Ok, I need some help. Programming beats has always been hard for me. So I'd like some suggestions. Here is my dilema: All I have is a Korg synth for drum sounds. JD, I know you use the Korg so maybe you can help me out here. The track I want to focus on is "Move", because I want to include it on the New Funk Order cd. You can listen to it here: http://vinablue.home.att.net

1. I want to change the beat and make it funky! I'm thinking the generic boom-pop-boomboom-pop will work with this one and the cow bell is probably gonna go. I still like the reverse snare though. Any input/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

2. The bridge needs a lot of help. Don't know what to do there. I'm thinking I will listen to the 1999 cd and get some ideas. The music kind of changes, so I'm not sure if the beat should change or stay the same as the rest of the song.

3. Jason if you could tell me which drum kits and notes you like to use without external effects, that would be cool. Do you use the internal effects on the drums?

4. I've recently been told about a free software drum machine called hammerhead, but I still have to install it on my computer. Anybody heard of this?

5. Last but not least: If anyone wants to program the drum track for me on their system, I can upload a version of the song without the drums, so we can figure out a way to collaborate! Cool!
[This message was edited Wed Feb 26 2:58:44 PST 2003 by VinaBlue]

Ok, I just changed the base/snare drum pattern to:
boom-pop-(rest)boom-pop, boom-pop-boomboom-pop and left the bridge the same. I like how it sounds. Still would dig some groovy feedback. Maybe I should use handclaps to make it more Prince-like, lol!

VinaBlue said:

I messed with Hammerhead, but then I found Fruity Loops. You can get the demo for free - use it to make loops. The demo won't allow you to save any work, but you can export wav files til you're blue in the face. ALSO, you can load drum sounds from wav files. I found a couple of LINN DRUM sites that provide ALL the drum sounds that you know and love. I even found some sounds from KRAFTWERK's drum machine (don't know the name of it) so you can REALLY get some great stuff out of it.

ALSO - as far as putting together funky simple drum beats, go check out the band Soul Coughing - their drummer was AWESOME in laying down the beat and just letting it ride thru the song - "Bus To Beelzebub" and "Screenwriter's Blues", "Casiotone Nation" come to mind as standout grooves.
[This message was edited Tue Feb 18 7:31:20 PST 2003 by otan]

VinaBlue said:

I love that song,the feel over it,but it´s hard 2 come up with any suggestions on the drums with out actually working
with them.hmmm
I see U already changed the pattern.when I work I record
just one bar,starting with the bassdrum 4 example.
then I continue on the next track wit the hi hat.
if it´s not tight enought I quantise it in logic 2 make
it tighter.then i loop the patterns so it runs thru the
whole song.after I recorded the rest of the song then I
change some stuff on the drums here & there.
do U have the files on MIDI?
try quantise it in 16/8.& another suggestion is the mixing.
just keep it simple.I know U hear all these things in your head right? but keep it simple.
keep the basic beat on the front & get that right & then
U can spice it up with some other stuff,but try not 2
keep all those different polyrythms so they interfear with each other by having them 2 high in the mix.
I´d love 2 hear your new drums on this!
/manki

manki said:

Find out if you can load a wave file into Logic and I will upload a track without the drums. I'm curious what would happen if you worked with it.




Yes, I do right now.



Do you mean quantize by 16th notes? Or are you talking about 16/8 as a time signature?


Yeah, I know. I'm gonna work on minimizing the cow bell and shaker thing. Not do that as often, bring a little more snare into it too. Keep it simple: good idea.


I'll put it up as soon as I'm done. Maybe this weekend??? I'd love to hear YOUR drums on this too though...

Thanks for your help sweetie!

Sorry- I've been away with my wife and son. Back now though. I really think it is all about feel. I will listen to the song again before lunch today on the bosses computer to see what it is like.

Also, I really like the flange effect on some songs- it seems to crisp up the drums. And, as far as a beat, I will let you know what drum pattern I think would be cool on it after I listen.


Peace!

JD

i guess it's kinda late 2 b tellin u what i lied and stuff, but I liked the cowbell thing going on in there. It has an 80's feel 2 it!. All the sounds are very much 80ish.

Ur vocals work well with it, i no ur not asking of that but still, just had 2 comment:)

Good luck with everything !!!

F there iz N E thing I can do,...Just e-mail N ask

www.mp3.com/thumpinhard

Thanks everyone! I'm going to go ahead and upload a track without drums this weekend so this is easier.


[This message was edited Thu Feb 20 19:55:41 PST 2003 by VinaBlue]

JDODSON said:

Groovy. Looking forward to hear what you have to say. Could you also let me know which drum kits you like to use on the Korg? Do you have a favorite? I'll try what you said about Flange on the drums. Thanks. I'm going to upload the drumless track asap.

OK, I finally uploaded a drumless track. You can find it here:
http://briefcase.yahoo.com/orgmusicians
The password is what. (Just kidding ) The password is (psyche!). You'll find the file in My Documents. Right click and save.

Now if somebody can create a funky beat to this and upload just the beat to the same folder, I will download it and manipulate it in Cakewalk. UPLOAD A WAVE FILE.

Basically there is the Intro, Verse1, Verse2 and the Bridge. If you have any questions, send me an email at equinox_22@hotmail.com or send me an orgnote, or just post here!

Note: There is a little glitch at the begining, it sounds like a cymbal/closed hit hat. Just ignore it, I did the best I could, mixing down the audio and MIDI tracks.

UPDATE 3/10. BOTH MANKI AND JDODSON HAVE DONE DRUM TRACKS FOR ME. THANKS GUYS! I AM NOW WORKING ON CREATING THESE VERSIONS AND MY DRUMLESS TRACK IS NO LONGER UP.
[This message was edited Mon Mar 10 10:07:20 PST 2003 by VinaBlue]

You're music is quite unique Vina. You are truly gifted. When will your album be available? I'd like an autographed copy.

XXX said:

Wow, thanks! Hopefully the whole thing will be finished by this summer. I'm a bit of a perfectionist, but I think I finally will get it done. I'll have the new version of Move done by March 15th as scheduled, for the New Funk Order compilation.

The tracks on my website are demos from a looong time ago. I'd like a drum programmer to collaborate with, hence, this thread. I'd also benefit from a good producer, because I'm still learning recording/engineering/mixing techniques. Someone with more experience in that area would speed up the process.

I will keep you updated on the final release date. Thanks for the compliment.

paisleypark4 said:

Thanks PP4! I may keep the cowbell, who knows. Both Manki and JD are doing drum tracks for it. I'm thinking I will use Jason's mix for the NFO and Manki's for when I release my full cd. Then I will probably do an 80's mix myself, since the chords in the bridge totally remind me of Duran Duran.

I dig your beats too, so maybe we can collaborate on another track... Maybe Naked? Take a listen and I'll work on uploading a newer, drumless version. I've changed the sounds recently.

[This message was edited Sat Mar 1 19:32:25 PST 2003 by VinaBlue]