Dilla delay on the snare for producers

[TACTIK]

At first I couldn't quite understand how J Dilla did his snare delays so proper on his beats until now that I use the drum pad playing to the rhythm of the sample, not all super quantized anymore like in Fruity Loops thanks to Ableton. When I hit the snare playing this way dancing with the rhythm of the samples they hit later than a quantized snare would look and I am now feeling how it works with just listening to the sample and not looking at the point you want to make longer! Try it if your making beats and know what J Dilla is all about...this really gives you more rhythm with your beats if you go with the flow of the samples to play drums on a drum pad. Makes a bigger difference from my FL Studio days not playing live...All Ableton now!

 

[Drago Zetić]

I find that delaying just the hats is good enough for most beats. Here and there I'd also go full wonky though.

 

[Iron Keys]

Real nice "feel" you've got on this one brother.

When i was making disco style tracks I'd push the snares slightly forward. I also used to push em slightly forward on some hiphop tracks. Sometimes to flam a snare with a clap or something.

 

[TACTIK]

Real nice "feel" you've got on this one brother.

When i was making disco style tracks I'd push the snares slightly forward. I also used to push em slightly forward on some hiphop tracks. Sometimes to flam a snare with a clap or something.

Thanks bro! Good idea on pushing the snares. I was using breakbeats a lot to do it but now I wanna add individual kicks and snares more. Multiple snares sound so unique even if you mixed a popular one with a rare one...

 

[TACTIK]

I find that delaying just the hats is good enough for most beats. Here and there I'd also go full wonky though.

Nice, sometimes just those hats delayed can add way more swagger.

 

[Delta Skeltah]

Dope read. I stopped quantizing long ago. Dibia$e said in an interview a while back "a live drummer doesn't use quantize". When I record my drums I just do it live on my pads. For my style of production, it works well for me that way. Dope that you mentioned dilla @TACTIK
Knxledge, madlib, dibia$e, jon wayne, flying lotus....check em out if you haven't already. Super wonky hiphop.

 

[Delta Skeltah]

Dope beat by the way, love that jazzy shit @TACTIK

 

[TACTIK]

Thanks a grip for the feedback @THEmfRIDDLAH Jazz records are my fave to dig. All about using Lo-Fi as my bass to give it some structure.

 

[2GooD Productions]

Im still quantizing my drums, but like @Iron Keys said about delaying a snare to cause different amounts of flam on different snare/clap hits is a great way to humanise drums, but there is nothing more human than just banging them out yourself.
Im not the tightest keyboard player, especially when Im stoned, but I still tend not to quantize practically everything else I play, basslines, keys, strings, whatever. I really shouldnt quantize my drums and just bang them out on the pads, but every time I try it sounds shit to me. I remember one particular track by Dilla many years ago that I just couldnt get my head around, it was so unquantized it was off, I just couldnt handle it. I stopped and said "No! Im not fucking having it!"

 

[Delta Skeltah]

I've should've added that I go keep my drums on a grid sometimes on slower beats. Anything that's between ,idk, 88 to 92 bpm I'll do live just for swing. Does pete rock or preemo quantize?

 

[Delta Skeltah]

@TACTIK yo, check out "Soft Machine - fourth" if you haven't already. Kinda prog rock but with major jazz elements. I might like it some. Peace.

 

[Delta Skeltah]

You*

 

[Drago Zetić]

I've should've added that I go keep my drums on a grid sometimes on slower beats. Anything that's between ,idk, 88 to 92 bpm I'll do live just for swing. Does pete rock or preemo quantize?

They quantize all the time, usually with the swing setting to achieve the duDun kick sound at the end of a bar.
it's Dilla and the whole wave he created that didn't do it as often.

 

[Drago Zetić]

I've compiled a little playlist so you can judge for yourself:

Also, if the beat's pretty quick (BPM in the high 80s and faster) loose drum programming isn't as noticeable and you might as well leave them quantized.

 

[DJ Wax-Turtle]

Also, if the beat's pretty quick (BPM in the high 80s and faster) loose drum programming isn't as noticeable and you might as well leave them quantized.

100% Correct.
I tried it in a House beat and you can't really hear it when it's in a higher BPM so yes, House music i would keep quantized.
I personally do everything by mouse in Fruity.
I just place the Hi-Hats in between the Beats 1/3 step to the right. and also the Kick right before the Snare 1/3 step to the right.
Than you must also play your melody notes landing on those places to keep it as a groove.

I mean i've heard people sampling songs with drums in it that's totally played straight but than they try to smack some off-beat drums on top of it and call it a day. (Super stupid IMO)