5 Tips for Dynamics in Programmed Drum Performances (+free SD3 preset)
TLDRThe video script discusses techniques for creating and maintaining dynamics in music using both acoustic drumming and MIDI programming. It emphasizes the importance of volume automation, varying drum velocities for a more natural sound, utilizing different articulations, stacking samples for added impact, and adjusting velocity curves for a more human feel in the final mix. The creator shares personal presets and tips for achieving a balanced and dynamic musical performance.
Takeaways
- 🎵 The video discusses the creation and maintenance of dynamics in music using both acoustic drumming and MIDI programming.
- 🔊 Volume automation is an essential technique to maintain the balance between drums and other musical elements throughout a song.
- 🎶 Utilizing different drum velocities provides a more natural and dynamic sound, avoiding the overuse of the maximum velocity (127).
- 🥁 The tonal character of drums changes with varying velocities, which can be leveraged to enhance the expressiveness of the performance.
- 🎵 Articulations play a significant role in dynamics; using different types, such as rimshots and center hits, can add excitement and naturalness to the mix.
- 🌟 Stacking additional samples onto a drum sound can help it cut through the mix, but care should be taken to trigger these samples appropriately based on velocity.
- 👻 Ghost notes can humanize a performance and are especially effective in heavier songs to add texture and feel.
- 🛠️ Superior Drummer and other drum software offer features like velocity curve adjustments to quickly modify the dynamics of an entire MIDI performance post-production.
- 💡 The video encourages viewers to share their own drum programming techniques and experiences, especially non-drummers who program drums for their music.
- 🎹 MIDI programming is not only about volume but also about capturing the essence and character of the instruments through velocity and articulation choices.
Q & A
What is the main topic of the video?
-The main topic of the video is about creating and maintaining dynamics in music using both acoustic drumming and MIDI programming.
What type of software was used in the video for MIDI programming?
-The software used for MIDI programming in the video is Superior Drummer, specifically with the 'Death and Darkness' expansion pack.
What is the name of the preset created by the speaker in the video?
-The preset created by the speaker is called 'Maple Heaven'.
How does the speaker adjust the volume levels in the song?
-The speaker adjusts the volume levels using volume automation, making small jumps in dB to maintain the balance between the drums and the rest of the music.
What is the common mistake the speaker mentions regarding the use of velocity in MIDI drum programming?
-The common mistake is always using a velocity of 127 when programming drums, which can result in a lack of dynamic range and less natural sounding performance.
How does the speaker suggest using different articulations in software to enhance dynamics?
-The speaker suggests using different articulations like room shots, center, and rim shots to add excitement and naturalness to the sound, especially in the context of verses and fills.
What is the technique used by the speaker to make the drum performance more human and dynamic?
-The speaker uses ghost notes and different articulations for flams, as well as stacking additional samples onto the snare drum to make the performance more human and dynamic.
How can the speaker's tips be applied to post-production when too many hits are played with a velocity of 127?
-In post-production, the velocity curve can be adjusted to prevent the software from triggering a velocity of 127, allowing for a more controlled and humanized dynamic range.
What is the name of the preset provided for free by the speaker?
-The speaker provides a preset named 'Metal Foundry' for free.
How does the speaker use the additional snare sample in the mix?
-The speaker stacks an additional snare sample from the 'Death and Darkness' pack called 'snare number five' to give the snare more presence in the mix.
What advice does the speaker give to those who are new to programming drums?
-The speaker advises new programmers to experiment with different velocities, articulations, and samples to create a more dynamic and natural sounding performance, and to avoid relying solely on a velocity of 127.
Outlines
🎶 Introduction to Dynamics in Music Production
The video begins with an introduction to the concept of dynamics in music production, emphasizing the importance of creating and maintaining dynamics using both acoustic drum recording and MIDI programming. The speaker shares their approach to programming a song using MIDI, specifically mentioning the use of the 'Death and Darkness' expansion pack for superior drama and a custom preset named 'Maple Heaven'. They also highlight the availability of a free procedure and provide a link for viewers to access it. The introduction sets the stage for a detailed discussion on MIDI programming and its role in creating dynamic music.
🔊 Volume Automation and Drum Mixing Techniques
In this paragraph, the focus shifts to practical tips for creating dynamics in music, starting with volume automation. The speaker explains how adjusting the volume of drum tracks can help maintain balance with the rest of the music, ensuring that the drums do not get lost or overpower the mix. They demonstrate how small adjustments can make a significant difference in the overall sound. The speaker also addresses the common mistake of always using the maximum velocity of 127 when programming drums, which can lead to a lack of dynamic range. They advocate for varying velocities to achieve a more natural and dynamic sound, and stress the importance of understanding the tonal characteristics of instruments at different velocity levels.
🥁 Advanced MIDI Drum Programming Techniques
The speaker delves deeper into MIDI drum programming, discussing the use of different articulations to add excitement and naturalness to the mix. They explain how varying articulations, such as center and rim shots, can be used to emphasize certain parts of the song. The speaker also shares a trick of using additional samples to enhance the snare drum's presence in the mix, and demonstrates how to use ghost notes to humanize the performance. They provide a detailed walkthrough of how to adjust the velocity settings to prevent over-triggering of samples, ensuring a more realistic and dynamic sound.
🎹 Post-Production Tips for Dynamic Music
The final paragraph focuses on post-production techniques to enhance the dynamics of a MIDI-programmed drum track. The speaker introduces a feature in their DAW that allows adjusting the velocity curve, which can be used to prevent the software from triggering the maximum velocity. This tip is particularly useful for correcting over-played hits in the performance without having to manually adjust each note. The speaker encourages viewers to share their own tips and experiences with drum programming, especially for those who are not drummers but still program drums for their music. They conclude the video by inviting feedback and promising to see the viewers in the next episode.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Dynamics
💡MIDI Programming
💡Volume Automation
💡Velocity
💡Articulations
💡Ghost Notes
💡Stacking Samples
💡Velocity Curve
💡Mixing
💡Drum Software
Highlights
The discussion focuses on creating and maintaining dynamics in music using both acoustic drumming and MIDI programming.
The speaker shares their experience of programming a song using MIDI and the 'death and darkness' expansion pack for superior drama.
A custom preset named 'maple heaven' was created using the DW collectors kit from the death library.
The importance of dynamics in music is emphasized, with the song starting low and building up to a loud and powerful ending.
Volume automation is suggested as a key technique to maintain the balance between drums and music throughout a song.
The speaker advises against always using the maximum velocity of 127 when programming drums for a more dynamic and natural sound.
The use of different velocities and the tonal character of instruments are recommended to be explored for a more expressive performance.
Utilizing different articulations in software, such as room shots or rim shots, can add excitement and naturalness to the drum sound.
Stacking additional samples onto a drum sound can help it cut through the mix, with careful consideration of velocity settings.
Ghost notes can be used to humanize a performance and add a dynamic element to the music.
Adjusting the velocity curve in post-production can correct over-played velocities, making the performance more human and dynamic.
The video provides practical tips for drummers and non-drummers alike, including guitarists, on programming drums for their songs.
The speaker invites viewers to share their experiences and techniques in the comments section for further discussion and learning.
The 'maple heaven' preset is offered for free, and a link to it can be found in the description box of the video.
The talk concludes with an encouragement for viewers to stay safe and an anticipation for the next video.