Discuss the various methods you use in music production, from compressor settings to equipment type.
By acronym Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:11 pm
Not strictly restricted to a MPC but other devices too, the 'live' feel is gone I feel but I been playing around with mixing the two since I just got bored one day.
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By Metatron72 Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:26 pm
Sure if that's what I'm looking for. I recently did a lot of programming with 80's drum sounds and some drum synthesis VST's that try to emulate that fizzy old school analog sound. The majority of the programming I did was as retro as the sounds so that harder quantized, if not straight style was fitting.

I've used Reason for years so Roland x0x style step sequencing in Redrum is something I've done a lot. Maschine has a decent step sequencing mode where the pad lights are perfectly suited for it. I also sometimes use a few Live devices and Max4Live patches in Ableton with a Launchpad.
By acronym Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:31 pm
Metatron72 wrote:Sure if that's what I'm looking for. I recently did a lot of programming with 80's drum sounds and some drum synthesis VST's that try to emulate that fizzy old school analog sound. The majority of the programming I did was as retro as the sounds so that harder quantized, if not straight style was fitting.

I've used Reason for years so Roland x0x style step sequencing in Redrum is something I've done a lot. Maschine has a decent step sequencing mode where the pad lights are perfectly suited for it. I also sometimes use a few Live devices and Max4Live patches in Ableton with a Launchpad.


I got into making beats via Reason and redrum and a mouse ages ago:)

Just wondered what everyone's experience was, do you guys mix or purists ala traditional MPC methods. Besides from dance orientated music, I'm unaware of my limited knowledge of any records using just step sequencing in hip hop.
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By Metatron72 Mon Jun 18, 2012 1:45 pm
Yes that's true about about not hearing hard quantized step programmed drums in hip hop too much. Even old 80's records off DMX's and Linn Drums usually had some amount of swing applied and after '88 and MPC's well... :)
By acronym Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:28 pm
Metatron72 wrote:Yes that's true about about not hearing hard quantized step programmed drums in hip hop too much. Even old 80's records off DMX's and Linn Drums usually had some amount of swing applied and after '88 and MPC's well... :)


You be mad not to use swing with a step sequencer though at the moment I'm programming the kicks and snares with certain variations in timing instead of using swing to replicate a looser feel.

Hihats are an issue though.
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By Funkydrops Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:34 pm
Both... depending on too many variables to properly set a rule.

I try to explain. I use to midi connect reason and the 2.5K. I only sequence on the MPC, sometimes playing pads live, sometimes programming on the grid view, which allows for X0X style.

It depends a lot on Chops/Hits ratio. I tend to program larger chops and trigger single hits live, but normally I'll be doing both things on the same beat... placing an underlying structure of chopped breaks and playing off-beat hits live.

Otherwise, if I only have to layer a binary 808+CLAP, I'll probably do it directly in the grid, copy/pasting 1 bar all over from SEQ. This leaves the shuffle thing to the TC screen where JJOS is pretty capable.
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By tapedeck Mon Jun 18, 2012 2:57 pm
i step seq on machinedrum, and jeskola buzz takes 'step sequencing' to unearthly levels.

as for 'no step sequencing in hop hop'....are yall crazy? have yall ever heard of this drum machine, i don't know it's called a TR-808?! :hmmm:

step sequencing on the mpc though i almost never do - it's not even step sequencing as far as i can tell - more like step editing (since you can only do one at a time)...that's all i use it for on the mpc, editing single notes. (well JJ has that nice grid seq but ive never used it).
By JVC Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:16 pm
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Besides from dance orientated music, I'm unaware of my limited knowledge of any records using just step sequencing in hip hop.

Step sequencing was heavily used in hip hop music production back then. Planet Rock beat was made on 808. You know TR-808 and TR-909 were used heavily on early days of hip hop. Beasties Boys' 1st album is basically 808 record! And Marley Marl used to use his TR808 to trigger Korg Guitar digital delay, which he was using it as a sampler (samplers weren't widely available in late 80s')
Mantronix (every aspiring hip hop beat makers should know his name) used TR-909 a lot.
Electro hip hop and Miami Bass are about step sequencing (TR808).

The list goes on and on...

By the way, I love Electribe ES-1 sampler because it has step sequencer. I even re-created Pete Rock's "T.R.O.Y" beat on Electribe ES1.
By mastasteez Mon Jun 18, 2012 4:59 pm
JVC wrote:

By the way, I love Electribe ES-1 sampler because it has step sequencer. I even re-created Pete Rock's "T.R.O.Y" beat on Electribe ES1.



I saw your YouTube video, shit was dope!!!
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By peterpiper Mon Jun 18, 2012 5:58 pm
@nin





I had a Boss DR550 (not the mkII) in the 90s and also a Roland TR505. Both drummachines are step sequencer and I liked it. I also used a tracker for some time. This is not really step sequencing but worth to try IMO.


peace
By acronym Mon Jun 18, 2012 6:00 pm
peterpiper wrote:@nin





I had a Boss DR550 (not the mkII) in the 90s and also a Roland TR505. Both drummachines are step sequencer and I liked it. I also used a tracker for some time. This is not really step sequencing but worth to try IMO.


peace


Shiiiit I had a tracker on the Atari St, Buzz or something it was the shit. I can't stand Trackers at all.