STYLE DIRECTION

How to Build a Psytrance Kick

STARTING POINT

Build a Psytrance kick around a very short precise kick with a steep pitch drop and tightly managed tail that interlocks with a fast bassline. 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

Transient1.09
Body0.62
Sub0.40
Length230 ms
Punch90%
Tone2.20
Drive14%
Impact80%

METHOD

How to shape it

  1. Set the kick envelope for the tempo and groove.
  2. Balance Transient, Body, and Sub as one event.
  3. Use Length to protect the bass and next rhythmic hit.
  4. Add Punch, Tone, Drive, and Impact only for a specific audible need.
  5. Check the result in mono, at low level, and in the full arrangement.

ARRANGEMENT DIRECTIONS

Choose the version your track needs

Core

The balanced style foundation

The balanced style foundation.

Transient1.09
Body0.64
Sub0.40
Length210 ms
Punch90%
Tone2.10
Drive12%
Impact78%

Tighter

A shorter arrangement-friendly version

A shorter arrangement-friendly version.

Transient1.09
Body0.64
Sub0.30
Length179 ms
Punch96%
Tone2.20
Drive14%
Impact82%

Heavier

A denser version for the largest section

A denser version for the largest section.

Transient1.08
Body0.68
Sub0.40
Length230 ms
Punch90%
Tone2.40
Drive20%
Impact90%