Miracle of Sound: Reclaimer (Halo 4)

[5-0]

One thing I noticed, only because I'm a drummer with a pair of studio headphones... The crash cymbal sound you mainly use in the chorus sounds strange. The only thing I can think of is that each time the sound gets played, it's muting the previous one, which sounds unrealistic. It also sounds like you're using eighth notes there; I think the problem could be alleviated with quarter notes instead.

It's quarter notes, it's just heavily compressed against the kick drum to give a percussive 'pumping' effect. It is the kick and snare drum that mutes the cymbal, not the next cymbal hit. It's a trick to make the kick and snare feel louder and more punchy to the ear. Here's another example of this technique at 2.09:


And another at 1.27 here


If you listen carefully you can hear the crash get sucked drastically down in volume on each kick drum hit. It's too extreme a compression for many tastes, personally I like it. It's hard to emulate a real drumkit with programmed drums, this effect to me somewhat helps fool the ear a little.

Great! As a drummer myself, I love a bit of drum nerd talk. Another great song Gav, you get better and better.

 

[UNHchabo]

It's quarter notes, it's just heavily compressed against the kick drum to give a percussive 'pumping' effect. It is the kick and snare drum that mutes the cymbal, not the next cymbal hit. It's a trick to make the kick and snare feel louder and more punchy to the ear. Here's another example of this technique at 2.09:

{video snipped}

And another at 1.27 here

{video snipped}

If you listen carefully you can hear the crash get sucked drastically down in volume on each kick drum hit. It's too extreme a compression for many tastes, personally I like it. It's hard to emulate a real drumkit with programmed drums, this effect to me somewhat helps fool the ear a little.

Ok, I can hear it, and I also now hear it in your older songs, including the chorus of Sovngarde Song, which I think is amazing. :-D

I guess it's just more noticeable in Reclaimer than any of your previous work. At this tempo, maybe I'd like it more with a darker, faster-decaying cymbal like a china? Or maybe if the crash was further in the background? In any case, remember that I'm not trying to criticize; I'm just trying to talk through my opinion. I still love the song!

 

[MiracleOfSound]

Ok, I can hear it, and I also now hear it in your older songs, including the chorus of Sovngarde Song, which I think is amazing. :-D

I guess it's just more noticeable in Reclaimer than any of your previous work. At this tempo, maybe I'd like it more with a darker, faster-decaying cymbal like a china? Or maybe if the crash was further in the background? In any case, remember that I'm not trying to criticize; I'm just trying to talk through my opinion. I still love the song!

On the contrary, criticism is welcome

 

[Xdust5]

Oh my god, I just realized, who's singing to who?