Modern drum VIs can sound almost entirely realistic with the right moves. We show you three approaches for three genres.
With the realism of modern drum VIs reaching new heights, increasingly, the weakest link in the mix is often factors such as drum choice, tuning, or mix decisions further downstream. These factors can be harder to get right, but once they are up to scratch, the quality of sounds produced can extend beyond use in just the odd demo or idea. Taking three genres, here are some techniques to make sure your drums sit properly without giving the game away…
1- Hi-Fi Retro Rock
From the era of big egos, big drums, big consoles, and big trousers, this genre can be easy to get wrong with later sounds that have just a little bit too much ‘pop’ to evoke the aesthetic coming out of Californian and English studios in the 1970s. Of the many elements to get right, we focus on using low-tuned drums teamed with some big EQ moves. Saturation brings the sound together on the toms to tame spiky transients and evoke the warm glow of transformers and tape.
2 - Jazz/Acoustic
We concentrate on minimal microphones and stereo placement to create the illusion of smoky jazz roominess. This approach is the clear antithesis of the excess of the 1970s, with small, higher-tuned drums that sing to light touches from the drummer. By using ambience and panning, the drums are placed on the same stage as bass and piano in a classic trio-type setup. This technique sets out to conjure a sound picture reminiscent of the classic jazz cuts of the 1950s and 60s.
3 - Metal/NuMetal/Grunge
Covering a multitude of sub genres covering anything with loud, overdriven guitars and pounding bass. This style of drum production sees an emphasis on using transients and judicious use of filtering to enable the drums to both underpin and cut through dense arrangements. By choosing sounds that do most of the job without corrective processing, coupled with ‘giving’ the low end over to bass and guitars, the drums retain the illusion of having bottom end when they’re locked in with the bass.
Better Than The Real Thing?
Recording and mixing drums is a vast subject, however we hope these three simple scenarios will help tackle the biggest barriers to authentic sounds in your mix. These techniques can be expanded upon and also applied to similar genres that share the same general musical size and shape. With a little careful listening and referencing, sounds can be achieved that can equal a good recording of real drums with the added advantage of recall for the most successful setups… Something that real drums aren’t getting anytime soon!