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Lava La Rue Announces Debut Album ‘STARFACE’

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Lava La Rue, former Dork cover star and acclaimed London-based artist, has announced the release of their debut album, STARFACE, set to drop on June 21st, 2024, via Dirty Hit. This announcement is...

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Welcome to 'The Sweater Club' – Jelani Aryeh’s Sophomore Triumph

June 23, 2024

Jelani Aryeh’s highly anticipated album, The Sweater Club, dropped today, delivering exactly what fans have been eagerly awaiting. At 24, the San Diego native has already taken the indie-pop world...

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Sony Music to acquire Queen catalogue for £1 billion

June 23, 2024

Sony Music's recent announcement to acquire the majority of Queen's music catalogue, along with various other rights, signifies a monumental deal valued at approximately £1 billion...

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Rema Kicks Off 2024 with Explosive New Track “Benin Boys” Featuring Shallipopi

June 23, 2024

Nigerian superstar Rema has made an electrifying return with his new track, "Benin Boys," marking his first musical release of 2024. This collaboration with Shallipopi is a significant moment for...

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Alicia Keys: The Soulful Songstress and Her Musical Journey

June 23, 2024

Alicia Keys, born Alicia Augello Cook on January 25, 1981, in New York City, is an artist whose influence and talent have transcended musical genres and generations. With her powerful voice...

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Armaan Malik: The Melodic Maestro of Modern Indian Music

June 23, 2024

Armaan Malik, born on July 22, 1995, in Mumbai, India, is a name that resonates with melody, versatility, and youthful charm. As one of the most prominent voices in contemporary Indian music...

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Mitraz: The Rising Star of Indian Pop Music

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In the ever-evolving landscape of Indian music, a new artist is making waves with his fresh sound and heartfelt lyrics. Mitraz, an emerging star in the Indian pop music scene, has captivated...

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George Strait Shatters US Concert Attendance Record at Kyle Field

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Country music legend George Strait has once again demonstrated his unparalleled star power by breaking the record for the largest concert ever held in the United States. His recent performance at...

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Katy Perry Teases New Album with Single "Woman’s World"

June 22, 2024

Katy Perry is once again stirring excitement in the music world with the announcement of her upcoming single, "Woman’s World," heralding a new album that promises to continue her dynamic presence...

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Carrie Underwood Marks 50th Show of "Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency"

Carrie Underwood celebrated a major milestone in her illustrious career on June 1, as she performed her 50th show in the "Reflection: The Las Vegas Residency" at Resorts World Theatre. This...

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Inside Taylor Swift's feud with Charli XCX from song dig to ex-boyfriend connection

June 22, 2024

Charli XCX's latest album, BRAT, has garnered critical acclaim, yet it has also reignited rumors of a feud with Taylor Swift. Despite having opened for Taylor on her Reputation tour, Charli's new...

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Post Malone Announces Highly Anticipated New Album 'F-1 Trillion' Set for August Release

June 22, 2024

Post Malone is currently riding a wave of success, standing at the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 with his Morgan Wallen duet "I Had Some Help." In an exciting development, he has announced the...

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Automating a Drum Bus in Reaper to Create Dynamic Room Effects

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When creating dynamic drum sounds in Reaper, automating effects is a powerful way to shape how the drums interact with the mix. A common technique is to make the drums sound like they’re in the back of the room at the beginning of a song, then bring them forward as the track progresses. This can be achieved by automating sends and effects on the drum bus to apply these changes only at certain points in the mix.

Here’s how to automate a drum bus in Reaper to create a "back of the room" effect at the start of your song.

Step 1: Set Up a Drum Bus

First, route all drum tracks to a dedicated drum bus. This allows you to process the entire drum kit together and control its overall sound. The bus will serve as a central hub for applying effects and making the drums sound cohesive.

Step 2: Choose the Room Effect

To create a "back of the room" feel, a combination of reverb, EQ, and light compression can be used:

  • Reverb: Apply a large-room reverb to simulate the distant sound. Adjust the wet/dry mix to control how much reverb is applied.
  • EQ: Roll off higher frequencies (above 5-8kHz) to reduce the presence of the drums, making them sound further away.
  • Compression: Subtle compression can help smooth out any transient peaks, enhancing the ambient feel.

Step 3: Create a Separate FX Chain

To isolate the room effect to the beginning of the song, a separate effects chain can be set up:

  1. Add a new send from the drum tracks to a separate bus dedicated to the reverb and EQ ("room effect bus").
  2. Apply the room reverb and EQ to this new bus.
  3. Automate the send volume so that the room effect is applied only at the desired point in the song.

Step 4: Automate the Send Volume

Next, automate the send volume to control when the room effect is heard:

  1. Open the Track Envelopes/Automation panel (the envelope icon) for the drum bus.
  2. Locate the Send Volume for the room effect bus.
  3. Create automation points at the beginning of the song to increase the send volume, applying the room effect. As the song progresses, gradually reduce the send volume to zero, phasing out the room effect.

This technique ensures that the room reverb and EQ are applied only when needed, allowing the drums to transition from a distant sound to a more present one as the track develops.

Step 5: Fine-Tune the Automation

After setting up the automation, listen back to the track and fine-tune the transitions. Adjust the automation curve and fade-out times for a smooth change between the distant and upfront drum sound. You can also tweak the reverb decay or EQ settings to create a more natural progression.

Final Thoughts

Automating a drum bus in Reaper to apply effects at specific points can add depth and movement to a mix. Using techniques like reverb sends and EQ automation can bring creative dimension to the drums, making them feel like they’re in the back of the room at the start of a track and evolving them into a stronger, more forward sound as the song progresses.

This approach allows for flexibility and control, giving your drum mix a dynamic and engaging character without the need for constant manual adjustments.