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

Hmm, already done this few times, but here goes (this is only MY 
methodology, I'm sure there's tons more)...

- I typically start out by assigning one of the prc Presets to each of the 
1st four tracks.  IE, Track 1 gets a prc:Kicks Preset, Track 2 gets a 
prc:Snares Preset, Tracks 3 and 4 share a prc:Hats Preset.  My default 
000:0 Pattern actually has these assigned already to save me time.

- Next I save each preset as a User preset based on the Pattern name.  For 
instance, on my song Composite Blue, I'd have Blue BD, Blue Snare, Blue 
HH's, etc.  That way I can tweak the Presets and save the results very 
quickly once I start writing, without having to worry about overwriting 
another user location.  This is just prep work to speed things up later on 
when I'm in the groove and don't want to stop for XL-7 housekeeping 
duties.  :)

- Next I begin with a basic BD and Snare pattern using Grid Record based 
on the type of song I'm doing.  For a 4/4 song, this would be BD's on the 
1,5,9, and 13, with Snares on the 5 and 13.  For breaks stuff, it would be 
BD's on the 1 and 11, Snares on the 5 and 13.  This is just something to 
get me started, a template to play over if you will.  All of this is in a 
1 measure pattern still.

- The next step is to work on layering the BD and Snare presets.  I go 
into the Save menu, and copy the Layer and Cords from Layer 1 to Layer 2 
on both the BD and Snare Presets, then Save them.  Next I'll start playing 
with the Transpose settings of Layer 2 in both Presets, which effectively 
changes the sample used on that layer since I'm using a prc Preset 
dedicated to those type of sounds.  I'll keep playing with this, changing 
the Amp Vol between the two layers until I get something full and clear 
sounding that fits what I'm trying to do, then I save.

- Next I'll Extend the Pattern to 8 measures, and start working on the 
actual programming of notes.  I tend to use Grid mode to get the rough 
ideas down, from there I use Note List editor to add subtle variations in 
velocity as needed. 

- I'll probably start doing the HH stuff too at this point.  Closed HH's 
go on track 3, Open HH's go on Track 4.  I sometimes play them in manually 
via the key pads or if I have a specific idea I may just Grid Record them 
too.  Once I get a HH pattern I'm happy with, I'll use the Save menu to 
copy the layer and cords for this Preset too, though I don't always select 
a new sample in Layer 2, I'll just use a duplicate of Layer 1.  As always, 
it depends on the track.

- After I'm happy with the basics of the drum tracks, I apply a slight 
amount of Shuffle quantize to loosen things up.  I find that this setting 
[Res 16, Amnt 60-65, and Swing 53-55] works the best for most of my stuff. 
 For some of my breaks stuff, I might use more swing, hard techno gets 
less.

- That's about it for the basics, after this I'll add other percussion 
sounds for more variety, probably some crash cymbals at the start of the 
measure and maybe every 8th measure, etc.  Just depends on what I'm trying 
to do.




Speaking of which, rEalm, can u post the methodology for making drum 
patterns 
out of waveforms.  i remember awhile back u posted the means to create 
drums 
(basslines?) out of waveforms and it sounded really dope.  thanks..




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