Mixing Aggressive Rock Bass Guitars: StudioRack Unchained

Aug 06, 2020 | 13,227 Views

Learn how to mix aggressive sounding bass guitar tracks to complement the energy and impact of heavy rock productions. Producer/mixer Chris Baseford (Rob Zombie, Shinedown) shows you how, using his custom “Bass DI/Amp” mixing chain for StudioRack.

Chris Baseford about his ‘Bass DI/Amp’ StudioRack Chain

“What I love about StudioRack is it enables me to do what I’ve been doing in Pro Tools for years but simplifies it all within one plugin.”

“The plugins I use in this chain start with NLS Channel for adding some console saturation, then Bass Rider for evening out levels, before hitting the parallel splits used for processing both DI and amp recorded signals.”

How to Simplify Parallel Compression for Vocals: StudioRack Unchained

“For bass guitars, I like recording both a DI and Amp feeds within a stereo track. StudioRack’s parallel splits enable me to pan both channels up the middle and process both channels independently with different plugins within the stereo channel, though everything sums to mono.”

“I then have two extra racks, one for blending in a touch of LoAir subharmonic processing, the other for a multiband split which enables me to use two types of GTR distortion on different frequency bands.”

“All these racks then sum into the API 560 and CLA-76 for adding a touch of color and dynamics, and L1 UltraMaximizer for keeping everything under control.”

‘Bass DI/Amp’ – Macro Controls

Rider Target controls sensitivity value in Bass Rider
Rider Output sets makeup gain in Bass Rider if required
DI Level sets output level of the DI feed
Amp Level sets output level of the Amp feed
Dist Level sets output level of the multiband GTR3 rack
Sub Level sets output level of the LoAir rack
API 560 HF high frequency boost
CLA-76 parallel compression level

[{"nodeGUID":"346bc682-4c05-4b53-a96d-7f8372fb4c0c","nodeID":130,"documentName":"CLA-76 Compressor / Limiter","documentID":130,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/cla-76-compressor-limiter","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/cla-76-compressor-limiter.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":35.990000000,"discount":76,"mainOrder":10014,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":95,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"CLA76TDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Inspired by the famed mid-\u201860s Class A line level limiting amplifier, Waves CLA-76 compressor plugin offers the superfast attack that made the original studio legends.","tagline":"Super-fast FET compression with legendary tone","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Compressors","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"2k\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":875,"rating":4.8308573,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"f3dd0689-4c8c-4074-b1ff-7e086c118779","nodeID":278,"documentName":"SSL E-Channel","documentID":278,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/ssl-e-channel","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/ssl-e-channel.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":35.990000000,"discount":76,"mainOrder":10021,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":325,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"SSLECHTDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Developed under license from Solid State Logic, the SSL E-Channel strip plugin delivers the incomparable sound of the SSL 4000 Series console dynamics and EQ.","tagline":"The classic SSL console sound: 4-band EQ, compressor/limiter, expander/gate","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Modeling","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"2k\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":989,"rating":4.858443,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"780e005f-f8c6-4a2c-9162-e6b94e9fa19a","nodeID":235,"documentName":"NLS Non-Linear Summer","documentID":235,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/nls-non-linear-summer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/nls-non-linear-summer.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":80,"mainOrder":10034,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":361,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"NLSTDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"NLS Non-Linear Summer plugin delivers the ultimate analog summing sound in-the-box, featuring three legendary virtual consoles with over 100 individually modeled channels in all.","tagline":"Mix through 3 high-end analog consoles","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Modeling","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"600\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":552,"rating":4.7916665,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"0a992b53-111e-4a68-a023-7e0292333283","nodeID":198,"documentName":"L1 Ultramaximizer","documentID":198,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/l1-ultramaximizer","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/l1-ultramaximizer.png","msrp":99.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":70,"mainOrder":10041,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":130,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"V5-L1D40","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Advanced level maximizer, look-ahead peak limiter and high-resolution re-quantizer, all in one powerful industry-standard plugin for mastering and mixing.","tagline":"Mono/stereo limiter with refined resolution control","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Mastering \u0026 Limiters","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"300\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":321,"rating":4.8660436,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"81bd3601-9ac4-48a6-a039-39054288e3e5","nodeID":106,"documentName":"Bass Rider","documentID":106,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/bass-rider","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/bass-rider.png","msrp":99.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":70,"mainOrder":10077,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":317,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"BSRIDTDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Optimized especially for the frequency range and envelope characteristics of bass instruments, Bass Rider delivers perfect bass levels, without changing the natural sound of your bass.","tagline":"Mix with Consistent Bass Levels\u2014Automatically ","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Bass","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"300\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":383,"rating":4.754569,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"b06e1c8c-0e5c-477f-bb74-5022c2b36807","nodeID":102,"documentName":"API 560","documentID":102,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/api-560","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/api-560.png","msrp":149.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":80,"mainOrder":10112,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":73,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"API560TDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"Based on the 1967 classic, the API 560 10-Band Graphic Equalizer plugin features precision filtering and high headroom, ideal for signal enhancement and room tuning. ","tagline":"High-end API sound quality in a graphic equalizer","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Equalizers","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":1,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"200\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":186,"rating":4.806452,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"056c03aa-27fd-4d30-9122-1fd96b2ee5f3","nodeID":209,"documentName":"LoAir","documentID":209,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/loair","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/loair.png","msrp":79.000000000,"skuPrice":29.990000000,"discount":62,"mainOrder":10128,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":142,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":true,"skuNumber":"LOATDM","note":"","documentPageDescription":"With adjustable frequency and low-pass filter controls to shape your ultra low-end, LoAir subharmonic plugin can process polyphonic content and create LFE tracks from stereo or 5.0 sources.","tagline":"Subharmonic generator for stereo and surround sources","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Surround","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"100\u002B bought in past month","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":204,"rating":4.8088236,"saleEndDate":"2024-12-03T03:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"9935515f-492f-4eee-8a5c-38ca165738da","nodeID":283,"documentName":"StudioRack","documentID":283,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/studiorack","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/studiorack.png","msrp":0.000000000,"skuPrice":0.000000000,"discount":0,"mainOrder":20001,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":522,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":false,"skuNumber":"SRCKSG","note":"\u003Ca href=\u0022/plugins/studiorack\u0022 class=\u0022w-btn-outline-black w-auto inline-block\u0022 data-gavalue=\u0022StudioRack\u0022 data-gaevent=\u0022Free\u0022\u003ERead More\u003C/a\u003E","documentPageDescription":"Mix more easily with StudioRack, the smart plugin chainer, now supercharged with the StudioVerse plugin chain community: Thousands of mix-ready chains, available inside your DAW, with powerful Musical AI search.","tagline":"Smart plugin chainer, now with StudioVerse: Thousands of mix-ready chains w/ AI search","departmentID":7,"gsfCategory":"","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":0,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":false,"soldMsg":"","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":1014,"rating":4.6597633,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""},{"nodeGUID":"6f991d54-d226-4ebb-b3f2-d604de16f37c","nodeID":171,"documentName":"GTR3 Amps","documentID":171,"documentUrlPath":"/plugins/gtr3-amps","thumb":"https://media.wavescdn.com/images/products/plugins/600/gtr3-amps.png","msrp":0.000000000,"skuPrice":0.000000000,"discount":0,"mainOrder":20005,"includedInSBS":0,"skuid":387,"skuName":"","skuParentSKUID":0,"skuEnabled":false,"skuNumber":"GTRATA","note":"Available only in selected bundles","documentPageDescription":"Inspired by legendary amplifiers from Fender\u0026reg; Marshall\u0026reg;, Mesa/Boogie\u0026reg;, Vox\u0026reg; and others, GTR3 brings you the very best vintage and contemporary amps \u2013 in the box!","tagline":"Versatile amp sims, cabinets, and mics for guitar and bass","departmentID":2,"gsfCategory":"Saturation \u0026 Distortion Plugins","fixedPosition":false,"expectedShipping":"","productID":0,"upgrades":false,"demoType":0,"isInventory":false,"manualPDF":"","sbsIncludedIn":2,"addToCartStatus":0,"isWishlist":true,"soldMsg":"","couponCode":"","couponCampaignID":0,"couponPrice":0.00,"couponStripeHTML":"","numberOfLessons":0,"courseDurationHours":0.00,"numberOfPlugins":0,"upgradeTargetID":0,"parentSKUNumber":"","categoryDisplayName":"","isProductOptions":false,"variantsMinimalPrice":0.000000000,"isVariantsPriceSame":false,"isPreorder":false,"optionOrder":0,"optionName":"","reviewsTotal":0,"rating":0,"saleEndDate":"0001-01-01T00:00:00","badgeClass":"","badgeText":""}]

Loading....

More Mixing & Production Tips