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Percussion

This may seem to be a shitty question, but it's been bothering me a while. So I really want to get a cleaner, crisper sound out of my percussion section in my productions. I currently either use drums from Reason 2.5 via rewire or drums from impulse in Ableton 6. I EQ and compress impulse or the audio input from Reason and maybe add some effects.

My question: am I doing something wrong here? Should I make each of my percussive sounds a separate track and then work with them from there? Thanks guys.

It would help if you posted an example so people can point out things that sound "off."

quote:

Originally posted by MrJiveBoJingles It would help if you posted an example so people can point out things that sound "off."

I am more concerned with my methods, but I will hopefully have a file posted soon to demonstrate my point. Any recommendations on how I can post a file--preferably for free?

Use a file service like SendSpace, YouSendIt, or Rapidshare. Google any of those names and you'll be able to find the sites.

Re: Percussion

quote:

Originally posted by phantom limb My question: am I doing something wrong here? Should I make each of my percussive sounds a separate track and then work with them from there? Thanks guys.

good source samples are essential. check out VEC 1 and 2 for a nice selection of percussion sounds suitable for trance

i always use a separate tracks for my perc samples

As for eq and compression its impossible to say without hearing what you have done. dont feel you have to compress everything, in fact if you dont totally understand compression its best not to use it at all

To get the best of your drums, is very important to work carefully with the stereo image, alot of producers tend to use very few stereo spectrum, and tend to use hats louder than they should.
If you use good panning with your drums and you do a good level balance, you should be set.
For example, if you have a track with a classic closed hat, open hat, kick, snare, etc, but besides you have congas, shakers, tambourines, I have noticed the ethnic drums, percussions go always panned about 60 to 70%, this gives alot of breath to the rest of the stereo image, also hats, toms, can be panned this %, and hats should be always at a good level, not to loud, alot of issues with the volume levels start here, people says, my congas, my hats sounds thin, or they barely sound, i will compress them, boost them, but this not fix the real issue, just hide it, if you pann 60 to 70%, you will notice the same drum sounds alot more, and sometimes you will have even to put down some volume.
I could post you a before and after sample if you dont get the picture.

Kopi =o.

quote:

Originally posted by kopi_luwak To get the best of your drums, is very important to work carefully with the stereo image, alot of producers tend to use very few stereo spectrum, and tend to use hats louder than they should. If you use good panning with your drums and you do a good level balance, you should be set. For example, if you have a track with a classic closed hat, open hat, kick, snare, etc, but besides you have congas, shakers, tambourines, I have noticed the ethnic drums, percussions go always panned about 60 to 70%, this gives alot of breath to the rest of the stereo image, also hats, toms, can be panned this %, and hats should be always at a good level, not to loud, alot of issues with the volume levels start here, people says, my congas, my hats sounds thin, or they barely sound, i will compress them, boost them, but this not fix the real issue, just hide it, if you pann 60 to 70%, you will notice the same drum sounds alot more, and sometimes you will have even to put down some volume. I could post you a before and after sample if you dont get the picture. Kopi =o.

This is pretty interesting, when you hear good percs in a tune its hard to realise they are panning, when you say pan do you mean 70% in one direction or are you talking about some other type of panning?

quote:

Originally posted by daeus This is pretty interesting, when you hear good percs in a tune its hard to realise they are panning, when you say pan do you mean 70% in one direction or are you talking about some other type of panning?

Yes, I do, panning is essential to have a full and yumi sound .

Kopi =o.

Try pitching your percussion which will actually make them clearer rather than a detuned mush.

quote:

Originally posted by flutlicht junky Try pitching your percussion which will actually make them clearer rather than a detuned mush.

Most of the time that will make no difference whatsoever.

IMHO once my percussion is tuned correctly I can focus on using the EQ to bring out the frequencies I wish to emphasis without affecting the balance of the instruments giving a nice solid base to build my tunes with.

quote:

Originally posted by flutlicht junky IMHO once my percussion is tuned correctly I can focus on using the EQ to bring out the frequencies I wish to emphasis without affecting the balance of the instruments giving a nice solid base to build my tunes with.

Good for you, I guess.

Re: Re: Percussion

quote:

Originally posted by Head Grit good source samples are essential. check out VEC 1 and 2 for a nice selection of percussion sounds suitable for trance i always use a separate tracks for my perc samples As for eq and compression its impossible to say without hearing what you have done. dont feel you have to compress everything, in fact if you dont totally understand compression its best not to use it at all

theres no way to totally understand it without using it.

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