How to Mix Kick Drum and Bass

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[@jax_wildguess]

This guy has a talent for teaching and coaching ... u can tell from a mile away! Nice gift u got there bud!

[@karabomahlong9368]

I agree, he's providing more than just mixing tip.

[@willischirwa3992]

This EP is simply a masterpiece in every aspect. Unbelievable how simple mixing can be if someone really knows how. Thx a lot for the video

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Thanks Willi.

[@willbryant2390]

I will never miss your NAMM presentations again. Literally the best move I ever made was buying an Audio Box 96. 6 weeks later I have a 16.0.2 so I can get my whole kit and have a wealth of knowledge to draw from in your videos.

[@raydecampos7327]

Joe, you are my new “go-to guy” for all my mixing! Another Outstanding tutorial! Thank you so much!

[@FklefTV]

The simple approach is often time the best approach 😍😍😍

[@willcliftonmusic3914]

I've been using side-chaining a lot until recently, when I figured out that you don't have to use it. :) Thanks for your videos. They're very helpful.

[@SunShyne_Culture]

Hey Joe, you hit the nail right on the head, brother. I mix reggae a lot and that's the same thinking I have and aim for when I'm mixing. Keep up the real work, I'm listening a the way from London, UK.

[@propuissance4148]

Where have I been? Man u are truly a great teacher, give out best stuff! Finally I'm home! 👍

[@ericp8256]

I really like this. Keep revisiting this when I'm having trouble mixing kick and bass. The Jacquire King technique just ain't cutting it on my mixes. It has it's place, but I just can't make it work. Your approach really helped me to re-evaluate how I treat the two.

[@Kenwhoo]

Man u put it perfectly. I understand exactly what you mean and, the way you put it definitely my thoughts exactly....

[@ChasMusic]

Thank you. I came here after watching a few videos on side-chaining kick and bass, then watching your video on side-chain where you said you didn't normally do that. I really like how you focus on understanding what you're doing and what serves the song. So if I do ultimately wind up ducking the bass, it'll be a choice, and not something I automatically did because some video told me to do it. And if I ultimately do it the way you discussed here, same thing. But the first thing is understanding.

[@ShivanshDev]

joe i love your enthusiasm when u talk about music

[@thecookhouse2309]

Wow, you just gave me a whole new perspective on how I look at kick and bass. I am definitely going to practice this method.

[@kapnkronic8051]

man you give more useful mixing tips within 1 video then I get in a semester of audio production school

[@debbierenna9411]

i love your bass sound ! to me it has body, fullness, depth, hollow, it fits amazingly with the drums, incredible work....

[@BillBensen]

I was taught by an esteemed engineer friend this; "the audible spectrum is only so wide, each instrument lives within a space in that spectrum. Some overlap and by making sure each instrument sits well within its space, you achieve a well balanced mix" As a trio, my heavy band set out to make sure each instrument lived in their respective space. As a result when we played live, loud we always got compliments on how you could hear all of us.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Nice

[@arddermout6946]

Its for a reason theres many popular loud bands that have only three instruments. Adding an extra guitar makes things much more complex hence the lead and rhythm guitar seperation work around which is a very unrock n roll thing to do if you ask me.. unless your singer is also the rhythm guitar player. Any way

[@MicahKimsey]

This was amazing thank you so much for the new perspective and tips!

[@md_river]

I subscribed today and am watching a number of your videos like non-stop. I think you are awesome! God bless you Joe.

[@osamwonyiehigiator8252]

You're a great teacher..👍👍👍👍

[@nilanshgaur]

Hey Joe, you are so right about the kick and bass being partners, they are not conflicting frequencies but complementary, sidechain compression or reducing one’s fundamental frequency from another is pointless and takes away from the overall sound.

[@facteurkaloun]

Joe, maybe i love you !!! Great advices as always. Thank you very much. It's not about the bells and whistles in your videos (which are very useful although ) but it's all about your philosophy , your approach regarding making music. It takes away a lot of false/useless frustration, and after each video i re- fall in love with (making) music. Again and again. So thank you for that !

[@tapaaz2012]

Man, so informative...No compression on the bass itself? Mind blowing, will def try it out! Btw, thank you for the free "5-step Mixing Guide".

[@dc2288]

You are brilliant! That explanation is really helpful. Now I have a goal to shoot for.

[@Puditime]

Love your videos

[@vewilli]

Exactly what I‘m looking for: kick and bass in the mix. 👍🏻💪🏻

[@surajacoustic8557]

Joe sir too good and very learning and clear concept in mixing. Heartiest Thanks to u.

[@okwaikennamdimichael]

Can you do a separate tutorial on how to specifically set a kick on a studiolive 32sx mixer?

[@RITESHGANDHISTRINGS]

hey thanks joe for this wonderful info and just as @Will Clifton mentioned, I also do a lot of side chaining all the time but never thought of taking such an approach..thanks again

[@jacquesancillon6635]

Hello Joe ... in addition to giving tips for better mixing! it seems to me that you also reveal a certain philosophy of mixing to achieve !!!!!! it's really nice even if I do not always understand the words you say ... Is that google translators would be sometimes a little tired? ...hahaha Thanks for all these tips .

[@IsisMusic]

Still.. music is in the listerners ears. You like polished music. Music everyone will like. and no one will really love. You see, Joe, music is about trigger and making people feel. Studio One is great for songwriters as me. As I said: I love when you explain how it works. The rest I don´t care for

[@DrPhil3297]

I saw another video elsewhere … forget the guy’s name (sorry!) but he put his kick and bass next to one another on his console since he saw them as working together/complimenting each other as one.

[@oscarlin-b7453]

Finally someone that also think sidechain isnt always nessecary!! Thanks

[@shawndrewes2780]

March 2023 I’m just getting to this video. Thanks JOE!

[@MrVyrtuoso]

Here's the thing. I don't know how many people have their ears so finely tuned that every time they hear 55Hz and 61.74Hz they can tell every single time which is A1 and B1. Our ears aren't really that good at distinguishing bass notes at these frequencies. We hear A1 and B1 as these distinct pitches really in the presence of their 1st harmonic, A2 (110Hz) and B2 (123.47Hz) in combination with their second harmonic E3 and F#3. Even E2 at 82.4Hz is difficult to distinguish, and what we probably hear more as E is E3 (164.8Hz). Point is, carving out the bass below 60Hz or even 80Hz for kick would have very little effect on our hearing the bass, though feeling it would be a different matter, and whether we wanna feel bass at this range would be determined by stylistic aspects and musical arrangement. If kick and bass are always going to be so phase locked so as to function as a single unit, then carving out the bass for kick would be less important than amplitude balancing, since their combined energy over the same frequency areas will generate higher amplitudes that will trigger what compressor/limiter is engaged on what bus they're sent together, and depending upon how that affects the mix, multi-band or side-chain compression or eq'ing might be needed to compensate for that energy.

[@ohadproducshen2142]

thank you! great content

[@musondajmwila8450]

You mentioned that Graham Cochrane is your friend and I immediately subscribed. LOL

[@rickymarty3353]

thank you Joe for your video

[@davejohnsonmusic]

That's amazing that you didn't have to boost the kick at all around 50-70Hz, or dip any boxiness around 400Hz? No LP/HP filters either on the kick and bass? Also, most engineers I've seen will boost the bass around 100-150Hz and cut the same frequency on the kick, or vise versa, so they play well together. I think this shows that you have very well recorded tracks to begin with, not everyone is so lucky. I really love the low-end of your new EP... you can really "feel" it.

[@Dj_Leoguerrero]

Brilliant explanation man !! Thanks a lot

[@WillfoxPiano]

great video. I've been struggling for a while so this was super helpful!

[@seand6576]

Great stuff! This is definitely an area I struggle with the most.

[@jonison6847]

Very useful - simple and to the point - thank you.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

👍

[@bobrv8]

Love the intro Joe! Just mixing Amen at DM and loving the song and meaning - reminds me of Simple Minds :-)

[@trv503]

Good one Joe!!! I will use this for the synth and "real" drum and bass sounds I use.

[@jessejafrnd]

What do you think about sidechaining the bass comp to the kick? I don't see the sidechain on your fat channel.. And I wish I understood what the key knob does on the tube comp.. Also what is the benefit of high pass at 49? I hope 3 questions isn't too much, your videos have helped me a ton, thank you.

[@MrDaemingue]

Start at 5:21 to skip the introduction ;)

[@nichttuntun3364]

Hi. I enjoyed your video and the philosophy behind it. I like the overall sound of this mix very much. Sounds really good to my ears. Although the bass has nearly no definition in the mix itself. I think it could have a bit more transients coming through and a bit more grit on the DI 2nd track. But hey, whatever, it works very well in your mix. Thank you for sharing. Cheers

[@gtabro1337]

OMG I watched halfway through to realise you are talking about mixing the DRUMS and the BASS, and not the genre Drum and Bass...

[@HomeStudioCorner]

🤣 my bad

[@elgamerico]

😂😂

[@playpm]

Lmao

[@sarahtonin4649]

Drum and Bass is a "genre"? Wow. I think word "genre" has been seriously watered down through the years.

[@rasmusmortensen7499]

@@sarahtonin4649 i mean drum and bass is pretty old tho haha got its breakthrough around 30 years ago

[@bryantlroeback3287]

AS FAR AS LEVELING THE TWO, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE KLANGHELM METHOD. GAIN STAGE KICK & BASS USING VU METER set to -18db WITH BASS AVERAGING MEASURE OF NEEDLE AT -3GB & KICK AVERAGE MEASURE OF NEEDLE AT -3GB ON VU METER TO EQUAL 0 db (UNITY GAIN)?

[@NickEnchev]

Side-chain is used more as a dynamics "effect" than a mixing technique anyways.

[@dreambeliever3652]

Ty so much Joe

[@Enice43]

I love how you show off the presonus stuff....

[@Traynoramp08]

I was about to ask this question.. thank for the tips!

[@ericpassmore3068]

Well done sir...no need to solve problems that don’t exist right? Sometimes you will need to do some EQ carving...but not always...better to follow this approach and only rely on more complicated techniques if they are truly necessary 👍

[@giorgiosale639]

Your videos are just helpful! Can I ask you some advice about the kick and bass levels? I love Kip Moore`s last album sound, so huge deep kick and big bass sound. Do you have any advice for achieving that sound? Thank you so much!

[@leobluesy]

Interesting video..Thanks

[@kbgws]

Sounds great on my monitors, but on my phone no low end and only the clack of the kick. But that's encouraging because I was frustrated with my own on that.

[@audiomaximo]

thanks joe!!!

[@hanstuaobie1175]

Thanks bro appreciate your explanation

[@brucelittle3958]

Great demo of EQ between kick and bass! Just curious how important it is to you for kick and bass to be precisely on beat together? What tips do you have in editing to "quantize" the kick and bass audio trax and how precise do they need to be?

[@danboniface914]

Bruce Little it all depends on genre, and if you are going for a more “human” or “live” sound, or a perfectly timed sound. You can always quantize to around 90% if you want it to sound nice and tight but still have that human element to it. You hear most Pop songs are 100% quantized and Complete vocal tuning which is what that genre requires. Basically, it’s your preference

[@kiltworm]

Best recording software on a limited budget? Where do Cubase and Garage Band fit in the rankings?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Studio One Prime is free. Then if you buy a Presonus interface you get the $150 artist version for free

[@kiltworm]

@@HomeStudioCorner Will I find the free version limiting after using Cubase for years?

[@baxtronicxavier]

Nice then, reminds me of Travis type 90’s indy rock

[@jaimedavid6325]

Trying to get on Dueling Mixes, but it says the site is currently unaccessible. Any idea when it'll be back online? Thanks!

[@BkuBrown]

I have an old drumcomputer where the bass is literally an extension (decay) of the kickdrum. This is the way it was meant to be. I mean look at the whole 808 thing

[@KREOGHOSTOFFICIAL]

Oh sit down oh sit down, sit down next to me 💯

[@the.secret.transmission]

In love, in fear, in hate, in tears...

[@TheRealATema]

duelingmixes is down? cant access it, would like to be a part of it

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Doesn’t exist anymore. Sorry.

[@riverssystem1293]

I don't know why but that "wham" section reminds me of James - Sit Down.

[@TheRimshotDrummer]

Thank you.

[@DielectricFailure]

So I compress an acoustic kick drum. It sounds good for the music I create on a different channel. But then I side chain my bass using compression to make it work.

[@owenwright5266]

This is more of a Studio One question, I have recently found and older version of one of my songs and i want to make an alternate mix, how do i access the tracks from the final version? Would love to hear what you think, great videos man!

[@Tubetart]

Lovin the beard Joe, great tutorial, :)

[@paulenaford2473]

Theank you paulena yes

[@multiversedm]

100%

[@rickylpollock]

Perfect!

[@gabrielespinoza616]

Great advice Joe! Thank you! :D

[@nonameuser5243]

Joe gilder

[@zendakk]

TL;DR: Less hoo-hoo and more booh-booh! :) But seriously, a great way of thinking about it, and well explained.

[@dudleydooright]

Video starts at 5:22. Thank me later.

[@itsKaceMusic]

Not really. Everything before that is important for beginners to understand too

[@J3YTHAM3NAC3]

Thx

[@PIRKSTINS]

why is the drum buss going over 0db? sorry noob question? :D

[@HomeStudioCorner]

0 dB on a fader isn't clipping. It's more like a fader on a console. there's still 10 dB of headroom above 0.

[@mattkirkhamm]

your voice is almost the same as that recording revolution guy lol

[@juanpablopinoarauz]

I'll said what about when the guitar bass is not lock in with the drum bass is this work? Not to be able to listening bass guitar or drum bass without struggling, make a mix not clear as well is not ideal for drum or bass player can't appreciate what they did on the track.. Saludos!

[@zsozsonagy2182]

Hello! Why clipping of drum channel? :-)

[@florentmagere3782]

I am sorry but not "in any genres" You HAVE TO sidechain bass/kick for instance in EDM to improve this "dancing" or ducking effect.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Yup

[@jovanmanuel8642]

I skipped the first 3 minutes then I go back cause everything in this video is relevant unless the camera haha

[@HomeStudioCorner]

😊

[@MaxLapierre]

So Kick and Bass clashing is a myth?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

I mean, it happens I suppose, but it's not nearly as big of a problem as people seem to think it as...at least in my experience.

[@phadrus]

I would take this video with a huge grain of salt.

[@DileepKumar-ek6zd]

FL Studio on error parblam

[@chhau123]

at first i thought it was Uprising BY Muse LOL

[@IsisMusic]

I love your videos and how you explain, but I don´t understand your views on kick and bass. For me the kick drum and the bass is not the same and should not be alligned as you say. I´m for rock, punk and americana, pretty much like you. I can´t see that the bass is doing what you says in my favorite songs. The best bass is when it´s playing it´s own line, think of the Clash. I think the bass should be separated from the kick drum. Not supportive. I understand you are not a bass player and it shows. Of course it´s all about what sounds you are looking for but I disagree with you- The bass can be used in so much more interesting ways. Listen to the Clash and you will understand

[@HomeStudioCorner]

I'm not talking about the bass part. Of course the bass player should play more than just the kick drum rhythm. I'm talking about frequencies. Bass and kick occupy a lot of the same frequencies, and my mixes work better when those two play well together.

[@IsisMusic]

@@HomeStudioCorner I know you are. But in a lot of videos you talk about how the kick is the Bang (you use another word) and the bass is the continuing of the kick. Like the bass is supposed to follow the kick and holding the tone. It´s ok but I don´t think that is the role for the bass. I understand you like the supportive bass sound, just underlining the melody. And it´s ok. But the bass can be so much more. And I don´t think you make bad mixes. They are professional. Too professional. But perfection can also be a bit boring you know. I´m sorry if I was rude. I really like your videos and you teach me alot how to use Studio One

[@jules.bear75]

how cute :)

[@IsisMusic]

By the way .. I really love when you explain how Studio One works. But I don´t think your mixes are that good. Sorry

[@adammolot]

How many very important things you intentionally ignored, dude! ;-) What sound card do you use for example? How did you record these samples? Therefore you did nothing with a mixing because expensive equipment did all job instead you. :-DDD *AND THIS IS THE MAIN SECRET OF PROFESSIONAL SOUND.* _The last statement for young and novice musicians who are looking for the secrets of professional sound._

[@pixelboxcreative]

Hey Joe! I'm honestly NOT trying to be a douche...but why is your drum buss peak going way past unity? I mean, I'm sure you have everything limited on the Master, but don't you generally want to avoid this?

[@HomeStudioCorner]

What's wrong with going past unity? Going past unity isn't clipping.

[@PIRKSTINS]

@@HomeStudioCorner ah asked the same thing. people always tell you about gain staging and stuff, so you would keep everything below 0db, so seeing that is what I am not used to. Why are you doing that?

[@pixelboxcreative]

@@HomeStudioCorner ?? I dunno. You are master here, not me. I've always been told to keep away from it, but yeah, it makes sense that if it's not clipping then good to go.

[@AdrogMTB]

The trick is to use your ears. If its going over unity but still sounds good, what’s the problem? All settings are arbitrary until they affect the sound.

[@HomeStudioCorner]

Yeah I'm not one of those gain-staging guys. If it's not clipping, you're good. Move on. Make music. 😊

[@korhansoydan]

Sit Down.

[@glaz3580]

You talk alot bye

[@GreyManFaustus]

"He"? Did you just assume the basses gender?

[@iiisaaciiiriv8981]

Johann Faustus Lol 😂😂

[@stevenam2354]

It's his own song and he recorded it, so I'm pretty sure he knows the bass player's gender.

[@GreyManFaustus]

@@stevenam2354 If I recall correctly, a relative of his played the bass. But that was not my point :D

[@cliveburgess4128]

Basses don't have genders, Bassists, or Bass players do!