How to create build ups in metal songs

Nail The Mix Staff

Ever find yourself with a softer section in a metal track that just feels… flat? You know it needs to build, to create that nail-biting tension before the heavy riff smashes back in, but you're not sure how to inject that energy. Well, you're in luck. Joel Wanasek from Unstoppable Recording Machine (and one of the masterminds behind Nail The Mix) dropped some killer, yet surprisingly simple, techniques using kick drum pulses and heartbeat samples to transform those static parts into dynamic, exciting buildups. Let's break down how you can use these in your own metal productions, using the intro of Machine Head's "Is There Anybody Out There?" as our proving ground.

H2: Kick Drum Pulsing for Unstoppable Drive

One of the coolest ways to add subtle (or not-so-subtle) energy is with kick drum pulsing. This isn't about adding a full drum beat; it's about creating a rhythmic throb that drives the section forward.

H3: Choosing Your Weapon: The Humble Kick Sample

You don’t need anything fancy here. Grab any simple kick drum sample you’ve got lying around. The one Joel uses in the video is nothing special – just a regular, unadorned kick. The magic comes from how you process it.

H3: Dialing in the Pulse: EQ, Delay, and Reverb

Here’s where a basic kick sample transforms into a tension-building machine.

H4: Sculpting with EQ

First up, EQ. The goal isn't to make the kick punchy like in a main beat, but to make it more of a subtle, felt pulse.

  • Action: Take some of the top end off the kick sample. This tucks it back, making it less of a "hit" and more of a "thump."
  • Why: Removing the high frequencies helps it blend and feel more like an underlying pulse rather than a distinct drum. For more in-depth strategies on shaping sounds, check out our EQ hub page.

H4: Adding Rhythmic Movement with Delay

Delay is key to creating the actual "pulsing" effect.

  • Plugin Choice: Joel uses Waves H-Delay, a super versatile and easy-to-use option.
  • Settings to Try:
    • Timing: Sync it to your track. Quarter notes or half notes often work well. In the example, a half-note delay complements the existing piano delay.
    • Mode: "Ping Pong" mode is awesome for this, creating a stereo pulse that goes left-right-left-right, adding width and movement.
    • Character: The "Lo-fi" setting on H-Delay can add some grit and help it sit in the mix.
    • Feedback: Adjust the feedback to control the length of the pulse. You want it to sustain and create that "1, 2, 3, 4" rhythmic feel.

H4: Creating Space with Reverb

To make the pulse feel more distant and atmospheric, a touch of reverb does wonders.

  • Plugin Choice: Any stock reverb will do the trick.
  • Settings to Try:
    • Time/Decay: Increase the reverb time to make it sound more spacious and less defined.
    • Mix: Adjust the mix knob to blend it in. You want it to be present but not wash out the pulse.

H3: Integrating the Pulse into Your Mix

With EQ, delay, and reverb applied, your simple kick sample is now a throbbing, rhythmic pulse. Listen to it in the context of your track. You might need to adjust the overall level, or even the amount of reverb, to get it sitting just right. You'll hear how this processed kick, even when subtle, adds a significant amount of drive and anticipation. Try duplicating the pulse on key hits to emphasize them.

H2: Harnessing the Primal Power of Heartbeat Samples

Another incredibly effective tool for building subconscious tension is the heartbeat sample. There's something inherently human and visceral about the sound of a heartbeat, and it can subtly (or overtly) increase excitement.

H3: Finding and Syncing Your Heartbeat

You can find heartbeat samples all over the internet.

  • The Key: Once you have your sample (often two distinct "lub-dub" sounds), the crucial step is to tweak its timing to perfectly sync with your song's grid. Joel demonstrates sliding the second part of the heartbeat sample so the "ba-DUM" lands squarely on the beat or a relevant subdivision. This ensures it grooves with your track rather than feeling random.

H3: Building Intensity: Volume and Speed Automation

This is where you can get really creative, almost like an EDM buildup.

  • Start Simple: Begin by just mixing the synced heartbeat sample in. Even a little bit can add a subtle unease.
  • Increase Repetition: Copy and paste the heartbeat sample, making it occur more frequently as the section builds. You might start with one every bar, then every half bar, and so on.
  • Ramp Up the Speed: As you approach the climax of your buildup, try doubling the speed of the heartbeat samples. For instance, if you had them on quarter notes, try them on eighth notes, or even faster short bursts leading into a snare roll or crash.
  • Automation is Your Friend: Use volume automation to gradually increase the level of the heartbeat track as the intensity ramps up.

Be mindful not to overdo it – sometimes a subtle, almost subliminal heartbeat is more effective. But don't be afraid to experiment with more aggressive approaches, especially right before a big impact.

H2: The Combined Effect: Crafting a Killer Buildup

When you combine the kick drum pulse with the strategically placed and sped-up heartbeat samples, the result is transformative. A section that was once static and a bit boring now has drive, evolving tension, and a real sense of anticipation. Listen to your buildup with these elements bypassed, and then with them engaged – the difference can be night and day. It’s these kinds of details that take a good arrangement and make it truly compelling.

These are just a couple of cool post-production tricks using simple tools that every producer has access to. A basic kick drum, a heartbeat sample, some EQ, delay, and reverb – that’s all it took to add serious excitement.

Want to see how world-class producers build entire metal anthems from the ground up, explaining every plugin, every fader move, and every creative decision? At Nail The Mix, you get exactly that. Each month, we deliver real multitracks from massive metal bands, and you get to watch the original producer mix the song live, from scratch. Learn how they tackle everything from drum replacement and vocal processing to achieving crushing guitar tones and mastering bus chains. It’s more than just presets; it’s about understanding the why behind the how. If you're ready to Unlock Your Sound: Mixing Modern Metal Beyond Presets, this is where you start. Dive deep into techniques like surgical EQ, powerful compression strategies (discover Metal Compression Secrets: Beyond Just Making It Loud), and all the nuances that make a professional metal mix hit hard.

Give these buildup techniques a shot in your next track!