Chopping Science: Photek breaks method [video]
Added 2023-12-14 09:42:27 +0000 UTCRecently, a DNB producer asked me how could come up with some random happy accidents in his drum patterns. Well, I always program my own quite meticulously, as you have seen.
I happened to think of this old Photek method, and wanted to suggest this to him. He was delighted and said it feels perfect for introducing drum patterns he might not come up with naturally.
BTW I want emphasise that this is not at all about what you use for this. Any sampler/device/technique that prevents overlapping is enough.
It's only relevant to present this to you, too, so you can add this breakbeat method to your bag of tricks. Trust me, way more breakbeat content will come.
I even want to return to Apache again – another Apache ;)
Also a new walkthru is coming soon. Aaaand a lot more is planned.
Me, just entered holiday zone, finally, after having to move goalposts a bit. Phew!
Will be creating Patreon content for ya'll on my holiday, but I'm not doing one-to-one sessions or personal mix/song feedback until I return to work on Jan 8, which is when I will start planning my actual work queue with one-to-one sessions, personal feedback etc.
Comments
Good one
Q-Kraft
2024-12-09 20:38:06 +0000 UTCMost of the time I slice to Ableton drum rack that allows me to do any mixing, layering, processing that is needed; very convenient 👌🏻
Janne Hatula
2024-12-09 20:22:01 +0000 UTCThanks for sharing', I really like this workflow with breaks. Any tips when it comes to mixing and being able to process the single hits.? I'll experiment with it, but i guess bouncing to audio and then layering or slicing out the individual hits could be an option, or layering the pads in the actual drum sampler and adding processing to the extra layers
Q-Kraft
2024-12-09 19:42:23 +0000 UTCI Used to do this method in a much less efficient manner. Your workflow makes a lot of sense. Easy to replicate in bitwig. Came up with some nice break variations from a break I just processed recently. Thanks again Master Fanu.
atetraxx
2024-01-15 00:56:23 +0000 UTCthere was a video about making a custom break. look for the post from november 5.
Merlin
2023-12-19 09:04:27 +0000 UTCYes, it’s his own. In a video I did in November, I actually created a custom break (see the video with TAL Drum). I just didn’t export it to audio.
Janne Hatula
2023-12-16 06:33:14 +0000 UTCHaha :D True!
Janne Hatula
2023-12-16 06:30:29 +0000 UTCAlso, in that Photek video, is he not chopping a custom break that he has already most likely pain-stakingly constructed from various other snippets of breaks and processing?🤔 I would be really interested in a video that explores the process of building a ‘custom break’ in this manner, which can then be chopped as per the process in this video. 🙏
John Citizen
2023-12-16 05:26:13 +0000 UTC😉
John Citizen
2023-12-16 05:21:53 +0000 UTCWith all respect, I think there was a mistake at approximately 2:34 in the video. No, it’s not ‘fine’.
John Citizen
2023-12-16 05:18:08 +0000 UTCI think the unique thing to simpler and redux is the fact both samplers can match to project temp be it warped/sliced/pitched and so on. fxpansion Giest2 you can do something similar by running in gate mode and have multiple patterns. £160 for a drum sampler seems a bit rich MPC Beats Free edition may have something. Personally I find the software doesn't click with my brain. The other choices are you choose your sampler of choice that allows samples to be spread across keys and pitch the break to match tempo manually and change sample start point Or load slices/slice break in sampler of choice and draw out the straight break as photek would say. Then drag the end of the midi clip in the arranger so the clip is about 1/4 bar in length duplicate the 1/4 section and go into the clip and move the start marker of the clip (the arrow underneath the loop arrow) to where ever you want the next section to start If you want to roll the break out more then drag the end of the clip in the arranger out. Rinse and repeat. Works in Live and Bitwig
Andrew Hollis
2023-12-15 07:57:17 +0000 UTCoo yeah thats a good point. I'm still looking for a non-ableton sampler besides Renoise/Redux that can do that play-thru mode, I am pretty sure it doesn't exist.
mafgar
2023-12-14 19:03:24 +0000 UTCGlad you like! More break talk is on the way!
Janne Hatula
2023-12-14 18:54:22 +0000 UTCAbsolutely; forgot to say, it's so ingrained in me to use drum rack pads, as i often want to tweak some levels and processing of individual hits, and drum rack mixer allows for that, unlike using one instance of Simpler.
Janne Hatula
2023-12-14 18:53:48 +0000 UTCYeah! Will also do another video about keeping the groove
Janne Hatula
2023-12-14 18:52:03 +0000 UTCusing slice mode + playthru is a faster method for the same result no?
mafgar
2023-12-14 18:34:46 +0000 UTCThanks for the breakdown! I admire the dedication of programming a totally new break from isolated hits but I love this method because you get to keep a lot of the characteristic swing and funk of the original break.
m00ftak
2023-12-14 17:36:51 +0000 UTCI cracked up at the part "because it can make you, uhh [smiles]....breakbeat master" For real though back in the day when I could only afford to read about samplers in catalogs, I thought this is what they meant when they say "Phrase sampler". Maybe not, but its kind of fitting for this method. I almost never use drum phrases these days but I love how it keeps all of the imperfects and funk intact. Thanks for sharing. I really enjoying these breakbeat talks
Shane Newville
2023-12-14 13:47:17 +0000 UTCGood shout!!
Janne Hatula
2023-12-14 11:06:56 +0000 UTCIf anyone wants to just use simpler and is not fussed with processing parts individually. In simpler: Mode : Slice Set to Gate Playback = Thru
Andrew Hollis
2023-12-14 11:05:15 +0000 UTCYessir, that is fun, and would also be good for live jamming/performances. I believe Ive made a video of that in the past, but a re-do is on my to-do list.
Janne Hatula
2023-12-14 10:53:02 +0000 UTCI love this technique for just getting into a break. You can also have a lot of fun with this technique in the session view. Copy a bunch of clips of the same break and move the start point of the sample to some interesting places in the loop. Keep one clip with a nice full 1-bar or 2-bar loop so you have a safe clip to jump to if you want to rest. Set the clip launch quantize to 1/8th and then you can jam out using something like a Push controller by triggering the different clips. IMO, it makes the break super playable and obviously, everything can be recorded for those happy accidents. Ned Rush has a tutorial on his YT channel if my explanation isn't clear.
Simon Huber
2023-12-14 10:46:16 +0000 UTC
