Less generic drum (sounds)

[hutyluty]

Right, so a big thing people say when giving feedback is that my drum sounds are very generic. Is this just a matter of the samples not being "different" enough or is there not enough processing being done? (i barely do any effects to my drums, maybe a little reverb or flange on the hats)

what do you guys do to your drums?

[zerbaman]

Maybe it's the patterns your using?

Just saying, I've not yet heard your stuff, as far as I can remember, but it's possible to take the most mundane drum sounds and make the sickest beats

[komanderkin]

are you sure they're referring to the sound itself? perhaps it's the beats that are to simple. i've sufferred from that for quite a while.

i don't know, check out Addison Groove for example, he uses classic drum machines yet his drums are all but generic.

if it IS your sounds though, perhaps try using some weird samples layered over your drums. sample stuff from movies, tapes, and layer short bits on top of your one shots to get a different vibe.

[hutyluty]

hmm, im quite happy with my patterns- addison groove's one of the guys i try and copy rhythms off

this is one bit of feedback i got "not bad stuff here , i think it needs more drama and a slightly more organic feel to sound polished. the rythms are good but the drum sounds are generic."

[komanderkin]

hmmm... well can we hear some stuff? perhaps your drums rock and you're just getting bad advice.

EDIT: ok just heard the tune in your sig. definitely a nice pattern, although it does lack a bit of variation. i like it when the beat evolves constantly or when it breaks up for just a short while and then it comes back with a new sound on top.

your drum sounds are nice too - perhaps add some saturation on top and a bit more compression to make it all gell better? but all in all it's already quite good.

[hutyluty]

cheers man yeah i was just wondering whether i was missing something really obvious that everyone did to their drums

saturation and compression on my next drum line fo sho

[Aaron Ward]

Just had a flick through the tune in your sig and imo your drums are way to fresh, effect them with a bit reverb and saturation to give them a second hand feel, just sounds a bit clean to me, also try mixing up a few different drum patterns instead of a constant beat then change at the end of the 32 beats, except from that sounds nice and chilled canny structure

[1point5]

lately ive been a bit more experimental with drum samples... using a woodblock as a snare and a clap as a shaker for example. Gives your track a huge boost in character.

[komanderkin]

yeah, you could also play around a bit more with reverb. i hear a nice reverb on there already, but try having say a percussion sound that's sent quite a lot to a reverb unit, and also have some hits that are left more dry. it's a good way to add more depth to a drum track and make it sound larger (more 3D and shit).

for saturation and compression i can recommend FerricTDS (make sure you push the input knob to suit your signal) and Density mkII by Variety Of Sound - great tools to make the drums gel better and feel more solid.