Sine Wave Fundamentals

The sine wave is the purest form of sound and the foundation of all bass design. Understanding how to work with sine waves is crucial for creating powerful, clean basslines.

Key Concepts

Pure Tone

A sine wave contains only the fundamental frequency - no harmonics. This makes it perfect for sub-bass as it doesn't interfere with other elements in your mix.

Frequency Range

Sub Bass: 20-60 Hz (felt more than heard)

Bass: 60-250 Hz (the meat of your bassline)

Low Mids: 250-500 Hz (warmth and body)

Practical Exercise

Create a new track in your DAW

Load a sine wave oscillator

Set the frequency to 55 Hz (A1)

Add a simple envelope for movement

Listen to how it feels in your body

Pro Tips

Always use a high-pass filter to remove sub-20 Hz content

Layer your sine wave with other elements for texture

Use compression to control dynamics