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Mixing Kick & Bass: Aspiring Tech House Producers

Writer's picture: Renay PhillipsRenay Phillips

Updated: Feb 4

 
Struggling to make your kick and bass sit perfectly together? You’re not alone – it’s one of the trickiest parts of production.

EQ Your Kicks Like a Pro

Your kick’s mid and high frequencies hold its unique character. Here’s how to tweak it:


• High Harshness: Roll off everything above 16 kHz to avoid piercing highs.

• Attack Presence: Boost around 4 kHz to bring out the kick’s snap and help it cut through the mix.

• Boxiness: Cut between 600–700 Hz if your kick sounds too muddy or hollow.

• Mud Removal: If necessary, clean around 400 Hz.

• Low-End Thump: Add weight around 120 Hz, but tread carefully – this is where your bass lives too.

• Sub Frequencies: Always cut below 30 Hz with an 18 dB slope to avoid unnecessary rumble and give space to your sub-bass.


Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all formula. Trust your ears and make adjustments based on your track’s vibe.


Kick Compression for Punch and Power

Compression is key to making your kick dominate the low end.


• Standard Settings: Start with a 3-4 ms attack, 4:1 ratio, and adjust the threshold to 3-4 dB of gain reduction. Set the release between 150–200 ms.

• Aggressive Kicks: Try a 5:1 or 6:1 ratio with a faster attack (around 3 ms) and push the threshold for 6–8 dB gain reduction.

• Add Grit: Use subtle saturation to introduce harmonics for more presence and attitude.


Experiment with these settings to make your kick punch through while staying clean and controlled.


Keep It Mono – Especially Below 120 Hz


In Tech House, a tight low end is non-negotiable, and Mono is your best friend.


• Kicks: Keep them entirely mono for consistent low-end power.

• Bass: Push frequencies below 120 Hz to mono but keep the mid-high range in stereo for a wider soundstage.

• How To Do It: Use a mid-side EQ (FabFilter Pro-Q 3). Apply a steep low-cut filter on the stereo signal below 120 Hz, and voilà – no more messy low end.


This technique ensures that your kick and bass are centred while giving your track the stereo width it needs.


Cut & Crossfade Your Waveforms


Sometimes, the simplest methods work best. Zoom into your waveforms and make adjustments:


• Overlap for Energy: A slight overlap between the kick and bass can add drive.

• Cut Smartly: Avoid cutting too much from your kick or bass, as it can kill the groove.

• Crossfading: Use gentle fades to create a smooth transition where the two sounds meet.


Always rely on your ears – visuals help, but the final judgment should come from what you hear.



Nicky Romero Kickstart 2
Nicky Romero Kickstart 2


Sidechain & Volume Control


If EQ and waveform editing aren’t enough, sidechain compression or volume automation can save the day.

• Why Sidechain? Kicks and bass often share frequencies, which can muddy your low end. Sidechaining lets your bass duck under the kick to maintain clarity.

• Tools: Use plugins like Kickstart 2, LFO Tool, or Volume Shaper for easy and precise control. They offer quick patterns (like the classic 4/4 pump) to sync with your kick.

• Avoid Old-School Sidechaining: Using a traditional compressor for sidechaining can be fiddly and inefficient. Modern tools are faster and deliver better results. This is simply my perspective.


Final Thoughts


Getting your kick and bass to work together is a fine art, but with these techniques, you’ll be well on your way to achieving a clean, punchy mix. Experiment, trust your ears, and keep pushing your sound. The dancefloor is waiting for your next banger!


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