This tutorial by producer and mix engineer Guy Britton demonstrates how to create punchy, modern 80s-inspired drum sounds similar to those heard in tracks by Chappell Roan and other contemporary chart-toppers. Learn to blend live multitrack drums with samples while mastering essential techniques for EQ, compression, reverb, saturation, and parallel effects using Waves plugins. Follow along as Guy shows how SSL E-Channel, BB Tubes, CLA-3A, and Abbey Road Plates work together to transform raw recordings into powerful, attitude-filled drum mixes. The 12-minute video covers kick and snare processing, low-end enhancement, overhead treatment, room mic techniques, drum bus processing, sample integration, and creating that signature gated reverb effect, concluding with a before/after comparison of the final mix.
Overview
Syllabus
0:00 – Intro & session overview
1:30 – Kick & snare mic processing
3:00 – Sub kick & low-end enhancement
4:45 – Overheads EQ & compression
5:55 – Room mic processing & reverb
7:00 – Drum bus saturation & compression
8:30 – Adding samples
9:30 – Creating gated reverb
10:45 – Final mix Before/After comparison
Taught by
Waves Audio
