Beat Editing For Rappers, and Songwriters

If you're one of the multitudes of rappers that have the great lyrics down pat, but you're kind of out in the wilderness as to beat editing, and creating rap beats for your drum tracks, which is the foundation of hip hop, and/or rap, then this is a great tutorial that addresses all the issues you'll face. Let a real percussionist that has played drums and/or percussion for forty-five years share the secrets to finding, and tweaking samples, and making beats sound truly natural. Rather than a tutorial about a particular software, this is one that it's hard-earned principles are pretty much universal across all MIDI sequencing products.

First, let me get this topic out of the way. If you're looking for an entry level sequencer, there are a number of MIDI beat making software packages that most anyone can learn the basics on; and they're quite reasonably priced along side a lot of online drum machines. You can also find plenty of free sounds, free drum kits, and free beats all over the web; not to mention the tons of video tutorials on YouTube.

After applying these following concepts you should be able to create tracks that sound, and feel unique to all of the other also-ran tracks out there. People, especially artists will hear your natural distinction, and clamor after your tracks.

First, let me suggest listening to some REAL classic drum mixes, and grooves that set these drummers apart from the rest of their peers. I suggest you get familiar with their discographies, and listen to them with good headphones so you can see the true artistry in getting a good drum mix. The top session players I would suggest you Google on YouTube would be Jeff Porcaro, Steve Gadd. I also strongly suggest great songwriter drummers like Ringo Starr, Russ Kunkle, and Jim Keltner. Your searching will probably take you to similar drummers, which is fine, but this will be a start.

At this point, let me deal with the issue here of natural sounding samples, as opposed to synthesizer samples, ala the Roland TR-x0x series. Not to pick on Roland, they obviously hit on something a lot of people like. However, my approach would be that if you can sequence a natural, human sounding mix, a hip hop sound is a walk in the park. So, when you start listening, listen to the depth, and attack of the drums.
1.) For instance, with some kit samples mimicking a 60's sound you may hear a slight rattle of the snare when you play the kick sample.
2.) If you want a 70's sound listen for a very compressed, dead-pan sound on the drums. Another trait that was gradually popularized in the 70's was having a slight 12k EQ attack on the kick drum. In fact, in the best recordings, and samples today you'll contintue to hear the beater on the kick drum sound like it's "kissing the fabric" of the drum head, rather than a fake, synthetic sound.
3.) The 80's sounds had End-of-the-World snare drums as a result of the dawn of great sounding, but inexpensive digital effects.
4.) The 90's and beyond toned back the 'verb just a tad, but basically kept it the same. The exception to that is the growing trend in Alternative Rock is to simply set up some really nice mics on a really nice kit for a really nice natural sound.

One secret to remember with acquiring great sounding drum samples is that sometimes it's best to keep the samples as "dry" as possible, then add reverb to the taste of the song.

As for the cymbals, listen to some expensive real cymbals in a music store, and pay attention to their sustain, and the way they "shimmer". Then, try to find samples that sustain close to 3 seconds. I'll warn you though, with the infinite variety of cymbal sounds you can get ear fatigue rather quick. So, try to absorb what you've heard, and compare the sounds in your head with the samples in your library. For mixes, and performances that crush you into talcom powder, go to the Steely Dan mixes on Aja, and Goucho, as well as any of the GRP sessions that featured the late, great Carlos Vega.

There's an old adage I use for learning how to write and arrange different drum styles, genres, and music in general. Simply put, if you want to learn Spanish, you don't go to Moscow. Meaning, if you want to sound like someone listen to who THEY listen to. Listen to everything, and DON'T play AT IT. Respect it, even if you hate it at first. Get the blinders off for awhile.