In this video for Production Expert, James takes a look at UNMIX::DRUMS by Zynaptiq. This video demonstrates how UNMIX::DRUMs on the stereo bus to remove the drums or bring the drums out in a mix. James also shows us how you can use UNMIX::DRUMS on individual elements such as the drums or bass to shape the individual elements' transients.

Unmix is a plugin that allows you to attenuate or boost the drums in mixed music in real-time. It does this using "Source Signal separation Technology". Basically, a clever algorithm that suppresses the drum elements or boosts them in a mixed track. In addition to that, when used on separate tracks such as a drum bus, you can use it to alter the punch, transients, and overall dynamics of the drums. The same can be applied if it is placed on the bass buss or even individual tracks.

You have a number of controls and three layers, depending on how complex you want to go.

Main Controls

The first screen (main) is a simple GUI with the basic controls laid out for you. On this screen, you have a threshold that adjusts the level of detection you are asking the algorithm to look at. This is not an RMS level-based threshold but a 'drumness' threshold. The higher the threshold, the more drum-like a sound has to be included in the attenuation/boost. Conversely, the lower the THRESHOLD value, the more non-drum sounds like the attack transients of strummed guitars or slapped bass notes will be included in the boost. Next, you have a drum level where you can adjust or boost the amount of drum sound. And the release adjusts how long attenuation persists after a detected drum sound has stopped playing. You have a choice of algorithms to choose from, such as punchy and smooth and a number of presets to choose from.

Fine-Tune

On the second page (fine-tune), you have other parameters to alter how the algorithm affects the sound. Such as detection density which adjusts the amount of sound which is detected, and unmix feather, which allows applying "feathering", as known from image manipulation software, to smooth out the "edges" of the detection. One of the special features of this plugin is the bass synth slider. This allows you synthetically add in lower frequency harmonics to the sound that you are affecting. Very handy when you want to add a bit of punch and weight to drums or bass.

Breakpoint Curve Editor

On the third page, more control is available in the form of a breakpoint curve editor, which allows you to control the frequency dependency of the threshold, drum level and release curve. This can be particularly handy for different types of drums, such as live or electronic.

What Can You Do With It?

This is where the magic really happens. For crate-diggers, this is a fantastic tool to find a sample and remove the drums to leave just the other elements of a song. Creativity is key here, and resampling springs to mind. So for all you experimental, hip hop and drum and bass artists, this is definitely worth looking at, but even for rock music, it is equally useful. Also, adding a bit of punch to a lifeless mix can be achieved using this plugin. And shaping bass and drums independently is also possible. I would recommend trying it as there is nothing else quite like it of which I’m aware.

Zynaptiq UNMIX::DRUMS Features

• Source Separation-Based Control of Drum Level in Mixed Music.

• SMOOTH and PUNCHY Boost Modes.

• Sample-Accurate Sub-Bass (Re)Synthesizer.

• Frequency Dependent Control of Key Parameters.

• Intuitive 3-way GUI Design.

Explore what UNMIX DRUMS can do with a free trial now over at Zynaptiq’s website.