Make Dub beats
Dub is a bass-heavy, spacious style rooted in reggae: a deep, dominant bassline, offbeat chords, and drums drenched in echo and reverb, usually around 120 to 150 BPM. Space and low end are the whole point.
Tempo: 120–150 BPM · Often minor, bass-led
What defines dub?
Dub grew out of reggae as a producer’s art: take a track apart and rebuild it around the bass and the space. The bassline leads, deep and dominant, while offbeat chords mark the rhythm and the drums get soaked in echo, delay and reverb. The arrangement is sparse, with instruments dropping in and out and effects carrying the transitions.
Dub is about feel and depth more than density. The room between the sounds is as important as the sounds themselves, and the low end is always king.
Signature elements of Dub
- ·A deep, dominant bassline leading the track
- ·Offbeat skank chords
- ·Drums soaked in echo, delay and reverb
- ·Sparse arrangement with lots of space
- ·Dropouts and effect-led transitions
How Songen makes Dub
Songen generates a dub loop with the lead, offbeat chords, deep bass and drums as editable MIDI. Start there, then push the bass, strip the arrangement, or open up space for echo.
Dub FAQ
- What BPM is dub?
- Dub usually runs around 120 to 150 BPM, with a relaxed, rolling feel that gives the bass and the space room to breathe.
- What makes a beat dub?
- A deep, leading bassline, offbeat chords and drums drenched in echo and reverb, arranged with plenty of space. The low end and the emptiness define it.
- What key is dub in?
- Dub usually sits in one key, often minor, and lets the bassline carry the harmony rather than busy chord changes.