Low end is generally the most difficult part of any mix to control. But it’s particularly an art form in R&B, HipHop, Rap, Reggae, where so much of the critical content is in the low end. There are all kinds of tricks, techniques and “secrets” for making it happen.

I would say to get creative with how you’re approaching the kick drum and remember the basics. Rarely will a single sample yield the result you’re looking for. A sample triggering a Sine Wave through a Gate, for example, is a tried and true method for enhancing the tone and decay of a kick.

Some guys use the MoogerFooger LP plugin for Kick Enhancement. Any plugin that enables you to add nice sounding LF Harmonics is worth checking out. (Some distortion boxes and compressors do this nicely).

Also – getting back to basics, one thing that is a challenge for all of us is to avoid cluttering up the low end and not leaving enough space in the spectrum for the Kick to come through. For example, if your Kick is fundamentally happening at 62Hz, then cut some of the Bass at 62Hz. This alone should be standard practice and can make a big difference, moving you away from muddy, undefined low end toward punchy, tight, chest pounding low end.

Paul