This topic is for general discussion about Drum & Bass
Chat with others who like this genre about:
New or Favorite tracks and artists
DnB making techniques
Samples / instruments
Please paste your finished Drum and Bass tracks in the #Tracks category so all the tracks are in one location, but you can post a link to that topic from here if you want.
Ok, I have a few things to share Iāve seen over the years that are just great related to jungle/drum and bass:
Video explaining the history and uses of the Amen break
interview, this is part one of three. Photek is part 2 and Source Direct is 3rd. Ignore the intro the interviews themselves are in English.
Another great (not just drum and bass) break is the funky drummer. Iāve heard this used in drum and bass, hip hop, Atari Teenage Riot⦠if the amen break is the father of jungle drum programming, funky drummer is the holy spirit.
YES I couldnāt remember the name of that break! AHHHHHH
This was my first exposure to that break:
(break and track starts at 3:09)
Just as good as the first time I saw it!!
Also, fair warning, the vids Iāve posted and @blakkaz are probably not safe for work or youngins at some parts. Just be advised. But DONāT rob yourself of amazing history, eitherā¦
PLEASE PLEASE be aware, NONE of these samples are cleared. But, if you want great breaks to play around with and LEARN from, this cannot be beat. There is a mountain of classics on this site.
Speaking production quick, Iāve a few tips for inquiring minds:
Have your tempo fall somewhere between 160-180. This isnāt a hard and fast rule, but once you get slower than 160 you get into more dubstep / trance etc tempo windows. DNB breaks at ~130bpm is more like breakbeat at that point
DO NOT STACK THE LAYERS. Most drum and bass / jungle is sparse with regard to instrument count. When you listen to these types of tracks you can VERY clearly pick out the bass, drum/percussion, a lead synth or piano etc.
Pitch your snares. Erratically. This is a classic, classic drum and bass / jungle move. Having a hard time finding a clear example now, but picture a series of three snare hits where the pitch of each hit increases like a staircase.
Your drum loops - fill in the gaps. Use percussive elements to fill in the gaps between your kicks and snares. 32nd notes and soft notes come in handy here for rolls and etc.
Oooooooh boy, Chris Cunningham yes yes yes yes yes.
I remember being in highschool and looking on⦠I canāt even remember what site. Not youtube, and finding all these videos like Come to Daddy and Windowlicker and just being in total awe.
Yes haha, I was thinking this one, I have something on Moving Shadow 00.1 that is a VERY clear example, I gotta find it again though. Itās a little tricky though cause the stuff on there in some cases differs from the original versions. Iāll need to take a listen during lunch and make a note of the track
I made a DnB kit before using a custom sample before Organic Elements 2 was introduced. However, with its introduction I found a better ride hihat sound and now the kit doesnāt require a new sample, and sounds much better. Itās named āWindowā in reference to the old legacy kit that mostly suited DnB with the excellent ride, frame.