In this video tutorial, Dubspot course designer and Maschine specialist Matt Cellitti explores new sound design workflow with Maschine 2.0′s drum synths, which can offer efficient and inspiring results for drum hits.
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Most producers have gone down the rabbit hole searching for the perfect kick drum sample for hours on end. The reality is that most of us have too many drum samples at our disposal these days. We start writing drum patterns and are often afraid to commit to a specific sound, knowing that the perfect sample is somewhere in our vast collection, if we can only find it. I’ve found that the new drum synths are often the best place to start looking for drum sounds, because they are so easy to shape. This is especially helpful when you’re layering drums and need a very specific tone to compliment a drum sample. Maybe you have a kick sample that is low and full, but missing a sharp attack. Rather than search endlessly for a good top-end sample to compliment it, I will almost always use the drum synth to sculpt the exact tone I want.
The drum synths are efficient and inspiring because they are simple, monophonic synthesizers, optimized for a specific function. Sure, you could make synthetic drum sounds out from any synthesizer on the market, but having only a small set of focused parameters helps you make quick, intelligent decisions without over-thinking things. In most cases, the only adjustments you can make are to important parameters like attack, body, tuning, and decay. The different synth engines often don’t tell you what kind of waveform the oscillator is generating, which is great because you simply rely on your ears to choose properly.
The drum synths can’t really be pigeonholed into specific genre uses either. They can create a wide variety of sounds, from classic old school drum machine sounds, to ultra-realistic acoustic kits, to trippy glitch. Add on the extensive effects from Maschine to process the drum synths, and things get really interesting in a hurry. Don’t forget to utilize the drum synths for melodic parts too–you can get some great results and happy accidents! - Matt Cellitti
For more information on Maschine 2.0 and Maschine Studio features, check out our Q+A with Matt Cellitti. And stay tuned to our blog for more updates on the Dubspot Maschine program that will include Maschine 2.0!
Native Instruments’ Maschine redefines the intersection of hardware and software, performance and production. With Dubspot’s Maschine program for performers and producers, you will go from shaking hands with this cutting-edge music platform to making full tracks and performing your music live over the course of three levels. The future of performance and production is here, and there is no time for the future like today.
What’s Included:
- Maschine Level 1: Programming and Beat Making Basics
- Maschine Level 2: Sampling, Slicing and Composing
- Maschine Level 3: Advanced Production and Performance Techniques
More start dates and information about payment plans can be found here.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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