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Problems with percussion
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fuzzikitten
Annunaki
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
603
Posted : Apr 23, 2004 17:28
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Hello all,
I've been banging my head against this one for a while and not too sure where to go from here.
I can't seem to get the kind of crunchy, full-sounding percussion (rimshots, claps, snares, etc) used in modern trance. I have a number of sounds from older sample cds, but they all sound thin to me. Is it a matter of effects/EQing to get them fuller, or do I need new samples?
Eventually I'd like to spend some time with a synth coming up with my own sounds, but for right now I'd like to just use existing samples.
Where do my fellow trancers go to get their percussion sounds? Particular synths, sample cds, etc?
Thanks for any tips!
-Alex |
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PsYx
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
339
Posted : Apr 23, 2004 17:54
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Try to add some distortion to it !!! |
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motorik
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
14
Posts :
153
Posted : Apr 23, 2004 18:59
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Good samples can ease the pain but it doesn't always solve the problem.
EQing the precs to it right position in the mix + adding reverb and other FX is the right way to the goal. (of course if it's a prec' pattern then velocity will help to humanize it
and reduce the robotic fill.)
Layering a few sounds and convert them into one sound can also be a good way to achieve your aim.
Anyway good sound source is always better (not just for precs' BTW  )
BTW you also asked for snare sound ,right?!!!
There was a topic about it not long ago look in here:
http://forum.isratrance.com/viewtopic.php/topic/33816/forum/2
salute
motorik
 "one good thing about music is when it hits you , you feel no pain" - Bob Marley |
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fuzzikitten
Annunaki
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
603
Posted : Apr 23, 2004 19:14
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Yah, I remember the bit on the snares, but still haven't had a lot of luck.
I guess it really is about EQing, compression, and reverb. I still have a lot to learn!
Thanks for the tips though, they help keep me on track. 
-Alex |
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ben
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
16
Posts :
108
Posted : Apr 23, 2004 19:44
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try compressing the snares..
also try to tune ur snare so that they fit with ur bass+kik i have found that it helps a lot...
i use battery and i can do that with the tune knob..hope that helps...
ben |
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Te_nTe
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
29
Posts :
444
Posted : Apr 24, 2004 19:22
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first of all - use good samples or buy drum machine - that will solve you half of the probelms.
better use just good samples - then u will have less to work on them.
all comes with experience |
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EYB
Noized
Started Topics :
111
Posts :
2849
Posted : Apr 24, 2004 23:14
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Good samples are good
But with compressing, equing, fx stuff you can get a good sound without the best samples.
Compress all your perc. samples alone, eq them add effects and send them to new mixer channel (or two new mixer tracks, one for higher and one for lower perc.)
There you compress again and eq you perc. get it fit into your song.
Remember always, if you listen only one, or more perc. samples it must not be full and phat played alone, it have to fit into your song.
So the main point is how it sounds in the tune.
Listen song, pattern, song, pattern...
Try different compressing settings, usually i use a very short release, long attack.
Cut all low frequencies, to get clear sound.
Delays can give nice grooves, flanger and phaser 'alien' sound.
Try all you can imagine. Layer sounds, compress, eq, all said
And most important: have fun doing it !
Signature |
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fuzzikitten
Annunaki
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
603
Posted : Apr 25, 2004 17:23
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Quote:
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On 2004-04-24 23:14, EYB wrote:
... And most important: have fun doing it !
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Heh, the best advice of all.
Wow, it sounds like you REALLY compress the heck out of the percussion, I'm definitely going to give this a try - it may explain why my percussion seems to sound disjointed, like it's not all the same kit. I have some compression on the percussion bus, but I haven't done much more than that.
Thanks for the tips, all... back to the studio. =3
-Alex |
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saxopholus
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
79
Posted : Apr 25, 2004 19:57
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all the above advice is important. I'd recommend trying some warmers/saturators to give more crunch and energy to drums percussion. They are sort of eq/compression/distortion combos in a way, but I find them useful and easy to get what you're looking for rather than a chain of eq, compression, and distortion in whatever order. Check PSP Vintage Warmer and Mix Saturator.
www.pspaudioware.com
Also Scream 4 in Reason does the same sorta thing.
Sax James.
www.dartrecordings.co.uk |
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Boobytrip
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
39
Posts :
988
Posted : Apr 26, 2004 11:26
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You can also try sending a part of the drum and percussion signal (not the kick) to a compressor via an fx-send. Give this compressor a ratio of about 10:1, a low threshold, and fast attack and release times. then give the compressed signal an eq-boost of about 6 dB at 100 Hz and 10 Khz and sneak this signal in behind the original drum and percussion signal. This way you can give your sounds more oomph and presence without compressing all the life out of it. |
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fuzzikitten
Annunaki
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
603
Posted : Apr 26, 2004 15:05
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THANK you Boobytrip, that's the exact kind of advice I was looking for. I'm at work now, so I'll have to wait until I get home to try it out.
Where I am now is that most of my percussive work sounds pretty tight, but the hihat still sounds too 'high' above the mix. I tend to close my eyes when judging my sound an picture where the elements are in the soundscape, and the hihat literally sounds like it's floating too high above the rest of the mix.
I will try compressing the whole group a little as a send and see if that helps.
But this is something I've run into before and am not too sure what the best way is to fix sounds that seem to float too high. Compression? Reverb? Wait, let me guess, a little of both, and proper EQing.
Anyhoo, thanks for the tips, all, much appreciated.
peace,
-Alex |
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