Dialing Wage War’s Brutal Metalcore Kick with Andrew Wade

Crafting a kick drum that punches through a dense metalcore mix while retaining weight and clarity is an art form. Andrew Wade, the seasoned producer behind countless heavy hits, recently gave us a deep dive into his process for achieving just that, using the powerhouse tracks from Wage War’s Nail The Mix session as a perfect case study. And yes, the legendary Kick 10 sample plays a starring role.

The journey to landing on Kick 10 for the Wage War mix is a testament to trusting the band’s ear. Andrew initially used it, then experimented with a different sample. Wage War’s feedback was clear: “Whatever you changed about the kick, can you please put it back?” Even without knowing its storied history, the band instinctively gravitated towards Kick 10’s signature sound. But as Andrew demonstrates, simply dropping in a sample is just the beginning. Let’s break down his meticulous approach to transforming Kick 10 into a brutal, mix-defining kick.

Beyond the Sample: Blending Kick 10 with Room Mics

A crucial element Andrew highlights is that the final kick sound isn’t solely the raw Kick 10 sample. He significantly incorporates the room mics. More importantly, these room mics are routed to the exact same bus as the main kick sample. This is a pro tip that many might miss. Why do this? Processing them together—think shared compression and EQ—melds the direct sample and its ambient tail into a far more cohesive and unified sound. This technique makes the room feel like an organic extension of the kick itself, rather than a separate, layered effect. For more insights on using bus processing to glue your drum elements, explore these metal compression secrets.

Phase Alignment: The Unsung Hero of Low End

Before even touching an EQ or compressor, Andrew tackles a fundamental aspect: phase. By employing a simple phase flip plugin on the Kick 10 sample, he illustrates a dramatic shift in the low-end character when it interacts with the originally recorded kick drum. Flipping the phase can significantly alter the balance between the ultra-low sub frequencies and the punchier low-mids. For this particular Wage War mix, Andrew chose a phase setting that emphasized the “girthy lows” in the sub-region. It’s vital to remember there’s no definitive “right” or “wrong” setting here; it’s entirely about what best serves the song. This underscores the importance of accurately monitoring your low end and making deliberate choices, as a straightforward phase adjustment can be as impactful as any EQ maneuver.

Adding Grit & Energy: Subtle Distortion Techniques

Next, Andrew introduces a touch of controlled aggression using the built-in Pro Tools distortion. This isn’t about drenching the kick in obvious fuzz. Instead, he uses it as a parallel process, carefully blending in a small amount (around 14% in this instance) of the distorted signal with the clean sample. This subtle move accomplishes several things: it enhances the details from the room mics and injects a bit of energy and “hair” into the kick’s midrange and high-end, giving it more presence without sounding overtly thrashed. It’s a distinct vibe, different from what you’d get with only compression or EQ.

Sculpting the Subs with R-Bass

To nail that deep, foundational thud that underpins a heavy mix, Andrew reaches for a widely acclaimed tool: Waves R-Bass. He sets the frequency focus to 80Hz and dials in the intensity to around +13. This plugin is known for its potency; even with the intensity knob turned down, its sonic character is often still audible. While those profound, super-low frequencies can sound immense on a capable subwoofer, Wade wisely cautions against overdoing it. Most listeners don’t have playback systems that can accurately reproduce these extreme lows, so an overabundance can lead to your kick sounding thin or even disappearing on standard systems. It’s a delicate balance between achieving satisfying low-end weight and ensuring your mix translates well everywhere.

Punching Up with Transient Design: Trans X Multi

To give the kick that aggressive, up-front smack essential in metalcore, Andrew utilizes Waves Trans X Multi. He’s a vocal proponent of this specific transient designer. In this application, he uses it to boost the low-mids for a very brief period—approximately 47 milliseconds in duration with a 16-millisecond release. This isn’t an effect that’s “always on”; its power lies in its dynamic response, particularly enhancing the attack at the beginning of musical phrases or during faster kick patterns. This adds a distinct, audible bump and a dose of aggression. It’s easy to go overboard with transient shapers, so the aim is for the listener to feel that extra punch, rather than for it to be an overwhelming, constant smack on every hit.

EQing for Attack, Definition, and Weight

Equalization is where the kick’s character is truly refined and sculpted. Andrew opts for an SSL-style EQ plugin, known for its distinct sonic signature, applying specific adjustments to both the sample and the live kick components. If you’re looking to master the art of carving space and adding punch with EQ, check out these essential EQ strategies for mixing modern metal.

EQ on the Kick 10 Sample

• High-End Click: A significant boost centered around 16kHz introduces that quintessential modern metal “click” and sharp attack, crucial for helping the kick slice through dense guitar layers.
• Taming “Pin-Prick” Highs: While enhancing the very top end, Andrew also strategically carves out some of the super-high frequencies around 10kHz. This might seem counterintuitive, but it prevents the kick from sounding overly “pin-pricky” or diminutive. Instead, this move contributes to a rounder, more “menacing” character, effectively making the drum sound larger and more impactful.

EQ on the Real Kick Drum (e.g., Beta 91A)

• Scooping Lows: To prevent phase issues with the Kick 10 sample and to allow the sample to primarily handle the sub-bass frequencies, Andrew aggressively scoops out a substantial amount of low-end from the actual kick drum microphone (often an internal mic like a Beta 91A in metal productions). This cut is typically centered around 450Hz.
• Mid-Range Aggression: A boost around 3.5kHz on the real kick mic helps to accentuate its unique, clicky aggression, which then complements the attack characteristics of the sample.

These EQ adjustments, working synergistically across the sample and the live kick elements, are fundamental to achieving a polished and powerful kick sound.

The Final Squeeze: L1 for Presence

As a finishing touch on the kick sample bus, Andrew employs the Waves L1 Ultramaximizer. This tool isn’t solely for increasing loudness; in this context, it helps to make the entire kick sample more present and consistent within the mix. The L1 tends to squash transients slightly, which can be beneficial here, helping the kick sit solidly in the track without erratically jumping out, while simultaneously bringing up the overall body and sustain of the sound. As with any limiter, moderation is key—a little goes a long way, and it’s important to avoid over-crushing the signal.

Putting It All Together: Your Brutal Kick Journey

Crafting a brutal metalcore kick drum, like those heard on Wage War’s impactful records, is a detailed, multi-layered endeavor. It begins with a robust sample like Kick 10, but it’s the meticulous blending with room mics, strategic phase alignment, subtle application of distortion, targeted sub-bass enhancement with R-Bass, incisive transient shaping via Trans X Multi, surgical EQ moves, and a final touch of limiting that truly brings it to life. Andrew Wade’s approach is a masterclass in using each processing tool with clear intent, all contributing to that final, formidable sound.

Want to witness Andrew Wade apply these techniques and many more, mixing an entire Wage War song from the ground up? Reading about these methods is one thing, but seeing a seasoned pro like Andrew navigate these decisions in real-time is an unparalleled learning experience.

If you’re committed to elevating your heavy mixes, Nail The Mix delivers monthly sessions featuring a different world-class producer, granting you extraordinary access to their unique workflows and signature techniques. On top of that, you gain entry to an extensive library of tutorials designed to help you unlock your sound and mix modern metal beyond presets. Don’t wait—dive into the Wage War session and start dialing in those brutal tones today!