How to Create Groove in Your Tracks Using Soothe 2

A tight, groovy mix can make or break a track. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is by carefully managing the low-end frequencies to avoid clashes between your kick drum and other elements in your mix. Let me show you how to use Soothe 2 to sidechain the low end of multiple tracks, carving out a pocket for your kick and adding incredible groove to your mix.

By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly how to:

• Identify frequency clashes in the low end.
• Use multiple instances of Soothe 2 to create space for your kick.
• Add groove to your track without compromising other elements.

Why Sidechain the Low End with Soothe 2?

When producing music, elements like basslines, synths, or even pads often occupy the same frequency range as the kick drum. This can result in a muddy mix where the low end lacks clarity and punch. Traditional sidechain compression helps, but it doesn’t offer the level of precision required for nuanced mixing.

This is where Soothe 2 comes in. By sidechaining Soothe 2 on tracks that conflict with the kick, you can dynamically reduce problematic frequencies only when the kick plays. The result? A clean, groovy mix where each element has its space.

Step-by-Step Guide to Adding Groove with Soothe 2

Here’s how you can achieve this:

1. Load Your Project: Open your project in your DAW and identify the tracks that occupy the low end. These could include basslines, sub-basses, or synth layers.
   
   
2. Insert Soothe 2: Add an instance of Soothe 2 to each track that has low-end frequency content clashing with the kick.
   
   
3. Set Up Sidechain Input: In Soothe 2’s settings, select your kick drum as the sidechain input. This ensures that Soothe 2 will only activate when the kick plays.
   
   
4. Adjust the Settings: Fine-tune the Soothe 2 parameters to target the problematic low-end frequencies. Use the visual display to identify where the kick and other elements overlap.
   
   
5. Listen and Refine: Play back your mix and adjust the depth and sharpness settings in Soothe 2. The goal is to create a subtle pocket for the kick without making the other elements sound thin.
   
   
6. Compare Before and After: Toggle Soothe 2 on and off to hear the difference. You’ll notice how much cleaner and groovier the mix feels when the low-end clutter is reduced.

Download Your Free Soothe 2 Preset

To make this process even easier, I’m giving away a free Soothe 2 preset called Kick In The Arse, specifically designed for sidechaining the low end. This is just one of the presets included in my full Soothe 2 Preset Pack, and it’s perfect for creating groove and clarity in your tracks.

You can download it below.

Final Thoughts

Using Soothe 2 to sidechain the low end is a game-changer for creating tight, professional-sounding mixes. With this technique, you can ensure that your kick always has the space it needs, while maintaining the groove and energy of your track.

Download the Kick In The Arse preset and give it a try on your next mix. Your listeners might not notice the technique, but they’ll definitely feel the difference.