Using expanders to create more “punch”

Previously in this book, we explored using compressors and limiters to increase the overall loudness of a track. While you can (and should) use this for many types of instruments, using an expander to bring out the transients or attacks first will ensure the impact of the instrument is heard over the other parts captured. Once again, we’ll use drums as our basis as it’s easiest to demonstrate.

Two parts of a drum kit that are easiest to conceptualize are the kick and overheads. A kick drum is usually supposed to sound like a hard percussive thud. A well setup and recorded kick drum might be able to achieve this sound without further processing, but more often the microphone will capture other parts of the kit and the “ring” of the kick drum as the impact resonates throughout the internal structure of the instrument. Overheads meant to capture the cymbals also have this challenge, although you usually...