Comparing How Raw Drums Sound vs. Properly Mixed Drums (Drum Talk)

This drum talk is based on a question for AEA by ‪@gregwonhoff7161‬
Here is the question:
Have you ever considered putting out a cover with the naked drum sound unaltered with compression, equalization, and other electronic aiding?
I'll answer the philosophical question on AEA. But I thought we might have fun listening to a drum track comparison of normal drum mix vs. raw drums.
Please leave comment and questions!
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Drums & Gear used in the video:
Gretsch - 8x10, 9x13, 16x16, 14x20
Noble & Cooley SS - 5x14
Paiste -14" 2000 Sound Reflector Top/RUDE Bottom HH, 20" Giant Beat, 22" 2002 Big Beat, 18" Giant Beat Thin, 17" Swiss Signature Thin
Logic Pro X
Presonus StudioLive 24.4.2
Please check me out on Instagram @earldrum
Please check out my series on how to make a drum cover in this playlist • How I Make A Drum Cove...
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[@shawnwoodley9003]

All of the mixes sound good. One thing I love about your covers is how good it's mixed it doesn't sound like a cover.

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Shawn … I try to make it sound like the real recording! Thanks for noticing! 🙏🏻👍🏻😎🤘🏻🥁

[@mrrobbdrums4775]

Very cool comparison Earl! Your drums always sound so goo to me.

[@earldrum]

Thank you kindly Robb! I’m glad it worked … trying some different videos these days!

[@PaulDes]

Impressive comparisation Earl !!!!

[@earldrum]

Glad you enjoyed it Paul! 🙏🏻👍🏻😎🤘🏻🥁

[@ARDrummer]

Great comparison video...I know these kind of uploads take alot of time to produce and edit...nice work!

[@earldrum]

@@ARDrummer thanks for the feedback Adam! Every talking video takes the time of two to three drum covers depending on the drumming difficulty level! But I do enjoy doing them! Thanks for watching!

[@RichRawDawgdrums]

I think both raw and mixed sound great! The mixed drums have a little more of the nuances you can hear. The EQ only sound has more of the cymbals prominent than anything. I think you’re right about the kit has a lot to do with it. Cool episode Earl!

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Rich! I thought it was a good question that needed some sound examples to explain! I’m hoping to elaborate in more words on my Ask Earl show in July!

[@3L3V3NDRUMS]

Cool demonstration 🤘🤘🤘

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Toby! 🙏🏻😎👍🏻🤘🏻🥁

[@mickeyf3730]

I liked all the sounds. Don’t think you can go wrong either way. Of course, I don’t record, but agree it’s more the sound of the drums being good and well tuned.

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Mickey! But you might want to share your drumming someday? I hope this helped you see you don’t need a lot of gear … just good ears!

[@The-Tired-Drummer]

My answer to your question
As you know I only use an analog mixers with faders and BASIC EQ. Plugged directly into my camera.
Unfortunately I’m not tech savvy enough to go any other route, nor do I have the money to invest it better gear.
It’s a pain, I have very inconsistent sound, sometimes hit and miss, I have come a long way since my early utube covers.
In the end it’s just a hobby 🥁 and I’m doing this for fun. 😊

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Ken! I just wanted to pull back the illusion that it’s all plugins, but actually it’s good sounding drums and your touch on the drums. I self mix myself while playing to get the best sound going into the DAW! That’s given me a consistent drum sound and having years of recording experience doesn’t hurt either! Thanks for watching!

[@jimflys2]

Very instructive. Great idea, Greg. In some cases, depending on the song, very little if anything is needed as far as processing goes. Particularly bigbax, jazz tracks. Depends on the era and the original recording and mix. But mostly, processing is needed for modern mixes.

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Jim and you insight! I have found that I enjoy my mix’s with the glue these plug-ins add, but as you can tell that if I had no plugins I can get an acceptable drum sound!

[@jimflys2]

@@earldrum Thanks. Actually the second version you showed on this was a little raw, but pretty darn accurate for the era on that tune.

[@earldrum]

@@jimflys2 I used that song because there is no copyright issues! But I tried to throw in a few Tony Williams broken up paradiddle vibey funky licks! I appreciate your feedback Jim!

[@mancuniancandidatem]

I like the raw sound, but I love Gretsch drums.

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback my friend! I was surprised how good they sounded raw! But I shouldn’t have been they are Gretsch drums! That great Gretsch sound! 😎👍🏻

[@metzilla]

Good stuff Earl! Love it! On this recording ( and I noticed it when you had this set up on the other track you recorded the other day) ... you have the 10 tuned much higher than you've had before, giving it sort of a 'jazz kit' feet ...if that makes sense?

[@earldrum]

Hi Jeff, yes I tuned it up for the BS&T songs that I did before this video. Good ear!

[@jameslyons1661]

❤🥁❤️
That’s all cool stuff.
Sounds great.
If you played pots and pans you can make them sound good no doubt 💜💐💜 enjoy your work have an awesome day.😊

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Jimmy! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻💙

[@bryandrums32]

This was interesting,,,,,, I prefer it all mixed and professionally done,,,,, but who doesn’t,,,,,, but they all actually sounded really good

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Bryan! I do too! But I’m glad the show made sense!

[@bryandrums32]

@@earldrum yes!!!!!🙌 you always do a great job explaining things

[@johnweyers2685]

I like the raw drums, though they all sounded great. 😎

[@earldrum]

@@johnweyers2685 thanks for watching John! 🤘🏻🙏🏻😎

[@timbragg9684]

Really interesting. The raw kit sounds good but it doesn't sit in the mix like the final mix. So many things to consider, but at root it's the quality of the drums/cymbals and player. :)

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback and kind word Tim! Compression really glued it all together with a little reverb too! I didn’t minion that part! 😉🙏🏻👍🏻😎🤘🏻🥁thanks for watching!

[@ZaxDrumsandGolf]

I would rather have a nice mixed kit than just raw but I also understand when people don't have the money do get mixing equipment. But I think there are ways to still get decent audio on a budget!!👍😀 I agree your raw audio sounds good probably cause you got it nicely tuned!!

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback Zax! I mean if the track and drums are mixed by ear, or camera mic placement, or using a DAW there are ways to get a good drum sound today!

[@Kingy-23drums]

Good video this Earl 👍 Especially for me who plays without microphones

[@earldrum]

Thanks for watching my friend! One of my subs wanted to know the difference for the same reason! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@gregwonhoff7161]

Earl, that was everything I was looking for, and I so appreciate all of the time and effort you put into this video. Like you so eloquently stated, “It all starts with a good sounding drum set”, and that Gretsch set is top shelf. In fact, you would have great sounding videos with the bare minimum of equipment. Thank you so very much for this very informative and entertaining program.❤️🙏👏❤️🙏👏❤️

[@earldrum]

@@gregwonhoff7161 I’m glad you enjoyed it … I’ll add more feed back on AEA this weekend!

[@gregwonhoff7161]

@@earldrum Can’t wait!!!

[@CCMDrummer]

🤜🤛👍

[@earldrum]

🙏🏻👍🏻😎🤘🏻🥁

[@mickeyf3730]

I’d have to pay people to listen to me lol😂

[@earldrum]

You are wrong Mickey! You can do it! 😎👍🏻 thanks for watching!

[@MrFchank]

I prefer the raw sound.

[@earldrum]

Thanks for the feedback my friend!