I spent 1000 days transcribing drum beats - here's what I learned

[@CaptainPikant]

Because many of you have been asking: The empty pattern templates as well as the drum pattern transcriptions are all available on our Patreon at www.patreon.com/captainpikant

[@nastybadger-tn4kl]

I want to find out what device enhance the sound and clarity. Like removing noise and clean up like chord mojo dac does. I want to create channel to have old music revamped. Not mixed. Original but no noise. What device will do that? Also make it sound vinyl not cd

[@ropesquid2085]

Ya boi Kavinsky really driving home that point about simplicity, bless

[@MegaCadr]

The production quality of these videos is just nuts. Looks great!

[@kevinanderson7243]

How can I get a copy of your transcript for drum program patterns

[@illegalgiant_]

i got a digitakt, then got a bass, and practiced practiced practiced. added a daw and learning about how music all works together... staved off a lot of gearlust and decided, you cant do it all. decided to go back to the basics and focus on just 'the rhythm section'. this viodeo is basically exactly what ive personally been wanting to do. understand drums (with kicks) and how bass fits in to be able to make things my friends and I can jam on. thanks for making everything so visual, well laid out, and perfectly concise. i genuinely appreciate you making a bridge for me forward!

[@CaptainPikant]

Thanks for your kind words! We're really happy the video was helpful to you :)

[@killstarpopper]

that's actually a very good advice to just focus on the rhythm section first.. thanks man!

[@jsteed10]

Rhythm is so important to the music! Ur right on

[@crimsonfancy]

exactly! congratulations!

[@puntig.1187]

This is one of the best produced/edited videos I have ever seen... Thanks for your extreme professionalism!

[@jtw-r]

there is Nothing cheating about slowing it down to half time to learn it. i’m gonna bet every musician has done this at least once in their life. i’ve tried to learn many instruments in the past and that is one of the first things teachers always say. play it in half time until you are comfortable, and your brain can understand all of the rapid fire actions you need. once you build the muscle memory, then you can begin speeding it up!

[@onpatrolforthejuice]

The very best way to practice anything is to do it slow enough that you can do it perfectly every time. Even if you are going at 5 bpm all that matters is that you get the entire thing completely correct. This is how you avoid bad habits. If you can doing something slow perfectly then you will do it fast perfectly in time.

[@gabedamien]

I don't know how I ended up here, I don't play drums or produce music in a DAW. But dude, this video is so beautifully made. Major achievement.

[@mancavemusician]

These videos are the absolute benchmark for Quality. Nothing beats these for comprehensive instruction

[@juliogarcia9738]

Captain Pikant Thank you for producing such high quality content and releasing it for free. It's very much appreciated and there are people out there that have never heard of you but the day they come across your videos they will be fans.

[@johnoestmannmusic]

One thing that is worth remembering with the "Less is More" (7:45) section is that the non-drum instruments in those tracks create interesting rhythmic diversity. The Radiohead song, for example, has a steady 4/4 kick beat, but the rest of the song is in a different time signature creating a polymeter effect.

[@CaptainPikant]

Absolutely true! All the elements have to be balanced. Another example would be the noisy synths in "Nightcall" that take on the role of cymbals.

[@sinephase]

an interesting thing about tracker synths for beats is that back in the day a buddy of mine naturally was making aphex twin style drums in a tracker and doing an excellent job at it. triggering effects on a note by note basis is pretty powerful!

[@Cepheid-IDM]

Trackers offer an awesome degree of control over your composition! Love my M8 and even really liked my short time with Renoise and Fasttracker 2.

[@endoflevelboss]

What do you mean your buddy "naturally" was making aphex twin style drums?

[@sinephase]

@@endoflevelboss this was the late 90s and the tracker he learned to produce with from the start just enabled him to create very similar beats. I don't think he even heard of aphex twin at the time TBH. Being able to accentuate every note with an effect makes it easier, idk

[@emuemu8428]

It’s inconceivable today to people how hard it was for information to move around back in the 90s to even early 00s.

[@AdamsOlympia]

@@emuemu8428 I didn’t find it any harder to move info in the late 80s/early 90s.. just took longer, so we learned the arts of brevity (i.e. efficient music formats like .mod files)

[@real_anxst]

Coming back to this video, I’d forgotten about the YMO ending. It being just days after Sakamoto passed away, it hit me pretty hard. What a fantastic video, though.

[@zach5539]

okay these videos are gorgeous well done!

[@Paul-uy1ru]

Thank YOU for introducing ME to Yellow Magic Orchestra!

[@JorbLovesGear]

Great stuff, working on it every day is really inspiring and you've really proven its paid off. Makes me want to find my own 30 minute task. I play the Greg Phillinganes version of behind the mask in my DJ sets often, such a cool song.

[@CaptainPikant]

Thank you so much! The hard thing is to keep at it even when things don't go well :) Didn't know the Greg Phillinganes version yet, love it!

[@DiegoMartinezRamos]

Incredible production, simple and elegant. Thanks!!

[@joelkulesha8284]

This channel really is such a fantastic source of information.

[@bigmistqke]

Those transcriptions look so beautiful

[@anzatzi]

I have been doing this on and off for two years. I found it really helped when I learned key 16 beat drum and snare positions

[@GTChris]

These videos are so good. Can't wait for more genre specific episodes.

[@zapmando]

I played RockBand for a long time, definitely helps visualize your rythmic instincts and get that initial estimate you talk about. Awesoem video

[@jamesaita]

God I love your videos. Never ever ever stop. I could watch all day long. Man they should be in a hall of fame.

[@Hyper5nic]

I opened a box of Shenannigans when I first bought a book on drum patterns, but your video explains the process of transcribing wonderfully and I now feel more confident about doing so myself. Many thanks for creating this awesome video, and all the best to you and your patrons!

[@CaptainPikant]

Thank you so much! Glad to hear that, sometimes all you need is a little nudge to start :)

[@QuimGil]

Curious about which book, if you don't mind sharing.

[@georgeegan8682]

This is my first video I've seen of this guy and I already love him

[@melomania2637]

this is a beautiful video

[@leezalee7378]

Wow. Such a unique and effective format for teaching this subject. I have to rewatch this video. Mind kind of blown, something about this video is so top notch. Not surprised to see others complimenting in the comments as well.

[@khz5324]

This is awesome. I considered doing this but thankfully you did it for me!

[@sadface]

I didn't know you could do so much with the closed and open hat patterns. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@wbhub]

Fantastic video, clearly your passion extends to video production as well!

[@xtradany5398]

Well this channel was a nice find. The visuals were a treat for my adhd mind.

[@cutseencinematics]

production value super high. narration on point. excellent channel

[@paulflores7322]

I begun my drum programming journey of covers w my mc101 a few weeks ago and I think this video is very solid advice. The example of slowing aphex down is one of many “tricks” really a very important tool to see and hear more would love to keep seeing more videos like this ❤

[@BrendanReape88]

This video was put together so insanely well. A+ man!

[@agentmirv]

This is the video I've always wanted, seriously!

[@envik5474]

man this video was wonderful. The visuals are amazing and the knowlege is almost overwhelming. have to watch it 2 or 3 times again to get everything. thank u for your input.

[@russell_szabados]

I love drum machines and did something similar when I bought my first one in 1989. But not to the extreme you took it! I took about 6 or 7 of my favorite tracks and tried to recreate them on my Roland R-5. That was a great learning experience.

[@autistikicecream]

Wow! Skinny Puppy! 8:50 They really had sophisticated drum patterns. Thanks for the video! ✨

[@crimsonfancy]

Thank you! It is simplicity that can be the hardest concept to grasp. In all arts, simplicity requires most learning and experience and is the highest plateau. When we compose anything (certainly not only music,) we should find that we will do best by "removing" components rather than by "adding" components. Complexity is easy and when we throw every flavor that we love into the pot, we will obviously enjoy consuming it....! But to do this so often, we soon find that every pot tastes the same. Start with something wonderful, slightly embellish, and then leave it alone. Resist adding more! To arrive at "simple" is never the "easy" path.

[@michaelkonomos]

This is hard but very good advice. No short cuts to building on all the human knowledge that has come before us if we are going to grow!

[@seanraye]

Crazy productions by bro.. I'm impressed

[@InnerVisions68]

Such great production values in your videos. Always so well done. Thank you

[@IstyManame]

This editing is insane

[@disxiple_113]

you got a good graf hand! (when you named your patrons)

[@ethangilbertmedia]

DUDEEE the quality of this content is unreal 🙌🏻

[@RockLobster223]

Your videos are works of art in themselves, just stunningly done and very useful too. Amazing.

[@nym053]

Maybe I should try this. Sounds similar to the process of listening to a piece of music and copying the arrangement. Automatically you'll start noticing different layers of sounds that you didn't before. Can learn quite a lot from it, and helps you breaking out being stuck in a loop 😊 Btw, I quite often use phasers myself. Usually subtlely. On drums I mainly use it as a variation for a certain section because most of the times I want my drums sounding stable. But adding a bit of instabily as contrast is a good variation and creates impact when getting back to the stable sound. You can also use a healthy amount of phaser on a certain sound that has impact to it (doesn't have to be drums) in a breakdown, and then take it away for the next drop. Quite effective.

[@BIGV1N]

Woah, what a GEM of a channel you've got here! Looking forward to working my way through your catalog!

[@dirtysploof5890]

thank you for another banger!!! Probably gonna try this out soon

[@KitKalvert]

Fantastic video! Thank you for taking the time to do this!

[@treschlet]

fuck yeah yellow magic orchestra

[@CommunityGuidelines]

Educational, and helpful. The YMO cover was a nice surprise.

[@jayhillraps]

I'm excited for you learning about YMO, I love them. I have an MC-707 + the Microfreak and I'm hoping to bring their influence into my Rap Music

[@timnordberg7204]

future Rap Phenomenon

[@jayhillraps]

@@timnordberg7204 Working on it!

[@sub-jec-tiv]

We love you, Cap. You’re smart and fun. Thanks for showing me how great the TT-78 is, it’s now my favorite drum machine (besides the MPC of course).

[@slowcuber_aze]

this is so amazing, thank you very much. you inspired

[@helenebradley]

Great video and topic! I made myself do something like this every day for a month last year and it definitely improved my drum programming (and general listening) skills. I really recommend it. And slowing it down isn't cheating at all, you are still trying to work it out for yourself :)

[@LousyFacelift]

Great video! The best advice I could give - Be aware of what your machine can and cannot do. Many of the modern devices are easier to use at the cost of flexiblility, so they are less capable than some of the older ones. Listen really closely to short phrases and learn how to identify single measures in different time signatures by literally counting through their downbeats even if that makes you feel like an idiot. This can open up your consciousness for a whole micro cosm of rhythmic life that leads to a better understanding about what you want to create and how to do it. Remember - once you have figured out only one measure, you have basically unlocked the structure of the whole rhythm and are free to experiment.

[@f55665566]

wow you're video style is so neat. Like it!

[@grimish_tunes]

This video is a huge help, since I'm passionate of all the drums patterns that shaped dance music ❤

[@jesseschneid1809]

This is the most well put together video I’ve seen on KZbin.

[@stapizo]

This video didn't teach me anything but the quality is incredible. A like for the beautiful hard work !

[@SONWU]

A++ Great teaching, great visuals. Perfect!

[@inamortz2372]

This channel is a treasure.

[@punk_mx]

Que buenos videos haces, tienes todo mi reconocimiento. You are my friend now bro.

[@ksmusiclounge1648]

Great video man! 100% true!

[@djasynchronous7777]

you have sooooo many toys 😳 Love your work, your like 'This old Tony' only for music 🤙

[@killroy123]

I found this channel randomly and omg, its what I've been looking for. The Technopolis ending was amazing! Sub and def going to be a patron. This was incredible!

[@othaitai2356]

Such a good video, good knowledge and cool style, thanks!

[@wiegraf9009]

Lots of nice advice, thanks!

[@JamesRamboPearce]

Such a fantastic video, definitely given me food for thought!!

[@jaspergray803]

Phenomenal work

[@mattchristensen3846]

Genius! Every producer needs a cleaver to chop those decays! So funny.

[@geebee44]

Another awesomely taught lesson in sound... thanks

[@BLACKDISC]

This is exactly what I've been looking for (even down to the song examples)! Incredible video!

[@markus6409]

I really like your channel. It is usefull and informativ and also nice to watch. There are so many synth channels nowadays just showing gear and talking a lot but saying almost nothing. So i wonder why these channels have much more subscriptions and clicks. It seems to be also a pattern because you can see this phenomenon through all themes. Thank you for your work. I really appreciate it.

[@nicholasn.2883]

1:00 Alright I'm listening drummer boy

[@rdholb]

skinny puppy! awesome. great video.

[@Veptis]

I have been playing drums for maybe 7 years and wrote down a bunch of stuff as well. When first getting into digital music production.... I overdid the drum part over everything.

[@AudioMusicElectronics]

Thank you for introducing me to Yellow Magic Orchestra! :)

[@CaptainPikant]

My pleasure :)

[@sadhedonism7125]

So well explained and visualized!

[@Johnstone565]

Great video, lad. Thanks

[@rowdyvoyeur]

Awesome, as always. Thank you very much for your great videos!

[@taibksikes5086]

This is amazing thank you thank you

[@AndrewJohnClive]

You are the Boss, Captain!❤

[@mikevanderheiden]

You know he just smashed buttons with his arm while inebriated. I do respect the transposing enough to admire this channel though.

[@pabloortuzar]

INCREDIBLE PRODUCTION VALUE

[@shuplitz2257]

Got really surprised hearing the beat of Fur Lined by HTDA. Good video!

[@eb7157]

You sir have just earned yourself a subscriber for life

[@Yuusou.]

And now add the perceived stereo field into your overview 😀 Great video. Although I'm just a hobbyist, I like to listen while dissecting the instrumental elements. When they play, how they play and how each element relates to each other. It looks weird, when you do it out of nowhere. People think you're somewhere else and actually, you're simply inside the music that's playing in the background.

[@mallencolly]

Useful video. Thank you

[@haidenmorgan]

Dude... You gotta be on the way way up producing like this dam

[@juanchis.investigadorsonoro]

I'm so happy I found this channel. Instantly suscribed, have a great year everyone!

[@andy_hawkins]

This is fantastic stuff. Funny, well produced and very useful ❤

[@EgozZzT1]

Amazing video, thank you for the dedication!!!

[@thomaslann5015]

Love your videos. Always fun and helps my visual learning. Also, very high quality

[@funguy29]

I appreciate you man

[@gordonthespeed4499]

Fantastic content.

[@Hezarfenmusic]

Beautiful content❤thank you😊

[@PabloRodriguezwhyCharlieWhy]

thnaks dude you broght my groove back

[@DawlessHouseMusic]

I'm going to try this

[@trevorleake2010]

solid production!