FATTY Bass and Kick sound for hip-hop?

[pmh3r]

Can anyone out there give me some pointers as to how to get a really thumping kick and bass (EQ, compression settings) for a hip-hop tune I'm working on? I've already stacked a couple of tough kicks but want them to hit me in the face a little more...I also have a subbass that I want to fatten up instead of muddy up that follows the kick throughout the tune...

thanks,
P

[J Blazin]

sounds like you are well on the way ...keep tweakin'!

[ztereoimach]

For a while I was mixing kick with a lot of compression but I found that took away some of the umphh so I lessend it, just so it made it more even gain for all the hits. Eq definetly, try taking out 500hz all the way with a high Q then adjust accordingly, maybe boost 60 hz or so with a low Q.

I've not tried it but I've read about creating a really low sine wave on a seperate track, like 30hz, that is just on all the time, then use a gate that is keyed to your kick so when the kick hits it lets the 30hz through for an instant. Since I've only read about this I don't have any specific procedures on how to accomplish this.

I haven't worked on much hip hop stuff but listening to eminem's new album, it sounds like they just have the kick really high in the mix. It does sound like they have some low end synth stuff hitting with the kick in a few songs too, almost bell like.

Hope that helps,
Jason

[ztereoimach]

OH, on bass I usually squash it with a limiter. It's definetly hard not to make it muddy. Waves makes a plugin called maxbass but I have never used it.

[Greenshoe]

One way to fatten up the kick:

1. Create a new aux track
2. Bus the kick track to the aux (let's use Bus 1)
3. Insert the digi signal generator plug on the aux
4. On the signal generator, set to 50-70 Hz, -6 to -8 db, sine wave
5. Insert limiter-gate on the aux
6. On the limiter-gate, set the Key to Bus 1, select External Key. Adjust limiter settings to taste.

[Jorge442]

one word, maxxbass

check it out!

[DaWhole9]

1....START with a Fat kick sound

2....See #1

[supaheef]

use maxxBass on basses, but also on kick drums. I solo up my kick and bass lines, and get the two instances of maxxBass to thump in sync. you can also get pedantic and line up your transients for that ultra-tight thump. once those two plugs are humming in time (and in key, move your maxxBass frequency slider to fit the key of the tune) bounce both tracks down to new files and get on with the rest of the mix. always compress post-maxxBass too.

i doo recommend checking the solo'd sounds in relation to the rest of the mix. if they are too punchy they will have to be turned down in relation to other sounds, thereby reducing their effect. always in moderation, my man...

[WorldOfWiz]

I hear Ren bass is better than Max bass.

What kind of Hip Hop? Booty Bass, Down South, East Coast, or West coast?

Do you want it to boooom or sound deep.

I use Ren Com, DUY DaD Valve, Waves Ren EQ, and McDSP not in that order.

Wiz

[pmh3r]

Thanks for all the advice people! It's helping...I dont know if it is totally there yet...do you guys do a high-pass filter on the kick to get rid of the mud below 40Hz or is this where most of the meat it?

Yo, World of Wiz...I want a dirty South bouncey kick that smacks you in the face? Really quick attack, not too much ring....I'm gonna let my sub bass take care of that...

One more thing...do some of you not even touch a sampled kick that you use? Maybe a little compression and thats it?

Also, what are you using to warm up synth lines and trinkets?

--P