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If you’re reading a magazine about electronic music production, you’ve probably spent countless hours auditioning kick drum samples, processing them with effects, and tearing your hair out trying to get them to work in a mix.

After all, the bass drum is probably the single most important element in any dance track. Nail this particular sound and the rest of your elements will fall into place; waste your time with an inadequate kick, on the other hand, and your tune is destined to fail.

With every subgenre (and track) demanding a different type of bass drum, each with its own particular combo of weight, attack, timbre and dynamics, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution – but with enough practice and the right tools, you can tailor the perfect kick to fit any musical scenario.

Enter this month’s issue, dedicated to bass drum production techniques and the machines responsible for creating dance music’s most iconic drum hits. Starting with a look at DAW-based drum programming, then moving through to today’s kick ‘designer’ instruments and cuttingedge mixing tricks, our essential guide will ensure your bass drums slot into that perfect sweet spot. ENJOY THE ISSUE

Nail the bass drum and the rest of your elements will fall into place”