Emu XL-7 & MP-7 User's Group

For me it's really mixture of all the recording modes.  Typically I start 
out my drum patterns using Grid record, just to get the basic BD, Snare, 
and HH's out.  Each gets it's own track and Preset, except the HH's which 
share the same preset so that the OHH cuts off the CHH properly.  Once I 
get the basic 8 measure pattern happening, I then start trying different 
Swing quantize settings to help add some more feel to it. Swing usually is 
set at 53-58%, and the amount percentage is between 58-68%.  When I get 
something that sounds pretty smooth, and not overly "swung", I'll start 
adding the little variations that make it sound more life like.  These can 
be played in real-time, or added in Grid Mode.  For really fast snare 
rolls (those nuskool stutters) and stuff, I jump into Note List Edit and 
use the Copy function there too.

Other things that help break beats sound more natural:

- Use a patch cord to assign KeyRand1 or 2 to Amp Vel +3.  This will add 
subtle volume variation to each hit.
- Double up your kicks and snares (very important for beefy drums!).  The 
stock drum kit Presets almost all use only one layer, so assign another 
Drum kit tone to layer 2, then use the Preset Transpose amount to pick the 
right 'second layer sound'.
- Use swing quantize, it really does help.  Apply more and more until you 
can just hear the swing being applied, then back off one setting.
- Practice.  Yeah, the lamest answer, but it really does come down to 
practice makes perfect.

rEalm





I was listening to the emuCS and I came up with a question..
How do you guys program your brak beats realtime? grid? a mixture?
mine ALWAYS sound LAME..any pointers?








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