Review

Kick

Kick drums are the lowest drum sound in a drum kit. They can be fast and percussive like an acoustic kick or long and tonal like an 808.

Waveform:

• Sine recommended.

• Other waveforms are possible, but will fill up the frequency spectrum.

Amplitude Envelope:

• Attack: 0 ms 

• Decay: 100–300 ms 

• Sustain: 0-40% 

• Release: 10–150 ms

Pitch Envelope:

• Attack: 0ms 

• Decay: 30–80 ms 

• Sustain: 0% 

• Release: 10 ms
  
  
  

Snare

Snare drums live in the midrange of a drum kit. They can be sharp and punchy, or soft and lo-fi.

Waveform:

• Use noise to mimic a snare rattle.

• Sine wave for low-mid body.

Amplitude Envelope:

• Attack: 0–5 ms

• Decay: 20–200 ms

• Sustain: 0-20%

• Release: 10 ms

Pitch Envelope:

• Attack: 0ms

• Decay: 10–50 ms

• Sustain: 0%

• Release: 10 ms
  
  

Hi-Hat

Hi-hats are the highest sound in a drum kit. They can be short and transient like a closed hi-hat or longer like an open hi-hat.

Waveform:

• Use noise.

• No pitched oscillator needed.

Amplitude Envelope:

• Attack: 0–5 ms

• Decay: 50–150 ms (closed) or 300–800 ms (open)

• Sustain: 0% (closed) or 20–40% (open)

• Release: 10 ms (closed) or 450–750 ms (open)

Pitch Envelope: No pitch envelope needed.