Rawstyle productions often pair a hard-hitting kick with melodic leads. Keeping the kick tight while the leads stay spacious can be done with WettBoi's built-in side-chain ducker and the free Hardwave Analyser.
1. Load the Analyser
- Insert the Analyser on your master bus. It supports VST3 and CLAP on Windows, macOS and Linux and provides a real-time spectrum display. Because it is free with any Hardwave account, no extra purchase is required.
2. Apply WettBoi to the lead
- Add WettBoi after the synth that generates your lead. The plugin is sold for EUR 19.99 and ships through the Hardwave Suite. Choose any of the four reverb algorithms (Room, Hall, Plate, Spring) and enable the side-chain ducker.
- Route the kick track to the side-chain input of WettBoi. Set the threshold so the reverb tail attenuates whenever the kick hits. This keeps the low-end of the kick clean while the lead retains depth.
3. Fine-tune the reverb tail
- Use the high-pass and low-pass filters in WettBoi to remove unnecessary low frequencies from the wet signal. This prevents the reverb from adding mud to the mix.
- Adjust the attack and release controls of the ducker to match the rhythm of the kick. A fast attack and moderate release usually work well for rawstyle tempos.
4. Verify with the Analyser
- Watch the spectrum view while the kick and lead play together. The Analyser will show any frequency overlap that the side-chain ducker may have missed.
Result Using WettBoi's side-chain reverb on melodic elements and checking the mix with the Analyser gives a clear separation between the rawstyle kick and the lead. The kick stays punchy, the lead stays airy, and the overall balance is easier to manage.
Links
- WettBoi product page: https://hardwavestudios.com/products/wettboi
- Analyser product page: https://hardwavestudios.com/products/analyser