help please need to figure out which drumming machine is the best for my needs?
i was thinking of getting the akai xr20 for my first drumming machine, but i hate mainstream i am strictly underground head and mc pioneers and that drumming machine has mainstream samples and can be barely customized .i want a different sound so can anyone recommend a drumming machine thats portable, make my own samples, transfer samples by usb or anything of that nature. my list that i have is alesis sr18, akai mpc 500 but its too much so i'm not going to get it until i have money, and sp 404 which is the dopest i think so please help me out underground hip hop head producers i will try to keep hip hop fresh thanks
Best Drum Machine Manufacturers: Boss/Roland, Akai, Zoom, Alesis
Rolands are commercial, but great sound. Akai would be top pro gear, but expensive. Zoom are very efficient and not pricey. Alesis offer both pro and novice gear.
For a starter drum machine, I would recommend a Zoom. Simply because you can get one off ebay really cheap, and it'll teach you more about the specific features you desire in order to buy your next piece. You can always add and collect gear to form the rawest studio! I started out with a Boss DR 550, and Zoom 234. The Boss was twice the cost, but I liked the Zoom twice as much.
Also, you could sample either with vinyl, or now days they can sample any audio file via software. You even could sample your own self, or get real creative and sample various sounds to form a custom drum-kit. example: your voice for kick1, dog bark for kick2, car braking for snare, fence rattling for fills, clink two forks together for hi hat, etc... Software would give you endless opportunities.
Still, I am stuck using the Yamaha Motif ES8, and LOVE it. So that is another option, buy a sound station and programming machine. You can upload samples or tediously customize your own! But these machines are large, and expensive. Just different things fit different styles.. so you gotta find your niche.
Also, all gear is ultimately usb compatible, since there are audio cables that convert to usb. You can always check ebay for those, since your local store might not carry those.
Whatever you do... definitely keep it FRESH.
How to chop a sample in the Akai S series sampler
Hip-hop Beat Production
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Hip-hop music has become one of the most popular styles of music in United States of America. It consists of two components such as rapping and record scratching. These two components when combined with break dancing and graffiti develop the important elements of hip-hop music. If you wish to enter in the field of hip-hop beat production, you need to understand more about hip-hop music.
Hip-Hop beat production
Modern hip-hop beat production utilizes sequencers, samplers, turntables, synthesizers, drum machines and live instrumentation. Hip-hop production may involve a drum beat, a bassline, sampled music or originally sequenced loops. Beat and vocals are two basic parts of typical hip-hop song. Sampling and beats are the basic elements for producing the hip-hop music.
Sampling
Sampling is an integral part of hip-hop bit production. Samples are taken from the records and imported into the sequencers or samplers. Producers generally opt for creating totally original recordings using the computer-generated beats. Re-record or overdub the sampled part with the live musician is another solution.
Beats
The drum beat is another important element of hip-hop beat production. It is very essential to understand the beats to know the hip-hop construction. Beats include the following-
• MIDI Drum patterns or audio drum loops which include the complete drum tracks
• A Bassline (MIDI sequence)
• Dubs and snips (samples that accent and give character)
• Supporting orchestration (could be synch pads, horns, string sections)
The beat can be short or long and it is 8 bars in its shortest form. If long, it may consist of different parts for the chorus and verse and may add introduction, break and ending.
The vocal tracks in the hip-hop song consist of
• Main vocal-main vocalist performs the rap
• Second vocal- a guest vocal or second vocal that takes a verse
• Background vocals-created to offer a sense of participation by a whole group
• Overdubbed vocals-the main vocal may be doubled, tripled or quadrupled during the chorus and other parts
Recording
For hip-hop beat production, a multi-track recorder is typically used for recording. Nowadays, digital ADAT tape recorders have become popular. Use of a PC as a multi-track recorder with or without outboard can be good alternative. Professional producers generally prefer the condenser microphone for studio recording because of their high quality and wide-range response. The dynamic microphone is a primary alternative to expensive condenser microphone.
Samplers
Hardware samplers have been involved in hip-hop beat production. Samplers outfitted with pads such as MV8000 and MPC can be conveniently used. Software samplers such as Kontakt 2, Halion, Gigastudio, Battery are quite good and can provide more flexibility if your computer is capable to run inside a sequencer. A control pad surface like the Akai MPD16 can be used to provide some hardware control over your software.
Synthesizers
Synthesizers are frequently used for hip-hop beat production. They are used for basslines, melody, for sound synthesis and as percussive stabs. In addition to the analog synthesizer, old FM synths such as cheap Casios, the DX7 and its offspring and other digital synths can be useful for hip-hop elements.
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