Mixing and programming drums, advice needed

[+Erik+]

Can anyone give me advice on mixing a drum sound?

I using samples of real drums and they sound pretty good. I set up each drum on it's own track so I have full control over the kit. I want advice on eq settings for each drum, reverb settings for certain drums, panning etc.


I want to create a rock/metal type drum sound.

Also, I am not a drummer but am getting reasonalbe at programming convincing sounding drums. Is there any advice real drummers can give me about what to do to vary my drum patterns and what common mistakes to avoid when programming drums.

Thanks.

[narcoman]

try to use multi samples of the same hits. When you do siblge stroke rolls you need to try and avoid n.n.n.n.nnineteen effect of double triggering close together. It tends to sound okay using the same samples on the 2's and 4's. The same is true of hats, I use four sample groups at two or three velocities to encourage the folly of "reeler feeler so you cant teeller"

cheers

[bombastique]

just some quick notes:

1. avoid reverb on the kick (most of the time..)
2. a good plate reverb on the snare usually works.
3. usually cutting the kick at around the fundamental of the bass will make them 'mesh' better.
4. for best integration of kick and bass, tune the kick properly
5. a boost at around 60-80hz for kick gives it more 'meat', a boost at around 1k gives it more 'snap' (assuming there are frequencies in that range in the sample)
6. Pan kick and snare center and the rest of the kit should be panned as if you were looking at it from the front (hats to the right, low toms to the left). this is not a rule, of course. don't pan too much, as it can be distracting.
7. snare centers i usually around 2k (though this can vary quite a bit as well...). 'snap' is at 4k, 'meat' is at 1k.

those are just a few tips - by no means a 'rule' book. it's difficult to give solid, specific information without hearing something as eq, reverb and all the rest of that can vary widely depending on what kinds of sounds you're working with and what you want to achieve.

you might check out my articles page for the one on more realistic sequenced drums at:
http://www.bombastique.com/artrev.html

cheers!