How to Make Dubstep Music for Free

Looking to get into dubstep music production but don’t have the cash to invest in expensive software? Check out this guide on how to make dubstep music for free!

Introduction

Dubstep is a subgenre of electronic dance music that emerged in the late 1990s. It is characterized by its heavy bass and drum beats, often with grandiose and reverberant soundscapes. The genre has been greatly popularized in recent years by artists such as Skrillex, Diplo, and Bassnectar. While dubstep music can be made with expensive software and equipment, it is also possible to create dubstep tracks for free using online tools and samples. With a little time and effort, anyone can create their own dubstep music at home.

What You Will Need

To make dubstep music, you will need a computer with an internet connection, a good pair of speakers or headphones, and a Dubstep DAW. A DAW is a digital audio workstation, which is basically a piece of software that allows you to create, edit, and mix audio files. There are many different DAWs available on the market, but for this article we will be using the free version of FL Studio.

You will also need a drum machine or sampler. This can either be in the form of hardware or software. For this article we will be using the free version of Dr Drum.

Last but not least, you will need some sounds to work with. These can either be samples that you have recorded yourself, or ones that you have downloaded from the internet. For this article we will be using a selection of free samples from Splice Sounds.

Step One: Choose Your DAW

In order to make dubstep music, you will need a digital audio workstation (DAW). There are many different types of DAWs available, but some of the most popular ones used by dubstep producers include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, and FL Studio. If you are just starting out, we recommend using FL Studio because it has a relatively low learning curve and is very affordable. However, feel free to use whatever DAW you are most comfortable with.

Once you have chosen your DAW, the next step is to choose a sub-genre of dubstep that you want to produce. Some of the most popular sub-genres include wonky, darkstep, brostep, and minimal dubstep. Once you have chosen your sub-genre, it is time to start making music!

If you need help getting started, there are plenty of online tutorials and forums that can assist you. Just do a quick search for “how to make dubstep” and you should be able to find what you’re looking for.

Step Two: Choose Your Synth

Now that you have your drum track, it’s time to choose your synth. A good starting point is the Massive synth from Native Instruments. It’s a powerful plugin that is perfect for beginners. If you don’t have Massive, you can use any other synth that you like. Just make sure that it has a sub bass sound.

Once you have chosen your synth, it’s time to start programming your bass line. If you’re not sure how to do this, don’t worry! There are plenty of tutorials online that can help you get started.

Once you have your bass line, it’s time to add some effects. Dubstep music is all about the bass, so make sure that your bass sound is as huge as possible! You can do this by using a compressor and EQ to shape your sound. You might also want to add some reverb and delay to create a more spacey sound.

Step Three: Choose Your Samples

Now that you have your DAW and VSTs set up, it’s time to start working on your track. The first thing you’ll need to do is choose your samples.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing samples for dubstep. First, the tempo should be around 140 BPM. Second, the sample should have a heavy bassline. And third, the sample should be somewhat dark and foreboding.

One great place to find dubstep samples is Splice Sounds. They have a large selection of both free and paid samples. Once you find a sample you like, download it and import it into your DAW.

When you’ve imported the sample into your DAW, it’s time to start editing it. The first thing you’ll want to do is cut out any unnecessary parts of the sample. For example, if there’s a intro or outro that you don’t need, get rid of it.

Next, you’ll want to add some effects to the sample. Reverb and delay are two effects that work well with dubstep samples. Experiment with different settings until you find something that sounds good.

Once you’re happy with the sound of the sample, it’s time to start layering it with other samples. Dubstep tracks usually have between four and eight different layers of sound. So start by adding a few more samples to your track. Again, be sure to edit each sample individually before moving on to the next one.

As you add more layers to your track, it will start to take shape and sound more like a complete song. Continue adding layers until you’re happy with the way the track sounds. Then export the track as an MP3 file so you can share it with your friends!

Step Four: Arrange Your Samples

Now that you have your samples, it’s time to start arranging them into a song. The best way to do this is to use a music production software like FL Studio, Logic Pro, or Ableton Live.

In your software, create a new project and import all of the samples you downloaded earlier. Once they’re imported, you can start dragging and dropping them into your arrangement window.

Start by placing your drums first. Create a kick drum by dragging a bass drum sample onto your arrangement window. Then, add a snare by placing a snare drum sample next to the kick drum.

After the drums, you can start adding in your other samples. Place them wherever you think they sound best. Experiment with different placements and see what sounds good to you.

Once you have all of your samples arranged, it’s time to start creating your beat. Dubstep is typically around 140 BPM, so set your project tempo to that. Then, start adding in drums and other percussion to create your beat. Place kick drums on the first and third beat of each measure, and snare drums on the second and fourth beat.

As you’re creating your beat, keep in mind that dubstep is all about the drops. So make sure your drops are big and impactful! To do this, add in lots of low end with basslines and sub-bass frequencies. You can also add in synths and other sound effects to make things interesting.

Step Five: Mix and Master

In the final stage, you will need to mix and master your song. This involves adjusting the level of each sound so that everything is balanced, and then using a limiter to make sure the volume of the final track is at a suitable level.

Conclusion

In conclusion, making dubstep music for free is definitely possible. By using the techniques and tips outlined in this guide, you should be able to create your own dubstep tracks without spending any money. Keep in mind that practice makes perfect, so don’t expect to create a masterpiece on your first try. With a little bit of patience and perseverance, you’ll be making dubstep music that will make your friends dance in no time!