How do I make bass sounds from vocal samples or drums in Serum?
Q&A
Jan 22, 2026
To make bass sounds from vocal samples or drums in Serum 2, switch oscillator A to spectral mode, drag in your sample (like a vocal or snare drum), and use the scan knob to control playback speed while applying warp modes like smear or subharmonics to transform the source into tonal bass material. I've found that bringing a snare drum into spectral mode works incredibly well for metallic, dubstep-style bass sounds because you can play it at any octave and loop through the frequencies in unique ways. The key is keeping an open ear for unexpected results since a non-tonal source like a drum can create surprisingly musical bass tones when you manipulate the partials and apply distortion.
Post adapted from the video below:
I teach the complete spectral synthesis workflow in Serum 2 at Futureproof Music School, showing you exactly how to turn any sample into professional bass sounds. Check out our sound design courses at futureproofmusicschool.com.
How do I turn a vocal sample into a bass sound in Serum?
I switch to spectral mode, drag in my vocal sample, set the scan knob to control playback speed, and use warp modes like smear or subharmonics to create bass frequencies. At Futureproof Music School, I teach students that you can make a bass from almost any tonal source this way.
Can I really make bass from a snare drum in Serum's spectral mode?
I absolutely can - I load a tonal snare into spectral mode, add warp modes like smear to shift the fundamentals, then combine it with distortion to get metallic bass sounds perfect for dubstep.
What does the scan knob do when making bass from samples in spectral mode?
I use the scan knob to control the speed and direction of sample playback - at 12:00 it freezes on one spot creating a static tone, turning right speeds it up, and turning left plays it backwards.
Dubstep pioneer and touring artist with millions of streams. Known for his heavy bass drops and intricate sound design, Max has released on major labels and performed at festivals worldwide.