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...
Read moreCarrie 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...
Read moreJune 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...
Read moreJune 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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Rihanna, the multifaceted artist and entrepreneur, has kept fans eagerly awaiting her next album since the release of ANTI in 2016. In a recent interview with Extra TV, she finally provided some...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
Coldplay has announced an innovative and eco-friendly initiative for their upcoming album Moon Music, which will be produced on vinyl made from recycled plastic bottles. The British band aims to...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
Jimin, one of the standout members of the globally renowned boy band BTS, has stirred excitement once again with the announcement of his second solo album, titled "MUSE." The announcement was made...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
BLACKPINK’s LISA has just announced her new solo single, “Rockstar,” set to arrive on June 27 at 8 p.m. ET. This highly anticipated track marks her first release since signing with RCA Records...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
The 2024 Libera Awards, held on June 11 at Gotham Hall, marked a significant celebration of the vibrant and diverse achievements in independent music. Presented by the American Association of...
Read moreJune 22, 2024
Khalid Donnel Robinson, known simply as Khalid, has become a defining voice of his generation with his soulful voice, relatable lyrics, and genre-blending sound. Since his breakthrough with the hit...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Two years after her split from Gerard Piqué, Shakira has achieved significant milestones, including four major hits and a VMAs Vanguard Award, while preparing to release her next album, Las Mujeres...
Read moreJune 21, 2024
Taylor Swift's songwriting prowess has garnered admiration from numerous celebrities, who each hold special attachments to different tracks from her extensive catalog. Ryan Gosling, for instance...
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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!