Drum Mixing: Techniques
1h 39mIntermediate2015-07-02
Authors
Ryan Hewitt
Grammy-winning Engineer, Mixer, and Producer
Course details
Once the drums have been set up and the tracks have been laid down, it's time to create the final mix. In this course, GRAMMY-winning producer Ryan Hewitt explains his techniques for mixing drum sounds. Having captured a great performance from professional drummer Josh Freese at EastWest Studios, Ryan moves into mixing, demonstrating his techniques for getting a powerful sound that's radio ready. He'll cover EQ, compression, gating, reverb, and other effects, as well as his own methods for parallel compression and more. Ryan works with the recording studio's SSL 4000, but these techniques are applicable to any DAW or console. The end result is a great drum mix that can hold its own in any song.
Learning objectives
Ryan's philosophy of mixing
Checking phase before building the mix
Panning and creating stereo image and depth of field
Building detailed sounds for each drum
Creating groove by balancing inputs
Adding parallel compression, distortion, and reverb
Learning objectives
Ryan's philosophy of mixing
Checking phase before building the mix
Panning and creating stereo image and depth of field
Building detailed sounds for each drum
Creating groove by balancing inputs
Adding parallel compression, distortion, and reverb
Skills covered
Audio MixingAudio EngineeringAudio and MusicDeep Dive (X:Y)
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
1. Mixing Drums
- 02 - Touring the SSL channel strip
- 03 - Listening to the faders-up track
- 04 - Checking phase before building the mix
- 05 - Panning and creating the stereo field
- 06 - What is groove
2. Building the Mix
- 07 - Starting with kick drum inside and front mics
- 08 - Bringing in the snare drum and bottom mics
- 09 - Widening the image with stereo overhead mics
- 10 - Focusing the groove with the hi-hat mic
- 11 - Utilizing the crush track printed during recording
- 12 - Getting larger-than-life sounds from the rack tom and floor tom mics
- 13 - Going further with ambience and balance
3. Adding Parallel Compression, Distortion, and Reverb
- 14 - Intro to parallel compression
- 15 - Parallel compression on the kick and snare
- 16 - Adding power with stereo parallel compression
- 17 - Distorting the trash mic
- 18 - Emphasizing the backbeat with parallel distortion
- 19 - Grouping drum tracks to control the full mix
- 20 - Using reverb to add depth
4. The Final MIx
- 21 - The final mix of We Won't Stand Alone
Conclusion
- 22 - Inspiration and next steps