Low end is everything in dance music – it’s the foundation. I’m always thinking about how the kick and bass talk to each other. Usually, I’ll carve out space with an equalizer first before even reaching for any fancy plugins. I’ll sidechain the bass slightly, but not so much that it becomes obvious, just enough for that breathing effect. Then I’ll use tools like the Transient Master to control how much attack the kick has, so it cuts through without muddying the sub.
I also monitor my low end on different systems: club PA, studio monitors, small speakers, and the all-important car test. If it translates across all of them, I know I’m in a good place. The trick is restraint. You want the energy to come from movement and balance, not just volume. I’m also big on layering. Sometimes a subtle low-mid texture can give you that warmth without overpowering the sub frequencies.
Pro tip from Jonas Blue: Balance first, equalize later. Get your faders right before you touch anything else
