How do I recreate that powerful vaccum-drum hit effect in dance music?

[DarKalli]

Whenever I listen to Invaders Must Die (

), some Pendulum songs, and a lot of modern house. I'm always impressed with how powerful and punchy the drums are, like a short punch to the eardrum.

I've tried using a limiter to get this effect, but it's just not the same. Any suggestions?

[Rozovian]

A limiter just prevents peak, it doesn't alter the frequency balance or anything but the volume. You might be using samples without a lot of inherent impact, or you might not be processor them right. Try boosting the bass drum in the 100-200Hz region, see if you get some more punch out of it. Also try layering it with other bass drums. Furthermore, you could side-chain it to other tracks so that when it hits, they duck. it gives it a little more room to be loud, but more importantly creates the illusion of it being much louder by ducking the other tracks. Also, make sure you're not muddying up the low end with a bunch of other sounds.

[DarKalli]

Thanks, that's really helpful! I'll try all your tips and see how it sounds.

[SonicThHedgog]

Thanks, that's really helpful! I'll try all your tips and see how it sounds.

you want hard kicks? i can wip some kicks up for you if you want.

[AMT]

http://www.meldaproduction.com/freevstplugins/

I've found that Melda's compressor on this page can do an excellent job of giving some extra punch to your drums. Make the attack just long enough to let that initial SNAP through, and then have the compression kick in right after. This compressor is really useful because you can actually draw out the compression envelope yourself with the mouse.

[Malcos]

Lots of things can add punch.

1. The first thing to do to create a phat beat is find the right samples first.

2. Layers. Layer your snares, and pan out your high frequencies - a lot of people forget about panning claps and hats!

3. E.Q.

4. Compression.

5. Reverb.

Steps 3, 4 and 5 take some time to learn, and they can be interchangable in order. A short reverb can add a hell of a lot of impact.

[DarKalli]

Thanks for all the suggestions! That MCompressor did the trick! [: