2.3 Field Recording

When using audio for drums, you can see their volume over time, adjust their level, pitch, and direction, and have more control over the loops you create. This approach is perfect for honing your audio editing skills and is commonly used in genres like hip-hop, pop, and EDM.

Terms
Audio Samples: Pre-recorded sounds that can be placed directly into the timeline.
Waveform: A visual representation of sound that shows volume changes over time.

1 | Recording Setup

Find a songstarter loop that doesn’t have drums or bass that speaks to your style.

2 | Recording Prep

Change the tempo of the song and set the grid size to automatic.

3 | Record Kick

Find a snare sound that you like by searching for SNARE ONE SHOT. Place two snares on beats 1 and 3.

4 | Record The Rest

Adjust the grid size to 16th note subdivision.

5 | Add OneShots To Library

Find a kick one sound that you like by searching for KICK ONE SHOT. Place a kick on beat 1 and 2-5 other places in the measure.

6 | Arrange Drums Part 1

Find a closed hihat sound that you like by searching for HAT ONE SHOT. Place hihats in the measure to add more energy.

7 | Arranging Drums Part 2

Adjust the volumes of each drum instrument to balance the levels of the drums.

8 | Merge Tracks

Make small changes every four and eight bars to add variation to your track.

9 | Add Vocals

Merge each track to create a loop. This will make it easier to arrange drum patterns later.

10 | Shape Vocals

Merge each track to create a loop. This will make it easier to arrange drum patterns later.