Composers and engineers aren’t short on choices when it comes to virtual drummers, but some contain endless options. Here we ask what a song really needs and share some tips on choosing and using an instrument with some easy moves.
In Summary
Taking the path of least resistance is key to getting virtual drum sounds that serve the production. This can sometimes mean using the simplest tool with some smart moves in the mixer. Here are some of the elements that parts really need, and how to deliver them.
The Right Part
Some reading this will know, or have known drummers who understand and serve the song. These are opposed to those drummers with highly impressive bionic levels of speed, licks, tricks, and intensity who sometimes lose the meaning of the song in all the excitement.
When it comes to VI’s, most can be played in the studio with an e-kit, although the majority are used in the absence of a real drummer. The included MIDI in their place will often include much of the flashiness offered by real drummers (after all, much of it was played by them). Finding the right part that is not over-played will suit virtually any song, although with everything being subjective no-one can actually rule out that double kick drum break on a folk track…
Keeping It Real
Here on the blog we use a lot of drum VIs, and the best ones have sounds that either relate more to those found on record, or to those with organic elements that sound like drums actually do in the room. The third way sees sounds that can be over-hyped in some way, including planet-shaking kicks, abrasive cymbals, and the kind of transient shaping that leaves the listener with lacerations to the face! Some VIs’ sounds seem too eager to stick out, and too much is too much.
Dialling back some top, especially on more ambient sounds can better place the kit. Amounts of bass that can only be achieved with good tunings with a hefty dollop of EQ can be the limit if recorded realism is needed, and envelopes that only poke through as much as needed also help.
Cut The Options
Some drum VIs offer levels of control that will easily satisfy even the most demanding of composers. While being able to adjust the drumstool’s Foam Density will appeal to some, it always helps to focus on what the client or listener is going to notice. Any parameter that real drummers themselves would struggle to use is probably not worth the time.
Going one better than choosing what not to tweak is to take those options out of the equation altogether. Many developers offer pro and lighter versions of their virtual drummers. Some even concentrate purely on the things that really matter, with products offered on a genre-by-genre or kit-by-kit basis.
Putting It All Together
In the video, we put these pointers to good use to get some quick, easy sounds. Concentrating on the things that will actually get noticed, we use Goran Grooves’ Handy Drums to lay down a part with sounds and playing that do what everyone’s favourite drummers always do: serve the song.
Although getting the right sound can involve going under the hood of a complex instrument to get the most out, simple solutions can still count in other productions. Sometimes the results with simple tools can be as good as going ‘all-in’ with the Big Guns. Taking an approach with one eye on how real drum recordings are made can help, where elements such as an appropriate part using the right MIDI, coupled with the correct sounds from the virtual drum kit all have their part to play. Then all that might be needed are a few light touches from the engineer to complete the illusion.
A Word About This Article
As the Experts team considered how we could better help the community we thought that some of you are time poor and don’t have the time to read a long article or a watch a long video. In 2023 we are going to be trying out articles that have the fast takeaway right at the start and then an opportunity to go deeper if you wish. Let us know if you like this idea in the comments.
Photo by Yan Krukau