When you make a new track is it best to do the drum beat first?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NewSpeed
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NewSpeed

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I ask this because i was speaking to a drummer earlier and he said that in the band everyone has to keep rhythm up with the drummer ie... the drummer really speaking leads the bands beats.

So when you lay down a track, lets say for instance a trance track, is it best to start of with the drum beat first? and then add stuff like bass, synth, etc; after?
 
The reason i ask this as well is because i have been working on a track and when i try and add drums it seems as though they are out of sync a bit and its as though the beat just doesnt sound in time. Like for the drum beats do you usually go off the baseline or what? im a total noob
 
I'd say yes.
I'm sure there are exceptions (like songs with no drums :p), but yeah. Beat first and the rest will follow.
 
If you're multi-tracking, it's best to lay something rythmic down fist, whether it be THE drum track or A drum track, to have a guide. I personally record my drum track last (real drums, not sequenced), and I know that's not the norm. But I program a simple drum beat to lay all my tracks down to. When I get to the drums, I'm playing along to the whole "band" (which is all me) and the guide track.

EDIT: I just realized you're talking about trance, which probably doesn't have real drums. So never mind what I said. Program your drums first.
 
beats first...even if its just the sketch...it makes it easier to fit in the other components imo
 
Depends on you and your comfort and workflow.

I know people who cant walk and chew gum at the same time.

Basic rule: Do whatever works for YOU....
 
Drums are the most important thing evah.... and im not a drummer :D (and im not sure why i said evah)... oh well

drum sets the tempo and a drummer will keep on a click better than any other instrumentalist because its an impact instrument.

boom. done deal.

wooooooo!
 
Thanks guys, might attempt making a track later with the drum beats done beforehand as before trying to lay them down after with trance music which is what im doing is a nightmare
 
I lay down a simple repeating 1-measure pattern that fits (more or less) the song. Record a scratch guitar track. This lets me define the measure points for start of verses, chorus, etc. As I'm uysing a rhythm machine (but EZ Drummer going forward), I then insert different beats, fills, etc, to fit the song, matching up with the scratch guitar track. Lastly, I go in and change the BPM speed for sections that need to slow down or speed up a bit (not all songs need this). When all that is done, its time to lay down the real tracks.
 
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