Best Final Result (Drums)

[eʍʍy]

If a stereo bounce of one's drum tracks were to look like this:
http://i51.tinypic.com/357rdb7.jpg
(don't give me crap about audacity. I was only using it to load up the wavform quickly.)

Would you compress the drums in the project until the result is much more smooth and less-spikey or would you leave it that way until the mastering stage?

I've always thought to not worry about spikes from a snare since they're transient, but I'd just like to be totally sure this time around since it's going to be for an album.

If it makes a difference, the percussion is for DNB and not metal or anything.

 

[barricade]

Do you watch music or do you listen to it? If you think that it need compression, compress it!

 

[eʍʍy]

Yeah, I agree with that.
It's not the sound I'm asking about really.

I'm asking moreso for the loudest end result. Like, if using a clipper to cut the spikes off or compressing it would give the best quality result.
Or a combination of both.

 

[Empathy]

Again, listen and find out. Try whatever you can think of and decide on what sounds best to you based on what you're aiming for. If you're really having trouble deciding between results, send some sound clips our way. Theorising over waveforms isn't really going to get you as far as sitting down and playing with the sounds.

 

[eʍʍy]

Again, listen and find out. Try whatever you can think of and decide on what sounds best to you based on what you're aiming for.

ah, yeah. I suppose so. No harm in that. Thanks. I'll experiment and see what works out best.

If you're really having trouble deciding between results, send some sound clips our way.

Alrighty. Though to be honest, I'm sure everyone hear will think they both suck :]

 

[RichS]

Though to be honest, I'm sure everyone hear will think they both suck :]

We are all here to learn, not judge.

 

[pikachu69]

You need to leave the transients alone if you want the snare, toms and kicks to retain their punch, cut and clarity. Leave them alone and let the rest of your mix fill in the space in between then take care of any overs in mastering.