Layering snare voices etc.
2000-03-27 by Mark Owen
Further experimenting has yeilded some interesting results. I've found you can get something pretty close to a dual zone snare, on standard single trigger pads, by doing a crossfade between V1 and V2 on the snare. First try: I used "Loosy" and "Loosyrim", fading a little past center, and raising the (trigger) gain for V1. That means, that in relative terms: V1 is more sensitive, while a harder hit triggers a rimshot voice. Playing "rimshot" accents now sounds more realistic.This is really a variation of the technique described in Tips & Tricks for ride/bell effects, translated to snare. Second effect: I tried the same kind of layering on my toms. I was looking for subtle slightly ringy tones when played soft to medium, changing to deeper pitch-bending reverberant "bonzo" tom hits when struck with conviction. I found by setting V2 a little deeper in pitch than V1, the crossfade made more sense. Caution: some combinations just sound all wrong. Third experiment: I also found layering two crash cymbal sounds, and x-fading them, gave a slightly "phasey", more colorful sound, more like a crash that is swinging on a stand. NOTE: when you use the x-fade functions, one V1 stops and V2 takes over.If you use two layers without X-fade, both voices are heard together: like layering a handclap with your snare sound. (Listen to "Two against Nature" on Steely Dan's latest.)