Using multiple kicks (not layered)

So 95% of tracks I make are constructed from completely random bits of sounds; radio snippets, random sounds from my library, random samples etc.. I Usually load in 12-16 sounds and see what's there. half the time I end up with at least 2 kicks and I was wondering if you guys had any techniques on top of my own for making multiple kicks sit well in the mix together.

My go to basic technique until I master the tracks is usually to set a mute group so I know I'll never have both completely overlapping but I'm looking for some more ideas so I'm not just using the same played technique every single time. Most of my other ideas just involve adding as much contrast between the two so they aren't occupying the same sonic space. Here are a few other ideas I have used/had.

-tuning one of the kicks to more low/mid 808 conga range rather than a kick. So one kick is tuned at 0 and the other is +30/60.

-plain old' heavy handed EQing, making one kick a loud pop with little low end kind of of like higher tuned Linndrum Kick, and the other with all high end cut off and resembling a low "boomy" 808 kick.

-adjusting the attack on one of the kicks to turn it in more of a bassline.

I'm also looking for tips on the construction of a song with multiple kicks not just tech tricks,like what I have mentioned above. I know i havent touched on compression because im on an analog setup with no compressor and looking todo this in the box with my MPC Classic/Mixer. In other words if i have to load the sample up on the computer to change it the whole point is moot. Just Looking to add more weapons to arsenal! Thanks.

i usually use the same kick, but tune one up or down 5 or 10 cents and rotate/randomize which one hits on which part.

if im sampling a kick from a break, i will take 2 kicks from the same break (so it sounds natural because its 2 sounds from the same kit) then i will layer something with more low end under it.

i also set them to a mute group so they dont overlap and cause phase issues.

damien907 wrote:if im sampling a kick from a break, i will take 2 kicks from the same break (so it sounds natural because its 2 sounds from the same kit) then i will layer something with more low end under it..

That's a dope idea, I like the blend of variation & consistency you'd get with that. You think I could get away with doing this without a HPF on the higher/sampled drum?

have one low and quiet and really short, so one is like a staccatto bass note and layer it with your kick, will give you those soulfull bass stabs inbetween notes

m56p87 wrote:

damien907 wrote:if im sampling a kick from a break, i will take 2 kicks from the same break (so it sounds natural because its 2 sounds from the same kit) then i will layer something with more low end under it..

That's a dope idea, I like the blend of variation & consistency you'd get with that. You think I could get away with doing this without a HPF on the higher/sampled drum?

you probably could, really depends on if theres much low end in the original break.

think ur look foe something that aint there jst choose a different kick which sounds good with the other kick and good with ur track and sprinkle it thru the track.

like sometimes u might wanna use an 808 boom type kick at the beginning of each bar then use a more audible kick in the rest of the pattern.

but ur just doing what sound good with the track thats the technique.

I been doing a lot of modern break beat stuff lately and I always use two kicks now. I use very different kicks but the are tuned and filtered so as they do not conflict freq wise. That and amp env to keep em tight and banging with out taking up all the headroom. Its more that style though IMHO, its always seems to have a few different kicks in that modern style of breaks. THat and a shit load of gated verb by the sounds of it too. must be cos they use samplers I reckon, the different kicks not the reverb. that just trendy again. bringing back that 80s bit drum hit sounds, like phil collins.
I make my kicks though. I might spend ages getting the kick made that I have in mind then do another then make a beat. Im too cheap to buy sample packs.