Drum programming help

[ibenhad]

So this has probably been beat to death everywhere but I cannot put together a song drum wise to save my ass. I usually end up using the same beat all the way through and that just sucks balls and never lets me really finish anything. I have drum machines, electronic kit, software and even the Maschine but still have trouble getting crap together. Plus I am beyond rhythmically challenged. I love when Dweezil Zappa claims he has a spastic rhythm sense because that is me in a nutshell and being ADHD sure doesn't help. Hey, look a squirrel! Anyway any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. TIA...

 

[supersonic]

To program drums you need to have an understanding of how to play drums. Imagine yourself sitting at a kit and break down each section. Or you can pick a pattern that sounds close to the feel you're after and tweak it to taste, audition some fills and drop them in here and there to mix it up.That works for me anyway.

 

[kasperjensen]

A good place to start, is if you have something like Superior Drummer then buy the Groove packs, bring them in to the DAW and then look at what they are doing. That way you can actually see what that particular drum fill looks like, for example.

Apart from that... It's just sitting your hind down and hammering it out. After a while it gets easier.

 

[JerEvil]

A good place to start, is if you have something like Superior Drummer then buy the Groove packs, bring them in to the DAW and then look at what they are doing. That way you can actually see what that particular drum fill looks like, for example.

Apart from that... It's just sitting your hind down and hammering it out. After a while it gets easier.

This, as well as the first reply.

I am a passable drummer so I understand the mechanics. I create fairly believable beats that aren't physically impossible (i.e. Cymbal crash + hi hat + ride all at once).

In the interest of saving time, I bought 3 packs of beats from groovemonkee.com

Much easier taking existing beats and editing. Also, I have taken midi files of songs I like and opened them in my DAW, deleted every instrument except the drums and gone from there.

The hardest thing I programmed (for me) was a believable snare shuffle for a fast paced punk song.

 

[Atropos_Project]

I'd argue that if you have the rhythm sense to play guitar consistently, then you have the rhythm sense to play drums, you just need to apply it in a different fashion.

My advice would be to listen to other drummers that are in the ballpark of what you're going for, and try to break down what they're doing and emulate it on the grid. You don't need to learn to play the drums (though it'd help! lol), but you should be able to discern what's going where.

As far as variance goes, in many cases it's simply a matter of halving or doubling the tempo for short durations. You can reverse the kick and snare to alter the groove of what's going on. Untold amounts of songs consist of nothing more than 1/4 and 1/8th notes played on a 4 piece kit, and even more rock music is nothing more than 4/4 all the way through.

Regarding fills, they don't need to be complex to be effective. Start with simple ones, and then you can build out once you figure out how much time you want to allot for it.

 

[ibenhad]

Thanks guys. Headed down to the studio now to see what I come up with. Appreciate the posts and ideas. Will let you know how I make out. 1 and 2 and 3 and 4... haha

 

[Vrad]

Go on YouTube and watch some drum tutorials. About 1/2 hr of that you'll see what a typical beat/fill looks like and which pieces are being hit.