start with your drums first sometimes

Key Concepts:

• Starting music production with drums vs. melody
• Importance of a strong "bounce" or rhythm
• Using drums as the foundation or "heartbeat" of a track
• Experimenting with BPM (Beats Per Minute)
• Layering drum elements (hi-hats, snares, open hats, kicks, percussion)
• Using the "shift knob" for timing and groove
• Adding melodic elements (bassline, chords, synths, choir)
• Creating atmosphere with risers and sound effects
• Inspiration-driven workflow vs. structured approach

1. The Producer's Question and Initial Advice

• A young producer asked the speaker whether to start with drums or melody first.
• The speaker's initial advice was to follow inspiration: "whatever speaks to you," whether it's a drum beat or a melody.
• The speaker compared it to choosing an outfit: sometimes you start with pants, sometimes with a shirt or jacket.

2. The Power of Starting with Drums

• The speaker emphasizes the "slept on" power of starting with drums, especially for the younger generation.
• Securing a "bounce" or rhythm that captivates people and makes them move is crucial.
• Drums are the "heartbeat" of a song, so a solid drum foundation is essential.
• This approach is presented as a "true hack" or shortcut to creating engaging music.

3. Step-by-Step Production Process

• Finding the BPM: The speaker started with a hi-hat and snare to find the right BPM (Beats Per Minute). He adjusted the tempo until he locked in at 117 BPM.
• Adding Drum Elements:
  • Open hat ("dusty crusty open hat")
  • Percussion to fill space
  • Kick drum
  • Another open hat for rhythm
• Bassline: A bassline from Trillian was added to set the mood.
• Shaker: A shaker sound was found in Omnisphere and used to create a pattern.
• Synth: An 80s-type synth sound was added.
• Chords: Chords were laid down to create harmony.
• Choir: A choir sound was added, mirroring the chords.
• Riser: A riser sound effect was used to build tension and create atmosphere.

4. Technical Details and Techniques

• Shift Knob: The speaker uses the "shift knob" on all drum sounds and melodies to adjust timing and create a more natural groove, preventing everything from being perfectly on the grid.
• Sound Selection: The speaker uses various virtual instruments like Trillian and Omnisphere to find the right sounds.
• Mixing: The speaker adjusts the volume of different elements to create space and balance in the mix (e.g., turning down the percussion).

5. Inspiration and Workflow

• The speaker reiterates that the best approach depends on inspiration. If a melody is "burning in your brain," pursue that first.
• However, starting with drums can be a "cheat code" for creating a solid foundation.
• Many of the "biggest and greatest songs of all time" likely started with drums.

6. Conclusion

• The speaker encourages viewers to try starting with drums and share their experiences in the comments.
• The video was inspired by a conversation with a young producer at a Spider-Verse event.
• The main takeaway is to experiment with different approaches and find what works best for you, but don't underestimate the power of a strong drum foundation.