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#221856 11/20/13 12:10 PM
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Which FX effects to use when mastering a drum kit. Which effects make the kit really pump?
Which effects for the snare and kick drum?

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I like to compress kicks, and gate snares to get that pop sound on them

There is a great video for drum processing over at homestudiotrainer.com I liked the ideas.



http://www.homestudiotrainer.com/studioonetracks.htm

Second video down was interesting. Done in Studio one, but still in principle good info.


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Hi Stratocaster.

If it's a powerful rock kit you're looking for, I like to compress each drum separately, but you need access to the individual drums to do this. I also use different reverbs for different parts of the kit, with the longest reverb on the toms and cymbals, less on the snare and very little on the kick drum. I also like to tune the pitch of the snare down a bit for a rock kit, to stop some of the "splash" and give it more power.

For a live-sounding kit I just use a bit of limiting and a touch of reverb on the whole kit.

Drum sounds are very individual and I'm sure you're going to get a lot of different views.

ROG.

Last edited by ROG; 11/20/13 05:02 PM.
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OP used the term "pump"

so answer is compressor (overdone) smile

Often, for a drum set to cut through the mix, EQ, compression and (lastly) reverb are used.
For a live kit recording so is timing (moving the tracks to account for the time delay on the distance of a given mic).
Some habits I have;
boost 2kHz on kick (yes you read that right) so the snap of the pedal adds definition and timing
cut lows on snare (to eliminate bass drum bleed on snare mic)
slide tracks slightly to align peaks (helps with transients)
Compress to suit
add a touch of reverb to whole drum mix and maybe a little extra on snare alone

Lots of options and methods depending on the need.


Last edited by rharv; 11/20/13 05:48 PM.

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Compression and EQ are a nice combo for drums. But use just the right amount or it gets totally screwed up.

Pump .......... I assume is used to mean Kicking Butt and sounding good..... because with a compressor and a drum kit, and having things set wrong.... you will get "pumping" and I mean that in a bad way.... you don't want a compressor pumping in a mix. That means you have it set wrong.

Last edited by Guitarhacker; 11/21/13 06:27 AM.

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Its useless to talk about drum track treatment unless and until the OP describes succinctly the genre of music and the type of drum track played and also the type desired.

Too many variables right now.


--Mac

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My type of music is best described as pop/rock'n roll, which I sense that some people has gathered already, (just look at my alias), but all the same, Mac is right, if you don't know the genre, how on earth would you be able to advice :-)

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The effects being mentioned could work on many genres, they just need to be set correctly.
I did make suggestions on specifics, and was thinking if the OP tried these things he would quickly learn some basics by 'tinkering'. I ended with "Lots of options and methods depending on the need" .. on purpose. Ain't no right answer.
I am familiar with Strat's style so I threw out a couple ideas.


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No matter the style, compression and EQ are the mainstays of recording almost every instrument and voice.

Yes, there are certain "norms" which can and do vary depending on the style.

My personal preference is that no matter what I record, the use of FX (including comp & EQ) should be as minimal as possible under most circumstances.


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