Message 7/18
Date: 28-Mar-01 @ 07:03 PM -
RE: Swing settings
Most house music is in 4/4. The key to swing is getting the second and fourth 16th notes in a beat to drag just a tiny bit. Let's beak this down to the old standard of 96ppq. This means 96 pulses per quarter note. It's how old drum machines like the 909 and the 808 and 606 stayed in time with each other. I digress.
In each bar of 4/4 you have four quarter notes. Each of these quarternotes has 96 pulses of time between each other. This will give you values of 00 to 95 between each note. Now, let's break each quarter note down to 16th notes, giving you four subdivisions between each. For example, you look at the slots on the 808 in rebirth, and there is a row of 16 little lights across the bottom? That's your four quarters broken up into 16th notes.
Going back to our 96ppq standard, that puts each of those 16ths either at 00, 24,48, or 72, then onto 00 again for the next beat. To get these grooves to swing, you take the second and fourth 16th notes, or what would fall on pulses 24 and 72, and move them back a bit, say 1-6 pulses, depending on how heavy a swing you want. So instead of those second and fourth 16ths in your beat falling on 24 and 72, they fall on pulses 28 and 76. Do not touch your down beat (00) or your up beat (48). If those move, it will sound wierd. maybe later when you REALLY get the hang of swinging notes, you mat want to mess with those to give a much more human syncopated feel, but for now, stick to the basics. Also, do it with all of your instruments, or things will sound like they are out of time with each other. In short, move the the second and fourth division of every beat back just a hair, until it feels like you want it to. Good luck.
Ape