Dubstepforum.com

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!

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.

ride cymbals

1950's turkish K or GTFO

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!

Troll meters are rising...

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.

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.