Duck your bass to the kick, not by ear.
The numbersAt 120 BPM an eighth note is 250 ms. Start the release around 212 ms, so the bass recovers before the next hit.
A sidechain release that isn't tied to the tempo either cuts off early or pumps into the next hit. Time it to the grid.
The release window
| BPM | 1/8 note | Start release |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | 375 ms | 319 ms |
| 90 | 333 ms | 283 ms |
| 100 | 300 ms | 255 ms |
| 110 | 273 ms | 232 ms |
| 120 | 250 ms | 212 ms |
| 130 | 231 ms | 196 ms |
| 140 | 214 ms | 182 ms |
| 150 | 200 ms | 170 ms |
| 160 | 188 ms | 159 ms |
| 170 | 176 ms | 150 ms |
| 180 | 167 ms | 142 ms |
60000 / BPM x 0.5 = one eighth note. Start 15% tighter so the bass recovers in time.
Time it to the grid
- Attack as fast as it'll go without a click (0 to 2 ms).
- Hold just past the kick's transient (10 to 30 ms).
- Set the release from the chart, about 15% under the eighth note.
- That's the pump you hear on records, timed, not guessed.
NuPump
NuPump is free, out Nov 4. See NuPump
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