general making drums cut through the mix, how to?

[Spring Goose]

I noticed that my drums are sounding a bit quiet/distant compared to published songs.

What tips do you have for me?

Thanks.

[humanboeing]

If they are too quiet just turn it up

If they sound too distant then it's very likely because they are affected by phase relationships of other sounds, there are plugins made for phase manipulation but before you buy anything you can try flipping the phase upside down (flipping the polarity or whatever your DAW calls it)

Also if you want to make a drum sound prominent in the mix (for example kick drum in edm) then utilize volume ducking or sidechain compression to achieve that effect.

[humanboeing]

Boosting frequencies in the range of 2khz-4khz can add presence too.

[ThomasN]

If your drums are too quite just make them louder. No, that’s no joke, I really mean it. Increase the volume of your drum channel.
If your drums sound to distant, add a high end boost with an EQ. Depending on the source material this can make the transients get out of control rather easily, why I would recommend putting a saturator/soft clipper after the EQ.

EDIT: So basically what humanboeing said.

[Spring Goose]

Thanks guys

[Spring Goose]

Nobody mentioned a transient shaper!

[donkey tugger]

Nobody mentioned a transient shaper!

Probably coming from a different angle than you (i.e. indie rokk not electronic) but transient shapers are more good for adding 'snap' (in the acoustic side good for mimicking the effect of hitting harder - use them a lot automated for dynamics over a song), not so much for volume.

People have mentioned eq'ing and slightly boosting the fundamentals. I'd also look at high-passing any reverbs (big f**k off reverb on the thud of a kick drum is not conducive to clarity!), and making the drum sounds more compact. People always equate power with big drum sounds, but you can have just much impact with short and snappy ones.

[Spring Goose]

Nobody mentioned a transient shaper!

Probably coming from a different angle than you (i.e. indie rokk not electronic) but transient shapers are more good for adding 'snap' (in the acoustic side good for mimicking the effect of hitting harder - use them a lot automated for dynamics over a song), not so much for volume.

People have mentioned eq'ing and slightly boosting the fundamentals. I'd also look at high-passing any reverbs (big f**k off reverb on the thud of a kick drum is not conducive to clarity!), and making the drum sounds more compact. People always equate power with big drum sounds, but you can have just much impact with short and snappy ones.

thanks pal

[elxsound]

The answer isn’t always turning things up.

1) if you’re already hitting 0 on your peaks, turn other parts down.

2) for your style (music cafe) side chain instruments. It’s not about getting a pumping sound but removing conflicting frequencies. Those competing frequencies often cancel each other out.

3) layering (but do so with caution). There are so many different tricks for extending the range of your instruments. Layering is one. Use of compression and transient shapers are others. You can get lost just on this and every how to video is possibly just as right as the next one.

Mixing is a different beast so probably a good idea to set your own limits for what you want to learn while you’re still focusing on the production/composition side.

[Spring Goose]

The answer isn’t always turning things up.

1) if you’re already hitting 0 on your peaks, turn other parts down.

2) for your style (music cafe) side chain instruments. It’s not about getting a pumping sound but removing conflicting frequencies. Those competing frequencies often cancel each other out.

3) layering (but do so with caution). There are so many different tricks for extending the range of your instruments. Layering is one. Use of compression and transient shapers are others. You can get lost just on this and every how to video is possibly just as right as the next one.

Mixing is a different beast so probably a good idea to set your own limits for what you want to learn while you’re still focusing on the production/composition side.

Thanks mate!

[Biome_Digital]

It's usually always about weak sounds, and wrong mix levels. Get your drums peaking up to 0db (not going to get technical here), then make sure your other sounds are closer to -6db. This is a rough guide. Bass will be a bit louder. "Cutting through the mix" is a volume/mixing issue. Get it right from the very start - mix as you go.

[Spring Goose]

"Cutting through the mix" is a volume/mixing issue. Get it right from the very start - mix as you go.

Thanks pal! That's what i want to do. Get it wrong isn't the same song is it!

[Biome_Digital]

Nobody mentioned a transient shaper!

Adding transients with a shaper can make your mix quieter unless you limit the peaks after - then what's the point!

They have a place, but not a solution to "cutting drums".

[Biome_Digital]

Also if you want to make a drum sound prominent in the mix (for example kick drum in edm) then utilize volume ducking or sidechain compression to achieve that effect.

This is also a good tip. Ducking/Side chaining is essential for a loud mix in many situations. Especially for EDM, dance, bass music etc... Usually good on the bass so it doesn't clash with the kick in the low end.

[donkey tugger]

Nobody mentioned a transient shaper!

Adding transients with a shaper can make your mix quieter unless you limit the peaks after - then what's the point!

In rock mixes it's a good technique for getting the power into rolls/loud dynamic sections - turn up the transients and slam it into a compressor/tape or limiter.