drum sequencing w/alesis sr-16/hammerhead?

Posted on

acoustic riot girl
Member Since: Jun 24, 2007

so i'm a singer/songwriter/guitarist that wants to add some drum tracks to her stuff w/out a live drummer. i have the alesis sr-16 and hammerhead sequencer to work with. i could tinker w/everything forever, which i will probally have to do anyway, but are there any sites/articles/books you could recommend that could get me in the "right" direction?

peace.

[ Back to Top ]


Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 15, 2007 12:49 am

I'll have a look at some of my links that might have a thing or two on sequencing real sounding drum tracks. If I find a couple I will post them up here for you.

acoustic riot girl
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2007


Jul 15, 2007 12:15 pm

thanks much dude...i just keep putting off the tinkering cause it seems all kinds of overwhelming. any help is much appreciated.

peace.
jen

Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002


Jul 15, 2007 04:49 pm

To be honest the major things to look at when writing a drum line for a drum machine is that you use a sequencer that will allow you to vary the velocity note by note. That will really help give it a much livelier sound for sure.

The other is to make sure and not program a straight up looping type beat. Change things up just the tiniest bit will really again add to the live sort of feel. Things like a missed hi hat beat or a doubled up snare hit once in a while will give it a better more live feel.

Frisco's Most Underrated
Member
Since: Jan 28, 2003


Jul 16, 2007 12:00 am

wow, hammerhead...
I think that was the software i made my very first ever drum beat on, back in like 2000 (which I'm pretty sure I no longer have)...

anyhow, when drum sequencing, it is normal to have 16 beats per measure, I think this is how hammerhead is set up if I remember right. Most modern music puts a snare (or clap) sound on the 5 th and 13th beat.

Here is a simple 1 bar loop, just for fun. You can take this for whatever you want, but it might give you a starting point....

beat 1: kick, high hat
beat 2:
beat 3: high hat
beat 4: kick
beat 5: snare, high hat
beat 6:
beat 7: high hat
beat 8: kick
beat 9: high hat
beat 10:
beat 11: kick, high hat
beat 12: kick
beat 13: snare, high hat
beat 14:
beat 15: high hat
beat 16: kick

it's pretty easy for simple stuff. It will take some practice, but it can be fun. Don't stress over it, and experiment.

acoustic riot girl
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2007


Jul 16, 2007 12:31 pm

i like all the old free stuff....besides, i'm broke. anywho, thanks for the poke in the right direction, have started messing with things, will hopefully have track w/new drum tracks on it by the end of this week. curse, i love to procrastinate, so will prob be later.

Uh, at least one more time . . .
Member
Since: Feb 07, 2007


Jul 16, 2007 09:55 pm

I've got the SR-16 too, and have been using
it for years. I've always quantized the beats,
and first write the song on an acoustic
and then play around with the SR until I get
something I like. Almost every time, a
mistake turns into exactly what I'm looking
for--so as above, noodle around with it. Once
you get used to working with the SR-16, loop
and beat-making will be a snap.

Related Forum Topics:



If you would like to participate in the forum discussions, feel free to register for your free membership.