How do you create drums that are dry but have presence?

To create drums that are dry yet have presence, consider the following techniques and approaches:

Sample Choice: It’s important to choose high-quality drum samples or recordings. Look for sample packs that include the type of drum sounds or tones you’re aiming for.

Tuning: By tuning the drums to the key of the track, you can make them blend naturally with the overall mix while still maintaining their presence.

EQ and Compression: Use EQ to fine-tune the tone of the drums, emphasizing or cutting the necessary frequencies. Compression helps control the dynamics of the drums and can increase their punchiness and presence.

Use of Space: Even when aiming for a dry sound, you can give depth and spatial awareness to the drums by appropriately using reverb and delay. Avoid large reverb and opt for short pre-delays or small reverbs to subtly create a sense of space.

Velocity and Dynamics: Varying the attack of the hits creates a more natural sound, giving the drums humanity and expressiveness. This variation helps the drums stand out in the mix.

Layering: You can create a unique and robust sound by layering different drum samples that have the same rhythm. However, be cautious about phase issues.

Side-Chaining: By side-chain compressing the drums with the bass or other elements, you can ensure that the drums maintain their presence without being buried by other elements.

These techniques are just a starting point, but they should be helpful for creating drum sounds that are both dry and have a strong presence.