Hello again!

[Saint_Mitchell]

Back again with another quick question, only this time it deals with a certain part of production and not the software.

Basically, after watching/reading quite a few tutorials on stuff, Im still trying to figure out just exactly what a "ride" is. I mean I get the sound (if im using it correctly) but by production definition, what is it? whats it purpose? Is it necessary? Just want to figure this out cause I see alot of people (in tuts) throw in a ride straight across the board without any explanation as to what it is, what instrument it is, etc etc. Would love to know from one of you pros!

Thanks again!

[hayze99]

Well, I might be wrong, but I'm fairly sure it's a certain type of brass percussion. If you consider a cymbal to be a loud crash which has a low release + decay, a ride is a cymbal which has a high release + decay, i.e. it rings out, and take a little while to fade out. A crash, on the other hand, is the former; one which quickly fades in and fades out.

In short, it's a cymbal which lasts a while, although I get the feeling there's a couple different definitions of 'ride', when it comes to music.

[deadly_habit]

ride cymbals

[Sharmaji]

1950's turkish K or GTFO

[Saint_Mitchell]

Thank you for the answers guys! Much appreciate and thank you for the video link. I guess to be more specific, where do rides play into producing music on your computer and most certainly where would it play into making say, a dubstep song. Ive just heard so many people say "well I usually open up with a crash and a ride and have the ride running pretty much through the song." To me, when I tried to have a ride going through my song it just sounded like...noise? Didnt make the song sound any better, though I am a noob and still learning so its probably user error. Any of you guys experienced with runnign a ride through your dubstep/electronica tracks? If so please explain the theory behind it! Thanks again!

[SunkLo]

Troll meters are rising...

[pumice]

Couldn't be without my 22" AAX ride.

Your best bet would be to take a trip to your local music shoppe(guitar center if all else fails) and check out the drums, grab a stick and hit each one. Listen closely to get a good idea of what you're trying to digitally mimic.

[Bazzle09]

He seems legit....

Not a drummer, but rides are usually used in dubstep inbetween the Bassdrum and the Snare at equal lengths,

eg. BD on 1, Snare on 9, then a ride on 5 and another on 13.

Try it and you should instantly recognise the pattern. With some good hi-hat arrangement around it, it can sound really nice and steppy.