Hey guys,

I've been making minimal/techno/house for over a year now, mostly using sample packs. The one thing I've never been able to grasp is how artists make these very soft but deep kick drums. Some sound sampled while some sound synthesized. I was wondering if there was any method or advice I could get on how to achieve this. I've actually looked all over but could'nt find definitive answers

I've tried layering transients from sample pack kicks with 808 kicks or using Waldorf Attack, but the result is always either too punchy (sample packs, even Goldbaby i have trouble with, but that could be my lack of knowledge) or too subby


Here are some examples of the type of kicks I'm talking bout

Techno:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_W1apjU4Go

Minimal:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfDz8C6px7c




Much appreciated!!!

 

House:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eIuXzCH0uNc

 

Hi,you can cut the Low frequency below 100 hz,and cut the high after 1,2K ...
but the most important is get the right sample HOT and DEEP kick

 

Well to make a soft kick you need to soften the transients. Using a good filter at 6db slope to take the click off the transient. Synthesiser can also be used if you know your way around oscillators and envelopes. But the easiest way would be to use a gate on the kick and adjust the attack time to soften the transient. There are also some dedicated transient shaper plug-ins which will have presets.. One very good method is to use a tone generator set to oscillate between 60-150hz with a gate on the tone generator. Then you will need to send the kick into your gates side chain with a slightly delayed attack time and a short delay.. Adjust the gate settings and mix level until they become one sound. But you will still need to eq and filter to get the finished sound. Synth creation is the best way to get original kick sounds. This is the best I can do using typing..

 

a much easier way than the others is to use a 808 tuned to your pitch then run it through a compressor and tweak until accomplished but, an even cooler trick we bass producers use to use in the early 90s was to use a 909 kick tuned high as the clouds until u get that wood blockey sound,compress it then use the 808 humm to play your bass line.the knock will thump u in the chest and the humm will rattle your fillings out and they will never fight each other.




cc

 

I suggest you this sample pack: http://d16.pl/plasticlicks

There are many click and soft BD sounds.
I'm sure you find the right one.

To soften the BD-sound, try a sine wave and layer it with the kick if you need more soft low.

And for shaping the drums I recommend SPL-TransientDesigner !
I use only Transient Designer for my single drum sounds.
No compressor on single drum sounds.
I compress them all a bit just to glue them...(but that's another topic)

A little Tip for advanced use of TD.
Might like to shape a sound much more, then use two TD's in row
rather then go to extreme settings.
This sounds much better and gives total control of the shape.

Transients will be how you need them..., ...always...!

 

Thanks sooo much guys... I'll definitely be trying these methods out... Anything I come up with I'll be sure to post

@Carface Definitely looking into Plasticclicks.. And the Double TD technique sounds brilliant!!!

Thanks again, I really wasn't expecting such quick replys!!

 

PLASTCLICKS DOWNLOAD by audioz.info
http://www.fileserve.com/file/aSRNmkH

 

Kicks in Plasticclicks sound awesooome!!! :dancing:

Thanks again!!

 

http://www.mediafire.com/?l3i7me64p7lw7fb

Here is an 8-Bar loop of a Soft Kick I made...

I used transients from Plasticclicks here:

http://d16.pl/index.php?menu=246


And an awesome operator template:
http://spunkfacesamplers.com/blog/free-mnml-body-k ick-for-operator/

Tho both required extensive editing of EQ and the invaluable SPL Transient Designer and Full Ranger


Let me know what you guys think

 

Sorry for the double-post, but it wouldn't let me edit

Operator Template link:
http://spunkfacesamplers.com/blog/free-mnml-body-kick-for-operator/

 

Don't you have a sample of the kick ?

 

I uploaded a loop of the one I made if thats what you're asking