The Black Widow Drums project is the first published drum sampler showcase for FxmeSampler's advanced spatial and processing features. Recorded on a Gretsch Black Widow kit, it utilizes an original microphone array and signal processing chain to deliver a studio-ready drum sound.

Video demo here

Microphone Configuration:

• Overheads: Rode NT-SF1 First-Order Ambisonic microphone, capturing a full 360° sound field.
• Kick: Blue Kick Ball.
• Snare/Toms: Three Shure SM57s (Snare, High Tom, Low Tom).

Advanced Ambisonic-Mono Routing:

• Each drum element leverages the ambisonicmono hybrid strip. This routes the 4-channel B-Format overhead signal plus the dedicated proximity microphone into a single channel strip. This allows for:
• Spatial Sculpting: Precision control over the elevation, azimuth, and width of the overhead "view" for each specific drum.
• The Virtual MS Mic: The ability to treat the ambisonic field as a virtual Mid-Side pair that can be panned and balanced.
• Hybrid Mixing: An equal-power mix control to blend between the localized spatial field and the punch of the close-mic proximity signal.

Room Modeling

To optimize performance and reduce the plugin's memory footprint, the room sound is not played back from raw multi-channel files. Instead, a transfer function was calculated between the omnidirectional (W) component of the ambisonic overheads and the physical room microphones.

This resulted in Impulse Responses (IRs). The Room channel in the mixer functions as a real-time convolution engine, applying these IRs to the dry signals. This provides an authentic room character while saving gigabytes of sample data.

Processing & Mix Architecture:

• Channel Processing: Every strip features a dedicated effect chain consisting of a 4-band EQ, Dynamics (Compressor/Limiter), and Tube Saturation for harmonic enhancement.
• Parallel Compression Bus: A dedicated stereo bus for "New York style" parallel compression to add weight and density to the kit.
• Spatial FX Bus: A secondary bus hosting a combined Delay and Convolution Reverb for additional depth and atmosphere.

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