Use a volume shaper to time the sub to avoid clashing with the kick
Problem: kick buried under sub, lack of rhythmic clarity
The sub is only played on the second half of the beat to give the kick full priority on the first half. This prevents the sub from masking the kick and ensures the kick can punch through clearly. This technique is…
Use a volume shaper to control the timing of the sub for rhythmic clarity
Problem: kick buried under sub, lack of rhythmic clarity
The volume shaper is used to ensure the sub only plays on the offbeat, giving the kick full priority on the downbeat. This is a crucial step in maintaining rhythmic clarity and ensuring the kick can be felt and heard…
Smooth out curves in volume shapers to avoid clicks
Problem: clicks in sidechain compression
Volume shapers like LFO Tool can introduce clicks if the curve is too sharp. To avoid this, slightly pull the top right corner of the curve to the left, which smooths the transition and eliminates unwanted artifacts.…
Use a level tool with MIDI trigger for precise volume shaping
Problem: imprecise volume shaping
For precise volume shaping, use a level tool with a MIDI trigger. This allows for accurate control over the sidechain trigger, ensuring that the compression or volume changes happen exactly when needed. This is…
Add a volume dip after the snare transient for punchier impact
Problem: lifeless or flat snare hits
Pro snare samples often have a volume dip just after the initial transient, which enhances punch and impact. Using a volume shaper plugin (like Shaper Box) to create this dip in audio mode allows precise control over the…
Adjust LFO average value with the slider to flatten waveforms
Problem: uneven modulation levels
The slider moves the entire waveform up or down, flattening it at the top or bottom. This controls the average modulation level without altering the shape, useful for balancing modulation intensity across different…