNS file provided, I made very small adjustments to the Amt knob, causing pretty obvious changes to the sound of the patch. Its very similar to modifying your Filter Frequency or Resonance, but sometimes that tiny difference can make or break a sound.

Patch Building Tip:

Be sure to take a look at Mod A in the patch. I use this curve waveform quite a bit, especially with lower settings on the Pitch or Index wheel, because I feel that it gives patches just a touch of instability. Try turning the modulator off and listen to the patch again. The difference is very subtle. It needs to be, otherwise you're not really adding to the character of the patch, but you're overwhelming it, but just a touch on the Pitch wheel gives you a slight deeper, slightly more complex sound. You can be a little more aggressive with the Index control, depending on the graintable you're using, but you should expect to use the same kind of restraint with Shift as you use with Pitch, unless you want your patch to spin out of control.