How loud should open hats be in a mix?

The thing you want to create is a “nice even sound” as when your song gets mastered the low and top end will become much louder and much more defined than before. If you absolutely must have a volume level for your hi hats, I would suggest -20 db.

How do you EQ a high hat?

Equalizing hi-hats and cymbals is pretty easy. These sounds usually have a harsh metallic sound around the 200Hz range, some call this clang. To remove that, simply use a high-pass filter till around 300Hz. The high-pass filter will also remove the unwanted mud and some mic bleed from the snare drum.

What should a high hat sound like?

When struck closed or played with the pedal, the hi-hat gives a short, crisp, muted percussive sound, referred to as a “chick”. Adjusting the gap between the cymbals can alter the sound of the open hi-hat from a shimmering, sustained tone to something similar to a ride cymbal.

What sounds can a hi-hat play?

A hi-hat can play a range of sounds depending on whether it is struck by a drum stick or closed with the pedal, and whether the two hats are open or closed. This is why the General MIDI standard offers a closed, open and a mid or ‘pedal’ option.

Are you stuck in a loop with your hi-hat sound?

In pursuit of a vibrant hi-hat sound, many new producers (and even engineers) can get stuck in a loop of auditioning new samples, adding processing, and adjusting levels in the hopes of making the right combination of decisions.

How to play a wide open hi hat?

Wide open hats are ringy and harder to control, whereas slightly open hats can be more predictable yet still sizzle a bit. Try playing the hi-hats from tightly together, then slowly release them with your foot. As you release the pedal and strike the cymbals, listen to all of the different sounds you can make.

How do you deal with harsh hi-hat and cymbals?

Another great technique for dealing with harsh hi-hat and cymbals is to use a multi-band compressor. I always group the high frequency sounds into a bus channel and add a multiband compressor to keep their volume constant throughout the entire mix.