House/Techno shakers

[DM909]

Hello,

I have some problems with my shakers patterns. I have no problem to build the sound (got it by layering some shakers with different filters) but as I am not a drummer, I am stuck on the pattern itself.

Here is a good example of what I am trying to achieve : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKQ_YPT4tTk (at 1:00)

I am pretty sure it is something easy but mine aren't good at all.

I don't wanna make a "copy" of this track, but these shakers bring some groove to the track.

I've tried to make a 1/4 bar loop with a shaker on each 1/16 note with different velocities (with some sidechain and a small delay) but that's not getting me where I want to be... Reverse engineering didn't help neither...

I saw an existing thread about the same question but it didn't explain anything about it as I have no microphone and no real shaker in the studio ^^

Any advice is welcome!

[102455]

You want it have like a train chugging effect, yes? Kind of CHUCKA chucka CHUCKA chucka...

Are you using shaker samples? Are they just a single shake (CHI) or do they have a double shake, like CHIchi (or chucka)?

In other words the backward and forward motion of a maraca/shaker.

A good example can be found in the break of Think (about it) by Lyn Collins. Listen to 1:22 onwards http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHn48b7iWF0

[nbinder]

Also, either there is some flanger effect on the shaker or the youtube compression made it sound like that.

[docprosper]

No youtube right now but one quick thought regardless:

You might try warping a measure of the sound you like, then szoom into the audio and find how each various shake sound leads or lags the beats. This will be easier if you have a solo measure with minimal other sounds - melody, vocals, etc. From this you could try to deduce how to add a similar groove to your own shakers.
-Hamish

[störgeräusche]

try this freeware

shaker maker

[DM909]

will check this out! thank you!

[hacktheplanet]

This might sound crazy, but you could always pick up some of those small shakers from your local music shop and record them using a microphone.

[docprosper]

This might sound crazy, but you could always pick up some of those small shakers from your local music shop and record them using a microphone.

super crazy, using real instruments ffs.
Ban Hammer!!

[beats me]

I think this is one of those situations where you can just use a PRO shaker audio loop and get on with your day without feeling guilty about it. You’re already using samples. It’s not a huge integrity leap from there to use a whole loop.

[nbinder]

This might sound crazy, but you could always pick up some of those small shakers from your local music shop and record them using a microphone.

+1
I bought a whole box of small percussion instruments for only a few €.... literally worth every penny (cent).

[Pitch Black]

+1

I'm a shaker fanatic - I can't go past a "Trade Aid" type shop (goods and crafts from around the globe) without checking if they have just one more shaker/small percussion instrument. There always might be one with a new "note" or texture. I've got a basket of about 30-40 toys. So different from pushing pixels around on the screen.

Shakers are one thing you can often record decently on a built-in laptop mic... no need for massive bottom-end response.

[footsy]

This might sound crazy, but you could always pick up some of those small shakers from your local music shop and record them using a microphone.

The ONLY problem is getting the right microphone for this though... which will be around eehhh 100 to 300 dollars

I mean you could just use a cheap condenser mic, but you're gonna get a crappy result.

[DM909]

lots of interesting answers here! thank you guys!

[oblique strategies]

+1
I've got a basket of about 30-40 toys. So different from pushing pixels around on the screen.

Toys rule! I have a collection as well. So much fun. Thrift shops are a great resource for new sounds & toy instruments.

If you have friends with kids arrange to borrow their toys for some recording & jam sessions. You can build up a very personal collection of unique sounds.

Shakers are one thing you can often record decently on a built-in laptop mic... no need for massive bottom-end response.

Excellent point.

[DM909]

I have tried the "shaker maker" and it helped a lot ! I've been able to get the kind of groove I was looking for !