A while ago, there was not much information available on the internet concerning drum machines. It was easy to get confused by the variety of equipment available then. It was also much harder to discern which instrument did what as most of the equipment back then did almost everything at the same time. You could easily find yourself confusing a keyboard, workstation and a synthesizer. This article aims to help you understand about the different terms you may come across and what they mean.
The drum machine can come either in software or hardware form. In short, you can simply regard is as a piece of music making equipment. Although existing in software form, it falls within a larger system of programs which work together to create sounds. Today, a single piece of music making equipment is capable of handling multiple tasks.
The major function of a drum machine is that it creates drum sounds that a producer can make use of. The very first versions of drum machines came with stock drum sounds that the producer could not change. Back then, the only reason a producer would buy a drum machine would be because of the type of sounds that came with it. Due to this, there are some machines such as the Roland TR-808 which are known for their distinctive drum sounds. This has changed greatly as nowadays, almost every drum machine allows you to use samples of your own or from third party sources. You can also sample another person's records.
Another function of the drum machine is to allow the producer to create drum parts on the machine through a programming function. In short, this function provides a sequencer that is tailor made for drums. This is a feature that allows the producer to create constant notes on a bar through filling in steps on a sequencer layout or through the use of drum pads. Both methods are fairly easy.
The two functions that are discussed above, which are creating drum sounds and beat programming are the most important parts of a drum machine, without which the machine would be meaningless. However, thanks to modern technology, it would not be right to assume that the drum machines can only achieve those functions. There are some other hidden functions that a drum machine performs and that are still critical in producing hip-hop sounds.
The drum machine can come either in software or hardware form. In short, you can simply regard is as a piece of music making equipment. Although existing in software form, it falls within a larger system of programs which work together to create sounds. Today, a single piece of music making equipment is capable of handling multiple tasks.
The major function of a drum machine is that it creates drum sounds that a producer can make use of. The very first versions of drum machines came with stock drum sounds that the producer could not change. Back then, the only reason a producer would buy a drum machine would be because of the type of sounds that came with it. Due to this, there are some machines such as the Roland TR-808 which are known for their distinctive drum sounds. This has changed greatly as nowadays, almost every drum machine allows you to use samples of your own or from third party sources. You can also sample another person's records.
Another function of the drum machine is to allow the producer to create drum parts on the machine through a programming function. In short, this function provides a sequencer that is tailor made for drums. This is a feature that allows the producer to create constant notes on a bar through filling in steps on a sequencer layout or through the use of drum pads. Both methods are fairly easy.
The two functions that are discussed above, which are creating drum sounds and beat programming are the most important parts of a drum machine, without which the machine would be meaningless. However, thanks to modern technology, it would not be right to assume that the drum machines can only achieve those functions. There are some other hidden functions that a drum machine performs and that are still critical in producing hip-hop sounds.
About the Author:
Learn more about hip hop beats. Stop by Delroy Wilkins's site where you can find out all about rap instrumentals and what it can do for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment