Anyone can put together a straight rhythm with just a kick and a snare drum. Simple four on the floor beats and slightly syncopated grooves are catchy, and they form the basis of most current dance, pop, and hip hop music. Here is a secret for making those drum loops really stand out.
The beat is the most fundamental aspect of the song. A perfectly serviceable rhythm can be achieved simply by striking one percussive instrument at regular intervals. Although this simple beat is enough to guide singers and musicians, the incorporation of additional percussion opens up entirely new vistas of rhythmic potential.
These basic elements in modern beats are the kick and the snare. Shakers, cymbals, and other percussion are just ways to make this basic rhythm more intricate. If either the kick or the snare doesn't sound good, the rest of the beat will suffer.
The secret is to layer samples together and trigger them simultaneously. Perhaps the most basic example of this would be to select a primary kick sound, something with a nice initial hit and a little bit of depth to it, and then apply compression until the attack is very prominent. Keeping a little bit of the bass thump in the mix will help to offset the click of the attack.
To go with this first patch, a darker toned kick patch is often selected. The second sound is often largely dictated by genre, and producers may prefer a wide range of thicker sounds. Experimentation is the key to discovering the perfect match.
With a layered kick in place, making bouncy drum loops is a lot easier. The thicker bass sound will carry nicely over syncopation and engage the listener. These are the beats that really get people dancing.
The beat is the most fundamental aspect of the song. A perfectly serviceable rhythm can be achieved simply by striking one percussive instrument at regular intervals. Although this simple beat is enough to guide singers and musicians, the incorporation of additional percussion opens up entirely new vistas of rhythmic potential.
These basic elements in modern beats are the kick and the snare. Shakers, cymbals, and other percussion are just ways to make this basic rhythm more intricate. If either the kick or the snare doesn't sound good, the rest of the beat will suffer.
The secret is to layer samples together and trigger them simultaneously. Perhaps the most basic example of this would be to select a primary kick sound, something with a nice initial hit and a little bit of depth to it, and then apply compression until the attack is very prominent. Keeping a little bit of the bass thump in the mix will help to offset the click of the attack.
To go with this first patch, a darker toned kick patch is often selected. The second sound is often largely dictated by genre, and producers may prefer a wide range of thicker sounds. Experimentation is the key to discovering the perfect match.
With a layered kick in place, making bouncy drum loops is a lot easier. The thicker bass sound will carry nicely over syncopation and engage the listener. These are the beats that really get people dancing.
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Have a look at OddGrooves' web resource for more tips on how to make your own drum loops? A range of free drum loops is also available for download.
