So you want to be a better, more realistic drum programmer, eh?
The biggest key to realistic drum programming is understanding the basics of drumming.
- Start with learning some basics:
- Ghost strokes - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n41IaVgtryI
- Drags - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERIKprd2F2A
- Single Paradiddles - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQIf5gObYLE
- Poly-rhythm grooves - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mn4spSM5RF4
Using bass drums in Fills - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ6QzYKn6Yg
Next, choose a sequencer editor that is conducive to detailed work (I prefer Fruityloops, but garageband works too).
/edit - for very detailed work, I prefer using the Protools midi editor, as you can edit beyond bar sub divisions and go straight to the sample level to move notes around (useful for flams and humanizing).
Never re-use the same pattern exactly, unless the song specifically calls for it. Always change something, even if you cut/paste patterns. - Add in a ghost stroke, change a hi-hat velocity, or some other velocity on the snares, etc.
never use max velocity for individual instruments all the time. Save the max velocity hits for when you actually need max velocity dynamics. Sure, that heavy part might sound heavier with the snare velocities cranked the whole time, but it'll sound a lot more realistic if you save those hardest hits for special areas (end of drum fills, or accenting specific hits). Use small velocity changes.
For fills, remember that one hand is generally not going to be as loud as the other (16th note fills, make the "left hand" slightly lower in velocity than the "right hand") - same holds true for flams or 16th note hi-hat patterns
Crash cymbals - don't follow a full fill (left to right toms) with a crash on the left side of the kit....place the crash to the right, where a real drummer would. Also, don't continue programming hi-hat , or ride cymbal work right up until when the crash is needed. Give your virtual drummer a chance to reach the cymbal :)
Build your patterns the way the best drummers do - save the craziest material for later in the song - always lift the next part a little bit. So, 1st verse may be a bit more simple, second verse might be a little more intricate, etc.
This can be something as simple as changing the hit hat pattern a little, or being a little more creative on the ride cymbal, or maybe using more ghost strokes.When importing your midi into a DAW, use your DAW's quantize/randmize tools. Randomize the quantize settings to a 64th note and let it pull some notes ahead, or behind the beat a litte. Velocity randomization can also help here.
Use good samples! A great drum programmer can make most anything sound realistic, but a good sample set helps a LOT. Something with at least 4 distinct velocity samples per instrument. If the samples have a round robin sample change (Such as Easydrummer from toontrack) then that also helps a lot.
/edit - this may not be the best example, but here's a sample of what some of the above techniques sound like when programming a "drum solo": https://soundcloud.com/user-793053395/velocities-example-1
I've been programming drums since the early mid 90's when cakewalk and protools 1.something came out and would be happy to answer any questions for those wanting to know more.
124 comments · 95% upvoted · other discussions
This is probably going to sound sarcastic, but I wonder:
Do you have any tips for making better less realistic drum beats? I don't necessarily want to trick people into thinking I have a live drummer and often emphasize that fact.. Any thoughts on this?
Some examples of what I mean that come to mind are Phil Collins' iconic beats from the 80s (tonight tonight tonight comes to mind), or David Byrne's 808 stuff from the beginning of stop making sense. yeah, I like 80s music ;)
Jedimastert 11 points · Sep 2016
Make every hit the exact same velocity
quantize/snap to the nearest 1/8 or 1/16 or whatever.
Repeat the same patterns and only have 2 or 3.
Generally, a simple pattern sounds more robotic
[deleted] 11 points · Sep 2016
And NEVER ADD SWING
pixel_juice 10 points · Sep 2016
I'm embarrassed by how long it took for me to even notice the swing function when I first started drum programming. Everything ended up sounding like NIN's "Closer".
Fun fact: The basic drum beat on "Closer" is actually a sample of Iggy Pop's "Nightclubbing". It comes full circle.
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c0wfunk 5 points · Sep 2016
im not sure robotic is quite what im usually going for, but thanks these are good thoughts.
[deleted] 8 points · Sep 2016
If you live-record with a midi controller (as opposed to penciling in a piano roll or "grid"), don't quantize, and if you do, quantize to as low as percentage as you can reasonably tolerate.
This is beneficial for a couple reasons, including that it makes you a better performer, because you have to rely on your own skills and timing. Over time, this will make you a great performer (at least at this task ;) and instead of the mistakes of a novice programmer, your drum tracks will have your signature, human, "groove." Unique, one-of-a-kind drum tracks, every time!
All this without having to learn what type of swing to add to your tracks, memorize "grid" patterns, customize velocities, whatever, cause you can just play the part how you want it the first time. I just use a keyboard.
Many greats program this way, the Neptunes, Timbaland, yada yada.
The idea is that you're playing parts/ patterns that aren't realistic, a la Phil Collins, Talking Heads, Prince, but they've got a hard-to-qualify "human" characteristic to them. Some top-end programs emulate this effect.
[deleted] 11 points · Sep 2016
And try to only quantize certain parts, such as the bass drum and snare. The ride cymbal (for instance) can be looser.
[deleted] 4 points · Sep 2016
Totally important concept.
[deleted] 9 points · Sep 2016
Actually, I should probably revise that comment: Try to play as on-time as possible and practice practice practice. Your parts should fall squarely, precisely where you want them, but it feels and sounds better when a human being is placing those notes rather than a machine. So when people say "don't quantize everything" that doesn't mean you shouldn't develop a great sense of rhythm and timing that comes from practice and dedication. It's not a blank check to create incompetent and loose rhythm parts. Practice your shit until you're better than the machine. Don't be one of those assholes who says "I don't want it TOO perfect." Trust me: If you think you're going to make something too perfect, you don't have the ear or experience to understand what that even means.
I'm sure you know that, though. I'm saying it more for the benefit of young 'uns Who might be perusing this thread.
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c0wfunk 2 points · Sep 2016
excellent tips. mostly im doing drums on my novation circuit which auto quantizes and has a swimg variable. i do usually finger drum the parts in rather than programming them so at least the velocity is variable that way.
alittlesadnow 2 points · Sep 2016
Doing it this way gives greater freedom and personal style.
Using a sp 404sx to make my music and nothing is quantized. I just use a clicktrack live.
This means I can adjust the swing amount, fills, pauses and timing very easily. Wouldn't have it any other way.
To add to your list, J Dilla and Fly Lo
bstix 5 points · Sep 2016
One thing I like to do to achieve a nice groove, without trying to mimic realistic drums, is to add a second (or third) drumkit. How often do you see bands with two drumkits on stage? Well, it happens, and it's usually pretty cool. There's no reason why you can't apply this instant coolness to your synthetic drums.
Another thing is trying to mimic a sampled beat instead of mimicking real drums. Ever notice how much cymbal is on sampled grooves? If you look into the sampled loops, you'll see cymbal tails and reverb from previous bars starting in the first bar. Do that. Cut the samples, start them from them wrong position, pitch them, loop sections, reverse them, vocode, distortion etc. etc. All of this is unnatural, but it's still "drums", and it can create all kinds of groovy stuff.
One of my favourite "drum" patches is actually random noises I recorded at home and simply USED as drums.
I know this isn't the kind of artificial 80s beat, that you specifically asked for, but I you want to make artificial beats, you might as well embrace the idea and let the machine take the beat to where humans can't. Computer drums doesn't have to be a poor mans substitute for real drums. Just as the 303 isn't really a substitue for bass guitar.
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