Try layering, as said above. Program something simple but punchy like a ordinary two step beat (snare on 2 and 4, kick on 1, 2.5 and/or 3.5, hats to taste). EQ out the higher frequencies. Now put your recycled break on top and EQ out the lower frequencies on that one. Rerarrange your break so it swings with the base beat. The base beat gives backbone to the rythm and the break give the rythmic variation and swing.
Something that helped me immensely in programming my own breaks (not that I'm very good..) is a book for drummers called "The Ten Commandments of RnB Drumming" by a drummer named Zoro. It goes through a lot of drumming styles and patterns for funk, soul etc. Since funk and soul records are the classical sources for breaks, understanding how a real drummer plays those kinds of music helps a lot.
Drum 'n' Bass People
You are wicked... thanks man!Michael-SW wrote:Try layering, as said above. Program something simple but punchy like a ordinary two step beat (snare on 2 and 4, kick on 1, 2.5 and/or 3.5, hats to taste). EQ out the higher frequencies. Now put your recycled break on top and EQ out the lower frequencies on that one. Rerarrange your break so it swings with the base beat. The base beat gives backbone to the rythm and the break give the rythmic variation and swing.
Something that helped me immensely in programming my own breaks (not that I'm very good..) is a book for drummers called "The Ten Commandments of RnB Drumming" by a drummer named Zoro. It goes through a lot of drumming styles and patterns for funk, soul etc. Since funk and soul records are the classical sources for breaks, understanding how a real drummer plays those kinds of music helps a lot.
And thanks to all who have offered help!
[i][b]Bob Dylan[/b][/i] wrote: Noting the music industry's complaints that illegal downloading means people are getting their music for free, he said, "Well, why not? It ain't worth nothing anyway."
I dont suppose I'll have anything new to add. The main point has already been made: LAYERS!!
layer some pre-recorded break loops on top of other break loops, and throw in 1 or 2 more layers of your own programmed beats. Find a balance between all these. For example, if you have a beat with a punchy, sharp kick, layer another one with a not so punchy, more bottom-heavy, thumping kick to add depth and fullness. Things like that. Trust your ears. And COMPRESS!! After you've put together a few layers, you should compress them (via a submix buss or something like that) so that the separation between them is less evident and there is cohesion among them. This also takes away some of the dryness that might make your beats sound a bit stale.
I'm no expert just yet, but I've started getting noticed in DnB world in the past year or so. Been a slow process, since I've been doing it solo and I've had to juggle between my life as a producer and a full time college student, while most new big names that get recognized quickly nowadays are outfits of 2, 3, or more people who are fully focused on production, OR can keep the ball rolling while one of them is busy with their real life issues. Anyways no complaints. I love going solo, because you get to learn so much more by yourself instead of relying on 1 or 2 other guys to get your tunes sounding sharp.
So because I went solo and I didnt have all the time in the world, it was a bit hard for me to get things going, especially, just ike you, in the beats department. But the thing is not to get frustrated. You'll get it eventually. Accept criticism, and put the feedback to work. Practice a lot, and A/B with tunes from other producers who you admire. Dont copy them, but use them as reference as to how to EQ, mix, compress, etc... just how to build your own tunes.
Good luck
layer some pre-recorded break loops on top of other break loops, and throw in 1 or 2 more layers of your own programmed beats. Find a balance between all these. For example, if you have a beat with a punchy, sharp kick, layer another one with a not so punchy, more bottom-heavy, thumping kick to add depth and fullness. Things like that. Trust your ears. And COMPRESS!! After you've put together a few layers, you should compress them (via a submix buss or something like that) so that the separation between them is less evident and there is cohesion among them. This also takes away some of the dryness that might make your beats sound a bit stale.
I'm no expert just yet, but I've started getting noticed in DnB world in the past year or so. Been a slow process, since I've been doing it solo and I've had to juggle between my life as a producer and a full time college student, while most new big names that get recognized quickly nowadays are outfits of 2, 3, or more people who are fully focused on production, OR can keep the ball rolling while one of them is busy with their real life issues. Anyways no complaints. I love going solo, because you get to learn so much more by yourself instead of relying on 1 or 2 other guys to get your tunes sounding sharp.
So because I went solo and I didnt have all the time in the world, it was a bit hard for me to get things going, especially, just ike you, in the beats department. But the thing is not to get frustrated. You'll get it eventually. Accept criticism, and put the feedback to work. Practice a lot, and A/B with tunes from other producers who you admire. Dont copy them, but use them as reference as to how to EQ, mix, compress, etc... just how to build your own tunes.
Good luck