3 Tips for Clean & Crispy Hi-Hats
Ready to level up your hi-hat game? We've gathered some nice tips from Leslie Brathwaite, Jaycen Joshua, and Mick Guzauski. No BS, just actionable insights to make your hi-hats cut through perfectly. 🔥 Get 3 techniques that'll transform your hi-hat game.
Mix with the Masters
Crispier electronic hi-hats with EQ
Leslie Brathwaite enhances the crispness and presence of electronic hi-hats in a hip-hop mix using the Waves Q10 and UAD Precision EQ. He starts by rolling off the low end with the Q10 EQ to focus on the hi-hat's higher frequencies, ensuring a clean and clear sound. To add extra sparkle, Brathwaite boosts the 27kHz frequency by about 4dB using the UAD Precision EQ, giving the hi-hats a subtle yet noticeable crispness that helps them stand out in the mix.
Mix with the Masters
Create separation between snare and hi-hat with EQ
Jaycen Joshua recommends attenuating the 6-8 kHz range with an EQ on the snare to reduce masking with the hi-hat. This approach distinctly separates the snare from the hi-hat, a crucial element in modern pop and electronic music, ensuring its prominent presence in the mix.
SonicScoop
Tuck in a hihat with sidechain compression
Mick Guzauski demonstrates how to use sidechain compression with the Avid BF-76 to make a hi-hat sit well in a busy mix. By routing the bass drum sample into the sidechain input of the hi-hat's compressor, he creates more movement and ensures the hi-hat tucks in nicely with the rest of the elements. This method also adds rhythmic interest without overpowering other instruments.