How Do These Drums Sound?

[Hamburg58]

Alright fellas. This is a tune I wrote one night ago and recorded it tonight. I've been working on a drum sound with my new gear now for almost 4 weeks. I finally got something workable.... Take note these are raw tracks. Nothing on them plugin wise except the snare it has a little reverb on it and an LA2A Plugin. That's it..Also ignore the messy guitars in some places, I did this in an hour. Just laid it down so I could reference it and finish the lyrics/melody which i have not included in this recording :)

Here's what I used.

Overheads: 2X AKG 451's thru API 512C and Chandler TG-1 Limiter (lightly limted just enough to push the cymbals a tiny bit)

Kick Inside Hole: EV RE20 through a Purple "The Biz" Pre
Kick Outside: SM7B through a Purple "The Biz" Pre
Snare: SM57 thru Vintech X73
Rack Tom: Sennheiser 421 thru API 512C
Floor Tom: Sennheiser 421 thru Vintage Designs M508 Pre
Room Mics: 2X Pearlman TM-1's through Toft ATC-2 EQ/Compressor/Pre (slightly squashed for a nice room sound low in the mix)

Guitars: Vox AC30. Miked with Sennheiser 421 Thru API 512C. Guitar Room Mic is Pearlman TM1 throught V78

Bass: Vox AC30 Head through Ampeg Bass Cab. Miked with Pearlman TM1 through V78. Ran Direct through Vintech X73 as well. Both channels run through the Chandler TG1 with different settings.

That about covers it. Let me know what you think :) Don't reference my mixing too much, just reference how the drums sit in the mix..

Cheers,
Clay

[Hamburg58]

6 downloads and no one as anything to say? It must suck! Haha..

[anguswoodhead]

Originally Posted by Hamburg58

6 downloads and no one as anything to say? It must suck! Haha..

Sounds fine to me dude.
Apart from the mix needing a little work the raw drum sounds sound okay.
I like the compression on the snare that becomes obvious during fills etc.
The rack tom has a bit of a 'bonk' in it that needs sorting. That could be just level though.
Only listening on my computer speakers but they do have a sub and I do use them as a reference when I'm mixing / mastering.
Peace

[mreagan]

kick feels a little bit messy to me, but it could just use some compression or limiting

[Jrussell99]

Hey man,
I dig the tune, I agree that making the kick a bit tighter wouldnt hurt...
I know you specifically said not to take note on the mixing, but I think bringing down the overheads just a tiny bit in the mix might give it a bit more character...I just read on a different post that your were 21, I am 19...I just thought it was pretty wicked that you have been accumulating all this gear...I have been absolutely slutty for the past 4 months, and I dont see any end in the near future...Anyways, I think its great too see a fellow younger slut working on the writing and recording of original tracks...shoot me your email if you wouldnt mind taking a listen to some of my tunes

Jonny

[bradb]

great song, i like the lazy lead guitar part, very cool

the toms seem really boomy to me

[vicenzajay]

Great job - some of my observations (just opinion):

1. Too much reverb (or space) for the snare...sounds great but needs to be up front more in your drum mix. Try gating the reverb and blending a bit more of the close mic track into your total mix. This will also help the balance between your cymbals and the rest of the kit.

2. Kick drum has plenty of good stuff to work with...need to search for the "click" with a parametric EQ and boost it to tighten up the attack and then cut everything below 90 hz pretty severely to get rid of the little bit of mud that's left. It's just my preference, but the mids on the kick could also use some cutting to tighten the kick up in the mix.

3. Overall cymbal tone is good - once you get the kick and snare balanced and tight and up front, they will fall in line fine.

4. Toms - might be slightly boomy, but I actually like hearing their tone a bit...pretty nice job here especially once you get cracking on the actual mixing and track treatment. They do need some compression/eq (find the boom and cut the lows a bit)/and control.

Speaking of track treatment - take some time and careful application of compression for the kick, toms, and snare. You'll then be able to mix your drum bus in a very controlled fashion and fit it to the song.

Sounds like you're having fun! Jay