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EDM Recipe #2: A Technique for Making the Kick Stand Out

EDM RecipesPublished 2023.03.16Updated 2026.07.18
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This article explains a technique for making the kick track stand out in EDM production. The kick, the most important element in dance music production, tends to get buried as more parts are added. This article introduces how to layer sounds and cut the low end with EQ or a filter to finish the kick as a brighter, more impactful sound. The technique can be applied not only to kicks but to various parts such as synths, drums and bass, giving practical knowledge useful for DTM beginners through intermediate users.

Optimize the Kick, the Main Track of Your Song!

EDM Recipe 2 thumbnail

In part 2, we introduce a technique for easily making the kick stand out.
The kick track can be called the most important part in dance music production. It is the essential part that gets listeners dancing.
At the same time, many of you have probably found that as you add other parts, this kick gets more and more buried and stops standing out.
This time, we introduce a technique for making the kick stand out that solves that problem!

A Technique for Making the Kick Stand Out

  1. 1STEP1 – Layer sounds
  2. 2STEP2 – Cut the low end of the layered sound

First, let's check what the sound is like when you apply what we introduce here.


Using the technique gives a brighter, more impactful sound than the original kick.
From here, we introduce the technique for making the kick stand out more, step by step, so please read to the end.

Layer Sounds

First, let's check the kick sound we prepared this time.

This time, we use a technique called [layering], which stacks sounds, to make this kick stand out.
The key point for the sound you layer is that [layering a bright kick with a strong attack] makes the change bigger.
This time, we layer this kick sound.

▶︎ Layering the kick sound

Cut the Low End of the Layered Sound

The layering is done, but as it is, the low ends are also stacked.
So this time, to bring out brightness, we layer only the mid-to-high range of the sound.
To do this, use [EQ] or a [filter] to cut the low end of the layered sound.

▶︎ EQ

▶︎ Filter


Then, combining the two sounds gives a bright kick sound like this.


In this way, using the layering technique adds brightness to the kick and finishes it as a sound that does not get buried by other parts.

This technique can be used not only on kicks but on many parts such as synths, drums and bass.
Please master this technique and try it in your own songs!
See you in the next recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Specifically, what should I do to make the kick stand out?

First, layer a bright kick with a strong attack on top of the original kick. Then cut the low end of the layered sound with EQ or a filter to emphasize the brightness of the mid-to-high range and finish it as a sound that does not get buried.

Q2. Can this layering technique be used on things other than kicks?

Yes, this technique can be applied to various parts such as synths, drums and bass. Using the same layering and EQ methods, you can make any track stand out more.

Q3. Are there points to watch out for when choosing a sound to layer?

The key is to always choose a "bright kick with a strong attack" as the layered sound. Keeping this in mind makes the change bigger and the result more effective.