To get big sounding drums with distortion, you can use either a distortion pedal or a distortion plugin on your drums. By adding distortion, you can make your drums sound fuller, with more attack and sustain.
Distorted drums add an extra punch to any song, making it sound bigger and more energetic. While the distortion effect is common in guitar and bass recordings, it is also widely used in drums to give them a unique flavor.
To achieve distortion on drums, you can use a guitar distortion pedal with your drum kit or use distortion plugins on the drums. Distortion plugins offer an extensive range of options to choose from and give you full control over the effect. Whether you choose to use a pedal or a plugin, be sure to experiment with different settings to find the one that suits your particular sound. By adding distortion to your drums, you can give your track the attitude and edge it needs to stand out from the rest.
The Art Of Distorting Drums
If you want to add power and excitement to your drum recordings, then using distortion is worth considering. Distorting drums is an effective way to add character and energy to otherwise dull sounds. With distortion, you can add warmth, punchiness, grittiness and excitement to your drums effortlessly. Distortion is not just for guitar players. It can be an excellent tool for drummers as well. However, it’s important to understand the different types of distortion and why they work well with drums.
Why Distorted Drums Work
Distorted drums add character and energy to a mix. Distortion can make your drums sound bigger, more prominent, and give them a unique flavor. The distortion effect is produced by adding harmonic distortion to the original drum sound, adding overtones, and harmonics that enhance the character of the sound. It’s an excellent way to cut through a busy mix, and make your drums stand out. Distortion can add a level of excitement to tracks that wouldn’t be there otherwise, helping to create a sense of urgency that is incredibly useful in high-energy genres such as rock, metal and EDM.
Types Of Distortion: Overdrive, Saturation, And Clipping
There are several types of distortion that you can use on your drums, and they all have slightly different characteristics.
| Type of Distortion | Description |
|---|---|
| Overdrive | Overdrive is a subtle form of distortion that adds harmonic overtones without overwhelming the original sound. It’s ideal for adding warmth and punch to drum recordings. |
| Saturation | Saturation is a more intense form of distortion that adds more harmonics, creating a warm, natural-sounding effect. It’s ideal for adding depth and character to your drums without making them sound overly aggressive. |
| Clipping | Clipping is the most extreme form of distortion, and it adds a lot of harmonic distortion that can make your drums sound very aggressive and punchy. It’s ideal for genres like rock and metal, where you need the drums to stand out in a busy mix. |
By understanding the different types of distortion, and their characteristics, you can choose the right type of distortion for your drums, and add more power and excitement to your recordings. Remember that a little bit of distortion goes a long way, and always use your ears to ensure that the drums sound good in the mix.
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Preparing Your Drums For Distortion
Achieving big sounding drums requires proper distortion preparation. Begin by selecting the right plugin or pedal, fine-tuning threshold levels, and testing different drum mic positions. With the right techniques, you can get a professional and dynamic drum sound that stands out in any mix.
Preparing Your Drums for Distortion: Distorted drums add power and interest to a track. However, distorted drums can also sound messy and cluttered. It’s essential to prepare your drums for distortion to balance power with clarity. In this article, we’ll delve into how to choose the right drums, tune them, and place the microphone to achieve a big sound with satisfying distortion.
Choosing The Right Drums
Not all drum kits are created equal when it comes to adding distortion. Generally, you want drums with longer sustain, such as a kick drum, floor tom, and snare drum with a deep body. Avoid using high pitched and tight sounding drums like rack toms that have a short sustain as distorted tones will make them sound shrill. If you can, use thicker drumheads as they produce a fuller and richer sound.
Tuning Your Drums For Distortion
It’s crucial to get your drums in tune to reduce conflicting frequencies and enhance the distortion effect. Examining your tuning is a great starting point. You should tune the drums lower than you typically would. Take note that drums may sound different once masqueraded by distortion, so tuning them up a bit higher initially will prevent them from sounding too low and muffled after processing.
Microphone Placement For Maximum Impact
Microphone placement has a significant impact on the final drum sound when using distortion. You want to achieve even coverage across the drum kit, so using different types of mics set up in various positions will help achieve this. Generally, dynamic microphones are helpful for getting a bigger sound. A standard set up involves placing one microphone above the snare drum and kick drum each. Mic placement beside the drumhead will get the best results, capturing the sound’s dynamics and fullness. Mixing the sound of these two microphones produces a more harmonic and full stereo image of the drums. Position the microphone to capture the overall sound of the drums and adjust it to get the desired amount of distortion. By choosing the right drums, tuning them appropriately, and placing the microphone correctly, you’ll be able to achieve a big, powerful, and satisfyingly distorted drum sound that perfectly complements your track.
Distortion Techniques
Distortion is a powerful tool for adding character and energy to drum tracks. When applied correctly, it can give your drums a big and bold sound that cuts through the mix. In this post, we’ll explore a few distortion techniques that you can use to get the most out of your drum recordings.
Parallel Processing
Parallel processing is a great way to add distortion to your drum tracks without losing the natural tone and dynamics of the performance. To do this, you’ll need to duplicate your drum track and add distortion to the duplicate. Then, you can blend the distorted track with the original to create a hybrid sound that retains the punch and clarity of the dry track while adding the grit and drive of the distorted track.
Here’s a simple step-by-step process for using parallel processing to add distortion to your drums:
- Duplicate your drum track
- Insert a distortion plugin on the duplicated track
- Adjust the settings of the distortion plugin to taste
- Blend the distorted track with the original using the fader or a parallel processing plugin
Using Distortion Plugins
Using distortion plugins is a quick and easy way to add saturation and harmonics to your drum tracks. There are many different distortion plugins available, ranging from subtle analog emulations to extreme digital distortions. Here are a few tips for using distortion plugins effectively:
- Start with a light touch – a little distortion can go a long way
- Experiment with different distortion types – tube, overdrive, clip, etc.
- Adjust the tone controls – many distortion plugins have EQ controls that can shape the tone of the distortion
- Use automation – you can automate the amount of distortion to create dynamic movement in your drum track
Overdriving Mic Preamps
Overdriving your mic preamps is a classic technique for adding warmth and grit to drum recordings. The idea is to push the preamp into saturation by turning up the gain until the signal starts to clip. This can be done by adjusting the gain knob on your preamp or by using a line-level booster to push the signal into the preamp harder. Here are a few things to keep in mind when overdriving your mic preamp:
- Be careful not to damage your gear – clipping can cause distortion, but it can also cause damage to your microphones and preamps if done excessively
- Use a low-cut filter – overdriving mic preamps can produce a lot of low-frequency rumble, so it’s a good idea to filter out the lowest frequencies to avoid muddiness
- Experiment with different preamps – different preamps have different sonic characteristics, so it’s worth trying out different combinations to find the right tone for your drums
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Mixing Distorted Drums
Distorted drums can add depth and power to your music. By using distortion plugins or overdriving your preamp, you can achieve big, impactful drum sounds that cut through the mix and grab listeners’ attention. Experiment with different gain levels and processing techniques to find the perfect amount of distortion for your drums.
Mixing distorted drums can add depth and character to your music production. With the right techniques, you can create big sounding drums that will make your tracks stand out. In this article, we will explore how to mix distorted drums by using EQ and compression, creating space with reverb and controlling transients with limiting.
Eq And Compression
EQ and compression are essential tools to shape and balance the sound of distorted drums. Use EQ to remove unwanted frequencies in the low and high range. For example, you can cut the low-end rumble below 60Hz and boost the upper midrange frequencies to bring out the attack of the kick drum. Compression can bring out the sustain and add character to your drums. Use a medium attack time and a fast release time to avoid squashing the transients. Start with a ratio of 3:1 and adjust the threshold until you get a gain reduction between 3-6 dB.
Creating Space With Reverb
Reverb can add depth and space to your distorted drums. Use a plate or room reverb with a decay time between 1-2 seconds. Apply the reverb to a send channel and adjust the wet/dry balance until you get a natural reverb sound. Use EQ to cut the low end of the reverb to avoid muddiness in the mix.
Controlling Transients With Limiting
Limiting can help control the peaks of your distorted drums and make them more consistent. Use a limiter with a fast attack time and a release time that matches the tempo of your track. Set the threshold so that the gain reduction is between 3-6 dB. Be careful not to over-compress the drums, as this can kill the energy and dynamics of your mix. In conclusion, mixing distorted drums can be a great way to add character and depth to your music production. By using EQ and compression to shape the sound, creating space with reverb and controlling transients with limiting, you can create big sounding drums that will make your tracks stand out.
Advanced Techniques
Achieve larger and more impactful drums by utilizing distortion. Implementing advanced techniques such as parallel compression and harmonic distortion can add depth and aggression to your drum recordings, resulting in a larger and more dynamic sound.
Distorted drums are becoming increasingly popular in modern music production due to their ability to provide a big, bold sound. In this blog post, we will explore advanced techniques to get big sounding drums with distortion. We will cover everything from creating side chain compression with distorted drums to using distorted drums for EDM and dance music, and even creating a dead room sound with distorted drums.
Creating Side Chain Compression With Distorted Drums
One of the most effective ways to get big sounding drums with distortion is to create side chain compression. This technique involves using a compressor to reduce the volume of the distorted drums when other elements, such as a bassline or vocals, are playing. The result is a big, powerful drum sound that can cut through any mix. To achieve this effect, you will need to use a plugin that allows for side chain compression. Set the threshold level to around -20 dB, the attack time to around 10 milliseconds, and the release time to around 100 milliseconds. Adjust the ratio until you get the desired effect.
Using Distorted Drums For Edm And Dance Music
Distorted drums are particularly effective for EDM and dance music as they can add a high level of energy to a track. To achieve this effect, you will need to use a distortion plugin that provides a wide range of options. Start by applying a light distortion to the drums, gradually increasing the intensity until you achieve the desired effect. Be sure to adjust the EQ so that the distorted drums fit perfectly within the mix and don’t overpower other elements.
Creating A Dead Room Sound With Distorted Drums
If you’re looking to achieve a unique, atmospheric drum sound, then creating a dead room sound with distorted drums is an excellent option. This technique involves recording the drums in a dead-sounding room or adding reverb to create a similar effect. After that, you can apply distortion to the drums to create a unique sound that will make your tracks stand out. To achieve this effect, you will need to experiment with different reverb plugins and settings until you find the perfect match for your track. Once you have the desired reverb sound, apply the distortion, and you will have a big sounding drum track with a unique, atmospheric quality. In conclusion, advanced techniques for getting big sounding drums with distortion can take your music production to the next level. Whether you’re creating a track for EDM, dance music, or looking to create a unique sound, the techniques outlined in this blog post will help you achieve the desired effect. Experiment with different plugins and settings until you find the perfect combination, and you’ll have a big sounding drum track that stands out from the rest.
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Frequently Asked Questions On Get Big Sounding Drums With Distortion
How Do You Make Drums Sound Massive?
To make drums sound massive, use EQ to boost the low end and cut excessive mids. Add parallel compression to bring out the sustain and body of the drums. Use reverb to create a sense of space and enhance the overall sound.
Layer multiple drum samples to add depth and richness. Finally, adjust the volume levels to achieve a balanced mix.
How Do You Use Distortion On Drums?
Distortion can be used on drums by applying it to specific parts of the drum sound, such as the kick, snare, or cymbals. This can create a unique and distorted sound that adds grit and character to the drums. It’s important to use distortion sparingly and balance it with other effects to avoid overwhelming the mix.
How Do You Make Realistic Sounding Drums?
To make realistic sounding drums, use high-quality drum samples, layer different drum sounds, and add subtle variations in volume and timing. Utilize EQ and compression to shape the sound, and use reverb and delay to add depth and space. Experiment with different techniques to achieve the desired sound.
How Do You Make Drums Sound Punchy?
To make drums sound punchy, you can try using compression, EQ, and transient shaping to emphasize the attack and sustain of the drums. Experimenting with different mic placement and tuning can also help. Don’t forget to listen to other well-produced tracks for reference and adjust your mix accordingly.
Conclusion
Drums are the backbone of any great song and getting them to sound big and powerful can make all the difference. Distortion is one technique that can help achieve that sound. By adding various forms of distortion, you can create a variety of tones and textures that can really elevate your drum tracks.
Be sure to experiment with different types of distortion, such as amp distortion or plugin distortion, to find the perfect sound for your track. With a little experimentation and creativity, the possibilities are endless. So go ahead and try adding some distortion to your drums and bring a new level of excitement and energy to your music.