Blastbeats in Superior 2.0

[SirLucasTheGreat]

Have you guys found a way to make blast beats sound more convincing in Superior 2.0. Here is where I am at right now (http://www.zshare.net/audio/557504296e956c69/).

Do you guys mess with the velocity or perhaps use a different type of hit (like snare mute center or something)?

 

[Emdprodukt]

I usually play around with the velocity. Works like a charm.

 

[Damian B]

Yeah, randomize the velocity a bit.

And remember, natural blastbeats are going to be quieter than single snare hits, so turn the actual velocities down a 1/4 of the way or so if you want it to sound "real".

 

[Damian B]

Also, I'd randomize the velocity on that ride too, it gets kind of annoying during the fast parts haha!

 

[Mendel]

Think like a drummer, blastbeats have softer snare hits.
So think softer, and play with velocity

 

[Ihsahn1981]

Instead of just randomizing all the velocities you can try to make the velocity higher than the rest on every fourth hit.
Like: BAM bam bam bam BAM bam bam bam....... Did that make sense?

I dont know if this is something real drummers do but it gives a cool drive..

Try different patterns too. Fun to experiment with things like this.

 

[Eschatologist]

To make my blasts more realistic, I do what these guys are saying: quiet down your fast hits and vary the velocities. I do this for the snare in particular, the use a Korg PadKontrol to tap in the cymbal sounds I want, particularly ride and hats...works really well

 

[Damian B]

Instead of just randomizing all the velocities you can try to make the velocity higher than the rest on every fourth hit.
Like: BAM bam bam bam BAM bam bam bam....... Did that make sense?

I dont know if this is something real drummers do but it gives a cool drive..

Try different patterns too. Fun to experiment with things like this.

Sometimes I will play blasts like that, or I will accent with the bell of the ride on downbeats or offbeats.

Experiment with accents and different cymbal combinations, and of course velocities. If you do it right you can get some pretty convincing programmed drums!

 

[ParsonsMatt]

Think like a drummer, blastbeats have softer snare hits.
So think softer, and play with velocity

Ever listen to Hammer Smashed Face? The snare on the blast beat is significantly louder than elsewhere.

Add some dynamics and it comes to life.

 

[Lowberg]

Also I do this some times, when blasting on the ride cymbal, I add in some bell accents. Mixes it up a bit. And I agree for softer snare hits for blasts

 

[Morgan C]

Ever listen to Hammer Smashed Face? The snare on the blast beat is significantly louder than elsewhere.

Haven't heard this, but generally a snare being played as fast as the drummer can play is going to be a lot softer than him smashing the shit out of it on the backbeat.

 

[Kivarenn82]

depending on what i'm doing with cymbals, i like to give every second snare hit about 75% of the volume of the one that precedes it. for most types of blasts, i find it gives a "whooshing" effect.

 

[Erkan]

There are some disgusting drummers who can keep the power even while doing blast beats so... just as a side note

Otherwise, I think you've got all tips covered in here, don't know what else to add!

 

[Unavailable]

The drummer I recently recorded taps the snare when he's playing some of the faster beats, but when it comes to blast beats, he bashes the snare in. It was very strange, but he's also not that good so, ¯\(°_o)/¯.

When I'm doing them it's usually fairly consistent, but playing on the ride or hats I either vary between accenting every other hit (starting on the down beat), or I give it some kind of rhythm.

 

[TheDude]

There are some disgusting drummers who can keep the power even while doing blast beats so... just as a side note

That's just because they hit like girls all the time, and not only during blast beats.

 

[MetalMiller]

I`m working on a project with this problem. Now i ended up by automating the snare track volume in curves by -3 or -4db and randomized the velocity too. Only to play with the velocity gives an nice humanized effect but if i lower the velocity to much i become softer snare hits (at least in ezdrummer) and that`s not what i want. So i had to automate/randomize the volume too.

 

[Moonlight_Seeker]

So when you all say "randomize the velocity", do you mean really random or as Ihsahn said it is actually more like, in 4/4 measures you put a loud hit on 1 and lower hits on 2, 3 and 4?

And when you lower the velocity, let's say it is at 100, you put the softest hits to what? 70? 60?

And finally, would the same randomized velocity technic work with a programmed bass?

 

[Mendel]

Most drummers I played with, hit the snare a bit softer when doing blasts.

Ihsahn: Instead of just randomizing all the velocities you can try to make the velocity higher than the rest on every fourth hit.
Like: BAM bam bam bam BAM bam bam bam....... Did that make sense?

I won't do that. A blast beat with a pattern like H h h h H h h h.
I would rather do patterns like this:

H q Z h H m J l w A h E... Exactly, not 1 snare hit is the same.

 

[Mendel]

Take a listen at this:

http://www.myspace.com/mendelb

The snare hits at the blasts are just a little lighter.

 

[inflame666]

Haven't heard this, but generally a snare being played as fast as the drummer can play is going to be a lot softer than him smashing the shit out of it on the backbeat.

not if you increase the volume of the mic it is miced with when the blast beats kick in