Beat Making - Kick on Own Channel [?]

[Eternal_One]

Hey all,

Just recently read on a website that the kick drum should always be on it's own channel.

Is this true/good advice? If so, why?

I use Reason 4 so basically in one ReDrum channel, I've always put the kick drum with the snares/claps/hi hats.

So with this advice, I'm assuming the kick drum should have its very own ReDrum channel followed by another ReDrum channel with the snares/claps/hi hats/etc.

Anyone have any other (obvious/good) advice for beat making (along these lines) that could overall improve one's music production?

It'd be well appreciated!!!

[JoRillo]

I 90% of the time create my kick with my snares and such, but I will ALWAYS separate everything after it is layed down. This way I can EQ/Comp/Automate and change the volume for channels individually. Also allows me to change for example my kick, but leave the snare/clap the same.

[Eternal_One]

Interesting, so in the end, everything is separated. Good advice, thanks!

[jjboogie]

I always put every single drum on its own channel for optimum flexibility to eq and compress. Unless its a loop of course.

Most mix engineers I know hate trying to mix drums that are all on one stereo track.

[drethe5th]

The thought is based on the flexibility and customization you get with seperate channels/tracks.

However, every sound doesnt need to be altered, eq, compressed ect. . . . . some are good how you want it from the start.

Its case by case when “dressing“ sounds. However if you find a problem, its easier to single out and adress if things are already seperate. If not, you end up going back doing double work to extract & correct problems.

Is there allways going to be a problem? No

Is there allways potential for one? Yes

So its better to set up for a problem from the start, poddibly avoiding a problem at all.




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[bugscoe]

I think for me, I have the kick on it's own channel 100% of the time. Like someone said above, I separate all the drum parts to their own channels. Way more flexibility for editing and mixing.

[Eternal_One]

Seems like more people separate the kick for customization.

I figured people separate the kick a.k.a. put it on its own channel so the kick's frequencies don't interfere with the claps/snares/other sounds that would be on the channel.

So is putting a kick on a separate channel actually helping to avoid any frequency/mixing issues or it's solely done for better customization?

[JoRillo]

Whether or not they are on the same channel doesn't change that they are all pushing frequency's out of the Stereo bus. So all the frequency's of everything playing are going to be competing and masking each other.

[drethe5th]

Originally Posted by bugscoe

I think for me, I have the kick on it's own channel 100% of the time. Like someone said above, I separate all the drum parts to their own channels. Way more flexibility for editing and mixing.

Me too. Im just saying that even with doing so, I dont allways have a change or adjustment to make.

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[Logical Mind]

put everything on it's own track. Period.

[Apagon]

Most of the time I put the kick on its own track.Makes it much easier when it comes down to mixing...

[3rd Degree]

I may seperate all drums interms of processing. In Reason, I got used to the Redrum so I would use that, with the 14:2 mixer as a "bus" and process all the drums together (except I would use the 2 band EQ on individual drums). That said, I would always route the kick to it's own channel on my "main mixer". In Reason 5, I have started just giving each drum it's own track. But, to answer your question, I almost always keep the kick on it's own track, even if I bus everything else.

[KevWest]

every sound should be on its own channel

[CJ Mastering]

I think every instrument should always be on their own channel. This way you have 100% control over each instrument.

[KT1]

I agree with everyone here..BUT eek I never do this! I usually pre mix the drums when program and then make loops that is on a project by project basis..If it is required I can go back in. Generally i use drums i recorded so when chopping i generally chop and program from the drum buss. As such if i need to get individual parts i need to dig into the tracks..overheads..room etc.

If i am using straight one shot chops then I always seperate. In other words if it is an easy no effort thang then it's a no brainer..

I also love using parts of loops so it's not often as easy or condusive to writing style..Perhaps i like the sound of the kick shuffling with a tom roll from a break..etc..

But yeh - seperate = more flexibility..i just dont usually require it ..lucky i suppose!

Bless

[JoeyXoto]

It really depends on the mix. Every mix is different!

On most occasions, it would be good practice to give the kick drum it's own individual channel. This ensures you can make minimal tweaks when neccessary. Just mixing a kick drum and snare into one channel can be horrible on your end mix. Imagine wanting to take a little bottom off your snare/clap just for arguments sake...this would change the dynamic of your kick, too.... So really, just give it it's own channel, you will save yourself a headache.

Once you have mixed all the drum components, you could export them all together for ease later in the mix and have all the drums in one channel, and then if you need to make an adjustment just go back to the drums later on (just be sure to keep a save file of the drums!).

Hope that helps.

[breakbeat-cafe]

you also have to keep gain structure in mind because different samples will need different amounts of trim applying, depending on how hot the sound is.

[Guy Gabriel]

When I'm making the track I don't like to slowdown my workflow by putting each drum on it's on channel but right after I'm done laying the basics of the beat I put each drum on it's own channel and start tweaking, even when I don't tweak some drums (sometimes they sound perfect as they are) I still like them separated, i like my kick to be on it's own channel, my hihats on their own channel, snare etc...
It just makes sense to me and keeps my shit organized, if i'm getting back to the beat later and want to EQ or compress the kick, I just go to the kick channel in the mixer and I can mess with it without affecting the other drums, plus I can change the volume of each drum without messing with the Battery (or whatever plugin YOU use).

I like mixing in the mixer, makes sense doesn't it?