Ableton Forum

How do you guys start creating an agressive dance kick drum sound? I've tested some stuff on the drum machines in Live and Addictive Drums, but I don't know how to approach the matter. I've mostly programmed more acoustic beats so far.

Any basic tips or techniques on this, how to start? How do you choose your bass drum sound and sculpt it?

I think I have just the tonic: http://www.soniccharge.com/mtonic

Synth kick heaven.

I find putting distortion on kickdrums makes them sound harsher... anything that boosts the midrange. Pitch or cut off envelopes give kicks more dynamism as well. That whole REALLY DISTORTED 808 sound.

Thank you for great suggestions!

I'll definitely try out mTonic!

distortion / bit reduction / overdrive / etc.

and layering mid and high frequency content hits over the actual kick (metal body piccolo snares or other 'hit' type harsh noises, again just examples, try around), etc.

and applying the mentioned effects (just examples) in various portions over the sounds, create layers...

you need to preserve the oomph and low impact and spice it up with ear bleeding harshness.

Thanks, very valuable!!! Exactly what I was after.

I used to spend ages on my kicks, but I do pretty much all of them in uTonic now. Much quicker. I often process them a bit afterwards, or add a layer or two, but uTonic is a real timesaver.

Tip - use the EQ so scoop out some mids, and add a little bit of distortion... And keep tweaking the pitch amount and speed...

necho wrote:I used to spend ages on my kicks, but I do pretty much all of them in uTonic now. Much quicker. I often process them a bit afterwards, or add a layer or two, but uTonic is a real timesaver.

Tip - use the EQ so scoop out some mids, and add a little bit of distortion... And keep tweaking the pitch amount and speed...

Thanks, I just downloaded the trial... Will get at it tonight!

Drumaxx is great for kicks. it uses drum modelling synthesis rather than your usual subtractive type, so you can get some pretty wild stuff out of it. makes good handclap type sounds too. just takes some getting used to.

oh yea, it's half price til end august ($49)

if you after a plugin you can also try terragon's free kickmaker.