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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831
Expert
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OP
Expert
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 1,831 |
Snap Goes the Snare
Floyd Jane asked me about my mixing technique on the song "Summer Chaser".
I am using a technique that is new to me. It was one of those "Ah Ha" moments.
With the style of music I’m writing and recording these days, it has only now dawned on me that the snare is the anchor to everything else.
Although my method is anything but precise this method has brought me better results than anything I’ve tried up until now (July 2017)
What I’m doing now to get the snare and kick to pop:
Working with a full drum kit in BIAB, the first thing I must do is trust that it was recorded properly and that I can work with it. It is.
On a “Kit” track I start with an eq plugin where I roll off some of the deep lows (around 40 to 50 hz - always to feel within the song)
Then a touch of compression. I have a CA something-or-other plugin with two knobs – simple.
Then I add the wonderful Izotope Neutron; hit analyze and let it go! Then I work with the transient shaper’s presets to emphasize the snare any way that will work and adjust the slider if needed.
Then I send the “Kit” to a “KitnBass” track with the bass guitar. (I use the eq masking feature on Neutron to set the bass guitar to dynamically interact with the frequencies of the Kit track below100-200 Hz. Setting the bass to expand and the kick to reduce 1 to 2 db each.)
Then I apply Izotope’s eq from Ozone 7 on the "KitnBass" bus track and use the mid side option (this is the new part for me). For the kick and snare, with the mid option selected I change whatever frequencies it takes to emphasizes the snap of the snare (I start with reducing at 200Hz and play from there) also in the mid option eq I subtract some of the higher frequencies.
In the side eq option I use a high pass filter and roll off the bottom until it sounds tight in the middle of the stereo field. This tightens up the snare and kick focus. And because the whole kit is one track I raise the high frequencies to sweeten the cymbals (in the side channel.)
Finally, I use a send on the “kit” track to a bus with a plate verb. And add an eq after the verb then tweak to once again emphasis the snap of the snare.
Next, in the context of the song I will send all the guitars and pianos and just about everything else to a “music” bus then add an eq with the mid-side option selected and do the opposite (in general) taking away some of the mid frequencies in the mid option and adding some mid fq (body)and some highs to the side option. ( I will also add a hall type verb with 0 pre-delay to the “music” bus through a send and eq that verb.)
Then, because my room (I mean my Studio) under-represents the low end, I over-compensate the lows and have to mix, re-mix and re-mix... Lol!
All feedback and enlightenment welcome.
Last edited by gruverider; 07/31/17 07:18 PM.
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,207
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 20,207 |
Lawrence,
Thank you so much for taking the time to write this. Just a couple of days ago I was thinking about how my drum sound is one of the weaknesses in my productions. What you've put down here will help me no end. I'm looking forward to giving your ideas a test run!
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,722
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12,722 |
Lawrence,
Thanks for the in-depth explanation. Those drums on "Summer Chase" sound great... I've not used side-chain eq before - will need to explore that...
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,414 |
I agree with Noel - some very good food for thought here! I'm going to have to try some of these when I have a moment.
I personally like putting a bit of compression on my snares to give it a nice "snap," if you would. I also have taken a liking to layering additional kicks underneath my snares to add a bit of oomf.
Cheers,
Deryk
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Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
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Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221
Apprentice
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Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 221 |
Mid side processing sounds like a great way to deal with a whole drum kit where you can't get 'under the hood'. I've noticed that more plugs are coming out with this option. M/S compression could be worth a try too.
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