Professional Samples: Tuned Percussion

Although tuning the kick drum to the key of the music has now become common-place for dance music, tuning further percussion such as hi-hats, snares, claps, cymbals and ancillary percussion is steadily growing in popularity. By tuning all percussion, the producer is ensured that the loop will not only gel together but it also makes the process of layering drum sounds together far easier.

What’s more, in genres such as Tech House, it isn’t unusual for the producer to employ a “diminished seventh” drum loop – in essence creating a diminished seventh chord structure from the percussion (this technique is discussed in detail in the upcoming Fundamental 10) to ensure harmonious interaction throughout the loop.

With this in mind, we’ve released Tuned Percussion Volume 1. This sample USB from our new range consists entirely of tuned kicks, snares, claps, closed and open hats, shakers, tambourines, cymbals, rides, toms, claves, bongos, cowbells, rim shots and even triangles. Notably, unlike the few available “tuned” percussion releases from other companies, all the samples in our collection have been 12-TET tuned on the instrument itself, not sampled at one note and then played through a sampler to change the pitch – there is a significant difference in sonic quality and accuracy.

Note: Like our range of tutorials, our sample packs are aimed towards the professional and semi-professional producer. This means there is no “monstrous street smashing beatz”, “pseudo breaking, stylish vibes”, “ultra-low glitches” or “booty shaking loops” included. The entire USB consists of nothing more than one-shot hit samples that have been very carefully recorded and processed to provide the producer with the freedom to build their own percussive sounds by layering quickly and efficiently without having to make artistic compromises.