Consistant drum levels for an album

[lebouche]

I got so many questions...I really need to take a pro engineer/producer out for lunch.
I've been recording drums for an album and I appreciate that one of the most important things an engineer should do is get the hottest signal without clipping. I'm not using any compression as I want to do it post incase I fuck up.
The question is that every drum track has different dynamics so I have to adjust the input levels accordingly. Would I be better off just setting the levels for the loudest song and leaving them be the same for the chilled numbers even though the signal will be fairly weak?
Thanks

[otek]

This is a huge can of worms, and dependent on a lot of different factors, including (but not limited to) the recording medium, and the drummer's own dynamic control.

Typically, the greatest sonic consistency would be achieved by setting a level and keeping it there. This goes for both the digital and analog formats. The drummer would be controlling his or her dynamics, and whatever is played, goes down at a level relative to the other performances. This also makes it easy to mix, because the levels and timbres are consistent recording-wise from tune to tune. If there is a dynamics problem, better take care of it at the source - see the last paragraph.

Which brings me to another facet to the problem. If you are in the analog medium, i.e. recording to tape, the sound will change dramatically with different recording levels - a drum struck hard and recorded softer will sound radically different from a drum struck softly and recorded hotter. Sometimes, you may want to use this difference creatively.

If you are recording to digital, at 24 bits, there really is no point in cranking the levels for a softer tune - you have enough dynamics that setting one level, with ample headroom for when the drummer goes berserk in that outro, should cover it for the whole drum tracking process.

With all of this in mind, it may still be a good idea to talk to the drummer on how he will approach the tunes. Dynamics are naturally a good thing, but consistency is up there on the wanted list, too.


So, what's for lunch? ;) :D

[lebouche]

If you are recording to digital, at 24 bits, there really is no point in cranking the levels for a softer tune - you have enough dynamics that setting one level, with ample headroom for when the drummer goes berserk in that outro, should cover it for the whole drum tracking process.

:D

This is what I'll doooooo..wish I'd know that two days ago.
If your ever in London I'll buy you Sushi unless A) you hate fish
B) I run off to central America to set up a beachbar

[otek]

This is what I'll doooooo..wish I'd know that two days ago.
If your ever in London I'll buy you Sushi unless A) you hate fish
B) I run off to central America to set up a beachbar

Well, if A) falls through, I'll have you set me up with a couple of Fidel Castros (http://www.webtender.com/db/drink/5968) instead. :D

[lebouche]

Isnt that illegal in the states, shock horror!! Better still if A) comes through I could take you to a lil jazz club called Boisdales which speclises in the Fidel's n fine spirits.

[otek]

Isnt that illegal in the states

Good thing I'm not in The States, then. :Wink:

On the other hand, taking strange men to "jazz clubs" is apparently an offense in some states. :lol:

[lebouche]

Oh shit!! Just realised the location is on the right..I thought Virginia beach thing n all.
I went to Sweden once...got v drunk on Danish drink Gammeldansk.
Jazz can be seen as uncool but I've met some amazing musicians in such clubs, they are a great source for sessioners s well.
Besides evreything is illegal somewhere in the states!

[malice]

I see that you two are getting along so well.

Still I want to remind

NOT TO CRANK THE SHIT OUT OF THE LEVEL OF YOUR DRUMS !

YOU HAVE 24 BITS FOR CHRISSAKE.

keep a reasonable headroom. You will thank me later.

you'll see.

I mean you'll hear


best



malice

[Comte de St Germain]

NOT TO CRANK THE SHIT OUT OF THE LEVEL OF YOUR DRUMS !

malice


Yeah, louder isn't better.

[lebouche]

Thanks...
did a session today with plenty o head room..sounded good and I stopped having t5o worry about peaks.
Cheer peeps, much help here.:Thumbsup: