Add top end to snare drum with EQ boosts at 5K and 8K
Problem: snare lacks presence and clarity
To enhance the presence and clarity of the snare, a boost of 2.7 dB at 5K and 3 dB at 8K is applied. This adds high-frequency detail and helps the snare cut through the mix. The EQ is used in conjunction with the SSL 4K…
Use D-Beaver reverb with 50% wet/dry for a natural, thick reverb sound
Problem: reverb sounds too wet or unnatural
The D-Beaver reverb is used with a 50% wet/dry setting to maintain the dry signal while adding reverb. This approach allows for a thick, natural-sounding reverb without losing the original signal's clarity. The reverb is…
Use slow attack and fast release for punchy compression
Problem: lack of punch and clarity in transients
A slow attack allows the initial transient of a sound (like a kick or snare) to pass through unprocessed, preserving its punch and impact. A fast release then quickly lets the compressor relax after the transient,…
Mistake: using fast attack on kicks and snares without considering the release time
Problem: over-compression of transients
Using a fast attack on kicks and snares can cause the compressor to clamp down too quickly, potentially robbing the sound of its natural punch and transient. This is especially problematic if the release time is not…
Fast release makes the compressor sound more aggressive
Problem: lack of punch and aggression in compressed sounds
A fast release time causes the compressor to release the gain reduction quickly after the signal drops, which makes the compressor work harder and sound more aggressive. This is especially noticeable on percussive sounds…
Mistake: Compressing the kick and snare when targeting the hi-hat
Problem: unintended compression of kick and snare
A common mistake is to accidentally compress the kick and snare when trying to control the hi-hat. This can happen if the sidechain filter is not set correctly or if the frequency range of the hi-hat overlaps too much…
Avoid over-compressing the snare when targeting the hi-hat
Problem: snare unintentionally compressed with hi-hat
When using a compressor on the hi-hat, be careful not to accidentally compress the snare as well. This can happen if the frequency range of the hi-hat overlaps too much with the snare. Using a sidechain filter or a…
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 a combination of dynamic and condenser mics on snares for a balanced sound
Problem: snare lacks punch or detail
The speaker mentions using a combination of dynamic and condenser mics on snares, specifically the SM57 and a condenser. This approach allows for a balanced sound that captures both the punch and detail of the snare. The…
Use a snare or clap on the beat during bridge preparation
Problem: loss of groove during transitions
Using a snare or clap on the beat during bridge preparation helps maintain the groove and rhythm of the track. This is especially important in trance and house, where maintaining the feel of the track is crucial. By…
Balance snare crack and body for clarity
Problem: snare too dull or too harsh
The snare in 'Court in the Echo' is described as having a nice balance between crack and body. This means the snare has both the sharp attack (crack) and the full, resonant body. This balance is crucial for the snare to…
Use reverb and sustain to enhance snare character
Problem: snare lacks depth or character
In the track 'Your Favorite Toy,' the snare is described as having more sustain and reverb, creating a 'saturated reverb' sound. This technique adds depth and space to the snare, making it sound more washed out and…
Start with a snare for a crispy, punchy groove
Problem: weak or unclear snare in heavy groove
In hard techno, the snare is a crucial element that provides rhythm and punch. Starting with a snare ensures that the groove has a solid foundation. However, playing the snare alone can sound weak, so it's important to…
Add percussive elements to enhance groove clarity
Problem: unclear or weak groove rhythm
To make the groove more percussive and clear, additional elements such as snare hits and reverse snares are layered on top. These elements help define the rhythm and add punch to the groove. The offbeat is emphasized to…
Select snares that match the reference track's characteristics
Problem: snare doesn't match reference or track energy
The snare in the demo is too heavy and doesn't match the light, quick decay of the reference track. A snare with more high-end presence and a shorter decay time is needed to match the reference. This is crucial for…
Use automation for reverb on the snare to match the reference track
Problem: snare lacks presence or spatial depth
Applying automation to the reverb on the snare helps shape the decay and spatial characteristics of the sound, making it more dynamic and aligned with the reference track. This technique allows for more control over how…
Replace kick, snare, and cymbal sounds with ones that match the reference track
Problem: kick and snare lack punch and power
Replacing the kick, snare, and cymbals with sounds that match the reference track's energy and character significantly improves the track's cohesion and impact. For example, using a more powerful kick or a punchier snare…
Fix phase cancellation between kick and snare
Problem: muddy low end, weak kick-snare relationship
When the kick and snare are out of phase, the low-end loses punch and clarity. Using a phase alignment tool or manually adjusting the snare's timing by 1-2ms can restore the low-end impact. This is critical in genres…
Shave snare transients with a clipper
Problem: overly aggressive or harsh snare
Using a clipper on the snare bus can tame excessive transients while maintaining punch. The speaker demonstrates this by applying a clipper to the snare, reducing the 'spike' of the attack without losing the snare's…
Add reverse processing to the snare for texture
Problem: bland snare, lack of texture
Reversing a portion of the snare's tail adds a unique, atmospheric element that complements the kick and bass. This technique is used to create 'ear candy' without overpowering the low end. The reversed snare adds a…
Lower the presence around 5000Hz on the snare to reduce harshness
Problem: harsh or bright snare
Lowering the presence around 5000Hz on the snare helps reduce harshness and unwanted brightness that can make the snare sound too aggressive or fatiguing. This is a common fix in EDM mixing to ensure the snare has a…
Add a small amount of white noise to the snare for texture
Problem: lifeless or flat snare
Adding a small amount of white noise to the snare adds texture and helps it stand out more in the mix. This is a subtle but effective technique used in EDM to enhance the snare's presence and character. It's especially…
Use a distortion plugin on the kick and snare bus for more crunch and power
Problem: weak or lifeless drums
Using a distortion plugin on the kick and snare bus adds crunch and power to the drums, making them more aggressive and present in the mix. This is a common technique in EDM to enhance the overall energy and impact of…
Use a snare preset from Diva as a texture layer in the drop
Problem: lack of energy or texture in the drop
Using a snare preset from Diva as a texture layer in the drop adds energy and texture to the drums. This is a creative technique used in EDM to enhance the overall feel and energy of the track. It's especially useful in…
EQ out the lows on the Diva snare texture layer to avoid muddiness
Problem: muddy or unclear texture layer
EQing out the lows on the Diva snare texture layer helps avoid muddiness and ensures it sits well in the mix. This is a common fix in EDM mixing to ensure texture layers don't clash with the main drum elements. It's…
Apply transient shaping to enhance kick/snare definition
Problem: transients lost in limiting
Transient shapers allow precise control over attack and body of transients, unlike compressors which only indirectly affect them. By boosting attack on snares/kicks, you preserve punch while preventing limiters from…
Add body to snare for drummer bass tracks
Problem: snare lacks body and presence
In drummer bass tracks, the snare often lacks the low-end body that it would have in house music where it's layered with a kick. Adding more mid-range frequencies to the snare helps it cut through the mix and maintain…
Add subtle snare skip points on 16th notes before and after the beat
Problem: lack of rhythmic interest and groove
The speaker adds short, subtle snare hits on the 16th notes before and after the beat to enhance the groove and rhythmic feel of the track. These are typically placed after four bars and are used to add micro-rhythmic…
Balance snare and kick at -5 dBFS
Problem: snare and kick compete for space
After setting the kick, introduce the snare and adjust its level so it peaks at -5 dBFS alongside the kick. This ensures both transients have equal presence without one overpowering the other. The balance is crucial for…
Mistake: Aiming for 0 VU on snare elements
Problem: over-compressing snare to hit 0 VU
The speaker explicitly warns against targeting 0 VU for snare elements like rim clicks, stating it's 'really hard to do' and impractical. This is a common mistake where producers force levels to match metering targets…
Match snare level to kick using VU reference
Problem: snare too quiet or too loud relative to kick
The speaker adjusts the snare (rim click) to match the kick's VU level, aiming for -5dB peak instead of 0 VU. This creates a cohesive dynamic range between percussive elements. The approach avoids over-compressing the…
Identify common snare problems: thinness, lack of snap, and depth issues
Problem: snare lacks presence or depth
The speaker highlights that snares often suffer from being too thin (lack of high-frequency presence), insufficient attack (snap), or being too far back in the mix (lack of depth). These issues are common in both live…
Use slower tight compression on the snare to tighten release
Problem: snare lacks punch or feels loose
Applying slower tight compression (e.g., 2:1 ratio with a slow attack and release) on the snare enhances its punch and tightness. This technique helps control dynamics while preserving the natural attack of the snare.…
Accentuate attack and reduce sustain with transient shaping
Problem: snare lacks snap or gets lost in the mix
Using a transient shaper to boost the attack and lower the sustain of the snare makes it more aggressive and present. This is ideal for snare drums that lack snap or get lost in dense mixes. The technique works by…
Boost 8K with a shelf to bring the snare forward
Problem: snare feels buried in the mix
Adding brightness at 8kHz using a shelf EQ makes the snare feel more present and forward in the mix. This is especially effective for snare drums that feel buried in the low-mid range. The high-frequency boost adds…
Apply multi-band saturation in upper mids to add presence
Problem: snare lacks character or feels flat
Using a multi-band saturation plugin to target the upper midrange (e.g., 2-5kHz) adds harmonic richness and presence to the snare. This technique helps the snare sit better in the mix by enhancing its texture without…
Use transient shaper to accentuate snare attack
Problem: dry snare, lacks presence
A transient shaper with a 'smack attack' setting enhances the initial punch of the snare, making it more present in the mix. This addresses a dry or recessed snare that lacks upfront energy. The attack shape adds 'snap'…
Add reverb to enhance snare dimensionality
Problem: flat snare, lacks dimension
Using room or plate reverb on a snare adds spatial depth and 'life' to the sound. Adjusting decay time and brightness tailors the reverb to the mix. This addresses a snare that feels awkward or flat, creating a more…
Reduce competing elements to highlight key sounds
Problem: weak snare in dense mix
When the snare isn't loud enough but the track is peaking, the speaker lowers other elements to make space. This demonstrates the principle of 'masking' and the importance of prioritizing key elements like the snare for…
Solo snare to set level without affecting overall VU
Problem: snare too loud relative to kick
Soloing the snare allows precise adjustment of its level without the low-end influence of the kick affecting the VU meter. This technique ensures the snare reaches the target -5 level while maintaining its natural…
Set kick and snare levels within ±1dB for balanced dynamics
Problem: uneven dynamics, pumping from over-compression
The speaker prioritizes keeping kick and snare levels within a tight range (±1dB) to maintain dynamic control and prevent over-compression. While this is a guideline rather than a strict rule, hitting these numbers…
Use Distressor with 5dB gain reduction at 4:1 ratio for punchy compression
Problem: lifeless transients, over-compressed punch
The speaker applies the Distressor plugin with 5dB of gain reduction at a 4:1 ratio to shape the kick and snare. This setting provides controlled compression that enhances punch without excessive saturation. The 'tack…
Adjust snare levels using fader gain staging with saturation
Problem: overly loud snare, lack of clarity
Reducing the snare's volume via the fader while leveraging the transformer's saturation allows for dynamic control without overloading the signal. This approach maintains the snare's punch while adding subtle warmth. The…
Apply different reverb types to snare and guitars
Problem: muddy or cluttered stereo image
Use distinct reverb settings for different elements (e.g., a shorter, tighter reverb for snare and a longer, more ambient reverb for guitars) to enhance spatial separation and clarity. This technique prevents sonic…
Use Valhalla reverb on snare for spatial depth
Problem: snare lacks spatial presence
Applying Valhalla reverb to the snare adds ambient space and dimension, making it sit better in the mix. The reverb's character helps the snare cut through without losing its punch. This is a common technique in genres…
Use Lexicon reverb on snare for spatial depth
Problem: snare lacks spatial presence
Lexicon reverb is applied to the snare to add a different flavor of spatiality compared to Valhalla. Its unique decay characteristics can give the snare a more vintage or expansive feel, depending on settings. This…
Bright reverb on snare adds clarity and presence
Problem: snare lacks clarity in mix
The speaker emphasizes a preference for bright reverb on snares, which enhances their high-frequency detail and makes them cut through the mix. This approach avoids muddiness and ensures the snare remains audible in…
Avoid over-processing upper mids in vocal/snare channels
Problem: muddy upper mids from over-processing
The speaker warns against adding excessive upper-mid frequencies to the vocal and snare channels, as this can cause frequency masking and muddiness. Since these channels already contain significant high-frequency…