Drum Track Processing Tips, Part 4: Ambience by Thai Long Ly
Drum Track Processing Tips, Part 4: Ambience by Thai Long Ly
You’ve now just downloaded your WAV’s from an online recording studio, imported the tracks into your session and pulled up the faders to zero. “Holy chasmic echo, Batman… that’s a lot of room!” Well, yes and no. Yes, that’s a lot of room if you solo the drums by themselves. Now start adding guitars, bass, keys, vocals, etc…
Too much room now? Or do you simply notice that the drums are sitting in a nice “space” in the mix without the need for artificial reverb? I generally like to record my room mics on the hot side, with plenty of level. Maybe more than you’ll actually use in the final mix… but it’s there if you need it. This gives you the most latitude when it comes time to create your atmosphere and space. Trust me, you’ll thank me in the end.
So, if you want more of a Beach Boys type thing or a 70’s dry drum sound, then back those faders down. If you want a modern R&B thing where the drum kit sounds more like samples, then simply mute the room mics altogether. Rock? Crank those room mics up from the beginning! How about this for a creative, fun use of room mics: sneak the room mics in during choruses only, or during big drum fills. This will add more presence and excitement without resorting to EQ or level changes. Again, suit to taste and don’t be afraid to experiment with processing.
Bear in mind that a healthy use of compression on room mics is pretty much standard practice for most rock productions. The aim is to get the compressor pumping in time with the track so that the drums start to sound exciting – like they’re about to explode out of the speakers.
But dig this: once you realize that a good drum track isn’t merely about punch and impact, that it should have depth and a real sense space as well, your productions will take on a whole new life. The quickest, most natural way to a cool sonic landscape is through the creative use of room mics in your mix.
Check out my other articles on drum processing on this site, covering topics such as use of compression and gating. In Part 5 equalization will be the focus. Until then, enjoy the process of applying what you have read.
Related posts:
- Drum Track Processing Tips, Part 3: Parallel Compression
- Drum Track Processing Tips, Part 2: Compression
- Drum Track Processing, Part 1: Gating
- Drum Track Processing Tips, Part 6: More Equalization Guidelines
- Drum Track Processing, Part 5: Equalization Guidelines