#MIXTIPMONDAYS - CLIPPING

#MIXTIPMONDAYS

USING CLIPPING PLUG-INS TO MAKE YOUR DRUMS POP!

Peak clipping is a way to control dynamics and generate harmonic saturation. Clipping can be used as another alternative to a standard compression or limiter. It is a great tool to use to control peaking transients before they hit your compressor so that your compressor isn't thrown off by a few peaks causing it to work harder.

Clipping can also be used in a creative way to add some harmonic distortions, specifically to drums. Using it on a snare or hi hat to give it that extra hi end crunch helps your drums really pop out of the speaker. I even use it on live kick drums to give it the high end frequency needed to be able to be heard more clearly on devices that aren't friendly to low end frequencies, like mobile devices or cheaper desktop speakers.

The harder the clipping, the more harmonics are being added. Try it out next time if your having trouble getting your snare to stand out in the mix, here are a couple plugins I love to use when clipping!

StandardCLIP by SIR Audio Tools is a great plugin offering high quality oversampling to keep your clipping clean and not too saturated. The best thing about it is it's price, for only $25, you have a gem of a tool to use on every mix!

A freebie but goodie! If you have Pro Tools then you should already have this in your arsenal. I tend to alternate between 24-16 bits on sample size and only use between 0.1 - 3.0 distortion and the same for saturation. This is a very sensitive plugin so not much is needed at all! Try it on snare, hi hats, or overheads.