Possible to make drums louder?

Special Interest Groups Audio Processing
1

Hi Audacity guys

First, great program. I enjoy it.

But… this question is a little out there, and I guess I’m going to get a “no way that’s possible” answer… But I hope not! :slight_smile:
Ok, the deal is a got a song. A complete, stereo song. And I want to make the drums louder. Is that possible, like, somehow? Like, you can make the bass louder in a song with the “bass boost” effect, but well, that is something else. There isn’t a fancy thing you can do? :slight_smile:

Regards from Denmark

2

Add a second drum track?

3

Use EQ.

Here are couple links to help you :

http://www.sirgalahad.org/paul/music/eq-guide.html
http://www.trinitysoundcompany.com/eq.html
http://www.eqmag.com/article/recording-acoustic-drums/sep-06/22858
http://www.drum-tracks.com/NEWdrumEQ.htm

Juha

4

<<<And I want to make the drums louder. Is that possible, like, somehow? Like, you can make the bass louder in a song with the “bass boost” effect, but well, that is something else. There isn’t a fancy thing you can do? :slight_smile:>>>

Bass Boost makes all the sounds in the low register louder. If the singer goes for that low G, he’s going to get louder, too – and yes, that will sound seriously weird.

As a general rule, you’re right. No way. You can’t separate individual instruments from a mixed performance. There are some serious tricks you do do with spacial locating and similar software, but, for one example, anything that makes the drums louder will also make the bass and singer louder.

We use the silly analogy of removing the chocolate from a cupcake.

All these tricks, what there are of them, are much more difficult to use if you’re starting with a downloaded MP3.

Koz