Trap Sounds with NI Massive Part 2 - Kick Drum Synthesis

Welcome back to the second installment in our month-long members only series on making Trap sounds in NI Massive. This week we look at kick drum synthesis!

In this tutorial video Jonny shares how to design a couple of uniques drum sounds in NI Massive and then layer them together for the final instrument to be used in track being made throughout the series. Combining a classic trap style kick drum with a gritty, reverb-affected top end element will provide us with a perfectly unique sound that will help to bring our entire song together. And once you add the sub bass…look out! This is one of the best reasons to design your own sounds, as you can perfectly match the energy and character of a song, as well as the instrumentation. Undoubtedly one of the greatest ways to ensure your sounds will work in a mix!

The first sound is a simple sine wave, with just a touch of square wave in there for added character. The pitch is being modulated by an envelope to create the drop effect as the sound is being delivered. This provides a small transient element for us to focus on in the processing phase of production, while leaving the rich and deep bass sound of the kick as the main focal point for the listeners. Add a touch of distortion with a Tele Tube Amp, and a small amount of Noise on the top end and your first layer of thsi kick drum is pretty much done!

The second element covered in this tutorial is all about character. Loaded up with heavy reverb and soem serious grit, this sound is a unique and inspired choice on the part of our presenter Jonny. It’s decisions like these that you are free to make when you are designing yoru own sounds. And with NI Massive on your side, it’s just so simple to do! It’s the little touches like the Sample & Hold insert effect, the Feedback and the Velocity modulation that really bring this element to life.

Cheers,
OhmLab