Fanu/FatGyver
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Mixing quicktip #1: kick boosting mistake + adding kick punch
🕑 Added 2020-07-12 14:16:03 +0000 UTCI want to be doing these mixing quicktips every now and then instead of doing videos every time...so here's mixing quicktip #1.
When I was young and learning this and that about music production (man, there wasn't much info online back then!), my biggest mistake in boosting kicks, when I wanted some punch, was often boosting its lows/fundamental…which doesn't really contribute to being more "audible" or punchy...it adds weight, which is often necessary as well, of course.
Instead, I've learned that boosting the second harmonic of the kick often adds that "punch".
What is the second harmonic, then? For example, if the fundamental frequency – the lowest/loudest peaking frequency – is 75 Hz (also known as the first harmonic) like in that pic, then the second harmonic will be 150 Hz (75 * 2 = 100 Hz).
I've found that this is often where a lot of the punch/force of the kick lies.
I even do this in mastering when there's a really low kick and I need to dig its punch up a bit.
Try this the next time you're mixing kicks and let me know how it goes!
PS: I love Pro-Q and its frequency freeze feature (like seen in the pic) that can be great for quickly seeing the strong peaks.
More tips will come! Let me know what you'd like to hear about :)
Comments
Janne Hatula
You can zoom on Pro-Q to see a specific range :)
Tuomas Munck
I often wonder why there isn't a specific low end EQ tool for these kinds of duites that would only concentrate on the first "two decades" (10Hz-1000Hz) in its freq ranges. Would fit a lot more on the screen and you could easily visualize octaves etc.
Janne Hatula
Probably not!
CÅARL
Does this tip also apply to snares that you want to make punchier? I've found that when I try to make mine punchier, I either end up with a muddy, boomy snare or one that is too over powering in the highs.
Janne Hatula
Pro-Q ruuuuuules :)
CÅARL
Simple and actionable tip. Thanks man! Recently just discovered the freeze feature of pro-Q, lol. Perfect use for it.
Janne Hatula
Would be a nice feature to have! I _think_ that DMGaudio Equilibrium can do it.
esaruoho
I've always wondered why plugins like FabFilter Pro-Q don't just show/calculate the multiples so that it'd be easy to comprehend which ones to boost
