warming up drum machine tracks

[EVT]

Hi everyone,
I was wondering what recommendations you might have for a pre-amp or compressor... that you think would be good to warm up drum machines before going into a fostex vf-16ex to warm up the drum track. All other instruments are played live so I want to see if there are any suggestions as to how to make the drums fit in more naturally/sit well in the mix.
thanks,
evt

 

[hasbeen]

I've had some luck sending them (stereo) thorough either a pair Langevin AM-16 preamps or Altec 1567a's. Experiment with different preamps and see how it sounds!

 

[mikeh]

I'll allow others to suggest specific gear - but I will offer a "trick" I learned many years ago (one which still serves me well).

I sometimes run the e-drums through speakers (I use a pair of 12" cabs) to get a stereo "room sound". I then mic the room sound to two tracks (panned for stereo). I then dial in the individual MIDI tracks to "supplement" the "room sound".

This acts much like a pair of overheads for the entire kit, with close mics to dial in specific drums (in particular - snare, kick & hi hat) The sound through the speakers moves some air (a key componant of accoustic instruments). which adds to depth.

Naturally, "warm" is a subjective term. If the room is not "warm" this technique has less value. In my case, my whole "room" is not warm - but I have treated a part of the room (carpeting, wall treatment, etc.) to accept the "speakers"

Candidly, I only do this for select projects (clients who specifically complain that the electronic drums don't work for them) because it is an additional pain in the butt. Since, my room is simply not acceptable to track live drums, I had to be "creative". Over the years, I've started to learn (the hard way) that it is better to better use your space than to simply "throw more gear at the problem".

 

[crosstudio]

1. get a good drum machine. with some good patches on it.
2. don't play parts that a real drummer can't play with 2 hands and 2 feet.
3. *tricky* add some reverb to the snare that fits the vibe of the virtual room you are recording in. its funny when you hear the lead vocalist swimming in reverb, but the snare and hats are dry as a bone.
4. add a little delay to the high-hat and pan it opposite the actual hat, but keep it low... barely discernable.
5. play with panning the drums (minimal panning). i don't always put my bass and kick right down the center. i offset them <i>slightly</i>.

 

[gtrman_66]

I try not to use a drum machine if I can help it. When I do use one, I like to bounce the tracks off my old TEAC 3340 4-track before sending them into the digital realm. Seems to help make them a little more palatable.

 

[xstatic]

Hows the budget looking? What really rocks is a pair of distressors, or even the EL Fatso, but thats going to run you up into the mid $2k range or more