Kick drum problems

[poizone]

I've gotten really into the groove with production lately, and just put out to brand new tracks in the past week. They're both exactly where I want them, except the kicks I have aren't punchy enough. I love the bass they have, but they just don't have enough top end, even when I layer some click in from another drum. Any tips to bring them back out into the open?

[elliot1106]

Parallel compression

Said that without listening, seems as if youre just choosing a sample that just doesnt work

[poizone]

I have the kick drum and the bass sidechained, and I checked all my waveform phases to make sure they weren't canceling each other out.

I picked up a 2gb pack of free samples hoping there would be some gems, and I've found a few nice ones, but they always end up feeling flat compared to other kicks I hear in other songs. This wouldn't be a problem if I were just releasing tracks, but it makes it hard to mix them.

[jackattack4]

Layer multiple samples. Combine one with bass and one with a nice top end and layer them together. From there you can eq and compress to taste. Parallel compression can definitely help bring it out to.

[ksandvik]

Yes, layering is good unless you cause phase cancellations so you need to be careful to make sure the layered kicks work together.

[JasonBay]

Parallel compression

Said that without listening, seems as if youre just choosing a sample that just doesnt work

Not sure how well this works on individual tracks, I usually only use it on groups.

But the first thing is to make sure you are using good samples to begin with. If you need to do some extreme processing, maybe you should try looking for a better sample instead.

And also work on your mixdown better as well. Sounds like it's just too buried in the mix to begin with

[poizone]

Not sure how well this works on individual tracks, I usually only use it on groups.

But the first thing is to make sure you are using good samples to begin with. If you need to do some extreme processing, maybe you should try looking for a better sample instead.

And also work on your mixdown better as well. Sounds like it's just too buried in the mix to begin with

I've been working on my mixdown technique for a while, and these are vast improvements over my previous attempts, along with being a lot more musical in a sense. I used to be pushing a track through, wanting it to get done and be great, but now I'm focusing a lot more on the little things. I'm trying to let elements shine in their place on the spectrum, but it's all a learning experience. I agree with the extreme processing comment though, I'm very minimal with my effecting usually, because I'd rather have a tone I can count on multiple times, and not be constantly tweaking EQ and saturator plugins to make it sound better across the mix.

I did try parallel compression on Energy Drinks, and it definitely helped out. My biggest problem is probably the sample though, and I have trouble hearing a sample in the mix when looking for them instead of just as a sample. I hate to even use sample packs, but creating my own kicks is a whole other thing I need to spend time on, cause the basis is easy, but making them my own sound is super difficult.

[elliot1106]

I just do what sounds good to my ear and the techniques are just tools to getting there. I'm all over with my FX. everything has a chain. I just don't constantly tweak. I get my kick and bass sounding solid. Then Ill cut everything else. Saturate what I feel like. And do whatever else sounds good. Music, to me, is all about creativity, personality and emotion and the best thing to achieve that is yourself and your own ideas. Do whatever you feel like and what sounds good, but most of all get some enjoyment out of your music.

[rdubs]

I generally like to find a clap and layer it on top of my kick and then low cut the clap so that none of the frequencies are cancelling out the high-end that my kick already has.

[elliot1106]

Bam, crazy idea but if it works for you go for it man!