Mixing Drum Samples with Hip Hop Producer Focus... (Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar)

"Drums can be just be drums. But now they're not." Watch how hip hop producer Focus… (Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar) gives his drums the feel he wants. Watch more about mixing drums with Torque: www.waves.com/... How do you manipulate your drum samples? tell us in the comments below!
Plugins used by Focus… in this video:
Torque: waves.com/torque
Smack Attack: waves.com/smac...
Renaissance Vox: waves.com/rvox
Renaissance Channel: waves.com/ren-...
Doubler: waves.com/doubler
Music: "Redd Rumm" by Redd Lettaz
From the album Pentheo

[@haveagooddavid]

Love how much space Dre and Focus fill up with their drum sounds

[@StupidIsAsStupidDoe2]

Mixing is a big part of production that goes unappreciated.

[@chuckcostello5167]

Pretty sure you mean mixing is what makes the song AFTER the music and lyrics are written, the song has the proper arrangement/tempo map, and instrumentation chosen. And this is almost all before anyone presses RECORD. Then it falls to the tracking engineer to make sure the tones are right, there are no phase issues (if using multiple mics), and making sure to get great takes from the singer and other performers. THEN mixing comes in and makes all of these sound amazing. If any of the previous steps are less than amazing, the mix can only make it shine so much. Leaving issues to be resolved in the mixing phase that could've been fixed before then is a sure way to kill your final product sound on mixing day. My 2 cents.

[@escalator9734]

well, they do record before the actual mix, to do have the proper songwriting/arrangement/tempo/instrumentation. It's called pre prod. I'm just nit picking, the rest is spot on

[@threedogheads6332]

well once you are a producer, you are a mixer man lol(all in all at once)

[@darklightprojector2688]

Chuck Costello dude, you’re missing the point that OP is making...I’ll put it this way: proper mixdown is pretty much the difference between what sounds like a Kendrick beat and what sounds amateur. Yes, the steps before need to be great, but that’s something anyone who ain’t stupid already knows 🤦‍♂️

[@LOUDPACG]

It's the make it or break it stage

[@VoxJ]

And respect to Waves for making very HQ innovative plugins and making them affordable for almost everyone.

[@TunaBeatz]

facts!

[@jingletraxxmusic1431]

i use to be the type to go buy something soon as i saw someone ealse make a dope video with it but now i don't . i already know he had good drums to begin with that were layered and eq'ed properly. i'm sure those plugins helped but he was a grammy winner before he bought that shit. there's other things you can do to get the same effect. this may be easier and maybe faster though i give it that.

[@RodneyD]

JINGLE TRAXX MUSIC Yea you're right but sometimes its about a faster work flow. I mean I can do everything he just done in logic which is exactly the Daw he is using. However it will take at least 3 of logic's plugins to acheive the same effect vs just using the Torque plugin alone. Sometimes time is money when finishing a mix for a client.

[@prototype8137]

JINGLE TRAXX MUSIC You're learning. Lol. Companies been using actors and musicians to sell product for over 50 years...

[@johnniejackson3154]

JINGLE TRAXX MUSIC I agree with you all the way..

[@EliteOnTheBeat]

*100*

[@THEH0WLER87]

if you are a professional and work in studios all day waves are a god-send. well worth the money. LinMB is my hero.

[@kelvin88keyes]

That dude is soooo...damn dope! I know his pops would be proud! RIP Bernard Edwards...

[@KOjoeBeats]

Using Rvox on drums was unexpected. Sounds great !

[@_JohnnySav]

K.O. Joe Word that would be nice on live drums as well. Gonna have to steal that trick!

[@teolarrea]

Try shadow hills or ssl buss comp in parallel...

[@farratheproducer-beatsinst6367]

Rvox seems to be a great choice for bringing the character of sounds out, I wasn’t expecting it neither but I’m noticing a lot of industry kats are using it in these ways. I quite liked the result got after applying it

[@alexhormann8931]

Great that there was no ad in this ad. :D

[@bencorthorn9592]

2:44 wow! its a low and high cut filter! never seen that before!

[@mrcgeraldes]

It's actually called bandpass filter ;-)

[@Opeckie]

So much gold in this short clip! The doubler on the pad is something I never thought to do, but makes so much sense! Very cool stuff, thank you Waves and Focus!

[@PhillyWatts]

OPeCKiE Productions doubles works great on synth tracks or even a synth bus. Cheers!

[@StupidIsAsStupidDoe2]

Focus is dope. Not enough people know about him. Second generation musician.

[@Unkle_Mike]

Indeed...son of the late, great Bernard Edwards.

[@Unicysis]

I just made a Focus-like beat in 5 minutes

[@manadeldia6443]

Focus a great teacher, he really shares some good information, I like that from him!

[@merolin5975]

I really appreciate Focus! Such a conscientious and knowledgable brother. 👍🏾 I can’t stop watching his tutorial videos now. Lol Thanks Focus

[@JWithTheSwag]

One of my favorite videos Waves has released in a while.

[@HellaBeatsOfficial]

The REAL key to winning grammy's is to have your audio clip over 10 db.

[@triggazay7831]

Bruh this is not a mixdown 🤔 everybody shit dumb loaud when they are making the beat

[@threedogheads6332]

lol

[@bridgeportquess220]

What gave you the idea that this was a mix down?

[@No_1_really_]

The key to good music is not how many dB or any plug-in. But we are not talking about that. The guy is shaping a drum to get different sounds. Brah don’t over think it LOL!

[@Reneromero08]

it isn't clipping... it only clips when you export to lower bitrates...

[@cmwilliams357]

Sir I want to say thank you for this video. I'm loving it!💝

[@nentihaiudittu]

Biggest difference imo between pro’s and amateurs: professionals see possibilities everywhere and oppurtunities in everything while amateurs spend their time complaining about what plugin is shit or too expensive etc...

[@RiversBliss]

And which DAW is the best.

[@Bellcity]

Agreed!!!

[@FluidITGuy]

Or like DeadMaus - bitchin about using presets

[@dey7890]

@@RiversBliss totally false

[@dey7890]

And this is coming from someone who worked at a commercial studio

[@hansdampf7397]

Have to admit didn't know Focus before but watching all Vids with him - he seem really to be an amazing guy. Thanks for sharing, Bro!

[@luciddreamers6943]

i would love to see more video from him. This was golden.

[@valbybro]

Maaaan this guy has a smooth and comfortable voice !

[@robtriton]

I love the knowledge and genuinely unique sonic bliss in this video!

[@various.artist]

Props for putting up the Redd Lettaz track!!

[@domwujek8900]

spilled my coffee this how quickly i wanted to try rvox ondrums :)

[@teolarrea]

It’s fun how they want to sell everything, before all this new plugins there was a lot of techniques that make your drums sound heavy and loud AF without peaking and mantaining a lot of stage room, it’s all about the classic stuff, compressors, eqs, and... compressors and eqs...

[@FloorStylez]

Focus is that dude honestly. Do it by ear over what is 'right'. Old rule - if it sounds right, then it is right 👍 Obv a sick engineer too no frontin'!

[@cmwilliams357]

Thank you for the love sir 🙏

[@onlyonSiMPLE]

RVox, all day every day

[@onlyonSiMPLE]

doubler too, they the shit

[@EarAddiction]

Focus...You, sir, are an inspiration! Thank you for this great insightful interview!

[@directkenxmedia]

Waves can make it simpler to get results... Watch His Masterclass: Hip Hop Production: Masterclass with Focus... (Dr. Dre, Kendrick Lamar)

[@DJNaz4You]

Redd Lettaz on the track 🔥

[@t.farris1631]

I personally thank that a lot of plugins take away from the mixing learning process. We all haft to remember when they didn't have plugins and the only equipment that was used was hardware where you had no other choice but learn. Sorry, if some of you don't agree to my comment.

[@TCfromSC]

T. Farris I agree but most of us don't have the money or space to have an ssl console plus everything is done on computer. It's pretty cool that we can buy these plugins and mix without having to be in a big studio. Once I get my equipment I will be using hardware for my sounds. I don't really care for vsts

[@HellaBeatsOfficial]

Everyone needs to quit hating on Waves. The plugins may seem like a rip off, but they're very versatile. They're some of the BEST plugins for mixing vocals, and they're for more than mixing drums. My vocal mixes sound night and day better than they were with the stock Logic Plugins. Although I don't use ALL of the waves plugins for mixing beats, the H-Reverb plugin alone makes the Waves Bundle a GREAT investment, definitely worth the money.

[@triggazay7831]

Ryan 000 shiiid.. my mixes became way better after using waves.. half the time y'all think y'all mixes be good when they actually don't.. like I did! The ones who hate can't afford.. truth is truth

[@jmac2050]

Stock plug-ins get the job done just fine, Waves is just an inflated marketing for established studios with the budget, because of brand-name Licensing fees, it's really just a few lines of code with an ok paint job.They're ok to use but Not a must have. Spend the money on a decent pre-amp , or a beast of a pc, would serve you better.

[@rahim4411]

They aren't a rip off. You can go to Plugindiscounts and get waves stuff for pretty cheap. I just bought three joints. And will get the SSL 4000 E for $108, how in the world is that a rip off? Plus it's so easy to install. These guys are not reading and following instruction or don't know how to read. They expect to get the product and it will jump into their computer! HellaBeats you hit it on the head bro!

[@rahim4411]

FACTS!

[@Nox-Eldar]

Waves are pretty affordable, after reason 9.5 came out they've been having a lot of sales. I remember when the diamond bundle was 2k.

[@soywaris]

very nice torque ad

[@DeSanKwuh]

Torque is literally the answer to my prayers, crazy good vid Focus

[@therealeyevoice]

Thank you fro sharing your knowledge with us! Love this video, and the way you transform the sound of the snare.

[@ChristianPauchet]

I live to see creative minds at work, this is exactly what separates us from the rest of the animal kingdom. Focus is one of the very best producers and mixers out there... he's pure magic.

[@1touchproduction]

All these are true, These plugs are needs as far as you are serious about getting job done fast, and dont have any alternative, i bought both same day i came across them and i can easily get good drums now, just how i want it. Awesome!

[@andralee4459]

the best review quick simple very informative and straight to the information thank u very much focus/waves

[@FluidITGuy]

The j37 tape emulation is running in this video but not listed nor mentioned.

[@itskyrhi6238]

after looking for answers on mixing and all that. Turns out Waves is my new BFF

[@Dirtyfreqs]

This was very informative.. I already own these and it was great seeing how this guy is using them.. thx

[@steeziak]

torque is fly and all, but the R-Vox / kick technique is fucking gold

[@johnthompson4456]

this is a straight commercial. paid actor.

[@ImCoreyBrown]

This was dope. The first product review I've seen in 22 years that I believe.

[@Juxtapose76]

Thanks for the info, great lecture.. God blessss

[@h.j.w2783]

Dudes a grammy award winning producer, yet he's peaking on his master buss at over 10db, no shame. Gives me hope 😂 4:24 "I don't really go for tonal aspects of torque..." yeah no shit...dude goes for the peak distortion aspect.

[@MCCABEWORLD]

Dope!

[@MuzikkZone]

Why use Rchannel for panning? Why not just pan in the daw?

[@DJSoulbrother]

because it's waves dude, haha they want you to use their plugins for everything :)

[@_JohnnySav]

Soulsastatic I’m from NY so I just came to say #Facts

[@_JohnnySav]

I thought the same thing but, that’s what a Waves user does lmao!

[@MuzikkZone]

I have it, it does the same as the damn daw. I just loaded it up and tried it anyways. I aint used that plugin in years man lol

[@MuzikkZone]

You know damn well you wasnt panning before with this plugin. lmao

[@MrRastique]

IT IS NOT THE PLUGINGS!!!!!!!!!ITS THE MAN WHO DO IT

[@armendalkasseem]

Maaan Focus... living legend 🔥

[@rmnbnz]

REDD LETTAZ! NEO PSALMZ!!!!

[@TheBasstone35]

Focus is no joke..by himself...in the studio...I know dre like damn focus that shit is hot....

[@elmortobeats5919]

3:25 i need that kick drum in my life

[@rappadapp]

This made me wish I took another direction in life and followed my heart & got into to music production. I'm stuck with accounting right now, I'm afraid.

[@bicho5925]

do what u must

[@TheProphecyENT]

That Rvox tip...🤌🏽

[@goodmusiconly5603]

Focus is hands down the best i've seen. Only discovered him last year but his sound is unlike anyone. Absolutely love his work.

[@HipHopBeatSource]

Man that snare had just the right amount of Reverb and dust.

[@ChrisDodges123]

6:35 Bruv going in!

[@aphardust8689]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eofVd6OoaKahpcU

[@ChrisDodges123]

Damn I was just about to post about the rapper....until I realized I already did two years ago lol

[@drrodopszin]

I would be also super curious about how he mixes and arranges the rap. It is sounding amazing and really clear.

[@jasoncruizer]

eq properly, and very little eq, Hip-Hop should be dryish not overloaded with reverb, reverb has tail, too much and its smothers a mix.

[@jazzybeeff]

1:37 omg! how much clipping at the snare :D

[@hazybrain7]

Cool vid !

[@ashkay23]

Ok but he didn’t really explain the logic behind the torque. All he said was I’m at -1200 cents which was already mentioned. But how and why will only tell us how we ca actually use the plugin !?

[@xMaSSxHyST3RiA]

Sweet add! these guys are the goats for those!! some Waves plugins seem great but they act like Waves is the best for everything, I'm not buying into that

[@ElronCorinthian]

You can create many from kicks and snares with any law, it's up to you and how you create... This is nothing new... But I welcome this day...

[@DonTitoTV1]

Quality is the 🔑

[@StantsLOL]

Putting your drums through R vox just for the gate? There's gotta be a better way to do that, it also cuts his volume so much when he does that and he doesn't adjust it.

[@drosch482]

love that snare

[@kasai1018]

seems like a suped up filter. You could accomplish the same with a high or low pass and some reverb

[@raviakber]

THIS WAWES PLUGINS WERY GOOOOODDDD

[@EBMZEQUENZER]

I like this plugin a lot - it's quirky and it adds character to drums ....

[@KAZUNARl]

this guy knows his stuff

[@NewNoise1]

This guy did magic with the drums

[@MattG123]

That was great! I definitely just bought Torque

[@dreampopwavestudiob7282]

THIS IS GREAT THANK YOU

[@louiseteomusic9428]

Amazing video. Thank you for the tips!

[@cabtrorambino1111]

You are indeed a genius sir

[@Darksagan]

Dope shit. I never thought of Rvox on my drums..I usually using TRans x for punch this was hell sick.

[@danaelston9848]

I see some things on your plugin that I don't see on mine such as View: Editor, Compare Copy Paste...Why is that?

[@jonforeman4534]

That beat stuuupid knocking! Geee shttt

[@bigbizzaroo1074]

FOCUS IS AMAZIN . SALUTE

[@et0356]

Merci MR

[@matthewmann8969]

Dre putting work with old, new, and in between

[@kicksncapz]

I take it for that filter alone

[@musicbykwiz]

Yo that filter is crazy sounds great

[@natetheplug7994]

man i love focus... good video

[@marceloribeirosimoes8959]

Great tips. Sadly it's a Waves dependent video. 'Cause would be better if he could say what he actually uses...

[@unstopology]

Of course he loves the "Focus" filter. LoL

[@nirgoth]

Why does he need a plugin to pan the hi hat? can't it be done on the daw or is the renaissance channel doing something extra ?

[@KingKG]

Logic Pro X I believe is the DAW.

[@rapidfiremuzik_official]

OMMFG - Focus you ARE the MAntis!

[@spitj]

Gotta take mad notes for this one.

[@nitepeople76]

anybody know the laptop stand??? i like it!

[@PharaohLawLess1]

Love Focus beats. He laced Truth Hurts album

[@janakanraj1807]

Magic

[@itsmisfit1360]

Great ideas

[@Thysta]

Real knowledge there!

[@tevitasitani2799]

When a journeyman knows his craft

[@rivaldoriyanto7072]

Thats some high clips right there

[@JohnJeevasingham]

Am I seeing correctly? RVox isn't actually doing anything in that setting, and RChannel is used just to pan stuff when any DAW has a pan knob?

[@quentinjames981]

6:00 is he just doing regular panning on the hihat? Or is rotation something different?

[@mortexdreammusictv5020]

Learning .. 😎😉🎧🎧