Make sure that the clappers take a step back from the mic for the second take in order to capture more room sound (this will make them sound even bigger). Double-tracking the claps makes them sound far bigger.Claps are often augmented with foot stomps, boards, or electronic claps to achieve the proper effect. Claps are best done in a group, and the more clappers the better.

You get twice as many claps and a somewhat darker, more full-bodied timbre, but not as much edge or definition. Technique #5: Try having the clappers sit and slap their thighs. The distance and timing variation gives a nice thick, cascading effect. Split the claps between two styles: sharp slap-clap done by slapping the fingers of one hand into the palm, and a deeper, more standard palm clap done by clapping both palms together. Have the folks nearest the mic clap more on top of the beat and the folks farther away clap more laid back. Technique #4: Space the clappers a couple of feet apart distance-wise from the mic. This is provide an edge to the sound that’s probably missing from using only fleshy hands. Technique #3: Mix in someone clapping two pieces of wood together (instead of their hands) with the real handclaps (a classic old-school trick). This also has the advantage of picking up more room from the back side of the mic, which could be an advantage in a good room, or something to avoid if it isn’t. You have to change the position of the microphone from above the clappers to on line with them for this to work. Technique #2: Use a mic with a figure-8 pattern to avoid any slap echo from the floor or ceiling. © 2017 Bobby Owsinski (Source: iStock Photo) Technique #1: Claps need distance to develop, so start with a dynamic mic (to smooth out the transients) at least 3 feet away (see the graphic below). Place the mic a couple of feet above the clappers and point it down in order to eliminate air bursts from the hands. The larger the room is and the better it sounds, the less work will be required to make them sound larger than life.

Placementsįirst of all remember that the sound of the room plays a big part in the sound. Here are 5 techniques that you can use for recording handclaps, along with a number of useful tips for making them sound bigger than life. That said, getting a great clap sound can be elusive, as the huge effect that everyone expects is more difficult to achieve than you might expect. It’s surprising how often handclaps are used, either as an enhancement to the backbeat or as a standalone mix element. 5 Techniques For Recording Great Handclaps

Mic doesnt work with one hand clapping