Bestway to Get Tight Sounding Snare Sound?

[Tom]

I have 2.0 and have been trying to get a tight snare sound. Most of the snare sounds have a loose sounding snare wire sound.

Is there a way to get theses snares to have a tight sounding snare wire sound?
Any info would be greatly appreciated………

Thanks for the help!
Tom

Topic

[Martin]

I don’t have any magical tips, since it differs so much depending on which snare you are using. In your case, maybe lower the bottom snare mics and work your way with the compressor until you get a nice sound. You could also send use parallell compression, which basically is bussing all (or selected) snare channels to a Bus and compress them quite hard there, and then just kinda sneak it into the mix at a low volume. I don’t know, just my $0.02. There aren’t any super easy way really, but I guess that EQ and compression is your go-to tools (also check out the Transient)

…oh, there is an easy way. Check out the Combined Presets included and when you find a sound you like, check how it’s mixed in the Mixer.

Martin Kristoffersson
Sound Designer

[Whitten]

+1 the above.
Lower the level of the bottom snare mic, and/or try the transient fx to shorten the release of the bottom snare mic channel.

[Scott]

First, if you are using the Avatar library, I would make sure there isn’t alot of snare in the room(s) or overhead channels. No matter how much you process a close mic channel, if there is alot of signal in the room/OH channels, it won’t make much of a difference. Make sure that you go into the bleed edit window for any room and OH channels and turn down the snare bleed. Not all the way down as it will make it sound weird, but enough so that any processing you do will make difference.

Then I would bus the 2 snare channels (top and bottom) to a stereo bus channel and insert a transient plugin. Turn up the ‘attack’ knob and turn down the ‘sustain’ knob until you get the tightness you want. Compress after that for some ‘splat’ and then eq after that.

Here is a before and after example:

http://www.rainbowsounds.com/Toontrack/Snare%20without%20Transient.mp3

http://www.rainbowsounds.com/Toontrack/Snare%20with%20Transient.mp3

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Juicy]

Or shorten just that snare channel only no need to insert a plug,its that slider just above the pan slider,you can also select the snare on the right of the interface and then use the envelope to shorten all mic channels for the snare for a supa tight sound.Some people dont do this last meothod as they dont like shortening the room mics but at least its good to know what options you have then you can choose the best thing to do for a specific track.

[Scott]

Or shorten just that channel no need to insert a plug

That is an option, but the Transient plugin can increase the initial attack of the snare (in this example) as well as just shorten the sustain. It does help with the tight/punchy sound.

Some people dont do this last meothod as they dont like shortening the room mics

To counter this problem, use the ‘Fade’ slider for the room channels and slide it to the right. This only effects sounds that have been faded using the Envelope filter and can add a bit of the real room back.

Scott Sibley - Toontrack
Technical Advisor

[Juicy]

I Know that scotty,been using em for years,sometimes its just to artificial and pumps the volume UP more than it sounds good so i love TT’s Shortening decay straight on the mic channel,but thats me,just thought to make sure the question is answered with all options especially if not mentioned and less hyped sounding.

[Mark Farrell]

Everything has already been mentioned and I dissagree with nothing. I’ll just add combining snares is something that might interest you as well? If you can’t get the results your after with one snare, try two?? Maybe twice as hard, but twice as fun 🙂

[Mark Farrell]

Actually yeah i forgot one thing, pitch. Find the snare you want and pitch it up, not too far, on most snares i wouldnt pitch above 3.0, 3.0 for me is extreme, maybe if i was combining snares i might pitch something above 3.0 and hide it behind a good all round snare.

[Mark Farrell]

Included a quick sample, 3 snares combined, pitch up 2.0 and some very heavy parallel compression.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7075178/ToonSnare2.mp3

Hey, its snappy! and ive just finished work so my hi hat and kick drum legs werent workin together too well! 😛

[mix2much]

I’m surprised no one has mention using a gate.

[VOLiTiAN]

ORIGINAL: mix2much

I’m surprised no one has mention using a gate.

I couldn’t agree more. Inserted pre or post room/sample bus it can work wonders shaping the sound down whilst still allowing for big hits to keep their full dispersion.

Regards

David @ VOLiTiAN

www.myspace.com/VOLiTiAN www.soundclick.com/VOLiTiAN www.reverbnation.com/VOLiTiAN www.soundcloud.com/VOLiTiAN

[bob knob]

THIS WORKS EVERY TIME!

You need to compress the snot out of the snare. Use a ratio somewhere close to 5:1 and at least a threshold of -24 db (depending on how tight you want it) attack it hard (not too hard) and easy on the release. Also a good decibel or 2 of gain is good to ensure you are getting good use out the compressor. It will start to sound unnatural but keep in mind a big part of the snares sound comes from the overheads etc.. Then you need to open an eq and get the desired tone. You can thicken it up a little if necessary by adding some low mid or mids. Keep curve quality (Q) at default or less. I find that treble will usually help bring out that beloved stick sound. Be sure to A and B the snare soloed and the whole kit. You shouldn’t need to increase any freq. more than 5db. Remember its being slammed by the compressor. Sometimes the bottom mic sounds good mixed in with a good amount of compression too. By the way, the compressor and eg within superior work great. They have well designed parameters for drums.

Everyone who’s read this owes me $5 ha ha ha This was my good deed for the week. Enjoy.

[Juicy]

If you select the Snare and then use the envelope and simply shorten the decay it will act globally and give the exact result you are after any over processing trickery,Its as natural as it gets (used carefully)
Same as Sir Scotty said the Room mics carry heaps of length on the snare but this sort of global shortening affects all the mics with out any mucking around.
With this one edit even just a tiny bit you will shorten the snare bottom mic and rooms and the main snare mic so its a very precise controlled tightening.
Gates can really degrade/distort the decay.
Pitching up a little as stated above is good too and sometimes you can find a note that suits your track “more”
Over compress sure in a dense mix all you will hear is the smack so its a similar result but the snare is still gonna be long and you will hear that in exposed sparse parts of your mix.

[Spodie]

@mfefc said:

Included a quick sample, 3 snares combined, pitch up 2.0 and some very heavy parallel compression.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7075178/ToonSnare2.mp3

Hey, its snappy! and ive just finished work so my hi hat and kick drum legs werent workin together too well! 😛

Hi mfefc,
I really love the sound of that snare! I know it’s been a while but, if you don’t mind sharing could you tell me what snares you used and how you set it up? If you’d prefer you can email me at mymailshowsup@yahoo.com. Thanks a lot!

[tony_38]

@mfefc said:

Included a quick sample, 3 snares combined, pitch up 2.0 and some very heavy parallel compression.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7075178/ToonSnare2.mp3

Hey, its snappy! and ive just finished work so my hi hat and kick drum legs werent workin together too well! 😛

Hey mfefc

This is a long shot considering your post was from 2008. I really like the way your drums sound in the clip you uploaded. Is it possible for you to send me the MIDI project file. I would be forever grateful.
Thanks

[Author]

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