Mixing with Drum Software

I*m using drum softwares (BFD2 and Superior Drummer) exclusively.
When i compressed drums i always get unpleasant reverb.
I try to rid it with gate and it*s better but not satisfactory.
Here*s my procedure:
Individually export each drum and cymbal into wave and in it*s own track.
Gate-kick,snare and toms.
Eq and compress-kick snare,toms.
Eq-cimbals, hihats and compress them if necessary.
Panning
Then take all of them to the bus group and compress again.
Am i missing something?
How you mix drums when you work with drum software.(Can someone describe me in details).

First of all welcome to our forum!
I'll change the name of the topic to "Mixing with Drum Software" if thats ok to you.

I've found that with BFD2 I need some more time tweaking in solo each instrument to get a decent sound and then continue mixing with all channels active.

Superior drummer though is more processed and i rarely compress or eq in solo cause the sound/sample is fixed for me. I go straight to the mix and then edit more in the mix asks for it.

What I do is to send each drum in its own track so i can have the freedom of processing them as I want. Also, grouping similar drums (such as toms, overhead) can be useful too.

Instead of using gate as a solution to eliminate reverb (which is a good thought) why dont you try reducing the ambience or even mute the send from the kick/snare to the ambience?

Treating the sources is more natural.

I tried to reduce the ambience and it sounds me little empty.I will try to mute the send from the kick/snare to the ambience.
How do you process overheads and cymbals,do you live intact?
Thanks.

myd wrote:

I tried to reduce the ambience and it sounds me little empty.I will try to mute the send from the kick/snare to the ambience.
How do you process overheads and cymbals,do you live intact?
Thanks.

I hi-pass at around 500-600Hz to save some headroom.
I rarely compress them I love the attack of the cymbals if you know what I mean.

I sometimes use multiband compression on cymbals with about 2 ratio, high attack and less release and db reduction about 3-5 db. I do this to "tame" the cymbals and only if the mix asks for it.

Mute the sends as we said and let me know if that worked for you

Hi

I use SD 2.0 for solo artists and find the amount of room mics can be a little over bearing. I usually use 2 room mics and adjust the chain and levels depending on the music genre. I find that more room works better with indie and less room works better with rock and metal.

As with levels, try levelling the top snare mic between -12db to -10db with the master bus and build the rest of the kit arond t.

High-pass at 600hz on the overheads is an excellent tip and I found it really helps my drum mixes.

It really is trial and error with these programmes but you can get a really authentic sound. Also, play around with quantize and velocity in your drum map. It takes time but sounds less robotic.

toppo1 wrote:

Hi

I use SD 2.0 for solo artists and find the amount of room mics can be a little over bearing. I usually use 2 room mics and adjust the chain and levels depending on the music genre. I find that more room works better with indie and less room works better with rock and metal.

As with levels, try levelling the top snare mic between -12db to -10db with the master bus and build the rest of the kit arond t.

High-pass at 600hz on the overheads is an excellent tip and I found it really helps my drum mixes.

It really is trial and error with these programmes but you can get a really authentic sound. Also, play around with quantize and velocity in your drum map. It takes time but sounds less robotic.

+1

Or afford a midi keyboard with velocities or better yet an electronic drum kit!!!
Well that costs some money...

Use your mouse