Learn how to create a Reese bass using subtractive synthesis, unison detuning, filters, modulation and modern wavetable techniques.
The Reese bass is one of the most iconic sounds in Jungle and Drum and Bass. Its aggressive, detuned and constantly moving character has shaped decades of electronic music production and continues to appear throughout DnB, Dubstep, Garage, Techno and modern bass music.
This tutorial explains:
- What the Reese bass is
- Where the Reese bass originated
- Why the sound works
- How to create a Reese bass using multiple synthesis methods
- How to add movement, modulation and texture
- How to adapt the sound for different genres and mixes
What Is a Reese Bass?
The Reese bass is a detuned bass sound commonly associated with Jungle and Drum and Bass.
Its signature sound usually contains:
- Heavy harmonic movement
- Detuned oscillators
- Phasing and modulation
- Distortion and saturation
- Wide stereo movement
- Dark, aggressive tonal character
The classic Reese sound is traditionally created using two detuned saw wave oscillators. The slight tuning difference between the oscillators creates moving phase interactions and harmonic modulation which gives the bass its characteristic movement and texture.
Many producers also:
- Add a third oscillator
- Layer a sine wave sub underneath
- Use chorus or phaser effects
- Apply filter modulation
- Use FM or wavetable synthesis
- Add distortion and saturation
The exact approach depends on the synth, the genre and how the bass needs to sit in the mix.
Origins of the Reese Bass
Although heavily associated with Jungle and Drum and Bass, the Reese bass originally came from House and Techno music.
The sound was named after Kevin Saunderson’s alias Reese.
His 1988 track Just Want Another Chance is widely credited as one of the first tracks to feature the Reese bass sound, originally created using the Casio CZ-5000.
Later, the sound became iconic within Jungle and Drum and Bass after being sampled in Ray Keith’s classic track Terrorist.
From that point onward, the Reese bass became one of the defining sounds of Jungle and Drum and Bass production.
Why the Reese Bass Works
The movement in a Reese bass mainly comes from harmonic interaction between detuned oscillators.
When two oscillators are slightly detuned against each other, their waveforms interact and create constantly shifting phase relationships.
The richer the waveform harmonics are, the more noticeable this movement becomes.
This is why saw waves are commonly used:
- They contain rich harmonic content
- They create strong phasing movement
- They respond well to distortion and filtering
The amount of oscillator detuning controls the speed of the phasing movement.
- Less detuning = slower movement
- More detuning = faster movement
This movement is one of the main reasons Reese basses feel alive and constantly evolving.
Reese Bass Method 1 – Classic Dual Oscillator Reese
This is the most traditional and widely used Reese bass method.
Basic Reese Setup
- Oscillator 1: Saw wave tuned to -30 cents
- Oscillator 2: Saw wave tuned to +30 cents
- Amp Envelope: Sustain at 100%
- FX: Distortion, chorus or phaser
- Filter: High-pass filter for mix clarity
The more the oscillators are detuned, the faster the movement and harmonic phasing will become.
You can experiment with:
- Different detune amounts
- Alternative waveforms
- Additional oscillators
- Distortion and saturation
- Filter movement
Saw waves usually work best because they contain rich harmonic content, but experimenting with other waveforms can create more unique results.
Amp Envelope
The sustain is usually kept high to maintain a constant bass tone.
Attack, decay and release can all be adjusted depending on the groove and style of the track.
Shorter release settings often create tighter and cleaner bass movement.
Effects Processing
Distortion is one of the most important parts of Reese bass sound design because it introduces additional harmonics and increases aggression.
Additional movement can be created using:
- Chorus
- Phaser
- Flanger
- Saturation
- Stereo widening
Filtering
A high-pass filter can help clean up unnecessary low-end movement and make more room for the sub bass.
Automating the filter cutoff can also add extra movement and energy.
Reese Bass Method 2 – Using Unison
This method creates the Reese effect using unison voices instead of multiple oscillators.
Basic Unison Reese Setup
- Waveform: Saw wave
- Unison: 2 or more voices
- Detune: Controlled using unison spread
- Amp Envelope: Sustain at 100%
- FX: Distortion and modulation effects
This approach is extremely common in modern wavetable synths such as:
- Vital
- Serum
- Pigments
- Massive
Unison detuning creates a thicker and wider sound while maintaining the same core Reese movement.
Reese Bass Method 3 – Filter and LFO Modulation
This method creates movement using filter modulation rather than oscillator detuning.
Because the movement comes from the filter itself, the oscillator waveform is less important.
Basic Filter Reese Setup
- Oscillators: Any waveform
- Filter Type: Band-pass, comb or scream filter
- LFO: Routed to filter cutoff
- Key Tracking: Controls LFO speed
The key tracking section is especially important because it increases the modulation speed on higher notes.
This creates more natural movement and helps the Reese bass feel more animated across different pitches.
General Reese Bass Sound Design Tips
Most Reese basses benefit from:
- Monophonic playback
- Portamento or glide
- Sub bass layering
- Distortion and saturation
- Filter automation
- Stereo movement
Portamento allows notes to glide between pitches, creating the smooth sliding movement often heard in Jungle and Drum and Bass basslines.
Layering a cleaner sine wave sub underneath can also help maintain low-end stability while allowing the upper Reese layer to become more aggressive and distorted.
Modern Reese Bass Techniques
Although traditional Reese basses were usually created using subtractive synthesis, modern producers often use:
- FM synthesis
- Wavetable synthesis
- Granular processing
- Resampling workflows
- Heavy modulation chains
Modern synths such as Serum, Vital and Pigments allow producers to create far more complex and animated Reese bass textures than older synthesizers.
Reese Bass Video Tutorials
If you prefer video demonstrations, the tutorials below are excellent starting points.
Creating a Reese Bass in Massive
Stranjah demonstrates how to create a classic Drum and Bass Reese bass using Massive and FM8.
Creating a Reese Bass in Vital
Sounds Good demonstrates a heavier modern Reese bass using the wavetable synth Vital.
Final Thoughts
The Reese bass remains one of the most important and recognisable sounds in electronic music production.
Although the sound can become extremely complex, the core idea is surprisingly simple:
Detuned movement, harmonic interaction and modulation.
Once you understand these principles, you can recreate Reese basses in almost any modern synthesizer and begin adapting the sound into your own style.
Experiment with:
- Different waveforms
- Filter types
- Modulation speeds
- Distortion chains
- Stereo effects
- Resampling techniques
These techniques will help you move beyond presets and develop more unique and professional sounding bass designs.
Happy sound designing.