Hey peeps & creeps. I've been really inspired by dub mixes recently, and I'd love to compose music in the style of dub. However, I just can't seem to hit the sweet spot in terms of sound design. I'd also be interested whenever learning theory behind jazz would also help towards this goal.

Before anyone says the word dubstep, let me give couple of examples what I mean by dub mixes.

The current favorite one being Live Today (dub mix) by Hard Rock Sofa, http://www.beatport.com/track/live-today-dub-mix/3353854 (Can't find a full version outside of spotify)

Another favorite is Live Forever by Lange & Emma Hewitt (Mat Zo dub mix)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uH3Rbzw-mhM


Any help would be appreciated! I've also tried google - it has brought up one article, while it was helpful, but wasn't enough to help me get out of the hole
Last edited by Functional on Sat Feb 23, 2013 1:48 pm; edited 1 time in total

Sounds like you need the Interruptor.

http://www.interruptor.ch/

All things dub, outstanding information on that site. Specifically, the Dub Scrolls:

http://www.interruptor.ch/dub.shtml

Enjoy!

Peace,
Andy.

Thanks! Gave a quick look and looks like that's a good place to begin at

Did you listen to the tracks before giving the link ?
Dub music has his roots in reggae, like you can see on the website above.
A dub remix used to be close to reggae as well, but nowadays it has changed.
The website will definitely not help you make a dub remix, sounding like the links you gave, which is in this case basically a remix with less vocals and a new instrumentation.

You could check out http://www.dubspot.com/ ... also listen to some classic dub from King Tubby, Scientist, Prince Jammy, Lee Perry, etc.

I think "fgatin" is right. You seemed to have misunderstood the term "dub" here. In the links you posted it's simply used as a mix between vocal mix and instrumental mix. The vocals are still there but they don't have a narrative function in most of the cases. Instead they are used as atmospheric elements.

Actually there is no hard definition about "dub" in trance music or dance music in general. And from my experience, there is not much too it. No special techniques you need to learn, no extra harmonies you need to know.

The original term "dub" however means something very different.

The record shop?



Dub is the art of using a mixing console as a live musical instrument, it can be applied to just about any music style.

In the realm of music mixing the volume fader is the king and the gain knob the prince, mute and solo the minions, auxiliary sends the queen and the princess, eq the mistress, insert effects your trusted ones, master recorder the judge and so forth.

I suggest go check out some of that already mentioned original dub made from reggae, or the contemporary dub, to learn some tricks that probably have influenced the artists you are fascinated with.

Here's some dub mix I enjoy, radio show dubplate style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N-hD1oJiQc