Kahn's Reggae Production Corner - Ep 3: RIDDIM SECTION & Poly-rhythms

In this episode of KRPC, Kahn talks about the importance of the riddim section, and how good reggae uses poly-rhythms to add flavor and make it sound full. He then shows skank and pluck guitar recording techniques, including guitar tone and guitar pick choice.
Also covered in this episode are recording techniques on the bubble organ, and a sweet two-part harmony guitar melody for the intro. Part 2 of the riddim section will be in the next episode, where we look at horns and other elements so stay tuned!
More of Kahn's music at: / dm-kahn
Please leave a comment below how this tutorial helped you, or if you learned something new.
Bless

[@alexufimsky7030]

This is probably one of the best series of the tutorials I've ever seen! I wish you success and inspiration. Thank you so much! Greetings from Russia)

[@DMKahn]

Alex Ufimskiy many thanks for the comment! I hope you were greatly inspired as well! Blessings on your musical endeavour. Kahn

[@TheMaceo900]

Great stuff man, amazing to see someone bothering to help people make that true reggae sound. Thanks for all your help!!

[@curtischarles5299]

this is "real reggae". this is authentic . i've heard a lot of reggae riddims but lack a lot of the fundamentals but this is the real stuff...finally !!! keep doing your stuff khan , big up !!

[@DMKahn]

Curtis Charles can't tell you how much it gives me joy to hear this comment. Many thanks

[@curtischarles5299]

blessing bro...

[@7_PICKLES]

No words to describe how important this video is for me. Thank you

[@t-man5196]

The drums are what makes reggae reggae

[@DMKahn]

Bobbin' Williams a big part of it, yes!! The other thing would be the combination of riddim piano and guitar

[@t-man5196]

DM Kahn bass too though

[@dagmusicproduction2585]

you are awesome I've learn lots from you thank you professor

[@Skejtboard]

Love you, Kahn!!! Thank you. Like a true rasta you spread knowledge to widen the collective knowledge for everyone, from rich to poor when bringing this information to the masses for free. ONE LOVE. ❤️❤️

[@YouBDub]

Irie tutorial! It would be nice to see more about piano shank and organ bubble midi notes, length, velocity, vst instruments use for both (including settings and possible fx), and the relationship between both to get the bubble organ fit in the pocket while playing a roots classics piano shank. Great work

[@DMKahn]

YouBDub if you have any questions in particular email me at [e-mail]. I can help with whatever you need. By the way, I typically use the "Cuba" plugin by native instruments for the piano. Either the upright or sometimes the grand. Medium to high velocities on that. Then I'll either use logics B3 organ or NI's "vintage organ" with the furthest left drawbar only engaged. You can get some really good low bubble tones for that. I usually do 2 layers of piano, one low and steady octave of the chord, then another piano, same voicing but the next octave up and that's the one that I'll do some Polyrhythmic variations with. Then for the skank guitar I usually use my strat and keep it mostly trebley with a bit of crunch on an amp sim. Not crazy but just enough to add some character. With all 3 of those, it can add that nice reggae feel. Hope this helps bless

[@EnergiaNatural]

que tremendo canal conocimiento de los mejores muchas gracias por tus videos saludos y bendiciones desde chile

[@carldubcats3385]

Nice, very nice

[@DMKahn]

Cheers, thanks for stopping by the channel

[@Kyozawei]

Thanks you Kahn from Laos .

[@DavidFohe]

Nice man, love the lovers vibes!!

[@Skejtboard]

I need to comment one more time. ONE LOVE ❤️❤️❤️

[@DMKahn]

Skejtboard big up!

[@Renjyrzn]

man love your channel ! precious knowledge in here 🔥 🔥

[@luispompa827]

Thank you

[@djantiwar]

Good lesson !!! 💪💪

[@DMKahn]

Many thanks 🙏

[@NewHumanMSM]

Yow! this song available on your site? Words bubble up in my soul to this tune as i listen. I write songs with the patois I learned from my mom. I was born in Cali too. Been too embarrassed to take my music seriously because mi no come from "dung a yaad" You liberated and inspired me with what you said in the first video of this series about reggae with the right ingredients , commitment and focus.

[@DMKahn]

Hey man, glad to hear it!! Sorry the song isn’t released or anything.

[@DJSKAROB]

big ups bro...interesting series...keep em comin! Bless

[@congamantony]

Loved the bit about the Kramer Pie - Cheers :)

[@DMKahn]

Ynot MI it’s definitely got “that vibe” cheers, Kahn

[@prismblue8514]

Great video......helps alot.

[@silajeep1]

Love the intro music bro, happy tune vibes! Hope you made it as actual song?

[@DMKahn]

Actual song for this KZbin series!

[@astonmartin1762]

love it

[@michaeltipay9559]

Nice videos!!! You share a lot of good info . Can you make a video lesson on recording the reggae Bass guitar and show how to get that Fat clean sounding Bass ?

[@DMKahn]

Thanks! I got a video I did pretty recently On bass guitar. Go check it out!!

[@tonyharley5230]

"Pluck guitar"is commonly known as playing the "stuck line" in reggae guitar speak.

[@DMKahn]

It’s known as many many things to be honest, one of which is the Stuck Line.

[@andrewwest4546]

Keep hearing some Sugar Minott or Gregory Issacs on this.

[@DMKahn]

Andrew West man, if only! Both are legends gone too soon.

[@andrewwest4546]

@@DMKahn sadly. Keep the fire burning still. The torch has been passed. I bet you will find someone to nail it. Its very inspiring.

[@carldubcats3385]

Not too much compression or it will sound like Darth Vader. Great video.

[@jaybee2329]

Great stuff Khan. You rule. In terms of instrument placement in your mix. Where do the keyboard skunk, rhythm and organ bubble sit in your mix. Do you pan them wide or dead centre? Thanks, learned a lot already just by watching.

[@DMKahn]

Thanks for stopping by and commenting JB. As far as panning instruments goes, the key word is "balance". On a rockers style song, I keep the piano and skank sightly left and right, maybe 10-20%, then I pan the organ bubble and pluck guitar about 30% L and R respectively. Then I tend to pan stuff like percussions harder left and right, as well as BG vocals. The kick snare bass and lead vocal are mostly always center. If I'm doing a more one drop roots rock reggae style song I'll get a little more crazy with harder left and right panning of all the instruments. Hope that makes sense and was helpful. 🍻

[@DMKahn]

Jay Bee as far as general rule of thumb for volumes, drums are the loudest part of the pie, then vocals and bass, then the piano/skank gtr, then percussions pretty laid back. You want the organ bubble quieter than the piano, sitting behind it. I know it's not very detailed but that should help a bit. Use EQ to carve out spots for each instrument. Also use EQ for tone. Don't compress too much, just a couple of dB for vibe.

[@jaybee2329]

@@DMKahn Thanks for the response. This is very helpful indeed. I watched all your reggae tutorial series, 1-5. :)You know your stuff. Big up

[@swiszcz93]

If you play the video at 1.25x it sounds a lot better...i think it should have been quite a few bpm faster

[@DMKahn]

Terremoto Esbol thanks for the feedback. Someone else said the same thing, and I totally agree! Bless

[@basseyacousticworks]

Hi sir Please how did you get that basston.vthe bass guitar going through a base pedal? Break it down for us

[@DMKahn]

This is my bass recorded straight into a focus rite Scarlett. Then EQd the mid range out, 1-3 dab of compression

[@jonaspaulsson4977]

Hi Kahn! GREAT stuff! I just love all of your advices. My mixes has improved a lot. Thanks ! But I can't get the organ sound exactly. I got all your settings on the B3 but it doesn't sound right. To much high end I think.. Can it have something to do with my small keyboard? Just 3 octaves. I have trie to split the keyboard but it doesn't work anyway Cheers from Sweden

[@DMKahn]

Jonas Paulsson thanks for the question. Go to Options tab on the top of the B3 organ instrument and turn off the click on and click off volume, it sound help! Cheers Kahn

[@andrewwest4546]

Subscribing 👍

[@eduardoansay1]

Hello Friend. Excellent job. You have an email I would very much like to do a production of a Brazilian reggae with you. Thank you

[@DMKahn]

Eduardo Ansay hit me up at [e-mail] !

[@cutseencinematics]

you're so high in these vids

[@DMKahn]

Lol, nah man