STYLE DIRECTION

How to Build a Tech House Kick

STARTING POINT

Build a Tech House kick around a short controlled low end, readable click, and body that survives dense percussion. 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

Transient0.85
Body0.73
Sub0.45
Length370 ms
Punch68%
Tone1.00
Drive9%
Impact62%

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

Groove-first

A rounder version for rolling basslines

A rounder version for rolling basslines.

Transient0.74
Body0.74
Sub0.49
Length430 ms
Punch58%
Tone0.70
Drive8%
Impact60%

Peak-time tech

A firmer and brighter club version

A firmer and brighter club version.

Transient0.91
Body0.72
Sub0.45
Length360 ms
Punch76%
Tone1.60
Drive14%
Impact70%

Minimal tight

A short version for busy percussion

A short version for busy percussion.

Transient0.86
Body0.62
Sub0.34
Length320 ms
Punch70%
Tone1.20
Drive8%
Impact60%