How to Make Hardstyle Kicks in FL Studio

The Hardstyle kick is the foundation of every Hardstyle track. It's not just a drum sound - it's a tonal, powerful element that drives the entire production. Creating a professional Hardstyle kick requires understanding synthesis, distortion, and layering techniques.

Understanding the Hardstyle Kick

A Hardstyle kick consists of multiple components working together:

• Attack/Punch: The initial transient that cuts through the mix
• Body/Tail: The pitched component that gives the kick its tonal character
• Distortion: Adds harmonic content and aggression
• Reverse Bass: Optional element for modern Hardstyle

Method 1: The Classic Approach (From Scratch)

Step 1: Create the Base Kick

Start with a simple sine wave in any synthesizer. The key is pitch modulation - you need the pitch to drop quickly from a high note (usually around C4-C5) down to a low fundamental (F1-C2) over about 100-200ms. This creates the characteristic "bonk" sound of a Hardstyle kick.

Step 2: Add the Punch

Layer a short, punchy acoustic kick sample on top. This provides the initial attack that helps the kick cut through dense mixes. The sample should be no longer than 50-100ms. EQ out the low end (below 100Hz) to avoid phase issues with your synthesized body.

Step 3: Distortion is Key

This is where Hardstyle kicks get their aggression. Use multiple stages of distortion:

• Start with soft clipping to add warmth
• Add tube/valve distortion for harmonics
• Finish with hard clipping for maximum power

Don't be afraid to push it hard - Hardstyle kicks are supposed to sound aggressive. Just make sure you're not creating unwanted digital artifacts.

Step 4: Shape and Polish

Use EQ to shape your kick. Boost around 60-100Hz for weight, cut any muddy frequencies around 200-400Hz, and add presence around 2-5kHz. Use a transient shaper to enhance the attack if needed.

Method 2: Using Kickstyler (The Fast Way)

Building kicks from scratch gives you complete control, but it's time-consuming. That's why we created Kickstyler - a dedicated Hardstyle kick generator for FL Studio Patcher.

With Kickstyler, you get:

• Pre-routed synthesis chains optimized for Hardstyle
• Built-in distortion stages with perfect settings
• Easy-to-use controls for pitch, length, and character
• Instant professional results

Advanced Techniques

The Reverse Bass

Modern Hardstyle often features a reverse bass before the kick. Create this by duplicating your kick tail, reversing it, and placing it before the kick. Add some reverb and modulation for extra movement.

Sidechain Everything

In Hardstyle, the kick is king. Use heavy sidechain compression on all other elements - bass, leads, pads, everything. This creates that characteristic pumping effect and ensures nothing interferes with your kick's impact.

Kick Variations

Don't use the exact same kick throughout your track. Create variations:

• Higher pitched kicks for builds and breakdowns
• Longer tails for more melodic sections
• Shorter, punchier kicks for energetic parts

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Too Much Low End: If your kick has too much energy below 40Hz, it will sound muddy and weak on club systems. Use a high-pass filter around 30-35Hz.

No Headroom: Hardstyle kicks are loud, but you still need headroom for limiting. Aim for peaks around -3dB to -6dB before mastering.

Ignoring Phase: When layering kicks, check phase alignment. Out-of-phase layers will cancel each other out, making your kick weak instead of powerful.

Conclusion

Creating professional Hardstyle kicks takes practice. Don't expect perfect results immediately. Reference professional tracks, analyze their kicks with a spectrum analyzer, and keep refining your technique. With time and the right tools, you'll be creating kicks that hit just as hard as your favorite producers.