How do you prevent my kick drum from getting buried in the mix?

When the kick gets buried in the mix, the following approaches might help:

Use EQ: Find the frequency ranges where the kick competes with other instruments, and reduce those instruments in those ranges. Since the kick primarily occupies the low end, reducing other low-end instruments like the bass through EQ can yield good results.

Sidechain Compression: Use sidechain compression to lower the volume of other tracks whenever the kick hits. This is especially useful when the kick competes with the bassline.

Level Adjustment: Simply raise the volume of the kick or lower the volume of other instruments to achieve balance. However, this must be done carefully, as maintaining the overall mix balance is important.

Choose the Right Sample: If the kick sample itself is not fitting in the mix, consider trying a different sample or altering the direction of the synthesized kick.

Use a Transient Designer: Transient designers can emphasize the initial impact (attack) of the sound and reduce the sustain, making the kick more prominent in the mix.

Adjust the Frequency of the Kick: Find the frequency where the kick sounds the most powerful and use EQ to boost that frequency.

These methods will likely help resolve the issue of the kick getting buried, but it’s crucial to consider the overall mix balance and make the necessary adjustments.