Drum Quality?

sune mc · Post by **sune mc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:38 pm

Hi Everyone. This is my first post and I'd hate to waste anyone's time asking a question that has already been asked, but I'm not finding what I'm looking for on the search feature, but enough about that.

I have a couple of questions regarding drums. Namely what are some good techniques for making drums sound right... I know not very technical, but again I'm new and I'm still learning how to talk about things.

What I'm getting at is how can I make my drums sound less like they are coming off a computer. I'm imagining this involves reverb, or something, but I just don't know.

I'd appreciate any help even just a link to a tutorial/article on the subject.

Thanks in advance,

S.

serox · Post by **serox** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:45 pm

SUNe MC wrote:Hi Everyone. This is my first post and I'd hate to waste anyone's time asking a question that has already been asked, but I'm not finding what I'm looking for on the search feature, but enough about that.

I have a couple of questions regarding drums. Namely what are some good techniques for making drums sound right... I know not very technical, but again I'm new and I'm still learning how to talk about things.

What I'm getting at is how can I make my drums sound less like they are coming off a computer. I'm imagining this involves reverb, or something, but I just don't know.

I'd appreciate any help even just a link to a tutorial/article on the subject.

Thanks in advance,

S.

You honestly could not find any info in the search?

Playing with the button and FX will help you. Loads of info you will find helpful in the sticky's.

Good luck.

DZA · Post by **DZA** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 12:55 pm

samplering real drums

xal54x · Post by **xal54x** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:06 pm

Get good drum samples, I went for years with just old drum machine samples, great for electro/lo-fi stuff, not so good for anything else lol after that I guess learn as much as you can about EQing, compression, reverb etc.

-drix- · Post by **-drix-** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:18 pm

yeah drum samples are the way forward, if you got a bit of cash look into a drum sampler something like native instruments battery. i use it and i have to say its got some banging sounds and the interface is a dream to work with. also experiment with layering different hits to create a new sound you're happy with. i find a bit of compression always helps to give your drums a bit of unity and warmth, a big problem i use to face was my drums sounding too fragmented and disjointed

sune mc · Post by **sune mc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:31 pm

Thanks guys. I'm just becoming aware of a need for more lifelike drums and you're insights are giving me some ideas.

I really appreciate your help!

junglist · Post by **junglist** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:36 pm

Compress
Filter
EQ
Reverb
Pan
Dub Delay
Reverse
Pitch Change
Gater

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 2:51 pm

This should help you go in the right direction...

http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?t ... highlight=

sune mc · Post by **sune mc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:11 pm

-drix- wrote:i find a bit of compression always helps to give your drums a bit of unity and warmth, a big problem i use to face was my drums sounding too fragmented and disjointed

OK thanks... I've recognized this in my tracks, some more than others, and always wondered how I could control it.

oblivious · Post by **oblivious** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:29 pm

Junglist wrote:Compress
Filter
EQ
Reverb
Pan
Dub Delay
Reverse
Pitch Change
Gater

shuffle
humanization
sidechain

Sharmaji · Post by **Sharmaji** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 3:40 pm

distortion, saturation, and (as a last resort) very short reverbs.

FSTZ1 · Post by **FSTZ1** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:03 pm

Layering also helps to achieve a BIG sound

elbe · Post by **elbe** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:06 pm

futures_untold wrote:This should help you go in the right direction...

http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?t ... highlight=

This

FSTZ wrote:Layering also helps to achieve a BIG sound

& This

FSTZ1 · Post by **FSTZ1** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:10 pm

oh..

you might wanna slap some white noise behind your snare

sune mc · Post by **sune mc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:14 pm

I'm really impressed. You guys are awesome.

sune mc · Post by **sune mc** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 4:19 pm

FSTZ wrote:oh..

you might wanna slap some white noise behind your snare

White noise goes after sounds me and a buddy were messing with that the other day, but were putting it before the sound.

Can't wait to try that out.

james fox · Post by **james fox** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:11 pm

how do you put white noise before or after a sound?

do you not just mean layer it up so it cuts through the mix?

FSTZ1 · Post by **FSTZ1** » Wed Sep 17, 2008 5:26 pm

mix it under the main snare, is what I am saying

will add a little dimension to your snares

fiziks · Post by **fiziks** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:10 pm

TeReKeTe wrote:distortion, saturation, and (as a last resort) very short reverbs.

Saturation? Sounds nice, what is it exactly. Another name for compression?

Here's a tip: Adjust the velocity. As in adjust the velocity on your snare, kick, random sounds, high hats, whatever. Take a 32 or 64 bar loop and just go in and make adjustments to the velocity of random (or not so random) hits to give it a more organic feel.

futures_untold · Post by **futures_untold** » Thu Sep 18, 2008 3:16 pm

fiziks wrote: Saturation? Sounds nice, what is it exactly. Another name for compression?

No, saturation and compression are two completely different things.

Compression is a process that limits the dynamic range of an audio signal.

Saturation adds more harmonic content to the audio signal giving it a fuller sound.

Using white noise layered with a snare can make snares sound more 'snappy'.

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-With regards to the original post, eq and compression will help your drums sound tighter. The thread is written for Reason, but the concepts and settings will work with any eq & compressor ---> (http://dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=58560)

-Only use drum sounds that a real drum kit would have.

-Pan the sounds according to the real life location of the drums in the kit.

-Create a drum pattern that a real drummer could actually play.

-Add some light reverb, but not to prominent in the mix or one emulating a small space unless you want a tinny sound.

-As mentioned above, edit the velocity and even the timing of each hit. No drummer is perfect, and they certainly don't use quanisation!

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