I created techno for about 20 years. A time without UA-cam Tutorials. I was frustrated. Then i began to paint. But you triggered something in me. I feel my creativity growing in me, thanks to your Videos. Time has changed and I have to bring the beat back!
Same here. Techno and house DJ for 20+ yrs, used to tinker with drum machines hooked to guitar pedals but watching these videos feels like the help I've ALWAYS needed
Some small tips (for anyone interested) how I am moving away from amateur but don't consider myself pro: - I very often import samples in mono to give me all options for stereo processing - Pitch a sample to reduce frequency sharing - Trackspacer VST also can be really helpful when you still have two competing sounds (Addition: Good video once again)
Great stuff. For those relatively new to music production, all the techniques can seem overwhelming at first but it's like anything else - once you dive in and learn the tools, you can move fast and try lots of techniques on your composition before committing. I used to teach 3D animation at an art college and students would be overwhelmed at the difficulty of modeling but I would focus on the tools and practicing using them simply at first because once you get up to speed then you can enjoy the creative process. It doesn't take as long to become proficient as it might seem at the beginning.
Things that took my drums from hit/miss to solid most of the time: 1. Tune the kick and snare to the key of the song. It will make your drums and other elements sound gelled and seamless 2. Learn to buss - sends suck 3. Use dry samples 4. Mono the low end of the kick with the "bass mono" in utility
Tuning your kick samples is a total load of wank that the internet has somehow spread like wildfire. Yes, if you're using a kick in conjunction with a bassline, like a typical trap 808 thing, then it's essential. In any other context, there's basically zero reason to do it other than as an artistic choice. Acoustic drummers don't go and tune their kick drum between songs, so it obviously makes no sense to tune an acoustic kick drum, I'd argue if you do it too perfectly then it'll just sound unnatural. As for electronic drums, if you're getting sub issues, the solution is usually shortening your kicks and then if it's still not working then you'll have to do the actually difficult bit of mixing. In some very rare cases, a tuned kick can actually sound actively worse due to phasing with any perfectly-in-tune sub synth you have and it can disproportionately boost or reduce the same note or even audibly clash with notes that aren't the same as whatever you've tuned your kick to. Again, as an artistic choice, it's fine, but it's not in any way essential and it's definitely not a pre-requisite for well-mixed drums.
@@delcanprobably a lot of it got popularized in recent years because of the genres at the time. This includes big room (tonal bass drums), and other subgenres of mainroom house. I do agree with you on shortening kick samples; anyone who’s synthesized kicks knows that the pitch has to sweep down, so if you’re cutting it short there’s practically no point in ‘tuning’ it. Additionally, too many people overlook the fact that they should only tune the tail of the kick, rather than the entire thing. If you’re transposing the transient as well, you’ve messed up (in most cases).
@@delcanprobably I actually got the idea from learning that actual drums require tuning and applied that to a track and it sounded really good, then I noticed that sometimes my drums just sound like they don't belong, even busing them to the same channel and gluing them and reverbing them and this is the trick that makes them sound gelled into the track. Just because a kick/snare is hitting on a certain note doesn't mean it's primary sound is that note - moving its peak up/down a few hertz doesn't usually change the sound of the hit, but in the context of the mix it makes everything sound much more cohesive. Done or not, it's something no one would be able to pick out in a mix, but imo it adds to every track and loop I've done it to.
Trust me I'm 200 million streams in and have made music professionally under various names for 15 years, the only time you tune a kick is in a genre that requires tonal kicks, being some techno, edm, and hardstyle. If there is ANY bass movement at all or chord progression you want a short 'diver' kick that doesn't rest on a pitch at all or else you land with bad phase sub clashes. As for snares, I've never tuned a snare in my life, they are mostly noise fractals, and transient shapes, they shouldn't have a clear tone at all unless its just a creative preference use it as a musical element, but that's rarely its job it should provide back beat groove not 'gel' in. In summary never say always and never say never. there is no one rule that fit all productions or all genres. As for your other points, Busses are not an equivalency to Sends they serve different purposes so your statement is moot (and makes me think you might not understand either) . Dry samples always yes agreed. Mono everything imo. All listening methods are essentially mono save for headphones, and dance music is not for headphones , get everything right in mono first it will save your mix and help your groove. you can always add mono friendly stereo tricks later.
This video was a big help for a track I'm working on. The samples I picked are way too wide and wet. Mono compatibility and a sense of 'glue' suffered. Thx much for the pointers!
hey yalcin, would it be possible to get a walk through of your drum bus chain? I think a lot of us would be greatful to see how you glue the drums together etc. Thanks Best Joachim
I love the way you explain everything and your particular music taste really helps to bring your point across. Cheers! Thanks for another great tutorial!
Yalcin, I love every time you make content about drums. Each time I learn so much from you. It’s really great the content you make. Thank you for your commitment to excellence. :)
wow your video production level just skyrocket, amazin! I just found the sample while you were talking a bit unfitting or too loud idk. But amazing video
Thanks for another great video! I'm still catching up with your back catalogue, lol. If you have time to answer, could you explain the chain of effects you use on the drum bus?
I never use loops, only mono samples in Impulse. There are limited sample slots in Impulse so I'm forced to make choices early on - I think a holdover from my tracker days. :) Panning only comes in later. It's nice you can route individual samples to their own channel from Impulse, where panning and sound shaping takes place.
So, am I understanding this correct. When it comes to reverb, its generally good to have two, one to set the feel, then the longer one the set a space? Aside from drums, are these same two reverbs also fed into by synths, pads, etc as well? Amazing content and I thank you. I am a beginner and you have been teaching me so much.
From other videos i have watched, it's probably best to use the same two reverbs. Too many different reverbs and they will start to clash. It wold be better to adjust the send levels for your individual synths, pads, etc. Joe Gilder from Presonus has some good videos on reverb.
Just getting into electronic. Really like Alice stuff. Wondering what to listen to outside my Spotify searches? Really into aphex, Bjork, and mount Kimbie. As far as genres really like house, uk garage, jungle, and trip hop. Anything 90s really. Don’t really know what these tutorial sounds are but I like all of them especially. Need some basic history and pointers for dance music lol. Any recs are welcome. Production or info resources as well.
Great video as ever - thanks. I have a question. At 5.10 you talk about putting some hits a little early and some a little late to create the groove. My question is how you decide where to put them - is it down to experience or are there any guidelines you can follow. I've tried using swing settings in my DAW but they never seem to help the groove. Thanks!
It is really about feeling the groove and there is no right and wrong answer here. If you are having problems to solve it on computer, buy an egg shaker and turn on the metronome and just record it. Then you can use extract groove function on Ableton and apply to your hats and percussion. I think that is the easiest way to solve the problem. Hope this helps ☺🙌
@@Alice-Efe Woah, that's a pretty slick solution. Recently found your channel on shorts and cannot get enough! Great concise tips, and even greater vibes. Keep it up Yalcin! I'll certainly be paroozing your older content in the mean time. Cheers
@@Alice-Efe thanks - I use FL Studio but I am sure there must be a way to extract a groove and I'll give it a try. Thanks again for all you do for us 🙂
Hello Yalcin, Can you make a video about track deconstruction & recreation ? the tools & method you use during that process ( a part from your ears of course xD) ?
Hi Yalcin, I use Logic Pro X but I’ve recently bought Ableton Live due to the amount of tutorials I watch and the DAW is Ableton.. could you make a series on how to use Ableton please? Your tutorials are elite so I’d prefer to watch yours!
Hi Yalcin, thanks for sharing al that knowledge with the world, always constructive and easy to understand. The only thing you didn't explain is the reason behind that nail polish I think … 🤔 Just out of curiosity, does it have a certain meaning?
Nice video! Thanks for sharing great knowledge. I have a question about putting low end to mono, like kicks or low toms. Many say kicks and bass should be put to mono, but do you recommend doing this from the start on the instrument track itself or can this also be done on the master, putting a low cut on sides only on around 90-120hz, depending on the track? And are you of the opinion the entire kick should be mono or could we leave some high end on the sides? I’ve always been struggling because of so many different opinions.
Could this be the reason why when I start with a top loop it sounds great, after adding more elements the sibilance starts getting out of control? Literally gets painful on the ears and I'm cutting resonant frequencies like crazy to try and smooth the highs out.
Nice video, thank you for the content! I have one question though ... when you are sending different drum/perc elements through a return (hope I got it right) to add the room and space, to glue them together. Should I always send an equal amount for all the elements?
Hey there... no, It's cool to have a variation... think like a record studio, the instruments are placed in different areas of the studio, so it's natural to have differences between the elements...
I use sounds from different sample packs... is that a bad thing since these sample packs have been processed differently from others? Or could the reverb on all the drums would be able to gel? Of course the tuning on drums is important
It is completely alright using samples from different samples packs. Just be a bit carefull to "wet" samples having completely different type of delays and reverbs.
Or, now stay with me here, you could custom synthesize your percussive sounds from scratch every time. Bespoke beats to fit your needs! In all seriousness, thanks very much for the advice.
honestly this video was a bit hard to watch. too distracting .ifollow this channel cause this guy always has good tips but I wanted to see the screen and ableton but I keep seeing face and too many times zoom in zoom outs. gave me anxiety i ll find a normal tutorial. thankyou tho.
The mixing part of the drums: ua-cam.com/video/xPE7CP_VU5c/v-deo.html
I created techno for about 20 years. A time without UA-cam Tutorials. I was frustrated. Then i began to paint.
But you triggered something in me. I feel my creativity growing in me, thanks to your Videos. Time has changed and I have to bring the beat back!
It is time! Come back to techno production, we have so many cool stuff now 😊💯
Same here. Techno and house DJ for 20+ yrs, used to tinker with drum machines hooked to guitar pedals but watching these videos feels like the help I've ALWAYS needed
I get genuinely excited every week when I see a new video from you :D
Haha cheers Martin! I am as excited every time video goes online as well. ☺
Some small tips (for anyone interested) how I am moving away from amateur but don't consider myself pro:
- I very often import samples in mono to give me all options for stereo processing
- Pitch a sample to reduce frequency sharing
- Trackspacer VST also can be really helpful when you still have two competing sounds
(Addition: Good video once again)
Try sonibles smart compressor, they have a spectral side chain section which is much more precise than trackspacer 😁
@@deveyous6614 Never heard of it tbh. Thanks, will check it out
@@FCZassendorp maaaate you'll love it!
FYI If you have Live 11, you don't need track spacer. you can use the envelope follower to trigger live eq dips.
@@Bthelick Nice!
There aren't enough tutorials that say "This sucks, but let's explore why". Much appreciated!
Great stuff. For those relatively new to music production, all the techniques can seem overwhelming at first but it's like anything else - once you dive in and learn the tools, you can move fast and try lots of techniques on your composition before committing. I used to teach 3D animation at an art college and students would be overwhelmed at the difficulty of modeling but I would focus on the tools and practicing using them simply at first because once you get up to speed then you can enjoy the creative process. It doesn't take as long to become proficient as it might seem at the beginning.
this is the best video you have put out so far. (imo)
like holy shit, I really feel like a beginner after watching this.
That's a good thing! Keep chasing the feeling of being a beginner and stay there, one day it will pass!
Things that took my drums from hit/miss to solid most of the time:
1. Tune the kick and snare to the key of the song. It will make your drums and other elements sound gelled and seamless
2. Learn to buss - sends suck
3. Use dry samples
4. Mono the low end of the kick with the "bass mono" in utility
Tuning your kick samples is a total load of wank that the internet has somehow spread like wildfire. Yes, if you're using a kick in conjunction with a bassline, like a typical trap 808 thing, then it's essential. In any other context, there's basically zero reason to do it other than as an artistic choice. Acoustic drummers don't go and tune their kick drum between songs, so it obviously makes no sense to tune an acoustic kick drum, I'd argue if you do it too perfectly then it'll just sound unnatural. As for electronic drums, if you're getting sub issues, the solution is usually shortening your kicks and then if it's still not working then you'll have to do the actually difficult bit of mixing. In some very rare cases, a tuned kick can actually sound actively worse due to phasing with any perfectly-in-tune sub synth you have and it can disproportionately boost or reduce the same note or even audibly clash with notes that aren't the same as whatever you've tuned your kick to.
Again, as an artistic choice, it's fine, but it's not in any way essential and it's definitely not a pre-requisite for well-mixed drums.
@@delcanprobably a lot of it got popularized in recent years because of the genres at the time. This includes big room (tonal bass drums), and other subgenres of mainroom house. I do agree with you on shortening kick samples; anyone who’s synthesized kicks knows that the pitch has to sweep down, so if you’re cutting it short there’s practically no point in ‘tuning’ it.
Additionally, too many people overlook the fact that they should only tune the tail of the kick, rather than the entire thing. If you’re transposing the transient as well, you’ve messed up (in most cases).
@@delcanprobably I actually got the idea from learning that actual drums require tuning and applied that to a track and it sounded really good, then I noticed that sometimes my drums just sound like they don't belong, even busing them to the same channel and gluing them and reverbing them and this is the trick that makes them sound gelled into the track. Just because a kick/snare is hitting on a certain note doesn't mean it's primary sound is that note - moving its peak up/down a few hertz doesn't usually change the sound of the hit, but in the context of the mix it makes everything sound much more cohesive. Done or not, it's something no one would be able to pick out in a mix, but imo it adds to every track and loop I've done it to.
Trust me I'm 200 million streams in and have made music professionally under various names for 15 years, the only time you tune a kick is in a genre that requires tonal kicks, being some techno, edm, and hardstyle. If there is ANY bass movement at all or chord progression you want a short 'diver' kick that doesn't rest on a pitch at all or else you land with bad phase sub clashes. As for snares, I've never tuned a snare in my life, they are mostly noise fractals, and transient shapes, they shouldn't have a clear tone at all unless its just a creative preference use it as a musical element, but that's rarely its job it should provide back beat groove not 'gel' in.
In summary never say always and never say never. there is no one rule that fit all productions or all genres.
As for your other points, Busses are not an equivalency to Sends they serve different purposes so your statement is moot (and makes me think you might not understand either) .
Dry samples always yes agreed.
Mono everything imo. All listening methods are essentially mono save for headphones, and dance music is not for headphones , get everything right in mono first it will save your mix and help your groove. you can always add mono friendly stereo tricks later.
This is an eye opener for beginners! Thanks once again
very valuable informations glued together in a video again, thanks.
great!! I'll apply to my tracks. You are the best
Super helpful. As usual. So much I need to work on. Thank you sir!
Keep grinding ☺
You are so goooooood. Been off the production game for a little while but coming back to find all your dope content is awesome. Very inspiring.
This video was a big help for a track I'm working on. The samples I picked are way too wide and wet. Mono compatibility and a sense of 'glue' suffered. Thx much for the pointers!
Man you are awesome! Addicted to you channel!!
thanks for this as i just asked you like two weeks ago about drum sending returns! thank you kindly!
Please talk more about the reverbs!
Thanks for the cannell, very useful :)
hey yalcin, would it be possible to get a walk through of your drum bus chain? I think a lot of us would be greatful to see how you glue the drums together etc. Thanks
Best
Joachim
I love the way you explain everything and your particular music taste really helps to bring your point across. Cheers! Thanks for another great tutorial!
Yalcin, I love every time you make content about drums. Each time I learn so much from you. It’s really great the content you make. Thank you for your commitment to excellence. :)
wow your video production level just skyrocket, amazin! I just found the sample while you were talking a bit unfitting or too loud idk. But amazing video
Beautiful drums 😍💯
Amazing, I really needed this today Yalcin 🎶✌️
Thanks for another great video! I'm still catching up with your back catalogue, lol. If you have time to answer, could you explain the chain of effects you use on the drum bus?
Great video, pretty in-depth explanation for a relative short video!
Love the video man, super interesting. Thank you! 🙏
I never use loops, only mono samples in Impulse. There are limited sample slots in Impulse so I'm forced to make choices early on - I think a holdover from my tracker days. :) Panning only comes in later. It's nice you can route individual samples to their own channel from Impulse, where panning and sound shaping takes place.
thank you ... it is very helpful - Peter from Germany
You are insanely good!!!
Thank you Yalcin :)
Cheers!
Thank you ❤
So, am I understanding this correct. When it comes to reverb, its generally good to have two, one to set the feel, then the longer one the set a space? Aside from drums, are these same two reverbs also fed into by synths, pads, etc as well? Amazing content and I thank you. I am a beginner and you have been teaching me so much.
From other videos i have watched, it's probably best to use the same two reverbs. Too many different reverbs and they will start to clash. It wold be better to adjust the send levels for your individual synths, pads, etc. Joe Gilder from Presonus has some good videos on reverb.
@@timetravelvictim Thank you, gotta check him out
Great content. Very informative
Thanks a ton RME!
Aksan kısmını hiç düşünmemiştim denemem lazım, ayrıca aksandan yakalandın hocam😅
excellent video! you're so freaking knowledgeable!
Teşekkürler Yalçın. Gerçekten faydalı bilgiler, eline sağlık :)
Just getting into electronic. Really like Alice stuff. Wondering what to listen to outside my Spotify searches? Really into aphex, Bjork, and mount Kimbie. As far as genres really like house, uk garage, jungle, and trip hop. Anything 90s really. Don’t really know what these tutorial sounds are but I like all of them especially. Need some basic history and pointers for dance music lol. Any recs are welcome. Production or info resources as well.
You're The Best Man ❤️
Love From India 🇮🇳 ❤️
dope tutorials
thanks so much !
do a video on newish free noise eng plugs. new lfo mod section is bonkers!
Thanks so much for the video!! I learn so much ☺🙏✨!
Happy to help Takato! Cheers
suuuuuch a good video, thx
Glad it helped! ☺🙌
Nice explanation. How do I distinguish a sound coming from in front of me from a sound coming from above my head? They are both in the middle.
Great video. Really helpful
Class as always ❤
Thank you Vdub! Cheers!
Great video as ever - thanks. I have a question. At 5.10 you talk about putting some hits a little early and some a little late to create the groove. My question is how you decide where to put them - is it down to experience or are there any guidelines you can follow. I've tried using swing settings in my DAW but they never seem to help the groove. Thanks!
It is really about feeling the groove and there is no right and wrong answer here. If you are having problems to solve it on computer, buy an egg shaker and turn on the metronome and just record it. Then you can use extract groove function on Ableton and apply to your hats and percussion. I think that is the easiest way to solve the problem. Hope this helps ☺🙌
@@Alice-Efe Woah, that's a pretty slick solution. Recently found your channel on shorts and cannot get enough! Great concise tips, and even greater vibes. Keep it up Yalcin! I'll certainly be paroozing your older content in the mean time. Cheers
@@Alice-Efe thanks - I use FL Studio but I am sure there must be a way to extract a groove and I'll give it a try. Thanks again for all you do for us 🙂
@@russiankid112233 thanks a ton Kirill, happy to help! Keep producing 😊🥳
Hello Yalcin,
Can you make a video about track deconstruction & recreation ? the tools & method you use during that process ( a part from your ears of course xD) ?
Hi Yalcin, I use Logic Pro X but I’ve recently bought Ableton Live due to the amount of tutorials I watch and the DAW is Ableton.. could you make a series on how to use Ableton please? Your tutorials are elite so I’d prefer to watch yours!
Hi james, I am in the middle of building full online courses including Ableton Fundamentals. It will be available soon.
brilliant video!!
8:44 Im going to sample this
Your nails are hypnotic XD
Great video as usual :)
Hi Yalcin, thanks for sharing al that knowledge with the world, always constructive and easy to understand.
The only thing you didn't explain is the reason behind that nail polish I think … 🤔 Just out of curiosity, does it have a certain meaning?
That last clip is why we do it lol
We are blessed 👍☮
How do I find that graphic interface that shows how stereo or mono a sound is on ableton?
god bless you man ❤ great content
Really Great Tips For Drums.
😀
Cheers! ☺
Nice video! Thanks for sharing great knowledge. I have a question about putting low end to mono, like kicks or low toms. Many say kicks and bass should be put to mono, but do you recommend doing this from the start on the instrument track itself or can this also be done on the master, putting a low cut on sides only on around 90-120hz, depending on the track? And are you of the opinion the entire kick should be mono or could we leave some high end on the sides? I’ve always been struggling because of so many different opinions.
Could this be the reason why when I start with a top loop it sounds great, after adding more elements the sibilance starts getting out of control? Literally gets painful on the ears and I'm cutting resonant frequencies like crazy to try and smooth the highs out.
Did it hurt when you fell from heaven? :p Tx again for sharing this amazing knowledge!
Aww thanks a ton! Just trying to help out my fellow producers. Cheers! ❤🎉
What effects did you have on your colours group? Mine always sound flat and just in the middle of the track as opposed to standing out
thanks!
amazing vid as always ! Thanks :)
Thanks a ton for continious support Maxime! Appreciate it! ❤
@@Alice-Efe more than normal Yalcin :)
great stuff
Great project. Available to buy?
You can check this out: www.mercurialtones.com/deviant-analog-drum-samples
@@Alice-Efe Great. Do the Ableton sessions with a loop and drum busses etc? Cheers.
@@RJ1J yeah some of the projects has it in the pack. There will be also more explains on drum bus in the next video.
@@Alice-Efe I really like the project in this video. Will it be available ever?
@@RJ1J yeah after the next video on my Patreon 😊
Nice video, thank you for the content! I have one question though ... when you are sending different drum/perc elements through a return (hope I got it right) to add the room and space, to glue them together. Should I always send an equal amount for all the elements?
Hey there... no, It's cool to have a variation... think like a record studio, the instruments are placed in different areas of the studio, so it's natural to have differences between the elements...
Nice video, the drums are a big problem for me. I keep changing them and I end up bored with my loop. Feeling stuck. Any tips?
I would suggest watching my arrangement series. I go quite in detail there.
Yalcin Glue Efe, you legend.
I may like Glue Compressors a bit too much 😅🥂
Question to commenters, without consulting anything or anyone, how do YOU pronounce “timbre” as in the voicing of a sound
Tarm-bruh, Bruh 😀
I use sounds from different sample packs... is that a bad thing since these sample packs have been processed differently from others? Or could the reverb on all the drums would be able to gel? Of course the tuning on drums is important
It is completely alright using samples from different samples packs. Just be a bit carefull to "wet" samples having completely different type of delays and reverbs.
@@Alice-Efe thank you 🙏🏼
I comment cause comments help you. Thanks 🙃
Just add more saturation.
7:30 number 1 ingredient for house music, cheesy vocal. :D
What microphone do you use ?
It is Rode nt2
I F'n LOVE YOU BRO. 🤘
Or, now stay with me here, you could custom synthesize your percussive sounds from scratch every time. Bespoke beats to fit your needs! In all seriousness, thanks very much for the advice.
Some how Begginer drums sounds like pop music drums to me
MTF trans?
this video is unnecessarily prescriptive for how bad the "pro" kick sounds
honestly this video was a bit hard to watch. too distracting .ifollow this channel cause this guy always has good tips but I wanted to see the screen and ableton but I keep seeing face and too many times zoom in zoom outs. gave me anxiety i ll find a normal tutorial. thankyou tho.
Dude gotta lose that man bun it looks nuts