3 Things that changed my Beats Production

[@mpchead]

Weekly samples www.patreon.com/mpchead sample packs mpchead.bandcamp.com

[@RickyTinez]

damn.. "you're always trying different things and not focusing on what works.." that needs to be tatt'd on my hands so i never forget

[@256k_]

that one cut deep.

[@isaacestabridis]

fr

[@KeyDyer]

Seeing one of my KZbin music teachers learn a lesson...priceless 😎

[@GV_777YT]

X2

[@michaeldabrethren2812]

And also the balance between these two is what really opens up possibilities to create unique but also fantastic music!

[@tomblaze2]

Gems homie 💎

[@cookinsoul]

My drums helped :) keep going brother , the evolution has been trully great !

[@prod.hermez2909]

goat drums 🗣

[@mpchead]

For sure 💯

[@rudyrivera3902]

the bundle truly helps, suuu!

[@limedisciple4145]

Which pack would that be?

[@818staccatobeats]

Matt Milne His pack legit, Foreal i use crash from jetlife pack on almost every beat

[@xxx7917]

The one thing that helps Practicing

[@StrheatPraafit]

Hard work is the ultimate and best teacher bro👊🏾

[@Jquint3ro]

"I believe in hard work" that's the key, great words!

[@terrymiller111]

Don't work hard--work SMART. That will occasionally mean "hard work" is involved, but only if that's the SMARTEST approach.

[@david87trs]

Life fact!

[@illanoiz1]

There is no way to evade the “process”. Talent, shortcuts and cheat codes will take you only so far, you still have to put in work. OG status is not for play play.

[@TheRealNativeSun]

They say it take 10,000 hours to master a skill. Good luck beatmakers 💯

[@christianschroer1999]

That´s what my dad also says : Putting time into things automaticaly make you better in a spezific skill. I think it´s also a bit about talent , but If you do nothing with your talent if you not living your talent and excersise it´s near nothing you have . ( sorry for my english xD )

[@mpchead]

✌🏼

[@ryancortez8486]

Skill beats talent when talent fails to work hard

[@jerzwhite4548]

I've been slacking lately with making beats stuck in the world of repetitiveness

[@malcolmkiki]

Repetition legitimizes - Adam Neely. Can't stress this enough. Love your videos

[@cruz8006]

I discovered you a few weeks ago and I love how your videos transmit peace and calm and not like that 'hype' type of videos that show you nothing but how to make money instead of learning and enjoying the process. Thanks a lot for doing that, keep going!

[@mpchead]

✌🏼

[@painttheblackbreaks8215]

This is spot on. Well said!

[@MentalPistol]

blacks taught them how to say peace

[@eyesintheskies]

@@MentalPistol damn hippies 🤔

[@SandcastleTheory]

With regards to unquantized recording, I feel as though the reason behind this sensibility has gotten somewhat lost-in-translation in the era of machine music. Kids, a sloppy performance is just a sloppy performance. Period. Being off time is not what makes something sound good or "human". Great drummers put in countless hours playing to a metronome, all in an effort to play as close to perfect as humanly possible; but no man is a machine, so there will always be a subtle (and hopefully meaningful) feel to what they play. When grid-based drum machines first started to appear in pop music, they were widely criticized for being too rigid. As such, much attention was put into programming them to sound more "human". Later sequencers started allowing for unquantized recording, to make this tedious process easier and less time consuming (*provided you could actually play). That’s irony for you... Ahem! Anyway, fast forward a few generations of the blind-leading-the-blind online, and the modern beat-smith is often misguided into believing that anything nudged off-grid or poorly played is somehow better or more “human”. Not true. If you're going to turn the quantize off, you'd better be able to play, else you will be capturing nothing more than a subpar performance. The same could be said of oscillator "drift" in modern synthesis: i.e., out of tune oscillators are not more "analog", they're just out of tune; and that's rarely a good thing. ;) Cheers!

[@__teles__]

Are you trying to end all music production forum wars? Because every fight is exactly over these issues.

[@Ink0ne415]

Real talk unquantizing ain't every thing .

[@caelsalmond2365]

damn some good points in here, appreciate it

[@MrFallen1ne]

You are absolutely correct. Playing on perfect time is what musicians do or try to achieve what makes it feel human is how it's played and very much associated with velocity aka volume. When hitting a snare or a kick or a hat or strings whatever youre playing the attack is never the same every note which makes it feel and sound more natural. You're are correct it's subtle because if it's not it'd be too far off grid or off tempo and sounding like ass. You can quantinize all day and still have it sound human by panning and adjusting velocity add in some automation and the human sounding problem is solved with out getting all stupid about it.

[@fantasyproduct1042]

If you want to sound more human, play the drums like a human. If you're making electronic music who cares

[@bliss3174]

I think conversations like these are needed

[@BillyBatsonMarvel]

UnQuantize within the pocket is the trick, long as the snare is locked on the 5th & 13th and the kick land on the 1, you’re good money. The “talent” come from the years of acquiring the knowledge and having a tasteful ear on what make people move.

[@mp303sp]

i love your videos. very inspiring and calming. Thank you ❤

[@mpchead]

Thanks 🙏🏼

[@Dubbudha]

That's what i needed to hear. I'm currently doing a 100 days beat challenge. Mainly because of 2 points you mentioned here - repetition and putting in hours. It's only day 8 but I already see some interesting phenomenons happening.

[@mpchead]

go for it, it's gonna pay off

[@twistedhalomusic4497]

How’d that challenge go for you?

[@amirdejesus7077]

challenge update?

[@kenanbajric1776]

What is a 100 days beat challenge?

[@lukewest708]

@@kenanbajric1776 make at least 1 beat every day for 100 days. No breaks

[@joneswebs]

All about patience and practice. I think copying is a good way to learn too, obviously not identically, but structure of the track and the type of samples used. Studying timing helps ie listening to a favorite track and noting length of intro, verse chorus, drop, outro etc to improve your own structure (and bpm of that track too) . That helped me a lot when I was producing dance music.

[@mpchead]

Yeah I agree, referencing tracks is a good way to learn.

[@beatemdown1602]

Every beginner in producing beats should hear this video. He is 100% correct. I struggled with ALL 3 of these things for years.. especially with mixing volume levels and picking good drums. Always remember, just because it sounds good in your mpc or your DAW doesn’t mean it’s gonna sound the same after u bounce it. If it sounds sh_tty in the car but good in your Mpc then u need to work on these things. Velocity levels in kicks and especially hi hat rolls is a plus also. The more time you invest, the better you get. If you know you know

[@mpchead]

Time is what makes us better in everything we do in life.

[@mattrogers1052]

A lot of what you talked about here is right where I am on the journey, thank you! Also, thanks for being the first hip hop producer to encourage me to turn my drums down lol

[@mpchead]

Took me a long time to turn my drums down

[@davidcooke779]

So true. And it's not just for music. I've been an artist and designer all my life and the one thing I've learned is that talent is only relevant at the beginning. Hard work and focusing on your craft is the only way to become good at something. There ain't no magic. Thanks for this.

[@DANAMIONLINE]

Your suggestion of repeating a beat you've made is intriguing. There's an unspoken rule I live by in being diverse. Mastering will take much longer if I'm switching sounds and styles every beat. There's a benefit to both approaches. I am recognizing the benefit of repeating a beat and thoroughly understanding how to achieve that sound.

[@Jamusictv]

Facts bro ! I’ve produced for 22 years now and I 100 percent agree. Helped my game a ton as well. You are also saving your ears if you mix at lower levels. 🤙

[@drexia01]

Really great advice and your beats are beautiful. Very glad I found your channel.

[@mpchead]

I appreciate that! 🙏🏼

[@drexia01]

It's early days on my new MPC one and now I'm totally hooked. But I'm going to have to disciplined and work with intention and goals otherwise I'll drift into cliches and derivative beats. Although I am an old-timer with hip hop (saw Public Enemy and Run DMC in Brighton 1988) it was J Dilla's, RZAand Premier who have shown me the rhythmic and harmonic genius of hip hop to create glorious grooves from found sounds. I want to sample my guitar playing and bass and use it for beats and possibly song arrangements. I've been wanting to extract played phrases from Jazz standards and use them with in a 4/4 funk template like Premier has done with jazz samples. I need to focus on the drum paterns right now and your sound is awesome and exactly what I've been looking for in beats. I will be following your channel and grabbing your packs avidly. many thanks @@mpchead​

[@mb2776]

Talent is nothing without dedication!

[@allaahjaamiibnshabazzallaa1435]

I usually record my drums un quantized then add the swing after. It mixes your natural swing w the mpc’s own.

[@niko2010]

I feel like I was getting stuck at the same point with experimenting with a lot of different things. even over saturating my beats. Definitely glad to hear that I’m not the only one that felt the same way

[@mpchead]

It's overwhelming to have the world as your sound library

[@augustwest4680]

Dude me too, I’m very scatterbrained in general and either sample way too much or mess with my beats so much I will do too much and ruin it. This is so clutch right now.

[@djfingersflores]

This is the story of my life ! I ALWAYS seem to get carried away with looking for more and BETTER sounds , samples ect . and never finishing or prolonging the process with completing a beat. I recently discovered "saving my favorite drums" and reusing them over and over and that one thing alone has streamlined my work flow tremendously. Thanks for the great video brother.. Stay up. HIP HOP DON'T STOP

[@johncitizen8828]

I feel this, it’s so easy to have a massive sample library, and loads of cheap or free VSTs - but you ultimately end up crippled by the choice, and generally make that is either uncohesive, or just lacks a specific character. Consciously selecting my tools and sound source has helped immensely.

[@wm1573]

@@johncitizen8828 and Cracked vsts lol

[@hbasm3271]

I really like how your sound is like a perfectly decorated room with cozy, low level light. I can't make it sound like that, even after decades.

[@greghampton5214]

All my music is not quantize all my music is not looped I play everything out from beginning to end plus most of my music is original, good video Dude it's a sacrifice when it comes to making music,time, effort, and work ethic!

[@LuizBruschi]

Over the weekend I watched some of your videos. I went in search of technical tips, but what helped me most was reorganizing my ideas and knowing which path to take. For the first time, I considered letting go of equipment that was stationary and actually using what was necessary. I would like to thank you for your tips.

[@mpchead]

The more I make music the more I understand it is about ideas and not techniques or gear. Is about listening and understanding where you want to go.

[@LuizBruschi]

@@mpchead indeed, thank you for reminding me that.

[@shinbakihanma2749]

Marlow? You should do an in depth tutorial video on how to show novice beat makers how you properly sample and process drums. There are literally no videos anywhere that properly explain how to do it. Drums are the key to a beat, as far as I'm concerned. Love your music and video content.

[@zenwhsu]

Man I learned so much from you, and I don't even own an MPC; the concepts and knowledge you share helped me with my beat making and I know I'm not where I wanna be yet but you've made the process more bearable and given me hope that I can achieve that goal. Please keep doing what your doing and know that you're helping beginners like me grow, peace brutha!

[@armando9740]

Great advice. When it comes to learning most of it can be simplified down to two things - repetition and combination. There is also selection and rejection which precedes those two, where rejection is the most important of the two by far, which consists of rejecting sounds and techniques, as well as whole genres that are irrelevant to making the type of music you want to hear. Apply those principles to anything in your life and you'll start seeing results. Reject the bs, don't get distracted. Having said that, given the dualistic oppositional nature of our reality, you can't stay laser focused on one thing forever. So it's an ongoing process of expanding and contracting, expanding and taking in new influences and experimenting, then key in on the tiny number of things that work while throwing away the mass of distracting uselessness, then repeatedly do those good things first in isolation then in combination with each other.

[@kintozero3169]

I used to record everything unquantized & my friend that produces EDM & House kept complaining. A technique that helps for recording midi unquantized is to slow the tempo down, record it at the slower tempo, then speed the tempo back up. I also used to do lots of manual editing shifting midi notes closer to the grid (I still do this on some tracks to retain human feel). But I just got better at picking at right quantization settings for the song & this helped alot too. The default quantize settings for FL studio shifted half the notes in the wrong direction & made everything sound way worse. I find 1/4 beat (which is 16th notes) to be a good starting point for recording quantized, and for certain genres or soloing, recording certain instruments unquantized & manually editing afterwards, is what works for me.

[@planitearfmusic]

Yeah I do the same thing to get the unquantized hitd to feel right. Slowing it down is the key 👍🏿

[@zakkziegler111]

My man. Your upload schedule is nuts. Thanks for the awesome content and for getting me through the workday.

[@mpchead]

Thanks for tuning in 🙏🏼

[@unclemick-synths]

Hard work will always beat talent that doesn't work! Having said that, hard work by itself isn't enough - we should put effort into the things we have a basic aptitude for and a strong interest in.

[@mpchead]

I agree, if your trying to make beats just because it's cool but have no love for the craft then hard work is a bit pointless

[@pixelpusha]

@@mpchead I'd like to add that even though hard work and passion gets you long way, referencing and being analytical about what works and WHY it works (or doesn't) takes you to the next level.

[@rahfielbey1481]

Spending time, getting better = "Talent!" Not born talent, acquired talent!

[@TheNathtube]

16th note 67% swing for me, great points here Marlow, hard work over talent definitely.

[@JohnnyDukane]

Brings me right back to early Common, J Dilla. Great work.

[@iulian9072]

Man, you are spreading Peace and Love without even trying!

[@MatthewStratton]

More than anything is putting in the time and work. 100%. Work can be undervalued and gear and other things can over valued if one is not careful. Work is where the big changes happen and it takes time. Great video.

[@DJ279V]

For those who don't use unquantized production or creation, there is alot being missed. Once you go unquantized, going quantized feels abnormal. Awesome food for thought overall! One thing I learned from Dilla, 'just flow'. No planning, just turn on the MPC and go!

[@jdtorian]

Brilliant. No waiting for inspiration! Just show up every day.

[@robbalbrecht]

Mixing at lower volumes is the way. Great channel, Marlow. Really appreciate your insights and explanations of beat making.

[@michaelc8718]

Appreciate you uploading a video like this solely to help other people out. Many thanks!

[@Digital_Mozart]

This video has helped me so much today, it's like it unlocked a something in my mind especially the point about repeating a process and being over experimental. My issue it I make so many genres and have so many drum packs and vsts, I've now move like 90% of my drum library and vsts to an external hard drive and limiting my options. I needed to hear everything in this video, so thanks a bunch.

[@freemindas]

In more than 10 years of producing I never got 100% satisfied with how my kick sounds no matter what

[@chrisgalactic]

I agree bro! People get so obsessed with the no quantization method but sometimes being on the grid & adding swing just fits better. Great video!

[@mpchead]

Definitely, I get that a lot, sometimes drums on the grid feel better. Is important not to get obsessed with technics.

[@Eekolooginen]

Nice to hear that you use quantazing. I use too. The mpc is known for its quantanization. Use it.

[@plump8570]

Thanks for droppin gems Marlow, much appreciated.

[@mpchead]

Thanks for following up 🙏🏼

[@J-T-Thomas]

Amen brother, create beats daily.

[@focusdecorating3637]

Thanks for coming into my life with your advice, all the things I have had suspicions about your talking about - thank you

[@MrMrtsmith72]

The way you quantitize makes it sound real

[@lindasson]

Love the honest conversation and insight. I started in 2019 and had a ton of questions, and you took time to answer them, and it's helped me tremendously. I love these type of videos when you share your views and opinions on beat making, very VERY Dope my friend. Keep doing your thing bro, God bless!!🙏🏾✊🏾

[@kimbobeats4erybody96]

Inspiration is crazy and you share it my friend

[@MentPlus]

I completely agree with your perspective ... respect!

[@DystopianTofuTV]

Ok wow, this was special. I really appreciate the way you are very open, calm and clear in this (and your other videos) without the usual youtube exaggerations etc. Also some very good points here. I do a lot of experimentation and love that, but your video motivated me to stick just a little bit more to kind of proven recipes (if that is the way you say it in english). Thank you for this!

[@djjohnnied1992]

I have been binge watching your stuff for a few days man. Huge inspiration and I have learned so much to become a better producer :)

[@mpchead]

Thanks Juan 🙏🏼

[@jgoods4510]

Naaaaaa not at alll u ain’t talk too much everything u said was spot on. !!!

[@3039-m9o]

The training on one type of drums is a point that I reached one month ago.. I will appreciate your other tips too

[@miguelfranco9655]

Peace fam, this is my first time seeing your page and I subscribed 3 mins into this video. So much great insight man. That comment about focusing on a genre and getting good at it helps! and the insight about mixing drums too. Thanks. Would love to see more videos like this.

[@mpchead]

Thanks for tuning in, welcome ✌🏼

[@onpoint1180]

love the gold nuggets my friend. This is good advice.

[@mindajuk]

Hey man :) just wanted to let you know that you completely changed my attitude towards hiphop music.i was always a indie/synth/electronica person,but when i bought mpc and started learning and trying to make beats while watching your vids for the guidance,you showed me that this type of music CAN be tasteful and interesting.the whole vibe you have here is amazing,really... :) And you're the best mpc teacher in whole youtube world ,so big thanks for all of that,and would be really cool to get some private mentoring on my music from you some time.. take care! :)

[@MediaMusik777]

Fans or Audience only cares how hard your working ...very true and I do quantize everything .....kick 4 and 8s ....snare 16 and 8s .....hihats 8,16 32,32t . I quantize them according to the timing of the sound

[@_s_p_a_r_k_e_s_7615]

Best beatmaking advice on KZbin!

[@jerzwhite4548]

I appreciate you the beat culture needs you

[@mpchead]

🙏🏼🎧🥁

[@drobastein7203]

Much appreciation for sharing your experience and motivation!

[@MrDeeKayTV]

Great video again. Drums brings a beat to live. I have to say honestly: Your beats doesn't sound quantized and I think that is the thing why I like your beats :) Everyone has a different workflow and unique style. That's great. When it comes to my own productions I have to admit that I got better results when I do not quantize but that is just my habit as a drummer. It is allways only a subjective thing.

[@mpchead]

I normally record quantized and then shift notes that's why they're off

[@cigarface4812]

Man your videos are getting craaaaazy good bro!

[@mpchead]

🙏🏼 Appreciate that Thanks

[@TeraGreene1]

Picking the right drums is crucial. Not just picking them out, but designing them and (saving them) for future reference. I definitely keyed into velocity, too... from watching your channel when I first found you. I have a new Ebook about Drum Programming like a Drummer, and I'm learning this technique to better my drum programming in 2021. Thanks again! and WOW, your views have SPIKED recently. So cool . :-) PS: You also reminded me about using LP 2 filter in order to make my mixes sit easier.Two things I learned in Music School: 1) Mix at a LOW level so you can hear what sticks out and b) Quantize is for robots, not always for musicians. Much respect to you, friend! #PracticeMakesBetter

[@elev-8377]

Thank you just got my first mpc.Very motivated fl studio for years but this is game changer

[@beatemdown1602]

I’ve learned so much fr u bro… I appreciate your videos 💯🦾

[@thefivespot12]

Wow. The right words at the right time. Blessings...

[@toomanyprojectstx]

You’re content is awesome and very inspiring. I play these videos while I’m at work all day then practice making beats during my lunch. Thanks for making these 🙏🏽

[@mpchead]

Thanks for tuning in 🙏🏼

[@djantix1200]

You are spot on man. I agree, find the sounds that work for you best and work from there. peace

[@180deuce]

Man thanks so much for what you do. I can go on forever but I genuinely thank you for your time talents and work you put in and share.

[@jimcapley3843]

Thanks brother! You just dropped 20years of wisdom on those who are listening. I value your channel 🤙🏼🙏💥👊🏼💥

[@AlOne-xg6dv]

Clever advice with quiet and vibrant words. It will inspire my next beats for sure. I am a beginner and i have to protect me from this ocean of VSTs and samples and sounds etc ...

[@VocalChainsStudio]

Great knowledge and insight for free🔥. Enjoyable channel, top shelf content, as always.❤

[@6loodmoon]

Love this advice. I have been experimenting for years and not focusing my energy enough

[@nc17atnce101]

I didnt know about quantization until I made music on the roland x6 back in 2008

[@fajarfajar9075]

i watch this like more than 10 times, thx u sir 🖤🖤🖤

[@A-I-R-W-A-L-K]

Marlow you're the best dude on KZbin in regards to all things sampling that I've seen. Always have something interesting to say and you don't act like someone you're not. Keep doing your thing man. I just subbed to you the other day.

[@Theonlyoneto]

I like that quote bout trying different things, the thing that works for me is expression that's how I've gotten so good so far

[@vvhalefccd]

This is the coolest KZbin channel I have ever seen

[@ArturTadevosyan]

Love that snare!

[@atribecalledjack6707]

While I don’t make this style of hiphop myself, I learn SO much from your videos man

[@mpchead]

Good to hear 🙏🏼

[@Narffran124]

You have made me think about specific kicks and dedicate time to what works, I think it will help me in my life in general. Thanks a lot

[@13Ricosama]

Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.

[@themusicofcbdkris]

Excellent Marlow 💥👍🏽

[@k_like_kitty]

That was very key and well said, i appreciate the way you express these experiences. Thank you.

[@FIYO]

You just resume my whole career as a producer wow!, things like mix at low volume and put drums not too high, definitely change my mind.

[@dustyfingas2035]

Thanks for reminding me that “You can’t cheat the process”

[@skinnista]

love your channel man, keep it smooth !

[@DystopianTofuTV]

Best advide, thank you! When you speak about getting better at making beats, i can always feel some sort of honesty, like you really wanna give a good advice and not -only- for more likes and subscribers etc.! Much love ✌🏻

[@DystopianTofuTV]

haha, i just realised that i already commented on this video 11 month ago hahaha

[@jasonschmoldt227]

Word. Good stuff👊🏻

[@marceloribeirosimoes8959]

That's IT !!! We can become a talented beat maker by hard working and try / error process, just like we can to become a better anything else. But a talented newbie sounds like a newbie.

[@grafikwork3808]

For sure!! Everything you have said is pivotal for making beats that sound funky. I use the same method. Velocity and swing can transform a beat into something special. All of the original music I sample has these ingredients. I’m trying to emulate what I hear, that inspires me to make the beats in the first place. In the voice of James Brown, “it’s got’s to be FUNKY” Great video bro!💯😎

[@paulbonnelame8638]

True dat! True dat! 😉💯

[@O.G.NickyScarfo]

the beat in the intro??? COOOOOOLD!!!!

[@edwng4853]

i respect you saying unquantized is over-rated. i personally do what u do, quantize and then shift after, it's just preferences. also, mixing at a low volume definitely has improved my mixing and understanding of how to be able to hear all the elements. learning how to do your own style and repeating the process improved my sound a lot too, practice and doing small experiments help when you feel stagnant. long comment, but i love your videos and music, thanks for dropping these videos.