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Date: 01-Mar-00 @ 08:27 PM -
transcribing beats
A tip for those new to programming beats. Transcribe. Grab a beat form a tune you dig and put it in a sample editor (like soudforge or goldwave).
1. Loop one bar of it and slow it down by half. Go into a midi sequencer that has a score editor (most should have this). Listen to the loop.
2. Start with the hats to get an idea of the tempo. When you've done that, match the bpm of the midi sequencer to the bpm of the loop (if you use a more modern multitrack type app (cubase or logic) you can do all this in the same place, a better thing probably).
3. Go through and transcribe all the other bit (snare and kick).
4. Now the rough transcription is down, go through again and listen for the idiosyncracies of the loop. Adjust the velocity of the notes correspondingly (like a hip hop beat will have a slightly louder hi hat towards the end of the loop)
5. Listen for ghost noes. These are very quiet hits, like a tiny roll before a solid hit or the sound of the snare ringing when there is a loud kick.
6. By listening through and transcribing beats, you'll be able to hear what it is that makes that beat good.
I found transcribing jazz one of the best ways to learn all the intricate details and how the different grooves worked.
Good luck.
If any of this doesn't make sense, mail me at: dalimachine@hotmail.com.