https://codalabs.io/szechuan/



SZECHUAN SATURATOR ADDS SEXY HARMONICS
TO FILL THAT HOLE IN YOUR LIFE.


THROUGH A COMBINATION OF DYNAMIC SATURATION FUNCTIONS, MODULATION, AND TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT, THIS PLUGIN IS GUARANTEED TO TAKE YOUR TRACKS FROM BLEH TO MEH.

SZECHUAN SATURATOR IS UNIQUE BECAUSE IT CHANGES THE SATURATION FUNCTION CONTINUOUSLY AS THE VOLUME OF THE INPUT SIGNAL CHANGES (WHATEVER THAT MEANS).

 

damn I had literally typed up exactly what you wrote in reply to this guy! UAD OTT what the hell is that? Also a search yields no results for how exactly max martin processes kick drums. Maybe he learned it through one of those leaked pro tools sessions. Either way it's just a standard layering technique like you said - TopKick + Sine or TopKick + Bottom kick. Easy

 

OTT is an upward compressor. first plugin on the xfer freeware page: https://xferrecords.com/freeware

 

My tip is the legendary: ISM - BazzISM --> www.ismism.de

BazzISM produces the perfect KickBass for your dance tracks.
BazzISM was the first kick synth plugin on the market and still is the standard.

It's easy to use so you'll find your individual kick sound within minutes.
BazzISM is available in VST2, VST3, AU and AAX(native) format on macOS and Windows. 30 €

Many kick generators feature sample layering of some kind, but BazzISM is strictly a bass drum synthesiser. With a number of controls for tailoring the sound, it puts unique and personalised kicks at your fingertips, and can even turn its hand to bass sound synthesis.

 

my friend. there is no single way so i am asking you the source of this. where you have listened to this? It's a layering oke.

i will try later this trick

 

Last edited: Mar 7, 2025

I sincerely prefer a lowshelf to a HPF, it must be purely psychoacoustic, but I find that the kicks with a hpf make them too harsh, make them hard, tight certainly but much less groovy swingy, this is just me, but I don't like to cut these low frequencies even if 40,000 engineers would tell me that it is useless to have these "inaudible" elements in the spectrum, if they are in the audio why remove them?

I feel a clear difference with and without, the non-linearity sometimes brings something more musical and less cold sterile but this is just my opinion, after I speak in terms of music concentrated on pure lowend, some sounds that I have mastered and mixed recently which were much more concentrated on rhythmic games like Pumpin require a light treatment on these "inaudible" frequencies

Light lowshelf dynamic trig by the click of the kick

 

Since when was a 24 dB slope considered "gentle?"

 

it is AI's words. lol.

 

Boost highs rather than cut lows (except for notch filtering.)

 

so you saying a notch filter might fit there?

 

Sorry, my last post was not clear, and actually doesn't make sense.

To answer your question: Yes. I would boost the favourable low frequencies with a notch filter rather than cut the flab with a low-cut filter.

I would also like to mention that I now wish I didn't comment on this post, lol! This concept of cutting or boosting has been debated for so long and I don't think there has ever been a definitively clear answer. I remember watching one specific video many years ago which spoke about "harmonics" and it sold me!

 

Here's the video. Draw your own conclusions

 

I mean if you can't hear this very simple trick just by listening to the music itself (for example his production on Red Hot Chili Peppers's Smells Like Teenage Dirtbag, that song has UAD OTT written all over it) maybe you should stop hanging in music forums and seriously consider dedicating your lives to hearing aids tests.

 

Spoiler: I asked the AI, maybe there is something there for them:

I asked the AI, maybe there is something there for them:

Applying a high-pass filter (HPF) to a 909 kick drum in the 0–30 Hz range can have specific benefits and trade-offs, depending on your mix goals and the context of the track. Here's an analysis:
Benefits of Using a High-Pass Filter (0–30 Hz)

Eliminating Subsonic Frequencies:
Frequencies below 30 Hz are often inaudible but can consume headroom and muddy the mix. Applying an HPF here removes unnecessary low-end rumble, tightening the sound and allowing other elements like basslines to occupy the sub-bass space more clearly.

Improved Mix Clarity:
Removing inaudible or non-essential frequencies ensures that the kick drum doesn't interfere with other instruments, especially in dense mixes. This can help create better separation between the kick and bass.

Preventing Overpowering Low-End:
Sub-bass frequencies can cause issues on playback systems that cannot handle extreme lows, such as club systems or consumer-grade speakers. Filtering these frequencies ensures a more consistent sound across various playback environments.

Focus on Fundamental Frequencies:
The "power" of most 909 kicks typically resides around 50–60 Hz, with harmonics extending higher. By filtering out sub-30 Hz content, you emphasize these more impactful frequencies
Potential Drawbacks

Loss of Perceived Power:
If not applied carefully, an HPF can make the kick feel less "deep" or "heavy," especially in genres like techno or house where a strong low-end is crucial.

Flattening the Sound:
Excessive filtering or steep slopes may remove some of the kick's natural resonance, making it sound overly clinical or thin. This depends on the filter's slope (e.g., 6 dB/octave vs. 24 dB/octave).

Impact on Genre-Specific Sound:
In genres like hard techno or deep house, where sub-bass energy is key, over-filtering might detract from the desired impact of the kick410.

Recommendations
Use a Gentle Slope: Start with a gentle slope (e.g., 12 dB/octave) to remove only unwanted subsonic content while retaining depth.

Analyze Your Mix: Use a spectrum analyzer to identify if there’s significant energy below 30 Hz that needs removal.

Context Matters: If your track has other sub-heavy elements (like basslines), an HPF on the kick can help balance the low end.

Experiment with Resonance: Adding slight resonance near the cutoff frequency can compensate for any perceived loss of power.

In summary, applying an HPF between 0–30 Hz on a 909 kick can clean up your mix without significantly affecting its power if done carefully. However, always trust your ears and tailor decisions to your track's needs and genre expectations.

 

Last edited: Mar 7, 2025

nice video

 

wow, this plugin is great. thanks for sharing. simple, nasty and great sounding plug.

 

My bad, I didn't get it... Great song btw

 

Just because those frequencies are inaudible, doesn't mean they don't take space or eat up your headroom... You don't have to cut 80hz from everything, but there's not point in keeping 20 to 40hz in pretty much the entire session.

I mean, don't you cut out unwanted resonances? They're in the audio as well.

 

if they learn to use a VU meter they'd see that 30hz make the needle jump in the clip like a mofo lol

 

As someone who does improvised electronic music with modular synths, I am, if you would excuse a pun, TRIGGERED.