Why does this kick sound so much better?

[Unavailable]

It seems to go against logic that when I phase out one of the kicks in this blended kick sample, the kick sounds way fatter and heavier.

I'm combining Slate Kick 16, 10, and 15, and I'm reversing the phase on kick 15 to get the "better kick" sound... Does that seem strange to you guys too?

Better Kick
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1117317/better kick.mp3

Yucky Kick
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/1117317/yucky kick.mp3

 

[RedDog]

Obviously the fatter frequency is the sum of resonances that reinforce each other, rather than cancel. This us always apparent in any blending case. One of those kicks is canceling sure to it's natural phase, nothing new here.

 

[Unavailable]

Yeah, I just wonder if phasing it out is the best way to go about getting that sound, or if EQ would be better?

 

[Sloan]

Take the individual kick samples, load them in your DAW on separate tracks and see how the waveforms line up.

If you have two waves that peak opposite of each other, they will subtract from each other at that point causing lower amplitude (volume). If they both peak in the same spot, then they add, causing greater amplitude (volume).

http://www.uaudio.com/blog/understanding-audio-phase/

 

[Unavailable]

Oh I know all about phasing. I just wanted to know if anyone else thought it was dumb to get that sound by phase reversing rather than EQing.

 

[FischmungaXTR]

I do this with guitar tones all the time, so why not with kicks? Its obviously cancelling out the bad sounds and leaving in the good. If it works, it works.

 

[Unavailable]

Cool.

 

[RedDog]

Oh I know all about phasing. I just wanted to know if anyone else thought it was dumb to get that sound by phase reversing rather than EQing.

It's actually commonplace and recommended you check phase in all your drum tracks before you even reach for the eq.

 

[-Noodles-]

In audio, we do not 'flip' or 'reverse' phase via a singular button or switch.
That is called polarity.

 

[meanmrmustad]

Phasing is EQ

 

[Machinated]

always always always check a polarity flip when blending samples.

always.

(always).

 

[vespiz]

^ +1 that, also with any other drum mics/tracks; sn -> oh/room, sn top -> bottom, kick -> room, etc.. It can drive you crazy. Check it also after/during equalizing.