Blastbeats

[HandsOfDespair]

There is something I don't understand about blastbeats.

On modern albums, when the drummer is playing a blastbeat, the snare amplitude is as high as when he's not playing a blastbeat.


But, when you listen to a drummer live, the majority will always play a blastbeat with the snare sounding really lower (assuming he's not using triggers).

So, why all modern productions have the snare amplitude so high when there is blastbeats, when the majority will never play it that high? Modern standard?

 

[JeffTD]

Because it's almost impossible to hear when the velocity drops super low. Same exact reason we trigger kicks.

 

[Pedro Teixeira]

I have some trouble with that too. Not bashing, because I love the mix on the Despised Icon album Sneap did, but those gravity blasts sounding super machine gun like kind of ruin it for me. That's why when Im mixing gravity blasts, or blasts in general, even when triggered I automate the volume or even a medium hit sample, I prefer to listen to it's soft sound, like in reality, I think it brings out more character

 

[Morgan C]

I definitely prefer it when the snare is softer. Like in Opeth's Lotus Eater. Or if the snare transient is crushed a bit, like in Decapitated's OH. If the snare is louder than the kick then it becomes really hard to know where beat 1 is and its just really distracting.

 

[Everybody]

well "blast" beats can generally be played (if its a good drummer) at a faily high velocity.

"gravity" blasts are where your using the rim of the snare to do a roll and thats where you lose velocity.

I think its ridiculous to have the snare velocity on gravity blasts to be as loud as a normal snare hit for the fact it sounds so fake, and just bad as mentioned above.

And as for live, lol, we all know that the magic that happens in the studio, usually stays in the studio. :Spin:

 

[Erkan]

Yes a good drummer can keep a high velocity during a blast beat but if you think it's anywhere near the same power as when he is hitting the snare normally during a verse for example, you are ridiculously wrong. With that said, I think blast beats in studio where the velocity is the same as standars hits should be fucking banned because it just sounds absolutely gayer than these guys:

 

[NNotN-ENN]

I have some trouble with that too. Not bashing, because I love the mix on the Despised Icon album Sneap did, but those gravity blasts sounding super machine gun like kind of ruin it for me. That's why when Im mixing gravity blasts, or blasts in general, even when triggered I automate the volume or even a medium hit sample, I prefer to listen to it's soft sound, like in reality, I think it brings out more character

I have to say after giving the new DI album a fair few spins and then going back to the Ills of Modern Man, I find Andy's production to be massively more natural and dynamic. The gravity blasts do drop in volume. The new one is definitely lacking in that department though.
Alex is an absolute beast of a drummer in any case.

 

[ParsonsMatt]

Yes a good drummer can keep a high velocity during a blast beat but if you think it's anywhere near the same power as when he is hitting the snare normally during a verse for example, you are ridiculously wrong. With that said, I think blast beats in studio where the velocity is the same as standars hits should be fucking banned because it just sounds absolutely gayer than these guys:

Cannibal Corpse -- hammer smashed face... the blast hits are quieter than the standard hits... its all in the dynamics.

 

[PhilR]

The blasts on all Carcass albums are always noticeably quiter than the backbeat as well. It never seemed to harm the music.

Then you've got bastards like Roddy & Kollias that can hit it almost as fast at 250bpm as 50. o_0

 

[neverpurify]

I think erkan was saying that there should be a difference in velocities and I agree with him. I usually turn it up just a little so that the snare is noticable. I can't stand blast beats where there snare is completely hidden. but I also don't want it turned up so loud so that it sounds unnatural.

 

[16S]

I prefer a softer snare for blasts where the snr and ride go together. I have the ride bell quite prominent and the snare bottom contributing to more of the softer snare. When snare & hats blast a harder /crackier snare is ok for me.

 

[Force666]

I always (when using triggers/replacement) create two tracks, use one for your standard beats and a seperate track for blasts/snare fills. Then you can just lower the fader of the latter.

 

[crazykarl]

hyper-blasts are generally much louder than normal drum hits, and much cooler

 

[Force666]

hyper-blasts are generally much louder than normal drum hits, and much cooler

Huh? How is that? The only difference between blast and hyper-blast is double timing the bass drum.

Maybe you mean "Suffo" blast, which is when you hit the cymbal and snare at the same time.

But, either way there is no way a blast hit can be stronger than a strong downbeat.

 

[Chryst Krispies]

I have to say after giving the new DI album a fair few spins and then going back to the Ills of Modern Man, I find Andy's production to be massively more natural and dynamic. The gravity blasts do drop in volume. The new one is definitely lacking in that department though.
Alex is an absolute beast of a drummer in any case.

Grind's gravity blasts are pretty fucking loud in real life.

 

[crazykarl]

Huh? How is that? The only difference between blast and hyper-blast is double timing the bass drum.

Maybe you mean "Suffo" blast, which is when you hit the cymbal and snare at the same time.

But, either way there is no way a blast hit can be stronger than a strong downbeat.

hyper-grav-blasts i should say.

 

[gabriel g.]

What is the special name for a blast-beat, when the snare plays 16th and the kick 8th and the hats 4th ?
Like All shall perish have it sometimes?

ps: The last blastbeat I realy enjoyed was on the AMERICAN ME record

 

[Force666]

hyper-grav-blasts i should say.

K, but a grav blast snare would be even quieter.

 

[The Unavoidable]

The Cannibal blast.

Fuck everything else.

 

[crazykarl]

K, but a grav blast snare would be even quieter.

haha you're making me look silly! My experience differs, I'll post a clip if I get the chance.