drums too quiet

[stupidfatnugly]

I just read that I am compressing way too much on my (sampled) drums but when I record everything at close to -18dbfs

the kick and snare are just too quiet.

should I record the kick and snare somewhere in between -6dbfs and -18dbfs?

or am I having another problem?

 

[Seafroggys]

turn up your speakers

 

[pandamonk]

I just read that I am compressing way too much on my (sampled) drums but when I record everything at close to -18dbfs

the kick and snare are just too quiet.

should I record the kick and snare somewhere in between -6dbfs and -18dbfs?

or am I having another problem?

Record and mix everything else quieter then. Once you have your stereo mix, then master it/get it mastered. Don't expect to get the same volume in mixdown as on a mastered cd. Just get a good balance.

 

[RAMI]

I just read that I am compressing way too much on my (sampled) drums but when I record everything at close to -18dbfs

the kick and snare are just too quiet.

should I record the kick and snare somewhere in between -6dbfs and -18dbfs?

or am I having another problem?

I'm not understanding what the problem is. Recording volume and mix volume are 2 separate things. If the drums are too quiet while you're MIXING, simply turn them up....or turn everything else down. But the volume you RECORDED them at shouldn't get in the way of that other than having to adjust volumes during MIXING.

 

[stupidfatnugly]

I guess I'll pull the other instruments faders down because my faders on the snare and kick are at zero. I can make them louder with make up gain on the compressor but I'm reading that that is no good.

 

[Seafroggys]

a little bit of makeup gain on a compressor probably wuoldn't hurt. If you like the color, it could be beneficial.

 

[mixsit]

...should I record the kick and snare somewhere in between -6dbfs and -18dbfs?

or am I having another problem?

I'm not understanding what the problem is. Recording volume and mix volume are 2 separate things. If the drums are too quiet while you're MIXING, simply turn them up....or turn everything else down. But the volume you RECORDED them at shouldn't get in the way of that other than having to adjust volumes during MIXING.

Agreed with the above, but also in general, that -18dbfs tracking' is an RMS (average/sustained signals) target. By definition 'percussion and such is going to use and extend up into that headroom it's there to provide.