Rock Your Tracks with Drum Breaks
Rhythmic Pulse: insights on infusing personality into your musical compositions via drum patterns
Hear ye, hear ye! Drum breaks, baby! Whether you're into jazzy grooves or hard-hitting rhythms, you've probably stumbled upon these little instrumental wonders. Here's a lowdown on what they are, how to use 'em in your tracks, and some legalities you need to know. Let's get crushin'!
What's a Drum Break?
A drum break is like the star of the show, where all instruments take a powder-leave, and the drums take center stage. They're often brief, instrumental (mostly percussive), and perfect for building excitement or separating song sections.
An important note: When we talk about drum breaks and breakbeats, they might be used interchangeably, but there's a difference. A drum break is the original section, while a breakbeat is the act of sampling and looping that break.
Slimy Legal Stuff
Sampling is all the rage in modern electronic music, but remember, you shouldn't use other people's music without their blessings. While sampling classic drum breaks can feel like a common practice, it's a legal gray area. To avoid trouble, stick with royalty-free sample packs. Want more ways to sidestep copyright issues? Read on!
Bust a Move with the Most Popular Drum Breaks
With so many tracks out there, it's a bonanza for drum break enthusiasts! But a few stand out from the rest. Let's chat about some faves that have been spinning the decks for years.
The Amen Break
This rugged contender hails from the 1969 track "Amen, Brother" by The Winstons. It's the unsung hero of entire genres like hip-hop and drum and bass. Fun fact? Being a measly 6 seconds long, it's easily tweaked to fit various genres without losing charm. Pop culture kingpins like N.W.A, Salt-N-Pepa, Oasis, Slipknot, and London Grammar have all danced with The Amen Break!
The Think Break
Straight from the 1972 track "Think About It" by Lyn Collins, this 2-second drum break is like a trusted sidekick, and its signature "eh!" vocal sound makes it instantly recognizable. When sped up, the pitch becomes higher, giving it that unique, irresistible vibe. Netsky's "I Refuse" and Calibre's "Mr. Maverick" are famous examples!
The Hot Pants Break
Although the original track isn't a drum break, the B-side titled "Hot Pants (Bonus Beats)" sure deserves some credit! Its shaker sound and roomy snare hit make it a popular choice in tracks like "Fools Gold" by The Stone Roses and Madonna's "Frozen."
The Apache Break
In 1973, drum circles mourned the loss of "Apache" by Incredible Bongo Band, but little did they know, it would become a treasure trove for sampling! Why? With its unstoppable bongo pattern, it was ripe for the plucking. The 8-second drum intro and bongo solo at the 2:20 mark make it the ideal pick for organic percussion layers. Hit tracks like Moby's "Machete" and LL Cool J's "You Can't Dance" have all gone Apache.
The Funky Drummer Break
Last, but certainly not least, is the funky Funky Drummer by James Brown. Found halfway through the 9-minute version of the track, it's a groovy hats and snare combo that captures the essence of soul. The natural reverb it carries makes it a dream to infuse life into your drum arrangements. Don't believe us? Give thunderous tracks like Dr. Dre's "Let Me Ride" and Public Enemy's "Fight the Power" a listen!
Give 'Em a Whirl: 3 Creative Ways to Use Drum Breaks
When it comes to using drum breaks, there's no one-size-fits-all approach. First, decide if the break will be the foundation of your track or simply added character. Let's look at three creative ways to use 'em in your tracks.
Manufacturing New Rhythms with FL Studio's Slicex
Slicex is your new BFF when you want to create new patterns with drum breaks. It allows you to cut, chop, and manipulate drum breaks endlessly, giving you the freedom to rearrange and create entirely new rhythms. Pro tip: In Ableton, you can achieve similar results using Slice Mode on the Simpler device.
Spicing up Drums with Layering
Layering is all about combining multiple samples or loops to add some excitement to your arrangement. To ensure your tracks don't get muddy, process andseparate each sample individually. EQ is your best bet, but stereo separation and sidechaining can also help.
Crafting Anticipation with Drum Fills
A drum break can be the perfect segue between song sections, building excitement and anticipation. Use filters to introduce it smoothly and seamlessly!
Final Words
Now you're better equipped to appreciate the power of drum breaks in your tunes. As always, remember: "no rules." Experiment, discover new techniques, and create tracks that leave listeners fawning at your feet. Rock on!
Invest in drum programming to infuse the thrill of entertainment into your music masterpieces. By crafting the rhythm with drum breaks, you're not just making tracks, you're painting beats that tell a story and stir the hearts of music-loving audiences.
