Why Are You STILL Programming Drums While You WRITE SONGS?!?

In this video, Trey Xavier demonstrates the use of MIDI drum grooves for rock songwriting. He emphasizes the importance of having quality drum sounds readily available and explains how MIDI drum grooves, captured from real drummers playing on electronic kits, can be easily integrated into a song using software like Superior Drummer 3 from Toontrack. The video covers the process of finding the right drum grooves to match the song's rhythm and style, adjusting the kick drum pattern to fit the guitar and bass parts, and adding fills and crashes to enhance the groove. Xavier also discusses his upcoming rock and metal songwriting course and invites viewers to share their drum sound integration techniques in the comments section.

Takeaways

• 🥁 Trey Xavier uses MIDI drum grooves in rock songwriting to have high-quality drums readily available during the creative process.
• 🎶 MIDI drum grooves are created by recording real drummers playing on electronic kits, which allows for authentic drum sounds in music production.
• 🔊 The script highlights Superior Drummer 3 and Fields of Rock SDX by Toontrack as tools for accessing and implementing these drum sounds.
• 🎵 Using MIDI grooves lets songwriters focus on composition without being limited by their own drumming skills or lack of access to a drummer.
• 👨‍🎤 MIDI drums help define the style and direction of a song significantly, making the initial choice of rhythm and pattern crucial.
• 🛠️ The 'Tap to Find' feature in Superior Drummer 3 allows users to quickly find suitable drum grooves by tapping the desired rhythm.
• 🕒 Trey demonstrates how selecting drum grooves based on the song's characteristics (like tempo and feel) can enhance the overall sound.
• 🎸 He emphasizes adjusting drum parts, especially the kick and snare, to align with the bass and guitar for a cohesive musical piece.
• 🔧 Adding drum fills and adjusting drum parts manually are discussed as methods to avoid repetitive and stiff sounding drum tracks.
• 📝 The process of finding and tweaking MIDI drum grooves is presented as a quick and integral part of maintaining creative flow in songwriting.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of using MIDI drum grooves in songwriting?

The main purpose of using MIDI drum grooves in songwriting is to have high-quality drum parts readily available. This allows songwriters to focus on their creative process without being limited by their own drumming skills or the availability of a real drummer.

How does MIDI technology help in incorporating drum performances into a song?

MIDI technology allows real drummers' performances, captured on an electronic kit, to be translated into MIDI data. This data can then be dropped into a song and used to trigger sounds from a drum sample library, like Superior Drummer 3, making the process efficient and versatile.

What is the 'tap to find' feature in Superior Drummer 3?

The 'tap to find' feature in Superior Drummer 3 is a tool that allows users to tap out a rhythm against a metronome, and the software will then suggest MIDI drum grooves that closely match the tapped rhythm, saving time in the songwriting process.

Why is it important to have a good drum sound when writing songs?

A good drum sound is important because it can significantly influence the style of music and the direction of the song. Drums can define the groove and set the foundation for the entire composition, making them a crucial element in the songwriting process.

How does the backbeat placement affect the feel of a rock song?

The backbeat placement, typically on the second and fourth beats of a measure, gives the song its drive and energy. Different backbeat placements can create various feels, such as a half-time feel or a more straightforward rock beat, which can greatly affect the overall mood and style of the song.

What is the significance of organizing MIDI drum packs by style?

Organizing MIDI drum packs by style helps songwriters quickly find and use grooves that match the style and mood of their song. This efficiency is crucial for maintaining the flow of inspiration and not losing the spark of creativity during the songwriting process.

How does modifying the kick drum pattern to match the guitar and bass parts improve the song?

Modifying the kick drum pattern to catch the rhythms of the guitar and bass parts makes the drum part seem more intentional and less like it was just added on. It helps to create a cohesive and tight sound, enhancing the overall groove and feel of the song.

Why is it recommended to limit the use of drum fills in a song?

Overusing drum fills can make a song sound repetitive and amateurish. Limiting drum fills to every four or eight bars helps maintain interest and prevents the song from becoming monotonous.

What is the process of adding a drum fill to a song?

To add a drum fill, one can use the filter options in Superior Drummer 3 to find suitable fills, preview them, and then drag the chosen fill onto a separate MIDI track to isolate the desired part. This process helps to create a more complete and satisfying ending to a song part.

How does closely following the guitar and bass rhythms with crashes and kicks make the drums sound more intentional?

By having the drums closely follow the guitar and bass rhythms with crashes and kicks, the drum part becomes more integrated with the rest of the instruments. This creates a sense of unity and purpose in the drumming, making it seem like a deliberate part of the song rather than an afterthought.

Why is maintaining a flow state important during the songwriting process?

Maintaining a flow state is important because it allows the songwriter to stay inspired and creative. Interruptions, such as spending too much time programming drum grooves by hand, can break this flow and result in a loss of the initial creative spark.

Outlines

00:00

🥁 Using MIDI Drum Grooves in Rock Songwriting

Trey Xavier introduces his method of using MIDI drum grooves for rock songwriting. He explains that these grooves are created from real drummers' performances, which are recorded on an electronic kit and converted to MIDI. This allows for real drum sounds to be integrated seamlessly into music using software like Superior Drummer 3. Trey highlights the convenience of having versatile drum sounds readily available through MIDI, especially when actual drumming skills or a drummer are not accessible. He uses the Fields of Rock SDX from Toontrack and demonstrates how to integrate these sounds into a rock song framework, emphasizing the importance of groove and realistic drum nuances.

05:02

🎶 Fine-Tuning Drum Grooves to Enhance Rock Tracks

In this section, Trey goes deeper into customizing MIDI drum tracks to better fit a rock song, inspired by the Foo Fighters. He focuses on the importance of the power hand in a drum groove, typically on the hi-hat or ride, to maintain consistent timing. Trey demonstrates using the 'Tap to Find' feature to select a specific hi-hat groove and the flexibility of modifying the kick drum placements to match the rhythm of the guitar and bass more closely. He iterates through selecting, auditioning, and adjusting drum grooves to find the perfect fit for his song, highlighting the ease of use and effectiveness of MIDI grooves for dynamic and engaging drum tracks.

10:04

🎵 Optimizing Drum Parts for Cohesive Song Arrangement

Trey explains the final adjustments needed to ensure the drum tracks not only sound good but also complement the overall song arrangement. He stresses the importance of a drum fill to signal transitions and add interest, while cautioning against overuse which can make a track repetitive. He illustrates how to align drum fills with the rhythm of other instruments, such as guitar and bass, to create a more intentional and cohesive sound. This section emphasizes the balance between maintaining a groove and tailoring drum elements to enhance the musical narrative of a rock song.

15:06

🎸 Engaging Community Feedback and Promoting Songwriting Tools

In the final part of the script, Trey invites feedback from viewers on their methods of integrating drum sounds into songwriting. He promotes his upcoming songwriting course and thanks Toontrack for their sponsorship and effective songwriting tools like Superior Drummer 3. Trey encourages interaction in the comments section to share and discuss various songwriting processes, enhancing the community's collective knowledge and skills in music production.

Keywords

MIDI drum grooves

MIDI drum grooves refer to pre-programmed drum patterns created by capturing real drummers' performances on an electronic kit, which are then converted into MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) data. In the video, these grooves allow the presenter to have realistic drum sounds readily available while songwriting, enabling quick and flexible drum track creation without needing a live drummer. This convenience is highlighted as it helps preserve the creative flow and maintain the quality of drum sounds in music production.

Superior Drummer 3

Superior Drummer 3 is a drum sample library software mentioned in the video that provides a wide array of drum sounds. It's utilized by the presenter to trigger drum sounds using MIDI drum grooves. The software is praised for its quality and versatility, serving as a crucial tool for songwriters who need professional-sounding drums accessible at all times within their digital audio workstation.

Tap to Find feature

The Tap to Find feature is a functionality within Superior Drummer 3, described in the video as a time-saving tool for finding suitable drum patterns. By tapping a rhythm, the software searches and presents matching drum grooves. This feature exemplifies how technology can aid in quickly matching a songwriter's conceptual beat with a high-quality drum pattern, thereby streamlining the creative process.

Backbeat

The backbeat typically refers to the strong accents on the second and fourth beats in 4/4 time, common in rock and pop music. In the video, the presenter emphasizes the importance of deciding the placement of the backbeat to shape the feel of the song. This concept is fundamental in drumming and is crucial for establishing the rhythmic foundation of a track.

DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)

A DAW is software used for recording, editing, and producing audio files. The presenter uses Pro Tools, a type of DAW, to arrange and modify music, including integrating MIDI drum grooves into a song. The DAW is essential for modern music production, serving as the central hub where all elements of a song are brought together and polished.

Songwriting workflow

The songwriting workflow refers to the process and steps a musician takes from the initial idea to the final arrangement of a song. In the video, this involves selecting, adjusting, and integrating MIDI drum grooves to fit the evolving music piece. The presenter outlines a workflow that is efficient, allowing quick iteration and adaptation to maintain creative momentum during songwriting.

Kick drum

In drumming, the kick drum plays a pivotal role in providing the fundamental beat of a music track. In the context of the video, it's mentioned as an element that can be modified in MIDI drum grooves to better match the rhythm of other instruments like guitar and bass. This adaptability is crucial for ensuring the drum parts contribute effectively to the overall groove of the song.

Drum fills

Drum fills are brief drum patterns that transition between different sections of music or introduce variation. The presenter discusses using MIDI drum fills to enhance the dynamics of a song and advises careful placement to avoid excessive repetition, which can detract from the song's quality. Drum fills add complexity and interest, signaling changes in song sections or emphasizing musical climaxes.

Groove

In music, 'groove' is a term used to describe the rhythmic feel or swing of a piece, which can heavily influence its overall vibe. The video emphasizes choosing drum grooves that complement the song's style and enhance its rhythmic drive. The presenter's selection process for grooves highlights the importance of this element in making the music engaging and coherent.

Flow state

Flow state refers to an optimal psychological state where a person is fully immersed and focused on an activity, leading to increased creativity and productivity. The presenter mentions the importance of maintaining this state during songwriting by using tools like MIDI drum grooves, which prevent disruptions in the creative process and allow for smoother development of musical ideas.

Highlights

Trey Xavier introduces the use of MIDI drum grooves in rock songwriting.

MIDI drum grooves capture real drum performances for easy integration into tracks.

Superior Drummer 3 is featured as the main drum sample library.

Introduction of the newly released Fields of Rock SDX for Superior Drummer 3.

Discussion on the benefits of using MIDI drums over real drummers or self-playing.

Explanation of how MIDI drums can enhance songwriting despite limited drumming skills.

Demonstration of finding suitable drum grooves using Superior Drummer 3's interface.

Use of the 'Tap to Find' feature to quickly match drum grooves to a song's rhythm.

Filtering drum grooves by genre, style, and other attributes to find the perfect match.

Selection of drum grooves based on their feel and compatibility with the song's vibe.

Adjusting the kick drum pattern to better fit the guitar and bass parts of the song.

Using MIDI drum fills to enhance transitions and endings within the song.

Detailed tweaking of drum parts to align closely with other instruments for a cohesive sound.

Benefits of having a comprehensive MIDI drum library for spontaneous songwriting.

Invitation to sign up for a comprehensive rock and metal songwriting course.

Acknowledgment of Tune Track's sponsorship and their significant contribution to songwriting tools.