Don’t Make These 5 Metal Drum Programming Mistakes

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Yes, I know all the drums are 125 Velocity hahaha. Important to note: When you're done with your song, go through and randomize/ humanize the velocities and timing. This was meant to be a writing tutorial.

[@adamblally7714]

How do we do this? Randomizer?

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@adamblally7714 which DAW do you use?

[@adamblally7714]

@@BrendonKPadjasek I use reaper

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@adamblally7714 there’s definitely a function. Every DAW has it. Just search “Randomize midi velocity Reaper” and a few options will come up

[@constantinranis]

My drummer used to always tell me that he can instantly say that I write drums as a guitar player because I try too much to make everything "interesting".. his opinion is that the groove should serve the song and use the "crazy" stuff as highlights on the right moment and get that wow effect, but most of the time focus on the groove and drive to bring the energy

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

As long as the parts grab your attention, either by how groovey they are, or how technically interesting they are then there’s no write or wrong answer. But you can definitely use all of these principles, minus the techy cymbal syncopation one, to make a groove kick as. Maybe just replace the cymbal syncopation with ghost notes and bam Thanks for watching! It’s funny because I feel like I write guitar parts like a drummer haha. I play drums way more than guitar these days

[@DrMikeMetal]

I love how the song instantly moved into Meshuggah territory with the modified snare. Sometimes though it adds too much of a polyrhythms, which may not be desired. You can try adding ghost snare notes instead, that really can add to the song

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Great point! It’s definitely not the move every time, nor is leading with the floor Tom. I tried to create this to basically get those guitarists with little drum knowledge to get out of their box. I also have a ghost note video coming out shortly that’s what I didn’t go into ghost note territory on this video. Any other tips you have lay them below! They’ll help others looking to learn. Thanks so much!

[@DrMikeMetal]

@@BrendonKPadjasek much respect man, this sort of information is well needed in our scene!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@DrMikeMetal thanks so much man. Just trying to provide that kind of info in all of my videos

[@ethan_djoseph]

I love how much Nic's vibe aligns with every tip mentioned! Almost as though he's heavily influenced Brendon's perspective on drums.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Oh absolutely. I spent so much time just jamming with him, bass and drums and watching him play. Learned a lot! Also with Andrew too. They’re both phenomenal drummers

[@JonnyCrackers]

Some good tips, thanks. I've been writing drums for over a decade as a guitarist and I still learned a couple things from this.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

oh thats amazing. Thanks for checking it out. I have a few other ideas for drum writing videos

[@guitarmichael]

Your videos are for real some of the most helpful in the genre.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks so much my man! I feel like most people don’t play guitar, drums and do vocals and mix/ engineer. I’ve been very fortunate to have that stuff under my belt and I’m happy to share everything that I haven’t seen covered, at least enough. I like doing reviews and stuff, but I like teaching helpful tips most

[@dev4965]

definitely a video i’ve needed! been having some major downsides in drum writing and programming so this definitely sparked some ideas in my head! appreciate the work you’re doing bro!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks for the kind words and for tuning in. I also have another video that may help you coming up with some ideas: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqSmnKmvpdurras Thanks for watching!

[@PluginAlley]

You got me at Number 1 lmfao, it's always a dead giveaway someones either never been in a band or actually worked with a real drummer if they don't program cymbals how a human drummer would actually play. Or 2 Cymbals, Kick and SNARE, likkkkkeee drummer grew a chest arm haha. Interesting to see a Metal Engineer using Abelton Live, been thinking about picking up a copy to play with it, I know loads of bands are using it live now days for switching. Great tips.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks so much for checking it out! Yeah it's always a dead giveaway haha but it's totally understandable. If I didn't play drums I probably wouldn't know to use 2 crashes. Or to change cymbals up so its not Right Crash for an entire song hahah. Sick! I've in the works of writing that episode now actually

[@PluginAlley]

oh dope, I'll be sure to check out those abelton videos, I was binging a ton on YT but engineering for rock and metal so a different beast then electronic vice versa so interested in seeing how comparative it is will be intriguing to watch.@@BrendonKPadjasek

[@kyleritter3074]

3:30 Mistake Number 1, you placed two cymbals hits with a snare hit on bar 3. That is all.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Haha I think I removed it after a minute. If not I get major points deducted. I’m a stickler for that so I’m assuming I got rid of it

[@KeyanHoushmandLive]

These are great tips dude, awesome video

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Dude thanks my man! I watch a lot of your videos so that’s a huge compliment. Thanks , and keep killing it!

[@robertblaine6578]

Agreed 🎉

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@robertblaine6578 thanks for checking it out rob!

[@rossenpetrov3705]

Saved for future use as an advanced tutorial for a bedroom hobby metal instrumental assembler ;) Big up for the END hoodie … speaking of END - did you happen to know why Andrew isn’t on END on their later releases?

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Hell yeah thanks for saving it. I believe he had some other session work that he wanted to dabble in creatively. Different styles of music After doing metal for many years we all started getting involved with different genres. But we all love End haha Thanks!

[@Rick_Johnson82]

Bro. I’m very happy I found you. I bought that guitar. 🙏 thanks so much for the bridge tip and every other tip u have to give. I’m so impressed and inspired. And so excited to learn more from you.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Hell yeah that means a lot. Thanks for joining the channel and if there are any topics you’d like covered lmk!

[@Rick_Johnson82]

Well thank you. Muchly appreciated. But for now I need to catch up on the videos I haven’t seen yet before I ask. Thanks again.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@Rick_Johnson82 haha thank you for checking the others out. Lmk if anything comes up. I check all the comments

[@c0dypeng]

Another important thing is ghost notes on snare, bands like polaris, issues and northlane do this all the time, and that''s what makes them groovy

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

100%. I have a separate video on that already filmed. I didn't want to cram it into this one as I felt it deserved its own video for such an important aspect. The list goes on and on. I'm sure this could have been a 15 common mistakes video, but again, I wanted to give detail into each instead of glancing over them. Thanks for watching! Any other tips for those watching?

[@abethebaebest2950]

Great vid! Would have never thought about accenting cymbals other than 1/4 notes. Going to give that a shot!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks for watching. It actually goes a longggg way in making the drums more interesting. A good trick I learned from listening to years of meshuggah haha

[@samdb12]

Awesome video, thanks! This might sound like a dumb question, but while writing drums I often find myself not nowing which cymbals I should use in what context and always seem to use the same ones. Any tips on that?

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks so much for checking it out. In general, I would lead with a crash on the right side / china, unless the rest of the song is on a crash on the right side. Otherwise I'd lead with the hi hat for more verse sections. Likely wouldn't have a chorus be on the hi hat. Also, for more hardcore / Doomy riffs I REALLY like leading on the ride/ bell. Or floor tom

[@jaycarr9382]

Thank you so much man! Was feeling a bit lost how to write midi drums and this helped incredibly!🤘🏽

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

I’m stoked to hear that. Thanks for watching! The simple things can go a long way in being effective

[@benstanfill363]

It cracks me up that you mention not using toms is like not using anything but the top string while this riff is practically nothing but the top string 😂. All good tips. I'm slowly getting better and better drums parts.

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Haha thanks Ben! It’s basically the same. Or at least using the top 3/4 strings only. Tom’s and even rims can bring a song to that next level. Or not, but you never know without trying it

[@666dreamboat]

Love the snare, is that just invasion?!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks for checking it out! Yes it’s invasion but I’ve bussed the drums out to multi and I’m mixing each drum in Ableton. But no other layers, just Invasion tones

[@AndrewKlinger]

Thanks for putting out so much great content dude! I've been browsing your channel and it is all very to the point and helpful. Looking forward to some more Structures in the future, None of the Above is such a slapper!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thank you so much Andrew! I try to find topics or common issues that aren't brought up and make videos based on them. Or anything the audience has questions about. Always interested in making videos that can help anyone watching

[@toddski14]

Thanks for this lesson Brendon!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Any time! I have another drum related one coming out soon on ghost notes so keep an eye out for that one

[@toddski14]

@@BrendonKPadjasek my dude! That would be incredible! Can’t wait!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@@toddski14 I have it filmed, just need to edit it. May release a couple videos before that

[@TheAntarcticaProject]

❤❤❤❤

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thank you, thank you 🙏

[@adamblally7714]

Totally newbie starting to write drums, I've been accenting my snares with kick drum is this wrong?

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Not wrong, I sometimes do as well. If it’s a breakdown. I feel like 70% of the time, I don’t have a kick over my snare. Totally depends on the part though. If it sounds fine to you Though I wouldn’t treat it as an accent. I would basically only have the kick over the snare if it’s a breakdown/ syncopated rhythm

[@kylewipert11]

127 VELOCITY ON EVERYTHING 😂😂

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

hahaha absolutely. I typically go 125 on everything, then once I'm done the song, randomize the velocities and quantization. I just didn't get to that in this video. Great observation though ahaha

[@CrimsonBridges]

@@BrendonKPadjasekin logic, there’s a humanize function which tweaks the velocity, timing and length of notes. it helps that you can highlight certain sections like the kick, snare, etc. and change the range of each of those so you can have your cymbals at 100-110 and your kicks at 120-127 and it works exceptionally well so i use it every time i’m finished a drum part

[@jimschaef]

127 GANG WYA

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@@CrimsonBridges I use the same function in Ableton as well. I should have included that in this video, but usually I don't bother until the song is completely finished, as I know I'll constantly be changing things. I also mention it in a few of my other drum programming videos Thanks for checking it out!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@@jimschaef hahah I love it for writing, because it makes everything in your face, but definitely needs adjusting once the song is done. I love that this is everyone's comment hahah

[@robertblaine6578]

Hearing the moved snare and cymbals instantly made me think Periphery. They do a great job with that and keeping it musical and still catchy 👌 nice vid

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Yeah Matt is an insane drummer. I definitely pick up tricks from playing with Nic and Andrew as well as watching all the amazing drummers on tour

[@robertblaine6578]

@@BrendonKPadjasek oh I'm sure !! You're touring with Northlane?

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@robertblaine6578 not that I’m aware of haha

[@robertblaine6578]

gotcha you mentioned watching them on tour so wasn't sure@@BrendonKPadjasek

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Oh no, just from when I was in the band and watching Nic crush it every night

[@AL-tf8ss]

Thank you, Brendon!!!!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

No problem, thanks for watching Al!

[@atypeandshadow]

Learning to program drums this is OP information

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks for checking it out. I have some more coming out soon

[@antonm_]

Oh... never really considered using the tom to keep time. That sounds nasty!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks Anton! Definitely gives a different feel and vibe that I don’t hear often enough. Especially from guitar players that don’t play drums at all.

[@apoplexiamusic]

Absolute chad using Ableton instead of Reaper like all the other metal KZbinrs

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Look at this photograph

[@diostaylow]

You still using counterkit on this one?

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

This one I’m using GGD Invasion. I would use counterkit if it had more cymbal options. For my writing I need this many I do love the sound of Kyle’s plugin though

[@diostaylow]

@@BrendonKPadjasek love it!!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

I love it as well

[@EliPorterMahn]

You need alot more subs bro!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks Eli! I just gotta keep at it and I’ll get more. If you have any topics you’d like to be covered lmk! Thanks

[@alexvukovic7814]

favorite guy in modern metal music, who make riffs who are ahead of their time😁❤

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Haha thanks Alex! We just write the music we want to hear instead of emulating what’s already out there.

[@alexvukovic7814]

@@BrendonKPadjasek that's the reason why ''Life through a window'' people didn't understand back then. Those riffs can easily be played in 2024 and still be fresh

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@alexvukovic7814 thank you my man. It definitely got a lot of hate when it came out haha. Glad it grew on people that didn’t like it at the time

[@alexvukovic7814]

@@BrendonKPadjasek Bro I remember that period of time, it broke my heart that people didn't understand how big and fresh this album was, but I am sure that guitarists even now take ideas and riffs from this album 100%😁

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@alexvukovic7814 thanks so much Alex! Once can only hope haha

[@Elevada]

Love these tips! Definitely want to try them out. I'm completely guilty of pretty much all these mistakes lol. Electronic beats are so much easier 🤣

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Haha that’s no problem at all. That’s why you had me spice the drums up haha Looking forward to seeing if the next round implements some of these techniques.

[@Elevada]

@BrendonKPadjasek and you did an incredible job! Even if we use these tips they still won't be as good as you doing it.😅 You just have an ear for it. ❤️

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@Elevada I appreciate that. I have years behind the drums as well so that helps me when thinking of parts. It’s all putting in that 10,000 hours

[@Elevada]

@BrendonKPadjasek the experience definitely shows!

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

@Elevada I’m glad the years of sitting in my room didn’t go to waste haha

[@willieriffs3946]

omg thank you for this great content dude

[@BrendonKPadjasek]

Thanks for watching! That's why I make these videos