Why Do Dr Dre's Drums Sound Louder Than Everything Else

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osamabinfuccing

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Does anybody know how Dre gets his drums to sound so loud, without overpowering the song?

I've tried using the Waves L2, Waves SSL4000 to beef up the drums but I still can't get that Dre sound.
 
i dont think its the plug ins its just his mixes are inhumanly good.
 
Exactly DJBanks. If u want ur drums to be the loudest sound in the mix then u got to turn everything else down in the mix. Also the kick drum being used have to be layered and compressed to perfection. End of discussion.
 
osamabinfuccing said:
Does anybody know how Dre gets his drums to sound so loud, without overpowering the song?

I've tried using the Waves L2, Waves SSL4000 to beef up the drums but I still can't get that Dre sound.
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yeah and you buyed those plugins

:cry::cry::cry:
 
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Hey guys.

Buy a pair of ns-10 get in a treated room listen to dre's mixes then compare them to the rest and you will see it has nothing to do with LOUD.

Everything to do with skills and ears. All in the mix baby.
 
Let's face it, he didn't purchase any of those damn plug-ins. Unless he paid a couple dollars for some warez ish ... even so ... don't be so naive.
 
Here's something I found out from some sources. I'm not going to say this is "true", but it def makes sense.

Dr.Dre's mixes are superb because of:

1. Simplified chains.

2. He samples live drums (ONLY).

3. He uses tape to saturate his drums.

4. He uses very very very old reverb units.

5. No plug-ins.

I learned some of this from Dj Quick and some from my sources.
 
Dot_Robinson said:
Here's something I found out from some sources. I'm not going to say this is "true", but it def makes sense.

Dr.Dre's mixes are superb because of:

1. Simplified chains.

2. He samples live drums (ONLY).

3. He uses tape to saturate his drums.

4. He uses very very very old reverb units.

5. No plug-ins.

I learned some of this from Dj Quick and some from my sources.
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Yes Yes Yes all true, but Dre do have a few plugins, ive worked in the studio with his son, and he told me alot of tricks and tips to recieve the best mix, real interesting to learn from somebody under Dre.
 
osamabinfuccing said:
Does anybody know how Dre gets his drums to sound so loud, without overpowering the song?

I've tried using the Waves L2, Waves SSL4000 to beef up the drums but I still can't get that Dre sound.
Click to expand...

You've got right idea with compression, and the L2 is a monster.
As mentioned, layering is also important... and when doing that pay attention to the EQ...

I've really been trying to study his style... lol... and from what I've seen and heard in practice, I can say compression is the main factor, but of course you have to start with decent sounds in the first place, right?
 
He turns everything else down and the drums up... Well, that's my most logical guess.
 
I been making music for the last 3 years and one thing that a lot of producers don't know is that compression is one thousand times more important at the mastering phase than at the mixing stage, actually not really needed at all at the mixing stage. If your drums are made thick, layered, and set to be the loudest signal in the mix, then the compression at the mastering phase will have dramatic effect on the drums in the mix in which the compressor will make ur drums sound bigger than life, depending on what and how u use the compressor at the mastering phase. U should think me for posting that. Over compression of drum or anything else at the mixing stage will definitely destroy any possibility of a good mastering scenario.

Anyone disagree?
 
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Mteezy said:
I been making music for the last 3 years and one thing that a lot of producers don't know is that compression is one thousand times more important at the mastering phase than at the mixing stage, actually not really needed at all at the mixing stage. If your drums are made thick, layered, and set to be the loudest signal in the mix, then the compression at the mastering phase will have dramatic effect on the drums in the mix in which the compressor will make ur drums sound bigger than life, depending on what and how u use the compressor at the mastering phase. U should think me for posting that. Over compression of drum or anything else at the mixing stage will definitely destroy any possibility of a good mastering scenario.

Anyone disagree?
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Not to say that what you are saying is wrong, but back when I was trying to copy Dre's sound, the drums always seemed too light if not compressed in the mix first. Of course compressing after words was great and made a huge difference (and I do now), but I can't manage that same knock with out compression in the mix. I guess I'll learn.
 
This method Im about to tell you will get u a good mix everytime regardless. Mixed all of your track by ear to be the same level volume wise but not necessarily same clarity. Get levels at or below -6db on the peak meter. Use want some sounds to be duller than others because that keeps certain frequencies from colliding with each other. After than, u have to use a 31 band equalizer with a mix function on it to even out the sounds. Use the gain on the eq to get the entire mix level up to around -2db. After tweaking the different frequencies of the equalizer, the track will sound so lush and full that you'll probably slap the shyt out yourself. Maker sure you have especially the kick and bass line at the same volume. In other words, if the kick is banging real hard, then turn the bass up to match the loudness. Make sure the clap on snare being used isn't too loud. The way to test this is to turn the mix up to a loud volume level. If the snare or clap or hi hatss tearing your ears apart but the rest of the sounds are good, then even out these three components of the mix so that they all flow together without one being louder than the next one. Then throw a compressor on the entire mix and use light settings try to keep ur threshold at zero because this can really upset a good mix if fuc'd wit improperly.If more compression is needed, with the compressor settings being light, recompress the entire mix one or two more times only adjusting the ratio from lets say 1:1 to 1:4 or anywhere in between. Then watch ur dull and lifeless track come to life.
 
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he mixes on a ssl 4000 g+ Thats the only thing I am positive of. w/ slight comp on a ssl channel is amazing, its famous for that.
 
Remember. Use the mix function on this eq to balance out the imperfections of the initial mix of the track. This is a blessing to all producers out there who makes a mistake by recording a particular channel in a mix too loud and can't seem to make it sit right in the mix.
Good luck to all!!!!!
 
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