Normalizing prior to triggering?

[wishtheend]

So here's the deal, I've been recording the raw ddrum trigger signal (xlr into firepod) for kick snare and toms. I originally wasn't really able to get any of them to properly trigger with drumagog, so I switched to Aptrigga2 which really is tons easier to use.

The toms are pretty simple to get to sound like the performance, but on the kick and snare - I'm having some problems getting it to trigger evenly. I'm assuming the problem is inconsistency of volume (especially on really quick blasts/runs). I have been able to go in and automate sensitivity on Aptrigga2 so that on the more quiet parts, it triggers correctly, but I'm thinking there may be a more simple solution.

Do you guys have any recommendation on what I could apply to the trigger track to pretty much even out the hits so that I can more or less just find the sweet spot in Aptrigga2 and leave it alone? I've read about boosting the EQ in the space the trigger hit is most present, but thought I'd get your guys' feedback.

 

[greyskull]

some sort of maximizer or normalize.
just dont normalize real audio tracks or bob katz will eat you

 

[Genius Gone Insane]

Do you guys have any recommendation on what I could apply to the trigger track to pretty much even out the hits so that I can more or less just find the sweet spot in Aptrigga2 and leave it alone?.

You're trying to take a big bite out of something when really you should be nibbling away slowly, small pieces at a time. Print out small sections and make aptrigga adjustments as necessary. I believe Andy said you're going to have to go over everything at one point anyway.

 

[punkrockacademyfightsong]

i've never done it, but i'd say a limiter

 

[AudioPhile777]

Would it matter if the trigger input peaks? would that make a difference when replacing with samples?

 

[greyskull]

nahh

 

[AudioPhile777]

nahh

good to know.

 

[-Gavin-]

Actually, fun debate here.

I jsut did this with Audiophile's Echos recording here.


On each respective mic, i muted inbetween each hit, i.e everything that wasn't a tom1 hit on the tom1 mich and replaced 100% with slate drums.

It was a quick/nasty job so i probably missed some hits or similar, i just wanted to testdrive slate drums.

I muted inbetween each hit and gated heavily so i only got a "spike/click" much the same as a trigger into the audio interface as i was gonna replace 100% and this was quicker.

I then normalised however, if you're replacing 100%, jsut use apptrigga's "gain" to bring it up in apptrigga, save you a job.

 

[AudioPhile777]

COOL!

that'll make it easier to fix that god awful snare drum...

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Jevil]

I've never used triggers, and I don't know anything about it, so I have some curiosity. What kind of signal do you get? I thought it was MIDI but I think I'm wrong. Is it the same as in Hammerfall's mixing challenge drum track?
Is it possible to trigger using mics instead of DDrum?

 

[deanbailey]

Ive mentioned this in a past thread and was told it's a bad idea
http://www.ultimatemetal.com/forum/equipment/302090-aptrigga-drumagog-2.html#post6129083

 

[slinky_]

I've never used triggers, and I don't know anything about it, so I have some curiosity. What kind of signal do you get? I thought it was MIDI but I think I'm wrong. Is it the same as in Hammerfall's mixing challenge drum track?
Is it possible to trigger using mics instead of DDrum?

Triggers are piezo mics, so what you get is audio not midi. When recording the triggers are usually plugged straight into DAW and then being sampled in the software with such plugins as Drumagog or Aptrigga.

You can also use the mic signal to launch the sample in the drum replacer plugin. I remember that the trigger tracks in the hammerfall challenge sounded like they were normal mic tracks with the noise between hits removed. That´s a handy way to make the track easier to trigger, silence between hits defines the hits better and prevents mistriggering.

I´ve been just fine with triggering the mic tracks but have also used triggers since they are much easier to work with, especially with some death metal stuff, tempo being over 230bpm.

 

[Jevil]

Triggers are piezo mics, so what you get is audio not midi. When recording the triggers are usually plugged straight into DAW and then being sampled in the software with such plugins as Drumagog or Aptrigga.

You can also use the mic signal to launch the sample in the drum replacer plugin. I remember that the trigger tracks in the hammerfall challenge sounded like they were normal mic tracks with the noise between hits removed. That´s a handy way to make the track easier to trigger, silence between hits defines the hits better and prevents mistriggering.

I´ve been just fine with triggering the mic tracks but have also used triggers since they are much easier to work with, especially with some death metal stuff, tempo being over 230bpm.

Thank you Slinky.