Adding Groove to tracks

sega · Post by **sega** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:38 pm

Hi

I've been attempting to make some tunes in Live. The results are ok, but they sound quite mechanically and lack that grove that makes a track stand out.

Any ideas on how to do this. I've used the groove function a bit but it doesn't really seem to give the results I'm after........

Thanks in advance.

phased · Post by **phased** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 5:25 pm

I'm wondering the same thing, see my post: http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=50959

I'm new to Live, and found out it doesn't really support groove templates, like some other progs. Yeah the "swing" function isn't really what I'm looking for either. You can use warp markers on an audio clip, and designate it as the "master" in the arrangement view. Then everything will groove to that clip via tempo control, but I'd rather have clip-specific control. And automate the tempo seperately (speed up chorus, etc).

So I'm wondering what to use for groove templates.

Dj Sly20 · Post by **Dj Sly20** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 11:39 pm

sega wrote:The results are ok, but they sound quite mechanically

Maybe you could use some option of the follow action in the launch box of clips... you will add random to your beat layout!?

Have you try?

Landser · Post by **Landser** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 8:43 pm

Do you mean the groove feeling or the static feeling?
For a good dance groove a static feeling can work very well.
Usually the problem lies in the groove.
Things to look for:
The envelopes of the samples must support the groove - after the kick is correct, experiment with the ADSR-amp-env of the ohht first. It may not be too long and not be to short. Pay the same attention to all four phases A-D-S-R.

Take care about the note lenghts (varying ohhts lenght).

Take care about the velocities. Teh groove feeling is created in the psychoacoustic sphere. So varying sample velos mut not be heard, but it adds to the groove or fights against it.

EQ correctly.

The bass is a science on it's own, but here also the above mentioned is valid.

Then the dynamics come into play.

Lot's of unknown variables in one equation, i know.
So start with one bar, load up your beloved, (not too complicated - don't start with a Benassi-groove) reference groove, and don't do anything else, until you can reproduce that groove. This could become hard weeks or even months, but you will really learn a lot about the whole production process, from the sound selection, sound-programming, EQ-, dynamics and ambience to arrangement. But if you make music just for fun, forget about producing a good sound. A good sound only comes from serious labour and lots of experience.

Hope that helps.

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 9:29 pm

Main thing for me is syncopes. Emphasize everything that isn't on even 8ths.

Vinc T · Post by **Vinc T** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 10:33 pm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncopation

Machinate · Post by **Machinate** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 10:58 pm

Vinc T wrote:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syncopation

very nice article, that.

mercyplease · Post by **mercyplease** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:28 am

Dj Sly20 wrote:
sega wrote:The results are ok, but they sound quite mechanically
Maybe you could use some option of the follow action in the launch box of clips... you will add random to your beat layout!?

Have you try?

How the fuck that help.
Could some one beam me up or something.

mercyplease · Post by **mercyplease** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:40 am

sega wrote:Hi

I've been attempting to make some tunes in Live. The results are ok, but they sound quite mechanically and lack that grove that makes a track stand out.

Any ideas on how to do this. I've used the groove function a bit but it doesn't really seem to give the results I'm after........

Thanks in advance.

The only way you can adjust midi for groove in live is use the brand new modern method of manually moving midi notes. This means turning off the grid and manually moving notes in samples. Its a shit hot method and looks like all the software companies are going to adopt this. I really like it because I like to add subtle groove nuances on many different tracks. I spent on average about six hours working some sort of groove in to my tracks with live. Sometimes I lose the plot while adjusting manually and forget what it is I was doing in the first place but thats part of the fun.
Audio is even more fun because it means you have to warp your audio and then you get to manually move warp markers in the wrong places to try and add a groove that then turns your audio in to lumpy soup. Its a big hit or miss but I love the randomness of the whole thing and always appreciat ehearing the transients of my sound dissapear.
*The new mater clip is amazing. You should read the manual on it and about how much they mention groove.
Theres a thread somewhere on the wish list section on this. go sign your name on it.

longjohns · Post by **longjohns** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 2:47 am

GOD DAMN THIS SOFTWARE,

I DEMAND A BUTTON TO AUTOMATICALLY MAKE MY PLAYING "FUNKY"

(it's called "funky" right? - seriously, I'm hip to your lingo, jive cat!! Stay cool, daddy-O)

phased · Post by **phased** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 4:36 am

mercyplease wrote:
sega wrote:Hi

I've been attempting to make some tunes in Live. The results are ok, but they sound quite mechanically and lack that grove that makes a track stand out.

Any ideas on how to do this. I've used the groove function a bit but it doesn't really seem to give the results I'm after........

Thanks in advance.
The only way you can adjust midi for groove in live is use the brand new modern method of manually moving midi notes. This means turning off the grid and manually moving notes in samples. Its a shit hot method and looks like all the software companies are going to adopt this. I really like it because I like to add subtle groove nuances on many different tracks. I spent on average about six hours working some sort of groove in to my tracks with live. Sometimes I lose the plot while adjusting manually and forget what it is I was doing in the first place but thats part of the fun.
Audio is even more fun because it means you have to warp your audio and then you get to manually move warp markers in the wrong places to try and add a groove that then turns your audio in to lumpy soup. Its a big hit or miss but I love the randomness of the whole thing and always appreciat ehearing the transients of my sound dissapear.
*The new mater clip is amazing. You should read the manual on it and about how much they mention groove.
Theres a thread somewhere on the wish list section on this. go sign your name on it.

Architect · Post by **Architect** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:24 am

What's with all this groove talk lately, shit the groove comes from the way you play your music. People are getting way too spoiled with this great software we have, and are getting way too technical with it and thinking that the machine is supposed to do it all for you! Just be creative and figure out ways to do what you want instead of blaming it on ableton programmers for not putting the "platinum hit record" button in Live yet lol.

But seriously I am all for new features but shouldn't we leave some things alone is there a point where we are asking too much and should be content with what we have. I feel as though the less I have to worry about the more creative I can be with my music, you don't have to give me everything just a few good tools to get the job done and I'll do the rest. And in my opinion with Ableton 5 I got that...

phased · Post by **phased** » Tue Oct 31, 2006 4:36 am

I would do the groove myself, but ableton isn't even letting me do that:
http://www.ableton.com/forum/viewtopic. ... highlight=

So it's that or groove templates.

Adding Groove to tracks

Adding Groove to tracks

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Re: Adding Groove to tracks

Re: Adding Groove to tracks

Re: Adding Groove to tracks