I have many sample packs and like to record drum tracks with my midi controller. I have been learning how to improve my tracks because I like working on them everyday. Lets discover the 5 best drums and talk about what makes them great.
5. Counter Snare Drums
I like finding counter snares in new sample packs I download because its like a bonus. I mostly record counter snares on slow tracks because theres more room for extra drums. It sounds good next to the snare and can really help complete the track.
4. Clap
Sometimes I record claps instead of snares. The clap is more minimalistic than snares and sounds better on tracks with acoustic instruments. Sometimes I use the haas effect on claps with the stereo delay plugin to give them some stereo width.
3. Snare Drums
I like to search sample packs to find the best snares for tracks. After that I find to right pitch to play the snare at, a lot of times I play it at C3/the original pitch. Sometimes I send the snare to a compressor to give it some extra presence in the mix.
2. Hi Hat
These days I delete hats on the same beats as snares, just to make the snares pop a little bit more. Hats add rhythm between the kicks and snares to complete the rhythm overall. Sometimes I use multiple pitches of hi hats and create fast 16/32/64/128 note patterns.
1. Kick Drum
I like to use black valve compressor with bass side chain on the kick drum and let it peak at -12dBs. These days I mostly use kick samples but I’ve recorded many kick drums from vsts. Drum Computer is my favorite vst for kick drums because it can play rhythms by holding one note.
