Given the amount of SSD users here, I decided this could be useful.. the example here is a slow rock kit, but the same techniques work for fast metal:
I made the SSD library in a way that allows the user to get polished, finished sounds with little to no fuss.
However, compression can really enhance the drums, if you know how to use it properly.
Lets start with the CLA Hybrid kit, here is a little demo with just the preset default:
www.stevenslatedrums.com/test/CLANoComp.mp3
This sounds good as is, but lets tweak it. I'll send the NRG Room, the SSD Room (for this kit only the snare was in the SSD Room), and all the cymbals minus the hi hat to a bus or group. On this group I'll add a FET compressor at 4:1, medium to slow attack and very fast release. I'll take off about 4-6 db. Now the cymbals decay has been brought out, and the room's character is really enhanced.
Next, I'll add the group back in with the kick, snare, and toms. This combined drum mix will go to ANOTHER compressor, again I like FET 1176 style, and I'll use a very slow attack to let a lot of the transient in, and a very fast release, with about 4 db of compression.
So now the drums are really sounding big, and the resonances and room tones are more present. Last, the whole drum mix (along with the rest of the mix if this were in a song) go to a VCA mixbuss comp. Medium slow attack, fast release, and just moving the needle a bit to glue the bottom a bit and add some upper midrange focus.
And the result is this:
www.stevenslatedrums.com/test/CLAComp.mp3
again with no compression:
www.stevenslatedrums.com/test/CLANoComp.mp3
Steven
I made the SSD library in a way that allows the user to get polished, finished sounds with little to no fuss.
However, compression can really enhance the drums, if you know how to use it properly.
Lets start with the CLA Hybrid kit, here is a little demo with just the preset default:
www.stevenslatedrums.com/test/CLANoComp.mp3
This sounds good as is, but lets tweak it. I'll send the NRG Room, the SSD Room (for this kit only the snare was in the SSD Room), and all the cymbals minus the hi hat to a bus or group. On this group I'll add a FET compressor at 4:1, medium to slow attack and very fast release. I'll take off about 4-6 db. Now the cymbals decay has been brought out, and the room's character is really enhanced.
Next, I'll add the group back in with the kick, snare, and toms. This combined drum mix will go to ANOTHER compressor, again I like FET 1176 style, and I'll use a very slow attack to let a lot of the transient in, and a very fast release, with about 4 db of compression.
So now the drums are really sounding big, and the resonances and room tones are more present. Last, the whole drum mix (along with the rest of the mix if this were in a song) go to a VCA mixbuss comp. Medium slow attack, fast release, and just moving the needle a bit to glue the bottom a bit and add some upper midrange focus.
And the result is this:
www.stevenslatedrums.com/test/CLAComp.mp3
again with no compression:
www.stevenslatedrums.com/test/CLANoComp.mp3
Steven
