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[Jackhasmadesomemusic]

I just cannot seem to get my bass drums, well bassy. I'm using Ableton Live 7 and have tried many ways, using E.Q's, trying (and failing :P) to make kick drums with operator, dont get me started with compression...

Anyone out there got any simple do's and don't's to making a bad-ass bass drum sound?

I've been using the software for years so I'm pretty confident with it, I've just never got my head round this!

Could it just be down to me using standard home hifi speakers and headphones when making beats, would investing in some proper monitors alow me to hear more?

I'm trying to get my kicks as bassy as those say on "Jusjus" by Mr. Scruff, for example.

Your replys will be much appreciated!

[Jackhasmadesomemusic]

Hello! Is anybody out there?!

[InitiumThoth]

The song you referenced sounds as if it has tonal bass instruments hitting simultaneously with the kicks. There are variations in the decay that add to the swing of the beat.

You say don't get you started on compression... but I can't think of where else to go... How are you using compression. Is it singly applied to the kick drum?

Relying on consumer grade audio for monitoring can be tough.
M-Audio makes some inexpensive studio Monitors:
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=products.family&ID=studiomonitors
I use the AV30s myself and am pleased... though I know that they are just getting me by until I can afford better.

I probably didn't say anything you could not have intuited on your own, but at least try using a sin sub or sub bass to accent your bass drum.

[Jackhasmadesomemusic]

[InitiumThoth]

Compression is a pretty big subject to chatter on about aimlessly. And frankly, I know only enough to get by. So if I tried to explain it... well, i would probably embarrass myself.

If you are starting from ground zero(no previous understanding) on compression, take a look at this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtX_gRDvcug

After that, try applying a compressor to your bass drum only and note how long the sample is(in ms) and modify the compression release time and listen until the difference is apparent. Make sure your sample can be played with the note on release time available(I am not familiar with ableton-so ignore this if it doesn't make any sense). Attack time should be low and use ratio to your taste.

That's all i got. I imagine there is a seasoned vet who can do better.

[InitiumThoth]

Ok so try this out.

Apply a compressor to your kick.
Set the threshold to something like -33 db
Set the ratio ridiculously high so its more like a limiter... I used 30:1
An attack time of 20ms and a release time of 278ms (which is actually longer than you might normally run)
Use a Hard Knee
and then adjust the Gain until you get a close to -1db result on the meter.

[JunglistMilitia]

have you tried side chaining the kick drum? the bass might be drowning out the bass from the kick drum sound

also what i tend to do for bassy kicks is, on logics drum sequencer you have 2 oscillators, one for the sample and another one called a phase ocillator where you can shape a waveform to how you want it to sound, its standardly a sine wave so i just tune it down to 40-50Hz to give it that extra bassyness,
also you could try using two kick drum samples, find the one you want to use and layer it with a realy subby kick

hope it helps

safe
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