Genre for loops?

[timbreman]

Trying to figure out how many subgenres are applicable to hip hop and rap when talking about loops.

My specialty is not hip hop or rap and I am getting conflicting ideas of genres used for loops on other loop sites I visit.

So my question is what hip hop and rap subgenres can be used and defined with loops?

Are east coast and west coast styles relevant in both hip hop and rap when applied to only loops and not the full composition?

Should I simply leave a hip hop selection and a rap selection or would that be too restricting for loops?

Keeping in mind I am talking about regular single instrument loops here. Not compositions.

I want to try and keep it as simple as possible with the genre selection. I dont want numerous subgenres when certain loops can fit more than one.
So only the absolute most relevant genres for loops is what I need.

Thanks for any input!

[kenn]

I recently did something similar. The route I took was to ignore "genres" in favor of "categories". Main categories would be things like drums, bass, strings, keys. Subcategories would be things like live kits, drum machines, electric bass, synth bass, string pads, organs, etc. (Obviously, each sub category lives beneath its respective main category).

To me, loops are so organic that they can't be classified in genres. A drum and bass break might sound nice in a club at 180 bpm, but it might also sound nice slowed way the hell down and detuned in a hip-hop track.

And actually, for my latest site (http://kendoll.net, which is basically the same thing, but the only member is me), I'm trying to get rid of categories all together and focus on tags. Every loop can have an indefinite number of tags, and searching for those tags will show corresponding loops. That way, you can have loops that can be found by searching for "hip-hop", "drums", "hip-hop drums", etc.

[BeatMatters]

I would agree that breaking it down by instrumentation is more helpful. The rap genres are so blurred now it's hard to categorize a full song let alone just a loop.

[timbreman]

Yes the categories should definitely be the first thing to look at.

Just need to know how far it should go with the genres.

[g22]

I think you should just classify the loops by instrument, key, and tempo, and let the users define what genre they will use them for.

I don't think sample/loop based artists even pay attention to genre when looking for loops. If they are looking for a piano and it sounds good, they will use it.

Giving the Tempo and Key will be enough of a guide. If they are looking for a smooth r&b piano, they probably would ignore the ones at 120bpm, and be able to narrow their search down to the only ones in the 70's and 80's bpm.

[timbreman]

Originally Posted by g22

I think you should just classify the loops by instrument, key, and tempo, and let the users define what genre they will use them for.

I don't think sample/loop based artists even pay attention to genre when looking for loops. If they are looking for a piano and it sounds good, they will use it.

Giving the Tempo and Key will be enough of a guide. If they are looking for a smooth r&b piano, they probably would ignore the ones at 120bpm, and be able to narrow their search down to the only ones in the 70's and 80's bpm.

I get where you are coming from and understand and agree with your logic but there are just too many people out there that still want to see a genre attached to a loop. We are talking the less experimental noobs who feel they need a loop to be in a genre category to be comfortable buying it.

[g22]

Originally Posted by timbreman

I get where you are coming from and understand and agree with your logic but there are just too many people out there that still want to see a genre attached to a loop. We are talking the less experimental noobs who feel they need a loop to be in a genre category to be comfortable buying it.

thats cool, do what you thinks best for your site. If you ever need any loops hit me up, i play guitar, bass, and keyboard.