do any of you know any good compression settings for kick drum?

[wjgypsy]

hi guys,

i've been listening to some records and i've noticed that the kick sounds compressed. so i though "that's how thay do it" so i drive down to my studio and plug my composer pro into the insert on the kick channel and try some ideas. but i could not get that sound! here's the kind of kick sound that i want.... a loud (but not to loud), flat,bassy,clicky(not realy but a little) kick sound. to get an idea of what i'm talking about listen to these songs...


"facing hell" (ozzy) from the album: "down to earth"

"lonly road" (paul mcCartney) from the album: driving rain"

"spining on an axis" (paul mcCartney) same album


you can listen to the 2 songs by mcCartney at......

www.paulmccartney.com


thanks,


zeke

 

[shackrock]

"back in black" acdc

 

[LooneyTunez]

You are probably going to need a combo of EQ and compression to achieve that sound. I would suggest a high pass filter around 60-70hz (to remove the low rumbly stuff), maybe give a 2-3db boost between 2k-5k, and maybe pull some midbass out as well(a few db anwhere between 250hz-500hz). Then apply some compression of probably 4:1 or so, with a short attack (but not too short or you will kill the impact click - maybe 5-10ms), and set the release around 80-100ms. Those are some (very) rough estimates, but probably a good starting point.

 

[chessrock]

Sloooow compression, my friend. Longer attack and release times. Opto-compressors are the best for kick. Think Joemeek.

 

[LongWaveStudio]

6:1 , short attack, 100ms release. i run kicks through a DBX 286A Preamp a lot, it works amazingly on kick drums.

the main way of getting the sound is how you mic it though. concentrate on that first. what mic are you using?if you're using a composer, i woudln't use 6:1, it might sound too compressed. try around 4:1.