Basic drum pattern tips

[garyjones42]

Hey guys, I'm new to making beats and i have been trouble with making good drums. The basics are kick on first beat snare on second right? Is there any cool /special techniques you use to get complex drum sounds, mind are sounding way to generic and empty. Also, how do you keep them fresh and unique throughout the sound so it doesn't get repetitive, but at the same time keeping the same flow of things. Thanks!

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by garyjones42

Hey guys, I'm new to making beats and i have been trouble with making good drums. The basics are kick on first beat snare on second right? Is there any cool /special techniques you use to get complex drum sounds, mind are sounding way to generic and empty. Also, how do you keep them fresh and unique throughout the sound so it doesn't get repetitive, but at the same time keeping the same flow of things. Thanks!

1) Add accents---when everything is at the same volume, beats can sound robotic, lifeless, etc. Dynamics are interesting. Instead of a hi-hat that goes (XXXXXXXX) try making it (XxXxXxXx) using the volume of the individual track.

2) Add ghost notes---BOOM BAP BOOM BOOM BAP. There's a lot of space between each of those hits. Try adding soft snare or kicks to taste.
BOOM BAP ba-BOOM BOOM BAP, etc

3) Don't snap everything to grid---there is a tendency these days to snap everything to grid, always. Just remember the human ear doesn't necessarily enjoy regularity above all else. Flying Lotus is a good argument for the merits of rhythmic irregularity in hip hop. Elsewhere, such as Brazilian and Afro-cuban percussion, irregularity is the norm.

4) Vary the rhythms---Listen to (new or old) music to get ideas. Sing along to drum beats to internalize the rhythms. If you are stuck putting kick on one and snare on two and have run out of ideas, then time to put the Jaws of Life to your horizons!
In conclusion, the amount of attention-to-detail is usually the difference between good and great (IMHO YMMV).

What are you making beats with?

[KT1]

Really nice post but i really dont get this dont snap stuff to grid - Fly Lo is the ultimate grid abuse! His drum patterns are very very straight! The wonky illusion is simply pulling back a one shot buy a few nudges etc to create a natural or irregular groove. It is still on a grid! Most hip hop is.

I'm assuming that perhaps you meant that quantisation in a straight 4/4 could be avoided to create more swing or change a groove? If that's what you mean then yes i agree!

Still think it's a great post!

Also you can try and use some classic break loops. Get the Bpm and program your drums to literally copy them. It's a great way to see and learn realtime what makes that groove or sound work.

[breakbeat-cafe]

Automation is great for programmed drums, check this Dave Pensado video out, the bit you want starts about 2mins 25secs.

- Pensado's Place - #49 - Dave Aron - YouTube

[LimpyLoo]

Originally Posted by KT1

Really nice post but i really dont get this dont snap stuff to grid - Fly Lo is the ultimate grid abuse! His drum patterns are very very straight! The wonky illusion is simply pulling back a one shot buy a few nudges etc to create a natural or irregular groove. It is still on a grid! Most hip hop is.

I'm assuming that perhaps you meant that quantisation in a straight 4/4 could be avoided to create more swing or change a groove? If that's what you mean then yes i agree!

Obviously every hit is gonna be on some grid at some resolution.

[KT1]

Originally Posted by LimpyLoo

Obviously every hit is gonna be on some grid at some resolution.

Yeh you're right..that was a really stupid and pedantic comment. My bad! haha