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Okay, so i DID search before posting and yet only found minimal resources on the topic.
But im curious as to how to construct a bone breaking snare. Best example is the track i am currently listening to (Skanky Sue - Mojo)
It doesnt sound as much of a snare as it does like a cowboy cracking a whip.
So does this sound all come down to the samples you are using or down to the eq?
When i searched around i found most people explained that that sound was around the 2khz - 4khz mark.
I did try eq-ing my snares notching up around this freq but still not bone shattering. anyone help a brother out?
more eq adjustments? or do i need samples of a train hitting a bus? if so can anyone link me to a couple of samples or email me?
thanks in advance to anyone who can help.
Ryan - Treason

If it sounds like a whip-crack noise....


look for a whip-crack noise??



maybe highpass it and layer a punchier snare under it to give it Umpf, and EQ the two to make them gel.

Another thing to try is turn of quantizing and move one of the two(experiment) SLIGHTLY before the other one, i have gotten some pretty surprising results from this.

also- try to use destructive EQing instead of constructive.

very true.
i didnt want to just take the easy road out, i wanted to kinda learn lol
sure man ill give your techniques a run. thanks for the help, appreciate it.

you can boost and notch all you want, if the original samples you use don't have that snap or pop to em you aren't going to get it

use big-sounding snare samples and keep them loud in the mix.

all of the above, could also try putting in a reversed snare before your snare hits and layering in a clap or a sample of somebody clicking their fingers to give it that snap.

I've found better results recently by layering a thumpy dnb snare with little white noise on it, maybe lowpassing that, and then layering a couple of claps and a fairly low white noise snare...the claps give it a proper crack

more about the sample you use, its better to try and find a sample that sounds like it in the first place than to try and make another one sound like something it isnt

A clap has GOT to be involved, be it on the periphery, if you want a whip cracking sound. I just can't see a snare creating that effect.

jaydot wrote:A clap has GOT to be involved, be it on the periphery, if you want a whip cracking sound. I just can't see a snare creating that effect.

Have to disagree, i can think of about 2 or 3 tracks of mine where ive used a clap as a layer.

My snares are pretty much always big, as thats what i go for.

Just as important as any of the advice given is making sure your snare has its own space (as obvious as that might seem). But if anything is getting in the way you lose a lot of impact, you dont necessarily have to make huge snares, as long as its got room to strut its stuff.

Echoi wrote:

jaydot wrote:A clap has GOT to be involved, be it on the periphery, if you want a whip cracking sound. I just can't see a snare creating that effect.

Have to disagree, i can think of about 2 or 3 tracks of mine where ive used a clap as a layer.

My snares are pretty much always big, as thats what i go for.

Just as important as any of the advice given is making sure your snare has its own space (as obvious as that might seem). But if anything is getting in the way you lose a lot of impact, you dont necessarily have to make huge snares, as long as its got room to strut its stuff.

That's basically what I meant'; that to get the desired whip crack sound you need to layer a clap, even if it's on the periphery (ie a secondary layer)

Replied to your soundcloud comment btw

jaydot wrote:

Echoi wrote:

jaydot wrote:A clap has GOT to be involved, be it on the periphery, if you want a whip cracking sound. I just can't see a snare creating that effect.

Have to disagree, i can think of about 2 or 3 tracks of mine where ive used a clap as a layer.

My snares are pretty much always big, as thats what i go for.

Just as important as any of the advice given is making sure your snare has its own space (as obvious as that might seem). But if anything is getting in the way you lose a lot of impact, you dont necessarily have to make huge snares, as long as its got room to strut its stuff.

That's basically what I meant'; that to get the desired whip crack sound you need to layer a clap, even if it's on the periphery (ie a secondary layer)

Replied to your soundcloud comment btw

I think you misunderstood, my point is, a clap hasnt GOT to be involved, ive rarely used them.

you could try layering sounds over the top that arent just sample pack snares. like metallic sounding hits, and play with the envelope on them

tetsuo is the master of whip-crack snares
Soundcloud



whoosh SNAP

heres another example
Soundcloud


ARE YOU MADD BRUV

lightshapers wrote:you could try layering sounds over the top that arent just sample pack snares. like metallic sounding hits, and play with the envelope on them

S'all about found sounds

question been answered.

ill add that sample selection is key to getting big cracking snares.

one of my recent faves for snares that smash:

Sample selection, EQ, Dynamics processing. Same as everything else. As for the right technique for each... beyond me!

I've found that when I want that whip sound,I make me a snare(2-3 layers) put some reverb on and then sample it.After that,I sample only the tail of the reverb,reverse it and place it right before the snare..it gives that "whip effect"
look at the tune in my sig at 0:59 that's when it first kicks in

This isn't really to do with the actual snare as much as it is to do with space and gain placement. I mean, of course you need a good sound but...Have your kick and snare upfront in the mix and don't much playing on the 3.

A good example is this...



Remember people..

Space, Pace, Bass.

If you can't get your snare bone crunching - its probably because something playing at the same time as your snare is taking up all the room and clarity.