STYLE DIRECTION
How to Build a Dubstep Kick
STARTING POINT
Build a Dubstep kick around a sharp unmistakable Transient, compact body, and controlled Sub level plus Length and Fade that remains audible against distorted or wide bass movement. Start with the ILLUSTRATIVE KX1000 STARTING VALUES below, then choose a direction only when the arrangement needs a different amount of length, density, or attack.
ILLUSTRATIVE KX1000 STARTING VALUES
Build the style foundation
Transient1.06
Body0.70
Sub0.34
Length310 ms
Punch86%
Tone2.40
Drive22%
Impact78%
METHOD
How to shape it
- Set the kick envelope for the tempo and groove.
- Balance Transient, Body, and Sub as one event.
- Use Length to protect the bass and next rhythmic hit.
- Add Punch, Tone, Drive, and Impact only for a specific audible need.
- Check the result in mono, at low level, and in the full arrangement.
ARRANGEMENT DIRECTIONS
Choose the version your track needs
Clean bass-music
A clearer and less distorted versionA clearer and less distorted version.
Transient1.00
Body0.64
Sub0.33
Length320 ms
Punch76%
Tone1.90
Drive14%
Impact74%
Heavy drop
A denser, more aggressive versionA denser, more aggressive version.
Transient1.12
Body0.74
Sub0.40
Length320 ms
Punch92%
Tone2.90
Drive28%
Impact82%
Tight modern
A shorter version for very busy dropsA shorter version for very busy drops.
Transient1.14
Body0.59
Sub0.28
Length220 ms
Punch88%
Tone3.40
Drive22%
Impact78%