Use SSL 4K channel strip on drum buses for shaping and compression
Problem: drums lack punch and clarity
The SSL 4K channel strip is used on all drum buses, including snare, kick, and sub kick. It provides a familiar SSL sound with a compressor and EQ that can be used to shape the tone and dynamics of the drums. The…
Use the rest of the drums as a reference when balancing the kick and bass
Problem: kick and bass don't fit well with the rest of the track
Including the rest of the drums in the mix while balancing the kick and bass helps provide context and ensures that the kick and bass don't clash with other elements. This technique allows the producer to hear how the…
Use fast attack and fast release for transient management
Problem: drums lack punch or are too dynamic
Fast attack and fast release settings on a compressor are ideal for managing transients in percussive sounds like drums. This combination allows the compressor to quickly respond to the initial transient and then release…
Use ribbon mics for roomy, full-bodied drum recordings
Problem: dry or flat-sounding drum recordings
Ribbon mics capture more room reflections due to their figure-8 polar pattern, which allows them to pick up sound from both the front and back. This results in a more natural and spacious representation of the drum…
Ribbon mics can capture the full room sound of a drum kit
Problem: lack of room presence in drum recordings
Due to their figure-8 polar pattern, ribbon mics can capture not only the direct sound of the drums but also the reflections from the room. This makes them ideal for adding depth and space to drum recordings, especially…
Blend condenser and ribbon mics for a balanced drum sound
Problem: incomplete or unbalanced drum sound
Combining condenser mics (for clarity and high-end detail) with ribbon mics (for body and roominess) allows for a more complete and natural drum sound. This technique can be used to achieve a hybrid approach that…
Use a clap sample that is dry and tight
Problem: clap clashing with kick, muddy rhythm
Choosing a dry and tight clap sample ensures it doesn't interfere with the kick or other elements in the mix. This is crucial for maintaining clarity in the rhythm section. The speaker recommends using samples from…
Offset the clap by one pixel to avoid clashing with the kick
Problem: kick and clap clashing, muddy rhythm
By delaying the clap by one pixel (a very small amount), the producer ensures that it doesn't clash with the kick. This subtle timing adjustment helps the kick punch through more clearly while keeping the rhythm section…
Use swing to add groove to the rhythm
Problem: rhythm feels too rigid, lacks groove
Applying a swing of 20% to the rhythm adds a natural groove and feel to the track. This is a common technique in bounce trance and other rhythmic genres to make the beat feel more human and less mechanical. The speaker…
Cut samples to prevent overlap and maintain clarity
Problem: samples overlapping, lack of clarity
Cutting samples short helps prevent them from overlapping with other elements in the mix, ensuring clarity and separation. This is especially important in bounce trance, where tightness and precision are key. The speaker…
Use a Roland 909-style crush sample for impact
Problem: lack of punch in rhythm, weak impact
Using a Roland 909-style crush sample adds a classic, punchy impact to the track. These samples are known for their sharp transients and are often used in bounce trance and other genres that rely on strong rhythmic…
Use short snare samples at 300Hz for arky texture
Problem: lack of rhythmic punch in breakdowns
Using short snare samples around 300Hz adds an arky (aggressive, punchy) texture to the track. This frequency range is ideal for snare rolls as it sits well in the mid-range without clashing with other elements. The…
Use crescendo techniques in breakdowns to build tension
Problem: static breakdowns without tension
Creating a crescendo in the breakdown by gradually increasing the velocity and intensity of the snare rolls helps build tension. This technique is essential in bounce trance and funk tribu styles to create a dynamic and…
Pan snare rolls left and right for stereo width
Problem: narrow, flat snare rolls
Panning snare rolls left and right adds stereo width and spatial interest to the track. This technique helps the snare rolls sit better in the mix and prevents them from sounding too centered or monotonous. The speaker…
Use glue compression on drum groups to enhance presence and cohesion
Problem: drum group lacks presence and cohesion
Glue compression helps bring together the drum group, making the percussion sound more present and three-dimensional. Using a longer attack time (30ms) and a fast release (0.1–0.4s) with a ratio around 2:1 helps maintain…
Use EQ to enhance the sharpness of drum tops
Problem: drum tops lack clarity and presence
Enhancing the high-end of the drum tops with a quick EQ sweep can add clarity and sharpness. This is especially useful in tracks where the percussion needs to cut through the mix. It's important to be careful not to…
Use saturation to add character to percussion
Problem: percussion lacks character and warmth
Applying a small amount of saturation to the percussion group can add warmth and character. This is a subtle but effective way to enhance the overall texture of the percussion without making it sound overly processed or…
Use a limiter or clipper to control transients in percussion
Problem: percussion transients are too loud or clipped
If the percussion is getting too loud or causing clipping, using a limiter or clipper can help control the transients. This ensures that the percussion remains punchy without overloading the mix. Setting the ceiling…
Use a drum booth for isolated drum recordings
Problem: room reflections affecting drum sound
A dedicated drum booth allows for isolated drum recordings, reducing unwanted room reflections and ensuring a clean, focused sound. The booth should be positioned so that the drummer can see the control room, which helps…
Use Arpline to add texture when the drums kick in
Problem: arrangement lacks texture
Introducing an Arpline (a type of synth or lead sound) when the drums kick in can add texture and interest to the track. This technique helps fill in gaps in the arrangement and provides a more dynamic and engaging…
Add drum fills and ear candy to enhance the arrangement
Problem: arrangement feels sparse or lacks rhythmic interest
Drum fills and ear candy elements help to fill out the space in the track and add variety. These elements can be used to transition between sections or to add rhythmic interest. The speaker mentions this as a future…
Split stereo drum channels into low and high ends for separate processing
Problem: inability to process low and high ends of drums separately
By splitting a stereo drum channel into low and high frequency sections using a low-pass and high-pass filter at 200Hz, you can process the low end and high end independently. This allows for more precise control over…
Enhance transients on drum channels for more punch and aggression
Problem: drums lack punch and aggression
Using a transient shaper on the drum channel can increase the attack of the transients, making the drums sound more aggressive and punchy. This is particularly effective in genres like trance and house where the drums…
Reduce piercing upper mids on drum channels to avoid grating or annoying frequencies
Problem: drums have grating or piercing upper mids
If the upper midrange of a drum channel is too piercing, it can cause the mix to sound grating or annoying. Reducing these frequencies helps maintain a balanced and pleasant overall sound. This is a common issue in…
Add percussive elements for rhythmic interest
Problem: lack of rhythmic interest
The absence of drums or percussive elements in certain sections can make the track feel empty or unengaging. Adding percussive elements can help fill the space and add rhythmic interest to the arrangement.
Use a sample pack with kick, rim shot, hi-hats, and other lo-fi drum samples
Problem: lack of quality drum samples for lo-fi
Using a curated sample pack with specific lo-fi drum elements like kick, rim shot, and hi-hats can save time and provide high-quality sounds that fit the lo-fi aesthetic. This approach ensures consistency and quality in…
Place each drum on its own track for easier mixing and side chaining
Problem: difficulty in mixing and side chaining
By placing each drum on its own track, you gain more control during mixing and make it easier to apply effects like side chaining later. This is especially useful in lo-fi production, where subtle dynamics and layering…
Create drum patterns by playing and repeating until the rhythm feels right
Problem: difficulty in creating a natural rhythm
Creating drum patterns by playing and repeating until the rhythm feels natural is a great way to develop a groove. This method is especially effective for lo-fi, where a laid-back and organic feel is often desired. It…
Group related tracks together for better organization and control
Problem: disorganized project structure
Grouping related tracks (like all drum tracks) together helps keep the project organized and makes it easier to apply effects or volume changes to multiple tracks at once. This is especially useful in lo-fi production,…
Duplicate drum patterns to quickly build a beat
Problem: time-consuming to program drum patterns manually
By duplicating the drum pattern, producers can quickly create a longer section of the track without manually programming each beat. This is a time-saving technique that is especially useful in lo-fi production where…
Apply vintage tape saturation to drums for warmth
Problem: drums sound flat or lifeless
Using a vintage tape saturation plugin on drums adds warmth and character to the sound, which is a signature of lo-fi production. This technique mimics the analog sound of old tape machines and can help glue the drums…
Take 10 minutes to build a drum loop and experiment with your own lo-fi track
Problem: procrastination or lack of motivation
Ethan suggests taking just 10 minutes to build a drum loop and start experimenting with a lo-fi track. This is a great way for beginners to get hands-on experience and see immediate results. Even a short session can help…
Balance drum groups before balancing the entire mix
Problem: cluttered drums, unclear mix
Drums are a complex group of sounds, and balancing them internally first ensures that each component (kick, snare, hats, etc.) has its place. This step prevents the mix from becoming cluttered and allows for a more…
Use old school drum machines for authentic sounds
Problem: lifeless or modern-sounding drums
Using classic drum machines like the 909 and 808 can add an authentic, old school feel to a track. These machines are known for their punchy, analog-sounding kicks and snares, which are essential in genres like house and…
Place claps on every other kick for rhythmic contrast
Problem: flat or monotonous rhythm
Placing claps on every other kick adds rhythmic contrast and helps define the groove of the track. This is a common technique in house and techno music, where claps are used to add texture and movement to the rhythm…
Use snare skip points for swing and groove
Problem: rigid or lifeless rhythm
Placing snares on the 16th note before and after the beat adds swing and groove to the track. This technique is commonly used in house and techno music to create a more organic, human feel. The snares should be placed on…
Add rim shots to enhance rhythmic complexity
Problem: flat or monotonous percussion
Adding rim shots to the track enhances rhythmic complexity and adds texture to the percussion section. Rim shots are commonly used in house and techno music to add punch and definition to the rhythm. They should be…
Use open hats to fill the space between kicks
Problem: gaps or dead space in the rhythm
Using open hats between kicks helps fill the space in the rhythm and adds a sense of movement and flow. This is a key technique in house and techno music, where open hats are used to create a sense of rhythm and groove.…
Tighten open hats to avoid clashing with other elements
Problem: clashing or muddy rhythm
Tightening open hats ensures they don't clash with other elements in the mix, such as the kick and bass. This is especially important in house and techno music, where the rhythm section needs to be tight and precise.…
Pan drums for better stereo imaging
Problem: muddy, flat stereo image
Panning individual drum elements helps create a more spacious and immersive stereo image. This is a fundamental technique in mixing that ensures each element has its own space in the stereo field. By panning drums, the…
Use room reverb to add depth to the drum kit
Problem: dry, lifeless drums
Adding room reverb to the drum kit enhances the sense of space and depth in the mix. This is a common technique in mixing to make the drums sound more natural and immersive. By using reverb, the drums are placed in a…
Edit open hat sustain using automation
Problem: open hat is too long or lacks punch
To control the sustain of an open hat, use automation to adjust the decay parameter. This allows for precise control over how long the hat sounds, which is especially useful in genres like trance and house where rhythmic…
Use classic drum sounds like 909 and 808
Problem: drums lack character or groove
Using classic drum sounds such as the Roland 909 and 808 instantly adds an old-school flavor to the track. These drum samples are widely used in genres like trance and house for their punchy and groovy characteristics.…
Choose brighter rides and symbols to match the reference track's impact
Problem: rides and symbols lack brightness and impact
The reference track uses bright rides and symbols that add impact and clarity to the percussion. Replacing the current ride with a brighter one improves the overall energy and definition of the drum section. This is…
Remove symbols during silent parts in the drop for contrast
Problem: drop lacks contrast and dynamics
Removing symbols during the silent parts of the drop creates contrast and allows the track to breathe. This technique is commonly used in trance and melodic techno to enhance the dynamics and make the drop feel more…
Mistake: Overusing compression on drums with fast attack times
Problem: lifeless drums, lost punch
Applying fast attack compression to drums can squash transients and remove the punch that defines the track. Modern producers often prefer clipping and using high-quality samples over aggressive compression. This mistake…
Use a free clipper for crispy drum sounds
Problem: lifeless or dull drum sounds
Applying a clipper to the drum bus adds harmonic distortion that makes transients 'crisp' and punchy. The speaker uses a free clipper plugin to achieve this effect, demonstrating how subtle clipping can enhance the…
Use a hi-hat as the foundation of the groove
Problem: lifeless rhythm section, flat groove
The hi-hat provides the rhythmic skeleton for the track. By layering it with a snare and using a delay chain, the groove becomes more dynamic and textured. This approach is common in drumcode-style bass music, where the…