top of page

BASS MACHINE

Bassline Generator – Create MIDI Basslines for Any DAW

1. Concept

The Bass Machine is a dedicated melodic sketchpad designed to generate rolling, analog-style basslines instantly. Unlike a standard piano roll, it forces you to think in terms of groove and scale, helping you break out of repetitive habits.

It combines a mono-synth engine (Sawtooth + Low Pass Filter) with a smart generative algorithm to create basslines that are harmonically correct and ready for your DAW.

2. The Interface

The Pitch Grid

  • Vertical Axis (Pitch): The 8 rows represent notes in your selected scale.

  • Horizontal Axis (Time): The columns represent 16th-note steps.

  • Monophonic Logic: This machine is strictly Monophonic (like a TB-303 or SH-101). You can only have one note per step. Clicking a new note on the same step automatically replaces the old one.

Visuals:

  • Dark Grey: Off (Downbeat Marker)

  • Light Grey: Off.

  • Neon Purple: Active Note.

3. Scale & Key Engine

This is the heart of the machine. Changing these settings instantly re-tunes the entire grid and the generative engine.

  • KEY: Select the root note (C, F#, Bb, etc.).

  • SCALE: Choose the mood.

  • Minor (Aeolian): Sad, serious, modern.

  • Major (Ionian): Happy, uplifting.

  • Phrygian: Dark, trap/techno vibe.

  • Dorian: Groovy, house/disco vibe.

  • OCT (Octave): Shifts the frequency range.

  • 1: Sub Bass (Deep rumble).

  • 2: Standard Bass (Punchy).

  • 3: Synth Lead range.

4. Pattern Length (1 Bar vs 2 Bars)

You can toggle between a short loop or a longer progression.

  • LENGTH Selector:

  • 16: Limits the pattern to 1 Bar. Perfect for repetitive techno/house loops.

  • 32: Extends the pattern to 2 Bars. Great for "Call and Response" basslines.

  • BAR Toggle (1 / 2): When in 32 mode, use this switch to view and edit the first 16 steps (1) or the second 16 steps (2).

Note: The playback LEDs will "pause" visually when the music moves to the bar you aren't currently viewing.

5. Creative Tools

Auto-Bass (Generative)

Clicking AUTO runs a smart algorithm based on your selected Scale and Length.

Logic: It prioritises Root notes on downbeats for stability, whilst using 5ths, 3rds, and Octaves on off-beats for syncopation.

Workflow: Click it repeatedly until you find a groove you like, then manually tweak the notes to perfect it.

Metronome

Toggles a high-pitched click on every quarter note (1, 2, 3, 4). Useful for checking if your syncopated bassline sits correctly in the pocket.

Nudge (Beat-Matching)

The NUDGE buttons let you temporarily speed up or slow down playback — just like pitch-bending on a DJ deck. This is essential for syncing the Bass Machine with external gear, your DAW, or other browser-based instruments.

  • − Button: Hold to slow down by 4% (glows orange when active).

  • + Button: Hold to speed up by 4% (glows green when active).

  • Release: Tempo snaps back to normal instantly.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • [ (left bracket): Hold to nudge slower.

  • ] (right bracket): Hold to nudge faster.

Workflow: Start playback on both machines. If the Bass Machine is slightly ahead, tap and hold − until the downbeats align. If it's behind, use +. Small, quick taps work better than long holds for fine adjustments.

6. Saving & Exporting

Memory Slots (1–4)

  • Write: Switch to WRITE and click a number to save your current Scale, Key, Tempo, and Pattern.

  • Play: Switch to PLAY and click a number to recall a full session.

  • Independent History: Each slot has its own Undo/Redo history.

MIDI Export

Click MIDI to download the pattern.

Smart Naming: The file is automatically named based on your settings, e.g., EP_Bass_F#_Phrygian_2 Bar.mid.

Mobile Share: On iOS/Android, this opens the Share Sheet so you can text or AirDrop the bassline directly to your production laptop.

WAV Export

Click WAV to render and download the audio directly.

7. DAW Integration

  1. Export the MIDI/WAV file.

  2. Drag it onto a MIDI/AUDIO track in Ableton/Logic/FL.

  3. For MIDI: Load a mono-synth plugin (like Monark, Serum, or a 303 emulator).

  4. Result: You now have a perfectly quantized, scale-correct bassline ready for sound design.

8. Keyboard Shortcuts

  • Spacebar: Start/Stop playback.

  • [ (left bracket): Hold to nudge tempo slower.

  • ] (right bracket): Hold to nudge tempo faster.

9. Copyright

You own all copyright for any music, MIDI files, or audio created using the Bass Machine. Use your creations freely in personal or commercial projects without restriction.

bottom of page