This is a pretty good summary of how to get that big, fat gated snare that was so popular in the 80's.
 
http://www.loopsdelacreme.com/studio-tips-and-tricks/create-the-perfect-80s-snares?mc_cid=9642261541&mc_eid=a2c4f9d22c
 
He's also got a new (and cheap) library of 80's snare samples plus a free mini version. I haven't tried either yet, and they might turn out to not be my cup o' tea (they're sampled from vintage drum machines), but I'm going to snag the freebie anyway. Because free is right in my price range.
 
Mike, this would be a nice practice exercise for you to turn them into a Kontakt instrument. That's what I plan to do with them.
 

Cool - I will check it out.
 
Bob Bone
 

Hi Bit,
 Thanks.
 
 I have to ask, was the seemingly ubiquitous 80's gated snare sound actually ever "popular"? I remember it was everywhere, but I don't remember anyone actually thinking it was anything but some sort of faddish annoyance.
 
:-)
 
 

Hmmm....

Must be something in the air....tonight.

mike_mccue
Hi Bit,
 Thanks.
 
 I have to ask, was the seemingly ubiquitous 80's gated snare sound actually ever "popular"? I remember it was everywhere, but I don't remember anyone actually thinking it was anything but some sort of faddish annoyance.
 
:-)
 
 

Engineers may have felt that way, the same way engineers despise extreme autotuning today. But its popularity was undeniable. Along with deep tuned toms it defined an entire genre of pop music, and for a period of time it was impossible to be competitive within certain styles without succumbing to it. 
 
IMO it's still a pretty cool effect, precisely because everybody isn't doing it anymore. It sure beats the thin electronic snare samples that are so ubiquitous nowadays.

If you say so. :-)
 
 
Where I was buying records in the 1980's it was markedly clear that the TV killed the radio star MTV music being piped into homes via cable and the 100,000 watt FM radio stations wasn't actually popular... it was just being shoved down people's ears.
 
Just saying... there may have been multiple experiences and more than one idea of what was popular. :-)

bitflipper
This is a pretty good summary of how to get that big, fat gated snare that was so popular in the 80's. 
 

OMG
 
why would anyone want to use that sound ever again?

Wasn't bob clearmountain the 'inventor' of this sound?

i first heard it (exaggerated gated reverby snare) on peter gabriel's 3rd album, (Melt), which was produced by steve lillywhite.
 
 

hugh padgham (sp?) engineered...