Like most people, I use Massive for a lot of basslines. I know this sounds like a really simple thing but it’s effective; I like open up the cutoff at the end of each phrase (e.g. into breakdowns, drops or when introducing a new element or melody) to let the listener know something different is about to happen, then when you’ve made your point, you just close it again to get back to that fuller bass.
I’ll also sometimes just steadily open it up throughout the track, it’s subtle but increases the energy as a track evolves.
Honestly though, sometimes they’re just best left alone. I used the “Baby Cybermen” patch in a recent remix I made of Kraftwerk’s “Autobahn.” I knew I had the patch and melody I wanted, so I dicked about with it for hours (and got nowhere). I ended up literally just resetting it and using the preset with some very minor tweaks. So I guess initial sound selection is just as important as trying to tame a patch.
