Your kicks on the Syntakt

sezare56 · 2023-03-02T17:40:37.012Z

sleepfc:

sell the syntakt and get a machinedrum instead

Totally subjective. I much prefer ST kicks, especially Analog BDs. MD raw kicks (no filter eq fx) are clicky (except BD2), and sound weaker imho.

Depends on music style…

Funny how some people can become extremists with MD.
Need to justify the price ?

djst · 2023-03-02T17:48:25.815Z

I love the kicks I get out of the Syntakt. They punch through my mixes, they have oomph, they can click if I want to. All my songs on YouTube use different forms of unprocessed kick machines on the Syntakt.

Fin25 · 2023-03-02T17:49:53.626Z

sleepfc:

those kicks sound bad as well

Careful on that edge.

Jeanne · 2023-03-02T18:02:57.184Z

sleepfc:

those kicks sound bad as well

pointless talk. so far nobody posted kicks they like, so it’s talk about nothing.

Fin25 · 2023-03-02T18:05:24.672Z

I like yours, post more.

lelderkin · 2023-03-02T20:09:58.261Z

I’m pretty sure OP is after kicks like this:

Heffmoe · 2023-03-02T23:30:41.691Z

Thats about the kind of kicks I am twisting knobs for.

Tried around a bit more and what really brought me into the right direction was using a fast lfo as pitch envelope.
Probably nothing, the b and c knobs on the syn page can‘t do, but maybe I am just to simple to use those parameters right.

Of course, I am aware, that a professionally processed sample can do better than some synth waves without much on it, but the comparison placed my configurated Syntakts BD machines far into the „not usable at all“ corner.
The lfo thing brings it definitely in the right direction.
Would still be interesting to have a look into your presets.

Jeanne · 2023-03-03T01:06:16.209Z

Syntakt kicks, folks decide if bad or weak. Didn’t check them with subwoofer. Second round is with added click on another track.

peaceful · 2023-03-03T02:28:30.712Z

Three things that make the difference to me. I know I am echoing what others have said…

Use a highpass with resonant frequency as others have said. It makes kicks sound much bigger to me. It is the easiest tweak to make.
You can layer kicks. Try multiple kicks with different characteristics (low-end thump, clicky transient…).
When I record tracks, I multitrack through Overbridge, and I use Izotope Neutron to adjust the sound, often substantially. Every track has applied (multiband) EQ, saturation, and compression.

Sample pack kicks have often been professionally layered as above, and also mastered with EQ, saturation, and compression. With the Syntakt, you are being presented with sounds that have not been processed nearly as much. It is part of the fun and challenge of using the machine.

Altro · 2023-03-03T02:34:33.742Z

Even tho the kicks were fine for the type of music, this made chuckle.

Never thought I’d be one to miss proper trolling.

LyingDalai · 2023-03-03T02:51:30.993Z

Heffmoe:

I was wondering, what I am doing wrong.

First, upload some sounds you like.
And some you don’t, maybe.

Do you have a proper monitoring system that let you hear all the details?

Jamslerr · 2023-03-03T04:36:50.237Z

Double the kicks up, cut the proper frequencies out so they don’t clash.

RAFH · 2023-03-03T05:09:15.924Z

Some of these sound really good. With some post-processing, even better. Overall, very good IMO!

ThanosF · 2023-03-03T05:51:57.746Z

The analog kick is one of the best kicks around. But you need to learn how to design the kick you need. Syntakt is a proper sound design drum machine. If you want ready made kicks you should use samples with the DT or OT. Syntakt will give you the opportunity though to learn how to shape your own sounds and create more unique results.

And as many people mentioned I’m also using 2 sounds on top of each other. One with the big oomph and the other with a sharp attack. I’m mostly happy with my kicks on Syntakt to be honest. Still working to find the right sounds for all others.

lesstalkmoredisco · 2023-03-03T05:58:59.506Z

Heffmoe:

Tried around a bit more and what really brought me into the right direction was using a fast lfo as pitch envelope.

I think ST can do pretty good kicks. Having two lfos as opposed to one (on Rytm) is something that I definitely use. I sometimes like long kicks that serve as bass notes as well. Especially there it’s good to use one or even two faster oneshot exponential lfo’s to pitch and or amp. Or to the pitch envelope parameter on the SYN page (forgot what it’s called).

Also, although you’d have to check if it fits your style: instead of using the analog FX track for side chain ducking, I more and more stop using that in favour of using it for a second layer of overdrive on my kicks. Which has a lot of impact if you enjoy dirtier kicks, very heavy

PentalagusMusic · 2023-03-03T09:13:16.553Z

Keep trying!

I think the kicks are all great and can serve many purposes. I like the HPF tips above and haven’t tried those myself, but those sound like great ideas.

Or maybe I’m not too picky.
This thing’s kicks blow me away sometimes. I have a harder time being subtle with it.

J3RK · 2023-03-03T17:25:50.442Z

If so, those are easily done on the Syntakt using the techniques outlined by everyone posting in this thread. They hit nicely, but are subtley processed. There’s nothing terribly special about them. Standard 909 territory with some EQing, and maybe a bit of compression. Also the mixes seem spacious.

SohoSix · 2023-03-03T22:26:00.851Z

With the right amount of Sweep Time, Sweep Depth… and Analog FX Drive, you can create a slamming techno thump - one that rivals 909 bd.

Andreas_R · 2023-03-04T07:59:17.105Z

Here’s is a little trick to clean up the mud.
On the digital machines use and eq filter and on the analogs use the notch filter to scoop out some mud.
Makes space for other tracks and give a more polished sound.
Examples will follow, sitting in bed sipping coffee atm

DaveMech · 2023-03-04T08:13:09.667Z

A lot of good tips already.
The best results I got so far was by layering the digital kick machine and analog kick machine. Then sometimes layered with one more layer on top as click. This takes careful listening and experimentation. There’s not one recipe really as it depends on the rest of the elements as well. Most of my grooves use track 1+9 layered to create the kick. Also provides interesting seperate sequencing to create extra rhythms.