Disclosure’s Signature Kick (How To Make It & Why It Sounds So Good)

[@SolStateMusic]

Lots of you asked for "more summaries". Is this what you had in mind? ► Disclosure's go to kick - bit.ly/disc-kick [affiliate link*] 👋 Disclosure's Discord - discord.gg/disclosure

[@lunchpin403]

This was really interesting!!

[@SwiftDreamer]

More vids like this!

[@joshua7734]

Yes, this is perfect. More of this!

[@ModulerDrone]

You know, this is the type of content that will explode your channel An excellent evolution congratulations! Also nice elegant subscribe reminder, not those obnoxious FULL SCREEN ONES from 50k subs ago :P See you at 100k, 200k, 1mil etc.

[@JamieFerguson.]

Which pack is the cutline kick in mate?

[@disclosure]

Wow… your knowledge of our kicks is far superior to our own 😂 this is great!! Thank you ❤️

[@everybodyhasoul5438]

Lmao

[@empyrean6864]

I luv u guys

[@felimosmusic]

The artists themselves!

[@oligarcho1881]

epic

[@DannySullivanMusic]

hahaha niiice

[@skinnyrigid]

That moment when the length of a kick drum video is 8:08

[@tectonicgaming9002]

That moment when I click the 808 and accidentally end the video

[@sofcom8522]

That moment you get told that the length of a video being 8:08......isnt a moment

[@TheClearMediaContent]

This is great! Nice breakdown and what a lovely coincidence that the length of the video is 8:08. When mixing it's important to decide what the lowest thing in the track is- the kick or the sub, and figure out where to carve frequencies out of each one so the mix is clean. EQ and side chain compression are my go-to techniques for this, after leveling.

[@SolStateMusic]

Thank you! Yes, there's only so much space in the low end. For one thing to be big, something else must be small.

[@speedcrawlmusic]

I've been trying the Cutline DnB 2 & it's 👏 it's also really nice to have a go-to when laying down a track as you can throw it in, dial in some rough settings, it sounds great, then you can keep focusing on the song as a whole and come back later to fine tune if need be. this is how i work at the moment at least 👍

[@tcpoole]

as a musician, this is so informative. I'm slowly learning more about this part of music and it helps so much. I do a lot of live performances on the internet building songs from scratch, and your videos really help me out. I'm a huge Disclosure fan (22nd January, Boss, Omen). Thanks for taking the time to break this down for us.

[@SolStateMusic]

Glad it's helping ya!

[@d4rksoci3ty]

Thanks for condensing useful info down into bite size pieces Sol State. Much much appreciated

[@SolStateMusic]

Glad it helped

[@AirGuitar]

Don't you wish Madeon would do livestreams so we could learn all of his secrets? I mean his mixes sound sooo clean and full. He mixes and masters all of his music so it would be cool to hear him talk about his process in FL.

[@Xevoid]

I would study those religiously 😩

[@AirGuitar]

@@Xevoid I know right?? Of course he is super secretive about his mix process but I hope that changes in the future...

[@Audiqatt29]

Kick the like button… Nice

[@SolStateMusic]

"Can I kick it? Yes you can..."

[@dilatedconciousness]

I swear this channel just gets better and better. Loved the analytical approach. So much info in under 10 minutes. Keep it up 👏🏻

[@SolStateMusic]

Thank you! I always try to pack in the value!

[@Bthelick]

If you think about a kick is really just a diving frequency, you can start to hear which are the right samples to fit your groove/need. if you want a short kick it has to get to the lows fast after the transient too, or else you might chop/fade it before it reaches the fundamental and you'll end up losing the bottom end and just end up with the 'chest'. if your in a small room or on not very good speakers or phones you won't catch this, get a good FFT like the free span by voxengo to help you check. (and no don't bother trying to time stretch a longer one that's a phase nightmare you'll also end up with no bottom end)

[@funkahontas]

One tip I saw on a Mr. Bill video about layering kicks is that it's not necessary to split the 3 parts or layers of the kicks in different channels but rather have them all in a single track and have them not fade with each other, this would make some clicks because of phase being different between the end of one sample and the beginning of the next but that's actually something you want for the transient and it's not even noticeable.

[@shuffle5678]

interesting idea...could actually split the waveform like Sol does at the start here. i usually had the layers on separate channels

[@AnonKeys]

I like how the length of a kick drum video is 8:08.

[@TylersTrying]

Amazing. Love this nerdy shit. It's hard to find stuff like this elsewhere.

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks! Appreciate the feedback and insight

[@FabianMazur]

Love the nerdy approach of this video! Good job 💪🏽

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks Fabian!

[@castelox9996]

the whole thing about the kick being in three parts was really useful kinda how the thump of a snare is in the low mids and the texture is in the upper mids

[@jn2400]

Wait, so years of me just tweaking eq on a kick drum isn't going to find me the perfect kick. Thank you for releasing me from my prison....

[@Max-gh6px]

8:08 , nice

[@SolStateMusic]

😎

[@wiish8202]

Just bought big kick through your affiliate link. Really appreciate your work!

[@SolStateMusic]

Hope you enjoy it, and thank you!

[@Rex-dk1rx]

I have always had problems with kicks punching through my mix with nice bottom end. In a smooth way. So I bought big kick and wow what a plug in something like ten minutes I had a perfect kick. Kicking through the mix

[@joshallen-craig8226]

Well this was the single greatest production tutorial I've ever seen!!! The disclosure technique is gold 🙏

[@SolStateMusic]

Wow, thanks!

[@danielmcnamara_]

nice video - would handy to see a spectrogram of the kicks from the 2:40 section

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks for feedback, I think I show that at 3:00

[@danielmcnamara_]

@@SolStateMusic ya - I'm bad with the terminology; I think what you're showing would be called a realtime analysis but I meant a non-realtime. The type where X is time and Y frequency and color is amplitude

[@PEJTGAMER]

Love these more in depth videos where you get into fine details, super interesting!

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks, appreciate the feedback, still learning!

[@johnsimpsen5]

The fact that the video is length in 8:08 is perfect

[@nanob0zo]

This level of detail in a snappy to the point video is perfect. Thanks!

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it

[@FatTonyTheSkipper]

This is the best music prod channel on KZbin. 10/10 consistency with how you edit and tell the story. Appreciate it big time.

[@SolStateMusic]

Aw thanks! Always trying my best ;)

[@curtis_chip]

the best ?

[@prestigious5s23]

I believe they mentioned in one of their streams they keept the kick volume at like 8db or maybe it was 12db, to give them more headroom for the mix. THought that was interesting as I did studio sessions before and 3db seemed to be the norm, but I actually prefer their way.

[@Prefesuersheen]

love that oliver sample in the background at 1:42, im always tempted to use it but its so good i wouldnt feel right taking it

[@gugughama]

This channel is so awesome.....I learned so much in two days binge watching your channel. Its crazy

[@SolStateMusic]

Thank you! Tell a friend!

[@Dragaan]

Wow this was an amazing vid! Thanks for putting this together! So awesome!

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks man! Glad you enjoyed ;)

[@sh-kw2ox]

F9 audio have a great pack OK kicks where they also supply the transient, body and sub separately so you can mix and match

[@BoBo-rf1cb]

You can check the Mat Zo kick tutorial (the one he uses NR Kick + Serum). + this tutorial you should be able to make exactly the kick you want.

[@adamdavidvideos]

Thank you for the discount! Been meaning to buy BigKick and today just became the day.

[@DannySullivanMusic]

that's right. totally, totally correct man

[@a.d.h.s.]

Dude, your work here on this channel is just pure gold! Thanks for that! Keep it up

[@parasiteunit]

I tend to just grab a Monotron and in around a few minutes of noodling with it, I have found my kick. Nomadik have done some nice old skool sample packs - on their own the kicks may be a bit dry for some... However, gold is found when mixing between three or four to make hybrids. Also, if a kick starts light - it's useful (as the vid highlighted v well) as it leaves space for other stuff. In fact, if I recall the "offset" baseline in old Trance tracks occurred, simply because the limits of audio production (trance was a thing 30 years ago - bear that in mind) could not get the separation between baseline and kick when mixing.

[@kevincrawley423]

that was incredibly helpful...you really went in-depth with that one. I love your videos, keep it up, man! Also, that outro song hits *hardddddddddd*

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks will do!

[@poppershnoz4536]

What's cool about FL Studio is that the Sampler has all these features ready to go to customize your kicks.

[@Lous_taunau]

OMG, this tutorial got a deeper level than anything I had watched.

[@SolStateMusic]

Wow thank you!

[@TheUniversalNeo]

insanely good work, the organization of research data in a spreadsheet is next level dedication

[@FLiNToN77]

Interesting point about the Disclosure mixdown being for pop records. It’s something I’ve taken away from his twitch feeds and it doesn’t apply to the house or techno that I produce which are more club orientated than pop. I need bigger louder kicks to be comparable to the reference tracks I use. The key element for me it’s the transient and punch element and these vids have helped me tune this element of my tracks. Previously I’ve focussed on the oomph of the kick.

[@ryanbent9368]

Dude, this was awesome! You did a great job breaking down all the important details.

[@SolStateMusic]

Much appreciated! Thanks for the feedback!

[@fannarasgrimsson3807]

My favourite KZbin channel! I just bought the kick plugin through your affiliate link. I hope more viewers do that to show support.

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks, appreciate it :)

[@HaiselYT]

You read my mind Sol State! I've been wondering for months now how Disclosure creates such punchy, heart pounding kicks! Thank you!

[@thelateraledge]

Best to get a subwoofer or something like a subpac, it really helps fine tuning the length of a kick and the processing and mixing of it. I think a lot of people get confused when talking about the kick cutting through the bass, there is actually two distinct parts to this not one. You can have your kick cut through the bass in the upper low frequency ranges but not the bottom, this is what I see a lot, as it gives the listener the illusion that it is cutting through but if you listen with a sub you won't be able to feel a distinct separate hit when the kick plays over the bass. For me anyway this is pretty much impossible to detect this without the help of a subwoofer.

[@SolStateMusic]

Yeah, def helpful to have something that reveals super low sub detail!

[@jasongravely7217]

Dude this video is freakin amazing. Your charts and studying is ridiculously amazing. thank you

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks Jason! Hope it helps your kick drums :)

[@juliana.2120]

Dr. Sol State from now on

[@SolStateMusic]

I like that - Dr. Sol

[@ShaunTrillo]

got a track with a number of kicks doing different things, it's pretty busy so this is helpful

[@alonz30]

literally the best person on KZbin right now

[@DannySullivanMusic]

yup. absolutely true man

[@SolStateMusic]

Haha shhh don't tell the others ;)

[@Kaotonix]

Commenting because Sol State is awesome - 100k here he goes!

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks man! Fingers crossed 🤞

[@Arenymous]

Video exactly 8:08 long. I see what you did there :D

[@SolStateMusic]

Couldn't help myself 😂

[@Arenymous]

@@SolStateMusic 😆 It had to be done! Also the video was great as always!

[@SixtySecondsorLess60]

Great in depth video, love this channel.

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks

[@damonomusic]

Thanks Sol State! Dropping production gems!

[@Jack_Rivet]

Very informative! I appreciate it when someone does their homework

[@karnsandhu]

Man,this is too informative and interesting,thanks, btw can you do the same for flume's sound design and drums stuff?

[@SolStateMusic]

Love the idea, I've never seen any videos where flume clearly shows his process, so hopefully one day

[@QuantumVengeance]

@SolStateMusic, u the man for this one!

[@simensez2155]

you are the man for breaking these vids down!

[@outplayer1]

Your work is incredible! Well done mate! Thank you so much!

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks a lot!

[@chriswuzhere91]

Thank you for all you do SolState

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks Christopher!

[@DaPhunk73]

Great video, thanks for sharing! Nice trick in the end with the Pro-Q preset!

[@JazzMac36251]

Man, thank you for everything you do!

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks ;)

[@reiherreracl3459]

so the deadmau5 advice of cutting the tail is not crazy at all. i loved that idea

[@AVDRE]

Bro the amount of work put into this video. Awesome

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks a lot!

[@itsalv1]

OMG this video was probably the most helpful video i've watched in a while, thank you for this amazing video!

[@LukeIcardMusic]

The video length is 8:08. Also a reference to the 808 kick drum lol

[@ziga_music_official]

deadmau5's Strobe kick is 1/16 note long btw.

[@themusichouse4605]

The lord has spoken and delivered.

[@2ndbleak]

1:26 that's a french house track waiting to happen

[@SolStateMusic]

Every short loop is 😂

[@StuCupid]

french house is best house

[@CemSaydam]

this is the best internet content ever on the internet

[@SolStateMusic]

hhaha thanks don't tell reddit ;)

[@thedoc1210]

2020 vision dekay is my fave.

[@charlessomerset9754]

Have always been a connoisseur of kicks. Finding the perfect one is the holy grail. My two favorites have to be the one used in Quivver's Surin, and the kick from Magnus's Velvet. Both are astonishingly good.

[@SolStateMusic]

Funny thing about perfects kicks is soooo much is context, like levels of things around it

[@jameslemode]

Valuable content. Sometimes we forget to REALLY study things and see how they actually work!

[@lando3143]

Great analysis!

[@hey_maurice]

GREAT video! Loved how detailed everything was. Also, the nerdy part of me really wants to see those spreadsheets. 😅

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks for feedback, you can screenshot the spreadsheet in the intro

[@AlexGrantPlus]

@@SolStateMusic Any way you can share them? Thank you for the great videos.

[@nimck-y2z]

Could you maybe comment or make a video on kicks that don’t start completely on axis (very beginning of a sine wave)? When I make kicks, adjusting the coarse pitch doesn’t affect phase position but adding a transient click to the master tuning does shift the sine wave to start off axis (even if your phase position is off random and starting at the very beginning of the sine wave) and I wonder if there’s any way to not get the master tuning transient trick to shift the phase. I’ll have to mess around with it more today. Also I’m not sure if it even matters so that’s a topic too

[@WillLawrenceUK]

How are you getting the Oliver kick to peak at 2db without it distorting?

[@SolStateMusic]

it's not a 2db over digital zero, every EQ has different scaling settings.

[@danyimedia5727]

What an awesome video man. So organised, so much knowledge. Appreciate the effort! 🤙

[@verdean11]

Think it comes from the french house they love. Huge sub-y kicks weren't a thing on the genre, that's why Daft Punk could even use reverb on kicks. If you have a moving bass line, a sub-y kick will take too much attention off it. If you have a steady, reese-ish bass, a sub-y kick makes more sense because it gives it some energy, some oomf to the bass itself.

[@jkim760]

Good take. I think the lack of sub-y-ness as you've pointed out was compensated by the heavy compression/ducking effect that's also so prevalent in French house, which added some needed body to the kick.

[@George-nx8zu]

Sol State, is there already a video uploaded on how Guy is using that ghost sidechain to control ducking on his Kick and the compressor settings he likes to use for that sidechain?

[@SolStateMusic]

I remember him talking about it, but not sure if I included in an edit. Guy uses a ghost sidechain trigger cause he likes to automate the length of the kick. I think compressor settings depend on song.

[@yumamusic_]

Great Video!

[@marshallcolin71]

So question - when layering kicks, do you place the 3 different kick variations right on top of each other, or use the different kicks individually in different parts of the track?

[@ar_snl]

Thanks for this video. im making a sample pack and I need all the info I can get.

[@SwiftDreamer]

Thanks Sol State! Nothing but gems 💎💎💎

[@kevinkearney3836]

Love this type of video. Thank you!

[@wrighteously]

My favorite kick technique: take a kick with a lot of body and bass, one of those that you feel in your chest not a dinky edm kick. Then route your kick and your hi hat or shaker etc to a new channel together. Then you add a soft clipper and tweak the input levels of each track till you like the result and bam, your kick has a fuck ton of punch and body at the same time without the kick sounding like a dinky edm kick.

[@togbazghi]

Wowow exactly what I was looking for. Can you do a similar analysis for Hi Hats and maybe even Snares?

[@SolStateMusic]

Certainly open to it - but no good ideas right now.

[@alex_opr]

added to favorites, this is going really deep and this mindset can go well on tackling any mixing/prod problem

[@SolStateMusic]

Awesome! So much of mixing is just problem solving...

[@tomrosenjacobson80]

Great video! Very good stuff. Maybe do a vid applying this knowledge to a track/stems with a melodic bassline?

[@SolStateMusic]

Some bassline breakdowns could be cool!

[@joshc8574]

Solstate out here doing the Lord's work

[@jamesd9244]

Hey quick question: What DAW are you using?

[@huber-lofiandchillbeat]

Really interesting ! nice work by the way

[@speedcrawlmusic]

I noticed Guy's Big Kick and Battery kick layers are in stereo. Why is this?

[@SolStateMusic]

Not sure. Perhaps one of the kick layers has some stereo information? Not uncommon.

[@planetclay]

wow you can still hear the kick?? even if it's not beng CRAMMED DOWN YOUR THROAT EYEBALLS?? and every cell of your body?!?! what a frigging concept...amazing...THANK YOU!

[@SparkySubie]

The most important part is how the rest of your mix sits around the kick, that's what can create the contrast to make it sound punchy or deep or whatever

[@shakeeljessa9619]

Excellent video.

[@MalikAmer87]

great channel

[@funkyman423]

Dude you’re so awesome, such a great teacher. Can’t thank you enough!

[@SolStateMusic]

Thanks man 🙌

[@Eichro]

What's the track playing at 2:37 and why does it sound so much like Kirby 64?

[@shawnpeterson1825]

I have a question that might not be for here, but when I use Battery, and also the Ableton MIDI controller. How do I assign the buttons on the pad to match the layout on the battery interface. A lot of times I go to use it and the samples are on random spots on the midi controller vs. what they look like on the plug-in’s display. Thanks. Best Regards. Sweet video btw too.

[@GabuGH3]

Awesome video man, very helpful! Keep It Up Sol State!

[@glenson7587]

Great! As usual! Thank you!!!