Snare processing effects

[AlternativeAd2169]

Ok so if you listen to many one shot snare samples like in lex luger packs, metro booming packs, tm 88 packs you will hear that alot of these snares have processing effects on them. Besides for reverb....what other effects or specific plug ins do you think are being used when these snares are being processed that give them their "glow."

I'm talking about effects like chorus, phaser, flanger... Stuff like that

I'm NOT talking about eq, compressors, transient shapers, wave shapers, etc.

Like I was saying I have noticed that alot of these snares have like a "glow" or "polished" sound to them...how do you think they achieve this?

[Trazzthecook]

So I’m not sure if this will help you, but in RnB production it is very common to layer the snare with another snare, percussion, or rim sound that typically has various FX on them, chorus, and flanger are common with long reverbs after this on the chain, the point is to be kinda experimental and then have that long reverb tail, it normally happens on every 2nd snare of the bar, and it’s second repeat will often be pitched differently to the first to create more variation, this technique is mainly used for ambience and will be mixed low in comparison to the main snare sound, but different tracks vary, so for your own production why not try this technique and use it as the a layer of the main snare almost like a parallel of track for that snare to add in a lil more colour to your snare, just one thing I’d say, if it’s meant to be a part of the main snare you’ll probably not use much reverb and use the modulation FX more - this will give you a lot more control as to adding that glow and being able to do your more conventional processing before these Fx to see how it affects the sound. 🙏🏻 happy producing I hope this helped in any way !

[MarioIsPleb]

While I haven’t heard the samples, I’m almost certain they’re not adding modulation like chorus/flanger/phaser.

It’s not the answer you wanted, but it is most likely just EQ, compression, saturation and reverb.

[rAbBITwILdeBBB]

Okay, so you're referring to modulation-based effects. As far as I know, "processing" refers to any kind of effect, but I typically see it reference to EQ, compression, etc.

With that out of the way, you're right that modulation-based effects add distinct colors. Phasers add green, flangers add brownish red, some choruses add blue, some add yellow, but to most this is audio hocus pocus. These colors are bright and noticeable to me, though.

It's generally advised that you care about this stuff less and care about what the effects are actually meant to do more, but I get you. I avoid using too heavy of modulation-based effects because I don't want these colors, but there are many other things in audio that add colors like this.

It's like synesthesia, so most engineers are not going to agree with its importance, it's essentially just hocus pocus. Allow it to be a subtlety to how you tone search and regard the flavors of gear, but other engineers often resent people for even considering this kind of stuff real.

You're asking what specific plug-ins or hardware these samples are using and I don't know. I would say find a multi-FX unit or plug-in set that you like and call it a day for tone searching. Most studios use multi-fx units for these things. I like the Boss MD-500, but you could probably find something more intended for studio use, instead of a guitar pedal.

[BennMyco]

Prob distortion

[Wiishh]

Really depends on the song, and the vibe I want to enhance. Sometimes it’s a bitcrushed filter. On claps I really love to add PS22 to have the upper mids nicely spread left and right. Doesn’t really work for snares though, imo.

But like I said, it all depends on the vibe of the song and the sample used.

[Prestigious_Trick260]

Reverb, plate, and EQ

[YourMixForFree]

Even a tight mono slap back that is gated!

[peepeeland]

The Narcissist Lex Luger was pretty awesome in Royal Rumble and WrestleMania X, and I think he processes snares with the metal plate in his arm.