First step----Forget all about kick drums, bass drums, etc. Re-learn concept "sound"
Second step----Find similar but natural sounds from your surroundings. Go out, play video games, watch movies. Try to pick all sort of
low frequency sounds which resemblance "a kick drum". Purpose is to learn hear analytically. Low frequency drum hit can be
many things.
Third step----Buy or dl sound effect library with all the natural sounds you hear everyday. Pick up maybe 5-10 samples which might be used
as "a kick drum". Layer these samples and try as many combinations you like. Play with volume, envelopes etc. There are many
tutorials about layering process itself.
Fourth step----By layering a different natural sounds like punches, cardboard hits, footsteps etc. you should find what you like. If you are
not completely happy with a result, ask yourself which layer is missing: "an underwater collision" as a sub layer or "a concrete hit"
as a low layer or may be "a finger snap" as a mid-low layer..etc.
Fifth step----Bring back your kick drum library. You should hear the difference now. If not, go back to second step.
Sound designers have been using layering technique for decades before it came a buzz word...
