How to HUMANIZE a MIDI DRUM GROOVE in CUBASE

[@IsaacYongMusic]

Thanks for showing this! I especially like how you always exaggerate something to hear the effect, and then dial it down to the useful values, helps a lot!

[@mixdownonline]

It's a good way to learn imo :-)

[@quintonalberto6073]

Instablaster.

[@okseokseokseok]

Wow! Thank you. I save so much time because of you. And you teach well . Easy to understand and always to the point.

[@Am6-9]

The Logical Editor is probably the most brilliant (and probably underused) feature in Cubase. I have made presets for velocity and position randomization (using the “set relative random value between” function), which has the advantage over the MIDI modifier section that you can apply them only to specific instruments, e.g. keep the kick tighter but randomize the snare a bit. Look forward to you Logical Editor videos, I’m sure I still will learn something new.

[@mixdownonline]

Very useful feature and underused for sure :-)

[@nutsosix7930]

Yes, i was always wondering what that MIDI Modifier position, pitch, velocity, length, was used for. Finally i know, thank you for your valuable teachings.

[@MrMikomi]

This is amazing. I don't say that often, but for me it's a real eye-opener. Thanks.

[@chrisrobson2203]

I LOVE this channel!!! So many times do I feel stuck and lost and then you come out with a video, or in this case a previous one, where you've helped me find my way out of the dark! Thank you Chris.

[@mixdownonline]

Very pumped that you like the channel that much! Always happy to help :-)

[@ariwildemusic]

So so so USEFUL !!! Not only for drums !! Exactly what I looked for my multiple tracks of bells arpeggios. Your videos always allow me to discover amazing features of Cubase and to realize how complete and powerful is Cubase. Thanks very much!

[@mixdownonline]

My pleasure!

[@Darchyism]

What a great Tutorial. On the money for the whole 12mins. My drums and even basslines sound 'loose' Thanks sooooo much for this.

[@kenvis6389]

I am glad I found this video. I had been looking for this stuff in Groove Agent. It’s even better to have in in CB itself so it can be applied to all Virtual instruments.

[@Art_Of_Sound]

Hi Chris...nice vid! I would like to suggest actually adding 'real' human groove rather than static tinkering. What I mean is groove template (since atari version of cubase I think or at least vst32 cubase) has been the go to. I am a percussionist etc so I dont use it for actual playing/quantise etc but rather by extracting the groove info and imposing on other electronic elements. Live has an equivalent version that is a little more elegant but same principles apply. 1. Just grab any old mic etc (quality is not important) 2. Practice tapping out the rhythm roughly but dont stop until you FEEL the groove (with loop record on) 3. Find the most typical 4 beat section and extract groove in editor etc (RTM) 4. Now apply to drum parts and vary the strength etc but MUCH MORE THAN THAT...use it to glue timing and feel of synthetic parts Satisfying as its not left brain (fun right brain stuff) Feel is much more authentic Just a though...and an alternative for those who want to actually acquire skills with coordination and expression without the hindrance of mouse etc I dont think I have used manual adjustment since about 2005 :-) Something cool about doing takes that have to be right and not editing...builds perseverance and skill which makes it easier next time

[@timwilderspin]

Hi this sounds great but can you explain in plain, pice meal terms what you mean by 'extract the groove in editor etc( RTM)', as I can't find that in my Cubase 11....?

[@stix2slivers]

Hey Chris this was an awesome video, being a drummer myself I can really appreciate your process and creativity. Thanks for teaching us the finer points of the recording world in Cubase. Cheers Bruce Arnold

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks Bruce!

[@nujazzelectro]

Great tutorial about this topic. Many thanks

[@andesneko]

Exactly what I needed. Thaaaaanks!

[@blackbunchie]

Another great video Chris. Been using cubase for 20 years but still learned 5 amazing things. Great subject to cover to. Can't wait to try them out. Cheers J Mack

[@mixdownonline]

Same here, I'm always learn something new with Cubase :-)

[@Riffa22]

Chris are you planning to make an updated version of this, I'd love to see what you think of the new logical editor presets on Cubase 12. My mind was blown when I saw how many there were haha

[@GREENMASTERBEATS]

this technique is pretty cool !!! thank you :) do you get a technique to strum chords in a really easy way ?

[@michaelneal309]

I don’t know if you’ve been told lately, but fuck yes, thank you. The amount of knowledge I gain from your channel is ridiculous. Thank you.

[@darabuh]

Thank you so much. This helped a lot! Had a drumbeat in alternating 5/8 and 9/8 measures. To make it feel "round" the feeling had to be right and I just couldn't get it. Now it grooves!!! Thanks again!

[@mixdownonline]

Oh yeah! You're welcome!

[@Meta_spark]

Thanks Chris! Very relevant information for me, you are extrasensory!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome my friend!

[@djholmz761]

loved it.Thank you

[@alexjacxsens5134]

Midi modifiers! Didn't know them yet. Thanks!!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@in2gadgets]

Awesome tution, Chris - thank you so much. It's especially good because you are a drummer. I'm looking also for somebody who is a violin player who can do something like this with violin virtual instruments as well. Know of anyone?

[@ranihalata3369]

Another great video Chris. how to change data for midi ? for example C1 or F1 or .... thank you

[@voltaspeeder17]

Great informative video! Only after hearing both grooves side by side i realized how poor my drum programing skills really were. I definitely need to put in a lot more effort and learn things properly to make my drums sound anything like a real drummer. Enjoyed this a lot and subbed, thanks for making it!

[@mixdownonline]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Fon_Daniken]

Спасибо огромное за данное обучающее видео! Это именно то, что я искал! Настолько доходчиво и понятно рассказали, что я в восторге! А ещё у вас крутая борода и кепка!))

[@GudeDoc]

Hi, do you prefer this view? I always use Midi Expression Map "GM Drum Map" i do not know why but i think it is better O_o

[@JulianFernandez]

There´s so much to learn about Cubase! Loved it. Thanks so much!

[@mixdownonline]

Love it too :-) Thanks

[@SniffingGlue]

You’re a wizard! Thank you very much for this!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome

[@JUMBARGUITAR]

thank you !!! waiting for the logic editor :)

[@billirwin1726]

Here I was thinking that the GA rhythms were pretty good all on their own... There's not enough time in my day. Thanks Chris

[@lilleskutt5467]

Very tasteful. Do you have a sweet spot velocity value for the kit? Cranking the snare along with everything else to 127 doesn't really work that well, eh?

[@gilbertonarvaez9749]

Great Video!!. Does this work on Cubase Elements?

[@jamesrossmusic6013]

Thank you sir...And God Bess you for sharing such excellent information with us... By the way.. I love the City of Montreal... I visit every year... It has a really exciting vibe!!!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome James! Cool that you visit Montreal every year, during the summer I hope ;-)

[@jamesrossmusic6013]

@@mixdownonline I will be visting family for Canadian Thanksgiving (Columbus Day) weekend.... I have a brother in Pincourt Quebec who serves up an amazing turkey dinner... You're right about the weather.. I got caught up in a major storm storm and a blizzard a few years back during a Christmas visit... Great city regardless... Major joie de vivre!!!!!!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks!

[@mixdownonline]

Awesone!

[@Bhavik_Patel.]

great tips as always... thanks. i do some of your procedure you shared in this video, but manually. now, waiting for Logical editor, in depth.

[@mixdownonline]

Happy you like it!

[@fifthquarter4785]

Great video! What is one to do when the LOGICAL PRESETS are greyed out and unavailable even after selecting midi info? thanks

[@urltom]

wow what a difference that makes!

[@mixdownonline]

😀

[@MindLightRelaxingMusic]

Thanks a lot for this tutorial

[@ShonnMorris]

Awesome video and great info as usual Chris. Can you do one on how to make piano sound more natural? This might work with guitar VSTIs as well.

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks! you can use the same approach as a start point for piano and other instruments

[@RichardIngalls]

Very helpful video!

[@musicinsession]

Chris Mckinnon!! The Peter Mckinnon of music production! Another great video! Mate it would be great if you could please make a video about vocal recording. For instance, do you use compressors, reverb and how much when tracking, and how could we achieve such with plugins... Just an idea, would love to hear your philosophy around that topic! Again thanks for the great (and free) content!

[@mixdownonline]

"Chris Mckinnon!" LOVE IT! Lol! I'll be more than happy to make a video on this. I'll add this to my list!

[@musicinsession]

@@mixdownonline that would be awesome mate! Thanks!

[@janosdertrompeter998]

Thanks, Chris, superhelpful!

[@mixdownonline]

Very welcome!

[@TheMixClub]

Thanks for the video... also Is that a old Tascam mixer behind you in the video. I had a TASCAM M-512 that I loved wish i still had it..

[@mixdownonline]

That is a TAC 18-8-2 Console (by AMEK) but the Tape Machine behind me is a Tascam 85/16B

[@PhilippeHyvernaud]

I'm using it all the time ! Nice Trick Chris ....

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@MorisoniProductions]

as always, super-useful tips clearly explained. Thanks

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks Henry :-)

[@lewisknudsen1]

HUGE difference, awesome video!

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks!

[@jasonmurdy8407]

Great info! I'd love to learn more about Groove Agent, if possible.

[@mixdownonline]

I'll add this to my list :-)

[@japerezesp]

Nice tutorial. Thank you for to improve our knowledge.

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@marstudios7879]

Excellent teaching Chris. One question. How can I make a snare flan sound in Groove Agent 5?. I wanna make a slow worship song for the church using that specific sound but I don't know how to make it. Any help please.

[@mixdownonline]

Like a Flam? Write a snare MIDI note just before the main snare hit and bring the velocity of that note lower than the main snare hit. Make sure the Snap to Grid if Off.

[@marstudios7879]

@@mixdownonline You are the Man. Thanks a lot!!! Chris.

[@kamilnowak3353]

Hello, I have a question, you can ask for a video like in cubase from any sample to make a melody in piano roll and how to tune any samples ???? This is how I look at you tube and I am looking for such a tutorial and I can not find anything like this in the topic of making any sample of your own melody in a piano roll in cubase.

[@Julio3dc]

OMG Chris, I was needing this in my life. Can you please make a video doing this on Heavy Metal? Because Metal music use very fast notes and programming it is not that easy. Thank you man, excellent video!

[@mixdownonline]

Don't work with metal productions much but experiment with a higher Quantize Setting to maybe 1/16 or something, that can be a good start point

[@dakiszevedeou7534]

HI Chris , which version of cubes do you use , i use version 12 and i have some issues. thanks in advance

[@GurowngSarep]

it's useful Chris...thanks

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@lizardz23]

Great channel, i use cubase so you are a great help, thank you.

[@mixdownonline]

Glad to hear that!

[@AboveEmAllProduction]

hey chris very nice video =) super useful. ive done this since as far as i can remember. not just drums, but instruments, leads and basslines too! so very good reminder. Please humanize all of your stale midi information!! it will sound much better when its not hardlocked to a time signature (and velocity!). I tend to get lazy these days tho, and just use Quantize but to ~75% instead of 100% :) and then just draw the velocity like a squiggly line all over the notes, lol! :D

[@mixdownonline]

LOL, Sure, why not lol

[@BertWijkman-hj7es]

Hi Chris can I use this on a midi trumpet too?

[@joseaprincipe6024]

hi when you going to the logical editor lesson for drums etc thanks

[@AlbertWeijers]

This is very helpful. I only have Cubase Elements, are there restrictions for me? I'll try it out.

[@MediaBrighton]

I'm a drummer. Quick tip... make the hihat go hard, soft, hard, soft..... That's how good drummers play the hihat. It's called an ostinato, a repeating pattern.

[@broeddy2050]

sir ! did u have a video how to use groove agent pluggin .. tq

[@DjNello]

Hi Chris, in Cubase pro 12 I can't find the "Midi modifiers" function as shown in this video, to randomize the position of the midi notes ..... has it changed in cubase 12 pro? thank you

[@soundsfromYYBY]

both midi sound good

[@frankblazer8862]

Very cool vid :) many thanks for it. I hope that you will create a video for the logic editor, too :)

[@mixdownonline]

It's on my list!

[@Squalazza]

Thank you very much!!!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@keegan6298]

Loving your lesson chris 🤟🏻

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks Chris ;-)

[@DrummerWolf1]

Hi Chris. I'm Jorge from Portugal. Can you help me please since you are a drummer and me too. I have a Roland TD9 drum kit and the Cubase 11 Pro with Groove Agent 5. I need to play in my roland kit but i cannot use thw hi-hat pedal to play open and closed. Can you help me? Cheers

[@peterfarah459]

I learn a lot from you thanks

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@johncostigan6160]

Very Human sounding. More like Bernard Purdie than R2D2... Thanks for the tips.

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@adamnemeth5436]

Hi Chris, I have been using Cubase 10.5 Pro. Unfortunately the Logical Preset tab is grayed out and I cannot use this funtcion. Would you be able to help me to sort this issue out? Thank you in advance for your help!

[@shishmanashvil]

Thank you Chris!

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome!

[@dissdad8744]

Is there a way to extract 'grooves' (the unique swing of a percussion / drum sequence) from one loop and apply it to another?

[@lifeguardlloyd]

Good stuff!

[@gainstage4497]

Great video

[@LuxiSoundProd]

Hi Chris! Do you know a tip to create a template from a mix session? For example, when I finish a mix of a song and want to apply the same configuration to other songs the only way I found is to delete my audio files from the project and empty the pool to save it as a template. Do you know another way? Really good your videos! Good continuation !

[@mixdownonline]

Yes, that will work for sure and there's also the Track Archive way as well..I use both depending on what I need. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oYfEg4queNCkj9U

[@LuxiSoundProd]

@@mixdownonline THX ! I did not see this video, you think of everything!

[@enricmarshal]

Hi Chris, nice video. I see you dont use the drum editor. Is there any reason?

[@mixdownonline]

I did the video with the MIDI Editor cause this is what most people use. Even myself, a lot of times I don't reach for the drum editor, maybe I should work with it more... so used to work with the MIDI editor ;-)

[@enricmarshal]

@@mixdownonline thanks for the answer Chris. One thing to note is that in the drum editor you can only see the velocities of the selected note. At least in cubase 5.

[@8ori5]

Where is the video about the logical editor? I can't find it on your channel :'(

[@mercilessmixing4127]

Still waiting for that video. I can't find anywhere that explains how to alternate velocities on Midi drums.

[@vainsacrosanct2014]

Nicely done!

[@mixdownonline]

Thanks!

[@groovehousestudio1653]

Hi sir, i really love your snare drum on your intro song can i get the sample?

[@mixdownonline]

That sample is from That Sound tiny.cc/vb8ubz (Nir & Jeff sample pack)

[@paulkristovic]

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

[@mixdownonline]

You are so welcome!

[@ericvandenheuvel113]

Thank you mr

[@mixdownonline]

You are welcome

[@jaymurphy2142]

"Drummers are not robots" to be honest, most are barely human :D

[@mixdownonline]

LOL!

[@RichardIngalls]

LOL!

[@johnmcdonough666]

Very fucking cool.

[@timwilderspin]

Hi, my 'Logical Presets' option is greyed out in Cubase 11, whether notes are selected or not, any idea why please?

[@marstudios7879]

Chris, I can see that you duplicate Groove Agent (2 tracks). What is the purpose to open it on that both tracks? Thank you.

[@marstudios7879]

I got it Chris, both tracks were made to see the different between them. Thanks.

[@davemedlock1431]

Ive been doing this in Cubase Pro, when i click what position i want the MIDI notes dont seem to be moving. Am i missing something?

[@tontondm1419]

You safe my life again 🤕🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

[@mixdownonline]

I love saving lives..lol Happy to help!

[@bogart4742]

Hi Chris, great Video as always. I have a question for you guys in the comment section as well as for Chris. Can you identify an sampled instrument better when you play it yourself? So can you as a drummer still tell if a drum track is played by a human or by an high quality Drum VST (e.g. Supperior Drummer) with good midi programming? I was wondering because some non-musicians tell me that the good Drum VSTs Sound a 100 % real to them and that they can´t tell the diference. My theory is that a drum kit with a fixed pitch can sound more real than instruments with different pitches for example bass or guitar. Those can be spotted by non-musicans also but they get better every day. So maybe in the future the only instrument you need to learn is the Keyboard :D. What are you´re thoughts on this? Take care and have a great Day!

[@mixdownonline]

Good question, Yes, since I'm a drummer I can identify sampled drums, even if the midi mocking is well done. Non-musicians won't necessary hear the same way a musician will.

[@bogart4742]

@@mixdownonline Cool, thanks for the quick answer!

[@djbonne1]

Cool

[@juancarlosherreroslorente4905]

Thanks a lot!!! :)

[@mixdownonline]

You're welcome

[@MattLGreer]

There a reason why you're not using a Drum Map? Just curious. Just a preference?

[@mixdownonline]

Just an old habit of using Midi Notes, nothing more ;-)

[@Jmako7]

Sliding MIDI position by negative values seems to cause headaches when cutting or duplicating sections. The first note of the event can end up outside the event range and get lost. Does anyone have any good tips for avoiding this problem? I usually keep a bar of extra space ahead of each midi event. But that can be unwieldy. It also doesn't solve if you want to slice a MIDI event in half, at which you're bound to lose the first note after the slice point. This keeps me from doing chopping edits I'd otherwise go for because it's a workflow killer to have to then go in and relocate lost midi notes after each slice

[@scottfaircloff9530]

great!

[@xrottenrudyx]

how to do it in cubase elements since it doesnt have the logical editor?

[@mixdownonline]

I don,t work with Elements but I assume you would have to do this manually the best you can I'm afraid

[@b9dger563]

Great video as always, Chris. Can anyone on here help me with a Cubase problem? I'm on osx 10.11.06 running cubase 10. A few years back I used to be able to preview midi files no problem but now when I scroll through midi files there's no audio/sound to let you hear/preview the midi and I have to pull every midi file into my project just to hear it and it's a pain in the backside. :-/ The way i always done it before apple decided they would make life difficult was just like i was importing a WAV file and just like your WAV file will play the sample automatically the midi files used to do that. I don't use midi often as I play keys but it would make life so much easier at times.

[@mixdownonline]

You can preview samples and MIDI files from the MEDIABAY. I use the MB from the right zone of the project window... when selecting an audio sample or midi sample, you need to activate the 'Auto-Play' found at the bottom of the Mediabay or click on the "play" icon also found at the bottom of the mediabay...hope that helps

[@b9dger563]

@@mixdownonline Thank you so much my friend. You're a gent for sure :)

[@mixdownonline]

😀

[@Shadekeeper17]

Where is the logical editor tutorial?

[@mixdownonline]

I have it part of my Cubase Course but don't have a KZbin version yet. theultimateguidetocubase.com/

[@bronson1392]

Who's still waiting for the useful logical editor Video 1 year later??

[@arnaldocueto1357]

It's nice but the final product is very different then the original and could possibly ruin a song

[@MusicaMercy]

Big diference!

[@peterbrandt7911]

Funny, you stay away from the drum editor? Me too :)

[@mixdownonline]

Lol, I use it sometimes but not as often than the midi editor

[@peterbrandt7911]

@@mixdownonline I can't even say why, but I always end up in the midi editor. Maybe because I know this simply better and don't wanna teach myself another editor in depth.

[@mixdownonline]

In the end, it does the same job ;-)