Taming Deep Sub Bass

[djglenn]

Any advice on how to tame a seriously 'wild' sub bass? I'm working on a breaks track that has that typical deep sub kick. I layered a few kicks to get the mids & highs 'broken sounding'; then added a nice deep sub sound that has a nice decaying sound, kinda like an 808. This sub part is the problem. When auditioning alone with the other kicks, it's all good. But when added to the track, i'm sure you can imagine the clipping i get. And of course it muddies up everything else. It's just taking up too much space. Turning the volume down seems to just kill the whole feeling. The problem could be my monitoring. Maybe I just can't hear/feel it when the volume is lower on the kick...leading me to want to keep it at a higher volume. But I'm thinking all i need to do is something to make it fit. The sub part is peaking mainly around 40 ~ 70hz. (I've also turned down every part in the project so nothing clips, but the sub is just too strong at the level I feel sounds 'right')

I tried compressing, which actually makes it (sub part) work, but I completely lose that decay part. It's there, but just not the same. Been trying different settings, but can't seem to get one that works. I'm really thinking a compressor is where I need to be looking for the answer, that and a good EQ job, but hoping I'm missing something that you guys can recommend.

And in general, I'd like to hear how you guys deal with sub bass in your mixes. I can't get enough of the sub, but damn, it'll get you in trouble.

Glenn

[sven hauck]

What kinda monitors are you working with?

[djglenn]

KRK RP-5, 1st generation.

Not the best for the low end, but not terrible. I have a couple standard house speakers I'll turn on to get a general idea of what the sub area is doing, but I don't rely on them. (switch them on a couple times while working just for the sub part....have the rest filtered off of them)

[sven hauck]

Those aren't too bad, although I'd prefer to use a monitor with an 8 inch woofer, as it is able to reproduce those frequencies better.

Nevertheless, maybe the decay is too long, so if you are using Battery or something similar maybe you can adjust the envelope as you are listening to the entire track. This can be key, as if you are tweaking the kick by itself it can sound great but in the context of the mix it may fall apart.

Also, as you use the compressor on the kick itself you can change the release to a faster time so that the compressor 'releases' its action quicker thereby preserving your decay.

Alternatively, you can try putting the compressor across the entire drum bus, since you say that you aren't getting enough volume. Tweak the compressor attack and release until your low end carries through long enough without clipping. Again, do this both with and without the rest of the tracks playing back.

About the compressor, some are better than others, so by using them as indicated you may get different results, so keep that in mind.

Using the house speakers every now and then is a great technique, as that helps you hear the sub frequencies in a colored system.

[djglenn]

Thanks for the advice. I'll try a few things you mentioned when I get back to the track. Trying to get that kick to work 'did my head in'. Will try after Chinese New Year is over.

Glenn

[sven hauck]

No problem. I'm sure Jesse will add to this as well with some other methods as he really has an ear for what happens in the low end frequency spectrum. I had to train myself as I used to play guitar and ignored those lows.

[Medway]

Generally with 808's it can help to take a big cut out around the 160-400hz section, depends on the track. But there's probably a lot of unneeded signal there that you can rid of to free up some headroom.