subbass

Subbass refers to the lowest portion of the audible frequency spectrum. It is typically defined as frequencies from about 20 Hz up to 60 Hz, though some definitions set the upper bound around 50–60 Hz. Subbass forms the deep, felt component of a mix that provides body and power, while the broader bass range (roughly 60 Hz to 250 Hz) contains more audible musical information.

In music production, subbass is often produced with sine- or near-pure-tone oscillators, or as a subharmonic extension of a higher melody to preserve tonal clarity. It is especially important in electronic genres such as EDM, house, techno, hip hop, and dubstep, where a strong low end is a defining characteristic. Common techniques include tuning the subbass to align with the kick, layering a sub-bass line with a kick drum, applying light saturation or distortion for perceived loudness, and using dynamics processing (for example sidechain compression) to give kicks room to breathe.

Mixing and mastering subbass requires careful monitoring and room treatment. Subbass is easily masked by midrange content or by poor room acoustics, and not all playback systems reproduce it equally well. Engineers often use dedicated subwoofers, high-pass non-bass tracks to reduce clutter, and precise EQ to carve space in the suboctave. Measurement tools such as spectrum analyzers and SPL meters help ensure consistent translation across listening environments.

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