Limiting the Kick

Red Rockets Glare · Post by **Red Rockets Glare** » Thu Jan 08, 2009 11:10 pm

I have been using the Waves L1 limiter on the inside kick mic lately and REALLY digging it. Anyone else do this? It seems to make the kick really come through the mix nicely and without too much click.
Cheers,
Raymond

RoyMatthews · Post by **RoyMatthews** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 5:27 am

I will check this out. There's gotta be more 'good' uses for the L1 besides nuking something. I have used it on vocals before and remember liking it but I stopped using it just out of bias.

Thanks for the inspiration.

mjau · Post by **mjau** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 7:50 am

I've liked the UAD LA3A on limit for kick, too...nothing too heavy, but still getting some tone and shaping happening.

Corey Y · Post by **Corey Y** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 9:22 am

I don't use Waves L1, but I've had some favorable results with limiting the kick before. Usually when it's a metal band with double bass, out of necessity because the drummer wasn't very consistent with their attack. Never done it just as a creative choice, though I'm not opposed to the idea if there's no need for dynamics with the track.

Red Rockets Glare · Post by **Red Rockets Glare** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:20 am

mjau wrote:I've liked the UAD LA3A on limit for kick, too...nothing too heavy, but still getting some tone and shaping happening.

What ratio are you using on the LA3A?
The thing I like about the waves plug is how it reacts lighting fast to the kick without actually thinning out the sound.

Red Rockets Glare · Post by **Red Rockets Glare** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:23 am

Corey Y wrote:I don't use Waves L1, but I've had some favorable results with limiting the kick before. Usually when it's a metal band with double bass, out of necessity because the drummer wasn't very consistent with their attack. Never done it just as a creative choice, though I'm not opposed to the idea if there's no need for dynamics with the track.

Yeah, it kills any Dynamic playing, but that is rare in the music I'm making, mostly 60s and 70's pop music. I decided to try limiting the kick after using a sample I grabbed from a Pro Tools session of Queen that had a killer kick sound. It was really obviously limited and sounds amazing.

stereopathetic_banjo · Post by **stereopathetic_banjo** » Fri Jan 09, 2009 10:33 am

Hmmm, I'm gonna have to try that. Thanks Raymond!

joel hamilton · Post by **joel hamilton** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:47 pm

I use a neve 33609 limiter section on the kick almost all the time.
I dont use L1, but I could see how it could be cool just tapping the kick.
I use L1 on vocals ITB once in a while, then out through an analog chain and to the console.

I still like L1, even though waves is an annoying company to deal with.

Shane Michael Rose · Post by **Shane Michael Rose** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 7:34 pm

all the time. especially on heavy rock/ modern rock stuff.

JoshK · Post by **JoshK** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:15 pm

Just started doing this, I only do it for consistency though, not too crazy about the sound characteristic of the L1.

0-it-hz · Post by **0-it-hz** » Sun Jan 11, 2009 8:37 pm

A transient modulator paired with an aggressive limiter can create a pretty insane sound from anything percussive... that's my new "NY" buss gimmick.

centurymantra · Post by **centurymantra** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 6:07 am

The humble DBX 163x is one of my favorites for smashing a kick into oblivion...usually as parallel compression. So great.

Jeff White · Post by **Jeff White** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 9:24 am

I've had luck with the TRacks Mono Limiter tweaked from the "30 ips" setting into something of my own. I also have used the Waves Ren Comp set to limiter. My go to in 2008 was the Nomad Factory Blue Tubes stuff, although in 2009 the Stillwell compressors will be my go to stuff.

I limit kick a lot, sometimes after compressing it. For a specific sound.

Jeff

drumsound · Post by **drumsound** » Mon Jan 12, 2009 3:08 pm

I'm pretty into the Purple Action on BD, but there are many other compressor/limiter things that I think sound good on the BD.

TV Lenny · Post by **TV Lenny** » Wed Jan 14, 2009 11:12 am

I've used the L1 on kick too and had good results. Lately I've been really enjoying using an EMT on kick.

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Limiting the Kick

Limiting the Kick

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