Mixing Percussions Volumes

[StanleySteamer]

Speaking strictly hip-hop guys like hi-hats, crashes, open hi-hats, etc, how low or loud do you mix your percussions in terms of volumes? I use Pro Tools and I'm sample based so lets say my sample is at -25db I am running my hi-hats and other percussions at -30db. Is that too low or too high? Just an example of what I am asking. Thanks a lot guys!

 

[bandcoach]

it's too low!....

no, wait, it's too high!...

no wait, it's .....
​

I don't know because I can't hear what you are hearing - mixing audio is an ear game not a numbers game

 

[krushing]

If you could mix by numbers, it could just as well be an automated process. Listen & make an artistic decision.

 

[UncleDutch]

Pretty broad question. It all depends on how many different perc elements there are, the complexity of each, if you are using them for rhythm or texture, how dense the other elements are, etc. It is hard to just say, "Set you hi-hats at (fill in the blank) dB." With that said, if I have just a standard 16th note hi-hat pattern, I generally put them at the same level of my lead or 1 to 2dB under. Hope this helps.