{"id":1014,"date":"2025-05-12T19:22:28","date_gmt":"2025-05-12T19:22:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/?p=1014"},"modified":"2025-05-12T19:25:42","modified_gmt":"2025-05-12T19:25:42","slug":"how-to-make-a-synthwave-bass-in-serum-2-free-presets-inside","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/how-to-make-a-synthwave-bass-in-serum-2-free-presets-inside\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make a Synthwave Bass in Serum 2 (Free Presets Inside)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>If you\u2019ve ever tried to capture that warm, nostalgic feel of retro electronic music, you already know the bassline is everything. Whether you&#8217;re crafting a synthwave anthem, outrun track, or an &#8217;80s-inspired cinematic score, a fat analog-style bass is at the core of that vintage energy. <br><br>In this tutorial, I\u2019ll show you step-by-step how to design a classic synthwave bass using Serum 2\u2014a modern synth with everything you need to recreate timeless retro sounds. Even better? We\u2019re including a free pack of synthwave Serum presets, so you can jump straight into production. <br><br>If you&#8217;re a music producer, this tutorial\u2014and tools like Slooply.com, where you can find tons of Serum presets and samples\u2014can massively speed up your creative workflow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"\ud83d\udfe2 How To Make - Synthwave in Serum 2 - From Scratch (Free Presets, Soundbank download)\" width=\"1300\" height=\"731\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3063Qnh2dfc?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Table Of Contents:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-aioseo-table-of-contents\"><ul><li><a href=\"#aioseo-step-1-choose-the-right-oscillators\">Step 1: Choose the Right Oscillators<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-step-2-sculpt-the-envelope-for-punch\">Step 2: Sculpt the Envelope for Punch<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-step-3-add-a-filter-with-movement\">Step 3: Add a Filter with Movement<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-step-4-add-sub-oscillator-warmth\">Step 4: Add Sub Oscillator Warmth<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-step-5-inject-retro-randomness-with-lfo\">Step 5: Inject Retro Randomness with LFO<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-step-6-add-fx-the-80s-way\">Step 6: Add FX (The &#x27;80s Way)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-step-7-enable-mono-and-glide\">Step 7: Enable Mono and Glide<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-free-bonus-download-the-synthwave-bass-preset-serum-pack\">Free Bonus: Download the Synthwave Bass Preset Serum Pack<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#aioseo-final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-step-1-choose-the-right-oscillators\">Step 1: Choose the Right Oscillators<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To start, <strong>init a blank patch<\/strong> in Serum 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Set <strong>Oscillator A<\/strong> to a classic <strong>saw wave<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drop the pitch <strong>one or two octaves<\/strong> lower to hit that deep bass zone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set <strong>phase to 0\u00b0<\/strong> so every note starts the same\u2014this ensures consistency and impact.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add <strong>unison voices (8 is ideal)<\/strong> to thicken the sound.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dial down the <strong>detune<\/strong> to around <strong>0.10\u20130.15<\/strong> to keep the unison tight and focused.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\ud83e\udde0 Pro Tip: Classic synthwave sounds often avoid extreme detuning. Keep it subtle to stay authentic.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-step-2-sculpt-the-envelope-for-punch\">Step 2: Sculpt the Envelope for Punch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Next, shape your <strong>Amp Envelope (ENV 1)<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Set <strong>Attack<\/strong> around <strong>5\u201310 ms<\/strong> \u2013 enough to avoid clicks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Decay:<\/strong> ~200\u2013400 ms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sustain:<\/strong> 0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release:<\/strong> ~100 ms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This gives you that plucky, fast bass with a touch of smoothness at the tail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-step-3-add-a-filter-with-movement\">Step 3: Add a Filter with Movement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Here\u2019s where the character comes in:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Select a <strong>Low24 filter<\/strong> (ladder-style low-pass).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increase <strong>Resonance<\/strong>, and slightly boost with <strong>Drive<\/strong> and <strong>Fat<\/strong> for analog-style saturation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Route <strong>ENV 1<\/strong> to modulate the <strong>cutoff<\/strong>. Adjust depth until it moves naturally.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If the modulation doesn\u2019t respond as expected, visit the <strong>Matrix Tab<\/strong> and <strong>flip the modulation polarity<\/strong>. This ensures the envelope pushes the cutoff upward instead of downward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\ud83c\udf9b\ufe0f <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> A touch of envelope modulation adds movement, making the bass feel alive and dynamic.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-step-4-add-sub-oscillator-warmth\">Step 4: Add Sub Oscillator Warmth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Click on the <strong>Sub Oscillator<\/strong>, choose a <strong>Sine Wave<\/strong>, and mix it in gently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>This adds low-end body and mimics the feel of analog synths with dual-oscillator setups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the sub volume below the main oscillator to avoid overpowering the mix.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-step-5-inject-retro-randomness-with-lfo\">Step 5: Inject Retro Randomness with LFO<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Use <strong>LFO 1<\/strong> to add slight pitch instability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Set LFO 1 to modulate <strong>Fine Pitch<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use a <strong>Random-shaped LFO preset<\/strong> from Serum\u2019s internal bank.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set the modulation depth to around <strong>1\u20133%<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Mode: <strong>Sample &amp; Hold<\/strong> or <strong>Random<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This emulates the imperfections of old hardware synths\u2014slightly out of tune, but full of character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-step-6-add-fx-the-80s-way\">Step 6: Add FX (The &#8217;80s Way)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In the <strong>FX tab<\/strong>, do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Insert a <strong>Mid\/Side Splitter<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Apply <strong>Chorus only to the side channel<\/strong>\u2014this adds stereo width without muddying your bass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Optionally, use a touch of <strong>Distortion<\/strong> or <strong>Saturation<\/strong> for more grit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Skip reverb for bass\u2014keep it punchy and dry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\ud83c\udfa7 <strong>Pro Tip:<\/strong> Chorus on the sides creates width without sacrificing low-end clarity\u2014ideal for club or cinematic mixes.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-step-7-enable-mono-and-glide\">Step 7: Enable Mono and Glide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Go to the <strong>Global tab<\/strong> or <strong>Voicing section<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li>Turn on <strong>Mono<\/strong> mode to prevent overlapping notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activate <strong>Portamento\/Glide<\/strong> and adjust the time (around 50\u2013100 ms) for expressive pitch slides.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-free-bonus-download-the-synthwave-bass-preset-serum-pack\">Free Bonus: Download the Synthwave Bass Preset Serum Pack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To make your workflow even smoother, we\u2019ve created a <strong>Free Serum 2 Preset Pack<\/strong> loaded with retro basses\u2014including the exact patch from this tutorial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-1 wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.slooply.com\/public\/files\/Slooply_-_Synthwave_Retro_Presets.zip\">DOWNLOAD FREE SERUM PRESETS<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also find more premium-quality presets on <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/slooply.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">Slooply.com<\/a><\/strong>\u2014an essential platform for music producers where you\u2019ll discover handpicked presets, sample packs, loops, and more, including sounds designed specifically for Serum and synthwave production.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-final-thoughts\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the right sound design foundation, your synthwave tracks will come to life\u2014and Serum 2 offers everything you need to make it happen. And don\u2019t forget: sites like <strong>Slooply<\/strong> offer thousands of ready-to-use presets and samples, saving you time and helping you stay inspired.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now go retro\u2014your basslines are about to sound like they just stepped out of a DeLorean.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve ever tried to capture that warm, nostalgic feel of retro electronic music, you already know the bassline is everything. Whether you&#8217;re crafting a synthwave anthem, outrun track, or an &#8217;80s-inspired cinematic score, a fat analog-style bass is at the core of that vintage energy. In this tutorial, I\u2019ll show you step-by-step how to&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1016,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,2],"tags":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1014"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1019,"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1014\/revisions\/1019"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1016"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/slooply.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}