Punchy drums / Parallel compression
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Posted on Jun 13, 2008 10:30 pm
dr dan
Member Since: Jun 13, 2008
Hi all,
I'm new to this site and just stumbled upon it. But i have to say, these forums look like that missing thing in my life.
Anyways, so i've been trying for ages to create a really punchy kick drum. One not just with sound but with real physical presence.
So far this is what i do.
I give eq room for the drum.
Then parallel compress the drum normally to three channels, one attack long for snap, one attack mid for punch and one attack short for omph.
Then i side-chain the track so i can maximize the volume of the drum in the track in the master mix.
after all that i get a really clean punch but it's still missing body when i compare it with anything professional.
Can anyone tell me anything i've missed?
i'm beginning to think is actually do to an unbalanced high end. that the hats and rides over the top are to weak in the mix. but i can't quite get them to work either.
anyways, help would be appreciated.
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Jun 14, 2008 06:36 am what about reverb? a small room type usually adds some body to it....if you have the ability, place a random mic as far away from the kit as possible, point it at a corner) a track (or plugin) like this will give a bit more depth, without distracting. now if it's a level issue you're having, i'd say ease up on the compressors.
oh, welcome to HRC!
wyd
harvstermastering mattersMember
Since: Jun 14, 2008
Jun 14, 2008 08:51 am Yeah, sounds like a lot of compression effort there. Without hearing a sample it's hard to comment. Something like a BBE on the cymbal tracks may bring some life back to them...dunno without hearing it.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Jun 14, 2008 09:39 am Maybe add in a kick sample, to the tracks you have now?
Mix in to add some snap, or oomph, etc.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
Jun 14, 2008 08:39 pm Well welcome to HRC first off.
But ya, most of the advice here is valid and will work well depending on the kick sound you are starting with.
I'll ask for some detail here as well. What mic, and the chain it is going through are you using? What size drum and does does it have the front head on or not? What type of room are you recording the drums in as well, and are you using any buffer/padding in the kick?
Lastly what kind of sound are you looking for? Along the lines of a Rahmstein type kick sound or smaller then that?
dr danMember
Since: Jun 13, 2008
Jun 14, 2008 09:00 pm Thanks for the advice. reverb on the drums isn't a bad idea at all. i always make them sit pretty central in the mix so playing with a bit of stereo is probably a really good idea. especially on the high end.
the BBE on the cymbals and hats is something i've never really thought about either. I always mix by channel and maximize together. chaining the max and then mastering together could be the answer.
As for the equipment, unfortunately, ah hem, i dont really have much to do with recording. I know it's sounds lame, but
i love the mix and mastering side of things. mostly people give me their split tracks to work with.
I'll add some examples so you can see what i mean later.
cheers anyways for all the good suggestions. keep em comming.
dan
Jun 15, 2008 01:18 am thumbs up to what noize said, fillin' out your gear profile will help do-able ideas come out, also as noize said, what kind of context are ya dealin' with? like, whats a similar song with a kick that is the sound you're tryin' to achieve?
Jun 15, 2008 02:07 am [quote]i've been trying for ages to create a really punchy kick drum. One not just with sound but with real physical presence.
So far this is what i do.
I give eq room for the drum.
Then parallel compress the drum normally to three channels, one attack long for snap, one attack mid for punch and one attack short for omph.
Then i side-chain the track so i can maximize the volume of the drum in the track in the master mix.[/quote]
It sounds like you're trying to record a bad-sounding drum. If the instrument sounds like crap, you're just giving yourself unnecessary work by attempting to repair it electronically. You can do wonders for your sanity by just fixing what's wrong with the original sound.
If you have new heads, they are tuned properly, and the drum still sounds like garbage, it may be time to think about a new drum.
A good sounding instrument will always record well with good acoustics and a decent mic, placed properly.
