How much compression should a kick drum have?
A good place to start with drums is to adjust the ratio to 4:1. If the drums are still too dynamic, up the ratio to 5:1 or higher.
Should I compress a kick drum?
Kick Drum Compression is Essential In the context of a solo drum performance, you won’t HEAR any need for a compressor. This is why we need to focus on the bigger picture, not on any particular track.
How do you compression a kick drum?
Start with the compressor with a fast attack (10 ms or less), fast release (50 ms or so), and pretty large ratio, say 5:1 or so. Now play a part of your song where the kick and bass play at the same time. Set the threshold low enough so that you get around 6 dB of compression on the bass every time the kick hits.
Should you compress before EQ?
Each position, EQ pre (before) or EQ post (after) compression produces a distinctly different sound, a different tonal quality, and coloration. As a rule, using EQ in front of your compressor produces a warmer, rounder tone, while using EQ after your compressor produces a cleaner, clearer sound.
What does parallel compression do?
Parallel compression, also known as New York compression, is a dynamic range compression technique used in sound recording and mixing. Rather than lowering the highest peaks for the purpose of dynamic range reduction, it decreases the dynamic range by raising up the softest sounds, adding audible detail.
How do I make my kick drum more punchy?
How To Get A Punchy Kick On Every Mix
- Choose the right kick sample.
- Use EQ to fatten/tighten up the kick.
- Use Compression to make the kick punchy.
- Make Sure Your Kick Sample Is In Mono.
- Use Sidechain Compression To Give Space To Your Kick.
Should you record with compression?
Generally speaking, you should only record vocals with compression if you are confident that the settings on the compressor will produce the results you desire. It’s worth noting, that compression interacts uniquely with different vocals.
Should reverb come before or after compression?
Over time, producers have discovered that you get a better sound if you put reverb towards the end of the signal chain, after EQ and compression. Of course, many producers also know that every once in a while it’s good to break the rules.
What is the difference between compression and parallel compression?
Serial compression is when the compressor is inserted in the signal chain and you use 100% of the processed/compressed signal. Parallel compression is when you set up a separate bus for the compression and you blend in the compressed signal with the original uncompressed signal.
Should I use parallel compression?
Using parallel compression on drums can help keep all the dynamics of the original source material but add volume, depth and power to them without crushing dynamics or adding too much make up gain that will overdrive the mix bus.
Why do my kicks sound bad?
When you add low end on a kick, sometimes the kick starts to sound muddy. This is because if you add a boost in the sub, that boost often extends higher up into the lower midrange (200 – 500 Hz). This area is often the source of muddiness. Combining a boost and cut can add low end weight without the mud.
Should I compress my kick drum tracks?
There is no reason to settle for lackluster kick drum sounds on your home recording. This article explores some great mix recipes for equalizing and compressing your kick drum tracks. While every kick drum has an individual sound there are some general guidelines you can follow to get a great start in shaping your drum’s sound.
What are the kick drum EQ settings and compression settings?
As a start, the kick drum EQ settings and compression depends on the song genre. For example, your kick drum sounds different in rock versus jazz or country music. It is because of the way it has been approached in the audio mixing process. This short guide put more emphasis on mixing of kick drums with respect to the following genres: a.)
Does kick drum compression affect dynamic range?
Instead of focusing on frequency, let’s look at some kick drum compression settings to tame dynamics. That’s right, dynamic range has a HUGE impact on your final mix. Just like a bass guitar, our kick drum’s “low-end” will require some compression to provide consistency.
How to mix kick drums effectively?
Applying EQ and compression are one of the most important things you should consider when mixing kick drums. As a start, the kick drum EQ settings and compression depends on the song genre. For example, your kick drum sounds different in rock versus jazz or country music. It is because of the way it has been approached in the audio mixing process.