Progressive House and Trance Basics 1: Bass Sounds and MIDI Programming

Techniques used in Progressive House and Trance

Want to produce Progressive House or Trance?
Here are some commonly used sounds and MIDI programming tips.
We will start with the bass part.

Watch the video

1. 11. Bass
2. 22. Noise
3. 33. Pad
4. 44. Pluck

Choosing sounds

Layer two sounds: a Sub Bass and a Synth Bass.
You can layer three or more sounds if you prefer; in that case, separate their frequency ranges carefully.
Another common technique is to send the layers to one bass bus and use compression and EQ to bring them together.

The role of each sound

• Sub Bass: supports the bottom end of the track.
• Synth Bass: has more width than the sub and emphasizes the bass line. In the reference track, its low frequencies are reduced.

MIDI programming tips

In many genres, bass notes are commonly programmed to coincide with the kick drum.
In this style of music, however, sidechain compression often produces a pulsing bass sound that emphasizes the eighth-note offbeats.
You may recognize its characteristic “wah-wah” movement.

This technique is very useful, but many contemporary dance kicks are layered with sub frequencies
and have long tails. If the kick and bass overlap,
managing the low end becomes more complicated during mixing.

This can be difficult for those who are new to production
or less comfortable with mixing.

One approach I recommend is
programming the bass so it does not overlap the kick from the outset.

First, enter sixteenth notes on the eighth-note offbeats you want to emphasize.
Add sixteenth notes immediately before and after them, one octave lower.
You can also reinforce the surrounding notes one octave higher.
Adjust the volume of the surrounding notes while auditioning them.

Use this as a basic phrase, then experiment with different pitches and timing to fit the chords.

Programming chord changes

In the reference track, there is a point where the chord changes from Am to Dm.
The bass follows the roots simply, moving from A to D.

At the change, inserting a C between them creates a stepwise transition and connects the notes smoothly.
Why C? It is a chord tone of Am and the seventh of Dm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Why separate Sub Bass and Synth Bass in a Progressive House bass part?

Sub Bass supports the low-frequency foundation, while Synth Bass adds width and emphasizes the bass line. Separating their frequency ranges allows you to process each element independently with EQ and compression for a clearer mix.

Q2. What can I do if the kick and bass clash?

Try programming the bass so it does not overlap the kick. Place sixteenth notes on the eighth-note offbeats you want to emphasize, and reinforce them with notes one octave lower on either side. This can simplify low-end mixing while helping you achieve a polished sound.

Q3. Why can the bass sound awkward when chords change?

Moving directly from one root to another can sound abrupt. Insert a note related to both chords—for example, C between Am and Dm—to make the transition smoother and more natural.