Kick/bass relationship
Added 2023-12-22 14:33:21 +0000 UTCA quick thought to help you get your sub bass and kick right.
Ideal kick drum fundamental/peak sits an octave above your sub bass.
So if your sub is at say 50 Hz, kick ideally hits at 100.
So kick at octave higher than sub bass is sub bass freq x2.
It’s not always attainable with the elements you have chosen, and there are few actual rules in mixing – but it’s a good guideline when picking the elements for bass music, and makes for a very clean mix in terms of low end if you can achieve this or get close.
Note that in some styles like oldskool hip hop, the kick may hit lower than the bass.
Also don’t forget to try and pitch the kick up and down for better energy: it’s happened to me so many times over the years that EQ won’t fix it, but pitching the kick has fixed the issue immediately.
Also remember to keep your kicks as short as possible if you have a subby bass.
Make these a good habit and see if the clarity gets better in your mix!
Comments
Yeah maybe more for bass music. Then again even some techno kicks may have quite a bit of tops. But yes more for DNB etc.
Janne Hatula
2024-01-15 07:01:00 +0000 UTCWould you say this tip is more aimed at bass music vs house/techno? Especially for the club where you’d want the kick to provide a lot of the weight. Going to try this right now. Thanks!
Jack Carter
2024-01-15 00:40:27 +0000 UTC
