Producing Hip-Hop Drums within Logic Pro: Avedon

Summary

In this video, the focus is on creating compelling hip-hop drum patterns that support the rapper's flow. The creator emphasizes the importance of simplicity and bounce in drum design, starting with a basic hat pattern and snare. They demonstrate using a sampler to select 808s and adjust snare sounds for depth and rawness, suggesting pitch adjustments and filtering for variety. The process involves visualizing and adding extra percussion elements to enhance the groove, ensuring the drum pattern complements the melody and provides a solid foundation for the rapper's performance.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The script discusses the importance of drums in hip-hop music, emphasizing their role in creating the bounce for rappers to flow over.
• 🥁 The speaker advises not to overcomplicate drums, as their primary function is to provide a solid rhythmic foundation rather than to show off technical prowess.
• 👂 Starting with a simple hat pattern and a clap or snare is recommended to establish the rhythmic base of the drum track.
• 🔍 The speaker prefers using their favorite 808s and hats, and they suggest getting familiar with how they sound to make the right choices for the track.
• 🔄 Looping the main part of the drum pattern is a method to create a consistent rhythmic structure that can be built upon.
• 🎵 The use of a brush tool to create an eighth note pattern is mentioned, which helps in achieving the desired bounce for the drum track.
• 👻 The concept of 'ghost claps' is introduced, suggesting the use of subtle claps to add depth to the snare sound.
• 👉 Adjusting the pitch of the snare can add a darker and more raw tone to the drum sound, which might be desirable for certain styles of hip-hop.
• 🔊 The speaker suggests creating an extra snare sound with a filter to add variety and a turnaround element to the drum pattern.
• 🔄 Turning down the hi-hats is recommended to keep the drum pattern simple yet flavorful, allowing other elements to shine through.
• 🎼 The importance of visualizing the drum pattern and how it fits with the melody is highlighted, as it helps in creating a cohesive rhythmic structure.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script?

The main focus of the video script is on creating drums for hip-hop music, emphasizing the importance of 808s, kicks, snares, and hi-hats to create a bounce for the rapper to flow over.

What is the advice given about not over complicating the drums?

The advice given is to not over complicate the drums, as they should serve the purpose of providing a solid foundation and bounce for the rapper, rather than being a showcase of the producer's skills.

How does the script suggest starting the drum pattern?

The script suggests starting the drum pattern with a simple hi-hat pattern and a clap or snare, using a sampler to select favorite 808s and hi-hats.

What is the significance of the 'bounce' in hip-hop drumming?

The 'bounce' is significant in hip-hop drumming as it provides the rhythmic foundation that the rapper's flow will ride over, making it a key element in the music production process.

What is the role of the snare in the drum pattern described in the script?

The snare plays a crucial role in the drum pattern by providing a punchy and slightly darker sound to the beat, which is achieved by pitching it down to add depth and rawness.

Why is it suggested to pitch the snare down in the script?

Pitching the snare down is suggested to give it a darker and less generic sound, which can help the drum pattern stand out and provide a unique character to the hip-hop beat.

What is the purpose of creating an extra snare sound with a filter?

Creating an extra snare sound with a filter is done to add variety and a turnaround element to the drum pattern, which can be used to mark the end of four bars or provide a different rhythmic feel.

How does the script describe the process of adding hi-hats to the drum pattern?

The script describes the process of adding hi-hats by starting with a simple eighth note pattern and then adjusting and adding extra flavors to spice it up, such as triplet rolls or additional timing elements.

What is the importance of visualizing the drum pattern while creating it?

Visualizing the drum pattern while creating it helps the producer to feel and understand the rhythm, timing, and flow of the beat, ensuring that it matches the melody and provides the desired bounce.

What is the script's advice on finding spaces in the drum pattern to add extra elements?

The script advises finding spaces in the drum pattern where there isn't too much happening and adding little elements to fill it up, such as extra percussion or rolls, to enhance the overall rhythm and feel of the beat.

How does the script suggest adjusting the drum pattern to match the melody?

The script suggests adjusting the drum pattern by listening to the bounce, visualizing the head rolls or extra timing elements, and finding spaces to add elements that will complement and enhance the melody.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Creating Hip-Hop Drum Patterns

This paragraph discusses the importance of drums in hip-hop music and the process of creating a drum pattern. The speaker emphasizes the significance of 808s, kicks, snares, and hi-hats in establishing the rhythm and bounce that a rapper needs to flow over. A tip is given to avoid overcomplicating the drums, focusing instead on creating a solid and impactful rhythm. The speaker shares their personal approach to starting with a simple hat pattern and a clap or snare, and then using a sampler to select and adjust the sound of the drums. The process includes pitching down a snare for a darker and rawer tone, and adding an extra snare sound for variation. The importance of keeping the hi-hats simple yet flavorful is also highlighted, with a focus on visualizing and feeling the bounce to enhance the drum pattern.

05:01

🥁 Enhancing Drum Patterns with Percussion

In this paragraph, the speaker continues the discussion on drum pattern creation by focusing on adding extra percussion elements to enhance the overall sound. They mention using a roll or other timing elements to fill in spaces within the drum pattern, ensuring that the percussion complements the melody and contributes to the bounce. The speaker describes a trick in Logic to create rolls and choose different timing options, such as triplets, to add complexity and interest. The goal is to find the right balance where the drum pattern is not too busy but still provides a rich texture that supports the hip-hop track. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's reflection on the current state of their drum pattern, considering whether it might be too much and how to adjust it accordingly.

Keywords

💡Hip-hop

Hip-hop is a cultural movement that originated in the African American and Latinx communities in the 1970s, characterized by four main elements: rapping, DJing, breaking (breakdancing), and graffiti art. In the context of this video, hip-hop refers specifically to the musical genre, which is the focus of the drum-making process described. The script emphasizes the importance of drum patterns in creating the rhythmic foundation for hip-hop music.

💡Drum Patterns

Drum patterns are the rhythmic sequences created by the arrangement of percussion instruments, such as kicks, snares, and hi-hats, in a piece of music. They are crucial in setting the groove and feel of a song, especially in hip-hop where they provide the beat for the rapper to flow over. In the script, the creator discusses starting with a simple hat pattern and a snare to establish the rhythmic structure of the track.

💡808s

The term '808s' refers to the Roland TR-808 drum machine, which is famous for its distinctive and heavily used kick drum sound in many genres, including hip-hop. In the script, the creator mentions using 808s to create a bounce and a hard, south-side style beat, highlighting the importance of this sound in shaping the character of the drum track.

💡Kicks

Kicks are the bass drum sounds in a drum pattern, often produced by the kick drum or a similar percussive instrument. They provide the low-frequency foundation of the rhythm and are particularly important in hip-hop for creating a strong, driving beat. The script mentions starting the drum pattern with kicks to establish the core rhythm.

💡Snares

Snares are the sharp, mid-range drum sounds typically produced by the snare drum. They add accents and rhythmic complexity to a drum pattern and are key in creating the 'snap' or 'crack' that characterizes many hip-hop beats. The script discusses finding a snare sound that is not too bright and adjusting its pitch to add depth.

💡Hi-Hats

Hi-hats are the cymbals that produce a 'sh' sound when played with a drumstick. They are often used to create a steady rhythmic background or to add complexity to a drum pattern. In the script, hi-hats are mentioned as part of the drum setup, contributing to the overall texture and bounce of the beat.

💡Bounce

In the context of music production, 'bounce' refers to the rhythmic and energetic quality of a beat that makes it feel lively and engaging. The script emphasizes the importance of creating a drum pattern with a good bounce to support the rapper's flow and make the music more appealing to listeners.

💡Ghost Claps

Ghost claps are a production technique where clap sounds are subtly introduced into a drum pattern to add a layer of rhythm without overpowering the mix. They are mentioned in the script as a potential addition to the drum pattern to enhance the bounce and rhythmic feel.

💡Pitch

Pitch refers to the perceived frequency of a sound, which determines how high or low it sounds. In the script, the creator discusses adjusting the pitch of the snare to make it sound darker and less generic, demonstrating how pitch can be used to shape the character of a sound within a drum pattern.

💡MIDI

MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface, is a protocol for communicating musical information between devices. In music production, MIDI is used to create and edit drum patterns and other musical elements. The script mentions creating an empty MIDI track to start building the drum pattern.

💡Triplet Roll

A triplet roll is a drumming technique where a series of sixteenth notes are played in a triplet rhythm, creating a fast, fluid pattern. In the script, the creator discusses using a triplet roll as a way to add complexity and interest to the hi-hat pattern, enhancing the overall groove of the beat.

Highlights

Drum beats are crucial in hip-hop music, providing the rhythmic foundation for the rapper's flow.

Hip-hop drumming emphasizes 808s, kicks, snares, and hi-hats to create a bouncing rhythm.

A tip for beginners is to keep drum patterns simple and effective, avoiding unnecessary complexity.

The purpose of drums is to provide a solid beat that supports the rapper's performance, not to overshadow it.

Starting with a simple hi-hat pattern and a clap or snare is a recommended approach to building drums.

Familiarity with one's sampler and preferred 808s and hi-hats is key to creating a personalized drum sound.

Looping the main part of the beat and using a brush tool to create an eighth note pattern is a practical technique.

The importance of finding the right snare sound that complements the overall beat is emphasized.

Adjusting the pitch of the snare can add depth and character to the drum sound.

Creating a unique snare sound by filtering and tweaking can add variety to the drum pattern.

The use of ghost claps and snare variations can enhance the rhythmic complexity of the drum pattern.

Keeping the hi-hat pattern simple but adding extra flavors can enrich the drum sound.

Visualizing the hi-hat rolls and timing variations can help in creating a more dynamic drum pattern.

Adding extra percussion elements like rolls can fill in spaces and enhance the bounce of the beat.

Choosing the right timing for percussion elements, such as triplet rolls, can add complexity to the drum pattern.

The importance of matching the drum pattern to the melody for a cohesive musical piece is highlighted.

Finding spaces in the melody to add drum elements can create a fuller and more engaging sound.

The process of refining the drum pattern to avoid overcomplication and achieve a balanced sound is discussed.

Transcripts

so now we're going to make some drums

because hip-hop it's actually more about

drum human melodies

[Music]

drums are super important 808s kicks

snares Hyatts you know create that

bounce because the wrapper has to flow

over it right so one tip I'm gonna give

from start don't over complicate your

drums like you don't have to show off to

the rapper like how look how crazy my

drums are they have to knock and I need

to give you a bounce that that's like

key you know what I mean so let's uh

I'll actually everybody has their own

things how they'd like to start the

drums but I like to start my drums with

just a simple hat pattern and

um and a clap or a snare

so let me open my

sampler I just have like my favorite

808s and my favorite hats in this

and I kind of know how they sound so I

like for this today I get a little more

bouncy hard stuff

like a south side

so what I would do I would just start

looping like the main part of this thing

right of the sum and I will

create an empty

MIDI

uh Chat thing actually

then what I do I use the brush tool

and just create like a simple eighth

note

simple

but I want to feel the bounce guy on

with with the clips right so

um

I wanna I hear a snare though I don't

hear a clap on that maybe like some

ghost claps but I hear like a snare

so let me go and find my I want to go

for more like um

one of my favorite scenarios Jumpman

snares

but then I feel like the snare is a

little bit too bright and too generic so

let me just see if I pitch it down like

one

maybe two

so it already gives a little bit more

like like Darkness to it and like raw

you know

let me

guess that's dope right in the beginning

with

let me save it real quick

so what I want to do actually I want to

create like an extra little snare thing

but a little different sound of the

snare right

so what I would do I would just use the

same snare but just filter a little bit

see if we can find like an extra bucket

or something

yeah like that

just to make it like a turnaround thing

you know like end of the four bars

all right

the Little Ghost now I think we can turn

down a little bit

foreign

because normally I like to keep my heads

pretty simple but still I can I like to

get like a few extra little flavors in

it too just to spice it up a little bit

what I like to do is just like start at

the hands like with a little

and what I always do as well is like I

just

listen to the bounds and then hear my

head and look at the pattern over here

on the screen and see or actually a

visualize already like the head rolls or

like the extra timing things you want to

add you know so it's you you really feel

and try to visualize it because that for

me it helps

foreign

it's almost like extra percussion those

heads

then I hear a roll or something there

um

so there's a little trick I use like in

logic you have to brush to

and you can

that that make rules and stuff and you

can choose like what timing thing you

want to use so or measurement like you

want a 60 node a 32 nodes you want

triplets you want swung so maybe I will

go for a little triplet roll like a

super fast somewhere

so here there's something there because

there's space and don't listen only like

oh how do is it a cool head pattern it

has to match the melody too right it has

to get you in that bounce so find like

spaces where there's nothing happening

too much in there you can put like

little things to fill it up

so let's see what we have now

I like that maybe it's too much