How to Make Boom Bap 🎧 | Logic Pro Drummer 🥁

Summary

In this video, the creator shares expert tips for crafting boombox-style hip-hop beats using Logic Pro. Starting with Logic's Drummer for hi-hats, the tutorial progresses to custom kick and snare samples, emphasizing groove creation with velocity variation. It then delves into adding warmth and retro feel with vintage effects and processing, layering various instruments like guitars, strings, and pianos. The session concludes with mixing techniques, showcasing a final boom-bap track arrangement and offering downloadable resources for viewers to experiment with similar sounds.

Takeaways

• 🎵 The video is a tutorial on creating a boombox hip-hop production in Logic Pro, focusing on achieving a retro feel with specific samples and processing techniques.
• 🥁 It emphasizes starting with Logic's Drummer 'Drama' for hi-hats, but using custom kick and snare samples for a better fit with the production style.
• 🔗 The tutorial provides links to download kick and snare samples, as well as recommends checking out videos on Logix Drummer.
• 🎶 The use of different Drummer styles and hi-hat patterns is highlighted for flexibility, with a preference for an R&B style using Rose as the virtual drummer.
• 👆 The importance of varying velocities in drum hits to create a more realistic and groovy pattern is discussed, with specific note on the kick drum's dynamics.
• ⚙️ The tutorial demonstrates adjusting quantization settings to tighten up the groove and change the grid divisions for swing effect.
• 👂 It introduces the idea of layering additional percussion like open hi-hats and shakers, utilizing Apple Loops and Flex time features for precise audio alignment.
• 🎸 The creation of an old school R&B vibe is covered by using guitar loops from the Apple Loops library and processing them with the Waves CLA Guitars plugin.
• 🎼 Other elements like strings, flutes, and piano are added to build the track, using Logic's built-in sounds and third-party plugins for a richer sound.
• 🔧 Post-production techniques are showcased, including using plugins like Tony Maserati GRP for drums, Isotope Vinyl for warmth, and Waves Apex Vintage Exciter for harmonic enhancement.
• 🔄 The process of bouncing out instruments as an eight-bar loop and using it as a foundation sample in the production is briefly mentioned.
• 🎹 Finally, the video touches on the arrangement of the track with a baseline, vocal chops, and the use of various plugins on the master bus for a polished final mix.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on sharing Boombox hip-hop production tips, tricks, and techniques using Logic Pro, including sample usage and processing ideas for a warm, punchy, and retro hip-hop sound.

Why does the instructor choose not to use the kick and snare from Logic's Drama?

The instructor opts not to use the kick and snare from Logic's Drama because they have better samples to use for this particular production, and they want to focus on using the hi-hats from Drama.

What is the significance of using different drummers and styles in Logic's Drummer for hi-hat patterns?

Using different drummers and styles in Logic's Drummer provides flexibility and variety in hi-hat patterns, which can help in achieving a unique and dynamic rhythm for the hip-hop production.

What sample pack does the instructor reference for the snare and kick drum samples?

The instructor references their own 'Body Blows' sample pack for the snare and kick drum samples, which can be downloaded via a link provided in the description.

How does the instructor approach the quantization of the drum patterns?

The instructor quantizes the drum patterns very tightly to achieve a precise and tight groove, adjusting the quantization to 1/16 with swing to fit the desired hip-hop feel.

What is the role of the open hi-hat and shaker in the drum groove?

The open hi-hat and shaker add additional elements to the drum groove, contributing to the overall rhythm and texture of the hip-hop production.

How does the instructor create an old school R&B feel using the Apple Loops library?

The instructor creates an old school R&B feel by using the Cali Vibes while guitar and Cali Vibes lead guitar from the Apple Loops library, and processing them with the Waves CLA Guitars plugin.

What is the purpose of using the Waves CLA Guitars plugin on the guitar tracks?

The Waves CLA Guitars plugin is used to add a distinctive tone and character to the guitar tracks, enhancing them to better fit the retro hip-hop style.

Why does the instructor decide to bounce the instruments out as an eight-bar loop?

Bouncing the instruments out as an eight-bar loop allows the instructor to create a foundation sample for the production, which can then be used to build up the rest of the track.

What plugins does the instructor use to give the drums an old school retro flavor?

The instructor uses the Tony Maserati GRP from Waves and Isotope Vinyl to give the drums an old school retro flavor, adding warmth and character to the drum sound.

How does the instructor process the baseline and other elements in the mix?

The instructor uses a combination of plugins, including the Voltage Amps Bass plugin for tone and color, the Maserati B72 for texture enhancement, and Logic's compressor for controlling the dynamics.

What is the final step in the production process as shown in the video?

The final step in the production process is to add vocal chops and other final touches, then play out the track to listen to the arrangement and ensure all elements are well-balanced and cohesive.

Outlines

00:00

🎧 Boombox Hip-Hop Production Techniques in Logic Pro

The video script introduces a tutorial on creating a boombox hip-hop vibe using Logic Pro. The focus is on utilizing Logic's Drummer for hi-hats, custom kick and snare samples, and achieving a retro feel. The instructor emphasizes the flexibility of Drummer's hi-hat patterns and introduces the use of specific samples from personal packs. A detailed explanation of setting up the drum pattern with varying velocities for a realistic groove is provided. Additionally, the script covers quantization techniques and the incorporation of claps to the hi-hat pattern for a tighter sound.

05:01

🎵 Enhancing the Groove with Open Hi-Hats and Shakers

This paragraph delves into adding more elements to the groove, such as an open hi-hat and a shaker, which are both sampled and placed in the mix. The shaker is sourced from the Apple Loops Library and is quantized to fit the song's rhythm using Logic's Flex feature. The resulting drum groove is showcased. The instructor then moves on to create an old school R&B feel by using guitars from the Apple Loops library and processing them with the Waves CLA Guitars plugin for added warmth and character. Various Logic Pro instruments, including strings, flutes, and French horns, are introduced to build the arrangement.

10:09

🎹 Integrating Keys and Foundation Samples for Track Construction

The script continues with the addition of piano and key elements using Logic Pro's Bozen Duffer Grand and Waves Electric 88. The instructor demonstrates bouncing recorded instruments into an eight-bar loop, which serves as the foundation for the track. The focus then shifts to enhancing the drum sound with the Tony Maserati GRP plugin for an old school flavor and using Isotope Vinyl for vinyl texture. Waves Apex Vintage Exciter is introduced to add harmonics. The process concludes with laying down a baseline and preparing for the final mix, showcasing the plugins used for the bass channel, including the Voltage Amps Bass and Maserati B72.

15:10

🔊 Final Mixing and Mastering with Waves Plugins

The final paragraph discusses the finishing touches for the mix, including a quick 16-bar arrangement with vocal chops added for the top line. The instructor details the plugins used on the master bus, such as the Abbey Road Vinyl, Maserati GRP for stereo imaging, and the CLA Mix Down plugin, all leading to the Waves L3 Ultra Maximizer. A custom chain named 'Boom Bap Mix Chain Zero One' is highlighted, which is available for download to experiment with boom-bap mixes. The script ends with a call to action for viewers to like, subscribe, and comment, and a sign-off from the instructor, Deuce.

Keywords

💡Boombox

A boombox is a portable cassette player and radio, often associated with the 1980s and early hip-hop culture. In the context of the video, 'Boombox' refers to the style of hip-hop production that the creator is emulating, characterized by warm, punchy, and retro sounds. The script mentions creating a 'Boombox hip-hop production' vibe using Logic Pro, indicating a focus on achieving a classic hip-hop sound.

💡Logic Pro

Logic Pro is a digital audio workstation (DAW) used for music production. The video script discusses using Logic Pro to create hip-hop beats, suggesting that the software is the primary tool for the production process. It is mentioned as the platform where the creator shares 'some of my favorite Boombox hip-hop production tips and tricks'.

💡Samples

In music production, samples are short recordings of music or sound that are reused in new compositions. The script refers to adding 'a couple of extra samples' to the production, indicating the use of pre-recorded audio clips to enhance the track's texture and character, such as the kick and snare samples mentioned.

💡Hihats

Hi-hats refer to the cymbals used in drum kits, often played with a foot pedal in rhythmic patterns. The script specifies using Logic's 'drama' for hi-hats, emphasizing the importance of hi-hat patterns in creating the desired rhythm and feel of the hip-hop track.

💡Kick and Snare

The kick and snare are the foundational drums in many music genres, particularly in hip-hop. The script mentions using specific kick and snare samples from a sample pack to create a 'tight' and punchy rhythm section, which is crucial for the boombox hip-hop sound.

💡RB Style

RB Style, short for Rhythm and Blues, is a genre of music that has influenced hip-hop. In the script, the creator chooses an 'RB style' using a virtual drummer named Rose to play a 'modern R&B style,' indicating a specific rhythmic approach to the drum patterns that contributes to the overall sound of the production.

💡Swing

Swing is a musical term referring to the rhythmic placement of notes, often used to create a groove in music. The script mentions setting a 'nice bit of Swing on this, right 60,' which means adjusting the timing of the hi-hats to achieve a more laid-back, groovy feel characteristic of hip-hop.

💡Quantize

Quantization is the process of aligning notes or audio to a specified rhythmic grid. The script discusses quantizing the hi-hats 'even tighter' and changing the grid to '24th divisions' to enhance the swing and create a precise rhythmic pattern.

💡CLA Guitars

CLA Guitars is a Waves plugin that emulates the guitar sounds produced by Chris Lord-Alge, a well-known music producer. The script mentions using the 'Waves CLA Guitars' plugin on two guitar tracks to add 'so much spice' to the guitar section, indicating its use for enhancing the tonal quality of the guitars in the mix.

💡Vintage Mellotron

The Mellotron is a vintage keyboard instrument that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s for its unique tape-based sound. In the script, the creator uses the 'Vintage Mellotron' for flute sounds, showing the use of classic instruments to achieve a retro sound in the production.

💡Bounce

Bouncing in a DAW refers to the process of mixing down multiple tracks into a single audio file. The script mentions 'Bounce these instruments out as an eight-bar Loop,' which means creating a loop of the combined instruments that can be reused throughout the track.

💡Maserati GRP

Maserati GRP is a Waves plugin designed by Tony Maserati, known for adding warmth and character to mixes. The script describes using the 'Tony Maserati GRP' on the drum bus to give the drums an 'old school retro flavor,' highlighting its role in shaping the drum sound.

💡Isotope Vinyl

Isotope Vinyl is a plugin that emulates the sound of vinyl records, adding warmth and character. The script mentions using the 'Isotope Vinyl' plugin to give the sample an 'old school flavor,' indicating its use for adding a vintage touch to the sound.

💡Waves L3 Ultra Maximizer

The Waves L3 Ultra Maximizer is a mastering plugin used to increase the overall volume of a track without distortion. The script refers to using the 'Waves L3 Ultra Maximizer' on the master bus to achieve the final loudness and clarity of the mix.

💡StudioRack

StudioRack is a Waves plugin suite that allows for the creation and use of chains of plugins. The script mentions using the 'Waze StudioRack' on the master bus, indicating the use of multiple Waves plugins in a chain for final mix processing.

Highlights

Introduction to Boombox hip-hop production tips and tricks using Logic Pro.

Utilizing Logic's Drummer for hi-hats but replacing kick and snare with custom samples.

Recommendation to check out Logix Drummer videos for the best virtual drummer experience.

Flexibility of hi-hat patterns with different Drummers and styles for a modern R&B feel.

Customization of the snare and kick drum samples from the 'Body Blows' sample pack.

Importance of varying velocity in drum hits to create a natural groove.

Technique to tighten the quantization for a precise drum rhythm.

Adding claps to the hi-hat pattern and adjusting open and close settings for a tighter sound.

Inclusion of an open hi-hat and shaker from the Apple Loops Library for groove enhancement.

Use of Waves CLA Guitars plugin for adding flavor to guitar sections.

Incorporating Logic's preset muted guitar, string ensembles, and pizzicato for a rich sound.

Experimenting with orchestral strings and flutes for a unique sound texture.

Application of vintage electric piano and electric 88 for a distinct keyboard sound.

Bouncing out instruments as an eight-bar loop for foundational sample creation.

Use of Tony Maserati GRP from Waves for giving drums an old-school retro flavor.

Isotope Vinyl plugin application for adding vinyl texture to the sample.

Waves Apex Vintage Exciter for enhancing harmonics in the mix.

Adding a baseline and vocal sample for the final track arrangement.

Use of Voltage Amps Bass, Maserati B72, and Logic's compressor for bass processing.

Master bus processing with Waves StudioRack for the final overall sound.

Introduction of a custom mix chain preset 'Boom Bap Mix Chain Zero One' for mastering.

Invitation to like, subscribe, and comment for further engagement.

Transcripts

hey Squad welcome back now today I'm

going to be sharing with you some of my

favorite Boombox hip-hop production tips

and tricks and we're going to do it all

right here in logic pro we're going to

throw in a couple of extra samples as

well and some processing ideas to give

that warmth punch and retro hip-hop feel

so with that said let's dive straight in

okay so to kick things off we're going

to start with logic's drama now don't be

put off by the fact that I'm starting

with drama we're only going to be using

the hi-hats in this we're not going to

be using the kick or the snare because

I've got much better samples to use

instead of this and I'll make sure you

have a link to download the the kick and

snare samples that we'll be using also

if you haven't yet checked out my videos

on Logix drummer please make sure you do

so I'll have links above as well as in

the description in my opinion Logix

drama is the best virtual drummer in any

digital audio workstation out there so

make sure you check out those videos

anyway like I said I've got some kick

and snare samples that would fit much

better with this particular production

what I find really useful with drummer

is the flexibility you get with the

hi-hats and the hi-hat patterns using

different drummers and different styles

we're going to be running with the r b

style using Rose as our drummer playing

a modern r b style we've got an old

school preset down here and this is

where I've set my note this is what the

original sounds like like I said I'm

going to be taking out this kick and

snare

[Music]

okay cool I'm starting with that but

we're going to switch it up even more

we've got a nice bit of Swing on this

right 60 which is cool for what I want

to achieve right here and now that we've

got our hi-hats in place we're going to

go for our kick and snare now our snare

pattern is really simple the snare hits

on Beats two and four in every bar real

straightforward

one and two and three and four and one

and two and three and four and real

simple and this particular sample is

drawn from my body blows sample pack

I've renamed it to baps nearby it's in

that pack so feel free to download the

sample pack and Link will be in the

description the other thing you've

noticed as well this all of these snares

are exactly on grid I'm keeping the

stand nice and tight to the Grid on this

occasion and now for my kick drum once

again I'm using my kick from the same

sample pack I've renamed it as Bap kick

and saved it in my quick sampler and

here's my kick drum pattern

foreign

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it's just a repeating four bar pattern

now a couple things to notice some of my

hits have a velocity of around 70 that

once that one is 70 as you can see here

this one here is 66 this one here 66 and

this one 66. whereas these ones here

are a lower velocity and that makes a

big difference when you're trying to

create a Groove you don't want all of

the hits to be the same velocity you

want to create a sense that this is an

actual drummer but as drummers playing a

double kick like this

[Music]

the first hit is always a bit quieter

than the second one and that's what you

want to try and Achieve you want to try

and create the sense that this is an

actual drama playing now the other thing

I'm going to do right here is I'm going

to mess with the quantize I'm going to

quantize this even tighter so let's

listen again to the the quantize that

we've got

[Music]

I want this even tighter so I'm going to

go for a quantize of Now 1 16 swing e

[Music]

foreign

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the other thing I'm going to do right

here is I'm going to change my grid to

24th divisions you'll also see the grid

lines change

okay as you can see right here rather

than 16 divisions per bar we're on 24

divisions per bar and that's giving us

the swing that we're looking for

[Music]

the next thing we're going to do right

here before we move on is go into go

back to our hi-hat pattern in drama and

we're going to add some claps so let's

have a listen to this

okay the other thing we're going to do

is we're going to go into details with

the hi-hat I'm going to change the open

and close setting from automatic I'm

going to switch that off so let's have a

listen now

and switch it back on so you can hear

the difference

I want a tighter sound rather than that

splashy sound so let's hear our drums so

far

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foreign

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good okay so another couple of key

elements that we're going to add to

create the groove that we're looking for

is firstly our open hi-hat and secondly

a Shaker so let's start with the open

hi-hat which I've got right here in my

quick sampler and once again I've called

it Bap o h and this is where it's placed

[Music]

cool and this is our shaker

[Music]

now the Shaker is an interesting one

look at what I've done I've actually

pulled the Shaker in from the Apple

Loops Library let's grab that and pull

that in like so

and I've simply narrowed down this first

little section like like here and the

other thing I've done is this I've

switched on Flex

switch this to polyphonic

and now I've quantized it to 1 16 swing

e let's see what happens now you see

this is one of logic's most powerful

features in that you can quantize audio

and that's a key trick that's often

overlooked in logic I've quantized this

Shaker to fit with the quantization used

in the main body of the song and now

here's our drum Groove

[Music]

okay now that our drums are in we'll

move on to the other elements

now what I want to add to this

production is a feel of an old school r

b sample but I'm going to create it

myself so what I've done here is I've

gone to my Apple Loops library and I've

pulled in Cali Vibes while guitar and

Cali Vibes lead guitar I'm using them

both here now what I want to show you is

how you can use the elements that you've

got already at hand to create your own

old school boom back feel so have a

listen to these guitars with just a

hi-hat

[Music]

okay so that sounds cool but the thing

that really adds a sauce to this is this

plug-in right here I've got both of

these routed through to bus 12 and on

bus 12 I've got an instance of the Waves

CLA guitars and I'm just using the

default setting I'm not doing anything

else now listen to an A B of this

[Music]

how cool is that this adds so much spice

to the guitar section it really starts

to lift things in the direction I want

to go now the next thing I've added is

one of logic's preset a muted guitar

[Music]

[Music]

cool next thing I've added is some

strings again these are all logic sounds

okay extra string Ensemble tremolo

[Music]

okay and now we're gonna go to this one

here which is the extra string Ensemble

Pizzicato

[Music]

okay and now another one this one right

here I'm playing all of these in this

one right here is the orchestra string

ensemble

[Music]

okay let's bring in our snare as well

let's bring in these flutes and I'm

using the Vintage melotron and the

flutes on that let's have a listen

okay cool sounding good another Guitar

let's bring that one in 80s electric

clean let's hear what that sounds like

foreign

Bells this one is coming from let's see

sculpture again another logic preset

okay I love my French horns once again

we're using the logic French horn

section let's bring that in

okay and now for my piano my grand piano

I've played this in using The bozen

Duffer Grand

[Music]

okay and now let's bring in some keys so

I was using logic's vintage electric

piano but I've decided to go for the

waves electric 88 here instead which is

what another one that I love using and

here's my keys

[Music]

so the next thing I'm going to do is

Bounce these instruments out as an eight

bar Loop and then pull it back into my

quick sampler which will be my

Foundation sample in this production so

let me do that real quick okay so I've

created my new sampler instrument with a

sample of of that eight bar section I'm

going to do a separate video just

demonstrating that part on its own but

in the interest of keeping this one a

bit more concise I'm just going to use

the sample as it is build up the rest of

the track process and give you the final

result so this is what the sample sounds

like with the drums

[Music]

as you can see I'm only using these two

slices right here we'll cover more of

this in the next video

but what I want to do now is make my

drums smack a bit more so I've got all

of my drums rooted through to bus 10 as

I often do here's my drum bus and on bus

10 I've got one of my favorite plugins

at the moment for giving my drums that

old school retro flavor and that is the

Tony Maserati grp from waves is going

across the bus and there'll be a link in

the description where you can download

and try this one out for free but have a

listen to what this plugin is doing to

my drums

foreign

s are much more in your face they're

smacking you in your face next thing I'm

going to do also with my sample this

free plugin by isotope isotope vinyl

I've set the tone to the 1960s and I

have put a little bit of wear on there

and a little bit of warp as well just to

give it a bit of an old school flavor so

let's bring that one in

[Music]

and let me just add a bit more harmonics

back in from here using this amazing

tool one of my favorite tools for mixing

and for mastering and that is the waves

Apex vintage Exciter again a link will

be in the description where you can

download and try this one out for free

let's bring that one in

okay

[Music]

and now I think we're just going to add

my Baseline and then a vocal sample over

the top we'll then process this and that

will be a wrap okay so we're practically

there I'm gonna lay down my Baseline now

and as you can see I programmed in a

little muted guitar section right here

let me play that back to you real quick

yeah

so let me lay down my Baseline

[Music]

okay so before we wrap things up with

the Final Mix um let me show you what

we've got going on with my base channel

on my base Channel I've got these

plugins right here I've got it's great

ways to plug in the voltage amps base

which has some awesome color and tone to

my Baseline then I'm going through to

the Maserati b72 which further enhances

the overall texture of my base and then

I'm controlling it with Logics

compressor on the classic VCA vintage

circuit so now I'll add my final touches

to this and then we'll play out okay so

we're finally there I've done a quick 16

Bar Arrangement so we can play out

listening to two sections we've got some

vocal chops down here as well which

we're just going to add sort of a Top

Line to this thing final thing I want to

show you here is what I've got on my

master bus so I'm using the Waze Studio

rack right here and a great new feature

that they've got is a service call

Studio verse which means you can

download My Chain of presets whether it

be the presets I use on my master bus or

on an individual track or on a bus

there's so many options right there and

these are the plugins I'm using in my

studio rack to give me my final overall

sound I've got the Abbey Road vinyl I've

got the Maserati grp for stereo Imaging

and width I'm using Center all of that

feeds into the CLA mix down plugin and

all of that feeds into my favorite

brickwall limiter the waves L3 Ultra

maximizer I've named this chain boom bap

mix chain zero one and there'll be a

link in the description where you can

download this chain and put it onto your

own boomback mixes if you want to

experiment and see if it actually works

for you as always if I'm bringing you

value don't forget to like the video hit

the Subscribe button and leave me a

comment it's always great hearing from

you until the next time I'm Deuce I'm

out

peace

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foreign

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