KVR Audio

Funkstar De Luxe · Post by **Funkstar De Luxe** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:30 pm

I'm having real problems getting my hi hats to sound good. Mine ALWAYS sound lifeless, thin and metallic.
I'm making electronically based music at the moment, so most of the sounds are from the classic x0x machines. I don't particularly like the idea of sampling

So guys, how do you make your hi-hits sound good?

DuX · Post by **DuX** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:37 pm

Interesting Q. I'm also having a bit of trouble with hihats to sound "nice" without being too harsh. Whatever I do to them it's just not "it". I'd like them to sound "washy", but not "ear picking". The closest I got with subtractively EQ-ing the fundamentals, but then they lose impact... hmmm, maybe a Transient designer would help...

I'm also into electronica.

Cheers!

ahjteam · Post by **ahjteam** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:46 pm

The best thing about being an AE is deciphering the adjectives that flies out of the artists' mouth. In your case I got something like this:

too thin = too little bass
too metallic = too much mids (esp. 700-1300hz)
lifeless = too fast decay or not enough reverb

hope it helps
- ahj

justified · Post by **justified** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:48 pm

whatever anybody posts here, there's allways somebody who'll say: "It's stupid, there's no rules, use your artistic imagination"

khanyz · Post by **khanyz** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 8:53 pm

Try doubling the hats with a tambourine at a lower volume. Also add a semi-random filter frequency/compression attack (automation track) and blend it back in (NY style). It makes them a bit more interesting.

Cheers,
Nigel

ckatrun411 · Post by **ckatrun411** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:10 pm

never mind...

I have lost my drive to try to help on this forum...

Chris Walton · Post by **Chris Walton** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:21 pm

ckatrun411 wrote:never mind...

I have lost my drive to try to help on this forum...

Aah yes, good news for once

Chris Walton · Post by **Chris Walton** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:24 pm

How To Treat Hats

Only touch your hat with clean and dry hands. When you put your hat on or take it of or need to adjust it, handle the hat by the front and back of the brim. Otherwise it might lose it's shape and get dirty. Flexing your hat may eventually weaken the body of the crown and brim and make it lose its ability to keep its shape. Never handle your hat by holding the crown.. it will get fingerprint oils on it. Do not pick up your hat/fedora by the pinch... it will may misshape it. In a straw fedora the pinch will crack. In a Felt hat is may split the felt. Do not place hat on its brim.. it may flatten or lose its curve especially when it is wet. Consider using a rain protector. Some hats made of canvas, felt or straw can have applications of Scotchguard to help make the hats waterproof. However... some manufacturers do not recommend this. Some suggest silicone based waterproofing and others do not endorse that. Place your hat upside down on it's crown in a clean area. Short term.. place your hat on a Styrofoam or hat head. You can make a tube or set on covered oatmeal box or coffee can. Do not leave your hat in the car or in the sun as the humidity may cause it to lose shape and the sweatband, cotton, wool or leather, could shrink or distort. Hats of any material may be sensitive to prolonged exposure to direct sunlight causing colors to fade. When traveling it is best to transport your hat in a hat box with a handle to insure protection. Occasionally flip down the sweat band so it can dry and air out. If your sweatband regularly soaks up a lot of sweat or hair oils then make sure you dry it out often. If you must clean the sweatband... be very careful. Try using a toothbrush dipped in a mild soap solution and scrubbing. Rinse and blot very carefully. Do Not Get the hat wet or it will stain.

deep'n'dark · Post by **deep'n'dark** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:33 pm

Eat a dikk clown! Not funny.

jackson · Post by **jackson** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:36 pm

deep'n'dark wrote:Eat a dikk clown! Not funny.

napalmbob · Post by **napalmbob** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 9:47 pm

Generic Response: Try layering samples or synthesizing your own.

Kim Lajoie · Post by **Kim Lajoie** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:36 pm

I remember an intersting quote I read years ago. Something along the lines of "If you're worried about your sound, it's because your song sucks."

Not saying it's true in your case, but I think generally it's easy for people around here to lose perspective.

Regarding the lifelessness, a good way to bring life to a rhythmic part is to use a slight groove (not just straight 16ths), and to vary the velocity.

A slight groove can be as simple as a subtle swing - sometimes 10-20% isn't really noticable as "swing", but adds a bit of drive and feel. Varying the velocity works well too - just just randomly, but emphasising primary and secondary emphasis points in the bar. Play around with it, see what works.

If you find your hats are thin and metallic, it could be you need to work on those sounds, but it also could be that you need to think about the whole mix. Are you trying to thicken up your hats because other mix elements are too thin? Do your hats sound metallic because everything else by comparison is smooth and rich? Think about what sound you want to achieve with the mix as a whole. Once you're clear about that, you'll find it much easier to choose the right sounds and process them appropriately.

-Kim.

Jbravo · Post by **Jbravo** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 10:50 pm

I always use a bit of distortion or overdrive on hats to rough them up a bit. Otherwise it sounds too much like "a track I just made on my computer" rather than a record you'd actually buy in the shops - just my 2 cents

afreshcupofjoe · Post by **afreshcupofjoe** » Thu Feb 28, 2008 11:59 pm

Dear Cassidy,

I am very sorry, but after exhaustive assessment of my current circumstances, I must regrettably inform you that in no way, as far as I'm aware, have I recently been involved in, or am I currently associated with, anything that could possibly be construed as "the farm thing".

Furthermore, my person has not been known to have ventured outside of the location known as Southwest Florida for the past 18 months (quite unfortunately). So, although I am flattered that you "can't wait to see me back", I assure you that you can see me any time you want, and in fact you have seen me quite recently. Unless of course, the person I conversed with was not Cassidy per se, but some bizarro Cassidy clone.

I find this unlikely, and therefor I frankly have no idea what you are talking about, but I do hope you enjoyed your paint chips. I am sure they taste delicious.

Sincerely,
Joe

Spe3D · Post by **Spe3D** » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:03 am

Funkstar De Luxe wrote:I'm having real problems getting my hi hats to sound good. Mine ALWAYS sound lifeless, thin and metallic.
I'm making electronically based music at the moment, so most of the sounds are from the classic x0x machines. I don't particularly like the idea of sampling

So guys, how do you make your hi-hits sound good?

Try different hats