Five Processing Stages to Finish a Hardstyle Kick

First I add a transient shaper to enhance the transient of the kick. I add attack, a bit of pump so it ducks right after the transient, and some speed so it focuses on the transient instead of the whole punch.

Second, I use an EQ to surgically remove problematic frequencies. If there aren't really peaks in the sound, you can also remove a broader area. This is also where you can enhance the highs if your kick lacks those. It adds clarity.

Third, I use a multiband compressor to reduce the 200, 300, 400 Hz range. This is where a lot of mud builds up, so taking that down a little with compression helps clean up the kick.

Fourth, a sub boost and soft clipper stage. If you increase the sub in front of a soft clipper, it adds the power and bass your kick needs. Vice versa, if your kick has too much sub, take it down so the mids breathe a little more.

In the fifth stage I like to use FabFilter Pro-L 2 on Punchy and increase the gain a little bit. Don't add 20 dB like a lot of people do. If you take the release all the way down, you get a lot of clipping.

Instead I take a release time as long as one or two kicks, around 350 milliseconds. If you open the attack a little bit, you leave room for your transient and punch.