May 23, 2024
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Sony Music Group (SMG) has issued formal notices to over 700 generative AI companies and streaming platforms, prohibiting the unauthorized use of its content for AI model training...
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The New Kids on the Block are back, proving they’re still in the game with the release of their first album in 11 years. Their eighth studio album, aptly titled "Still Kids,"...
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Billie Eilish has finally released her highly anticipated third album, Hit Me Hard and Soft, with the lyrics of the final track, "Blue," capturing significant attention from fans...
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In a significant move within the music industry, Kevin Parker, the creative force behind Tame Impala, has sold his entire music catalog to Sony Music Publishing...
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In a landmark move that underscores the growing tensions between technology and the music industry, Sony Music has taken a bold stand against tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI...
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In an empowering move for independent music, Lil Durk has announced the relaunch of his Only The Family (OTF) label, now in partnership with AWAL...
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Kehlani is making a powerful return with her upcoming album, Crash, set to drop on June 21. This release marks her first full-length project since the 2022 hit album Blue Water Road....
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Reverb can be a powerful tool in drum recordings, adding depth, space, and character to your drum mix. However, using it correctly is essential to ensure your drums don’t sound too muddy or distant. In this article, we'll explore how to apply artificial reverb to drum recordings effectively and look at how famous music creators, like Phil Collins, have mastered this technique to create iconic drum sounds.
Reverb creates a sense of space in your mix by simulating how sound behaves in different environments. For drum recordings, reverb can help place the drums in a specific acoustic context, whether it’s a small room, a large hall, or even an open arena. However, applying reverb to drums can be tricky because of the different elements involved – each with unique frequencies and dynamics.
In your current setup, you have five mics: two in front of the drum set to capture the low end, two overheads directly above the kit to capture the highs, and a snare mic. The challenge you’re facing is deciding whether to apply reverb to only the close mics (like the snare mic) or to the room mics (the overheads and front mics).
Here are some tips to help you decide how to apply reverb to your drum tracks:
A great example of a music creator who mastered the use of reverb on drums is Phil Collins. In the iconic song "In the Air Tonight," Collins used a technique known as "gated reverb" to create a powerful, punchy drum sound that became a hallmark of the 1980s. This technique involves applying a heavy reverb to the drums, particularly the snare, and then using a noise gate to cut off the reverb tail abruptly. The result is a reverb that sounds big but controlled, giving the drums a dramatic and distinctive sound.
Phil Collins' use of gated reverb shows how creative reverb application can make drums sound larger than life while maintaining clarity and impact. You can experiment with a similar approach by using gated reverb on your snare mic or applying it to the whole drum bus to achieve a cohesive, punchy sound.
The best approach to applying reverb depends on the sound you're aiming for and the unique characteristics of your drum kit and recording environment. Experiment with different reverb types, levels, and mic placements to find the sound that works best for your project. Remember, reverb is as much an art as it is a science – so don’t be afraid to trust your ears and get creative!