Page 1 of 1

Programming small pre-drop drum fills

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:10 pm
by sovietsoldier22
In case the title makes no sense to you, here's one example:




I've been trying to achieve something like this for hours in FL and I'm getting nowhere. Would I be better off attempting it with FPC or is the piano roll and some effects added the way to go? I'm prolly just overthinking this, but one can never be too sure, specially me.

Thanks to any help that comes my way in advance.

Re: Programming small pre-drop drum fills

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:24 pm
by wub
Ok, this is assuming you're talking about a 4/4 kick pattern...
  • Make a small pattern, say 4 bars in length.
  • For the first bar, have the kick normal spaced, on the 1.
  • For the second bar, have the kick double spaced, so being on the 1 & 3
  • For the third bar, have the kick on the 1, 2, 3 & 4
  • For the last bar, open the Piano Roll and put the kick on the 8ths for the second part, and the 16ths for the second half.
For a change in variation on this, set the velocity of the hits to gradually increase over the course of the 4 bars.

Re: Programming small pre-drop drum fills

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:49 pm
by sovietsoldier22
wub wrote:Ok, this is assuming you're talking about a 4/4 kick pattern...
  • Make a small pattern, say 4 bars in length.
  • For the first bar, have the kick normal spaced, on the 1.
  • For the second bar, have the kick double spaced, so being on the 1 & 3
  • For the third bar, have the kick on the 1, 2, 3 & 4
  • For the last bar, open the Piano Roll and put the kick on the 8ths for the second part, and the 16ths for the second half.
For a change in variation on this, set the velocity of the hits to gradually increase over the course of the 4 bars.
Thank you much. Sorry for asking for the 4/4 on DSF, but you guys really know what you're talking about, so I go here for all my production needs.

Re: Programming small pre-drop drum fills

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:51 pm
by wub
No worries.

If you want a bit of variation, you can try reversing a few of the hits, adding some reverb, making the pattern longer, adding delays etc etc.

Re: Programming small pre-drop drum fills

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 3:57 pm
by brettheaslewood
I think he's talking about the small drum fill, right before the drop.
the fill your hearing in that track sounds like a sample of a live kit.

it's only three hits. 2 snares at different velocitys/pitch and a tom hit.

if you program this it's gonna sound really stiff and quantized, you could try programming it when your not (cant remember the word im looking for) 'stuck to the grid' so it doesn't quantize, to give it a more natural feel.

you could try putting three hits just before the drop and giving them some swing.

or you could just hunt for a drum fill that takes your fancy.

edit - in the space i wrote this, you both answered each other.
has wub solved your issue mate or?

Re: Programming small pre-drop drum fills

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:31 pm
by sovietsoldier22
brettheaslewood wrote:I think he's talking about the small drum fill, right before the drop.
the fill your hearing in that track sounds like a sample of a live kit.

it's only three hits. 2 snares at different velocitys/pitch and a tom hit.

if you program this it's gonna sound really stiff and quantized, you could try programming it when your not (cant remember the word im looking for) 'stuck to the grid' so it doesn't quantize, to give it a more natural feel.

you could try putting three hits just before the drop and giving them some swing.

or you could just hunt for a drum fill that takes your fancy.

edit - in the space i wrote this, you both answered each other.
has wub solved your issue mate or?
I feel like such an asshole in saying that you were the one who answered my question. But I'm keeping Wub's advice in mind, but thank you friend for giving me advice as well.

Re: Programming small pre-drop drum fills

Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:44 pm
by pesky
i know this doesnt directly answer your question but theres a vengeance pack called ultimate fills and its got some midi patterns in there for different kick/snare fill variations :)
bit lazy but yanoe, it helped me learn to program them myself quicker because id visually seen the midi. :)