| In beat making, there exist two spatial factors that are | | | | different than snap quantization, so it's not really swing |
| often overlooked: time-sensitive density and swing. | | | | at all. But moving beyond this, a 63% swing template, |
| We'll be taking a look at the latter in this article, as | | | | for example, is one which moves midi notes from the |
| there are a lot of beat makers who have not paid | | | | nearest quantization point by thirteen percent either |
| enough attention and have not applied the most basic | | | | way. The percentage is of the timing, so it would be |
| principles of using swing on drum samples and | | | | thirteen percent of 1/16th note, if 1/16 was the timing |
| instruments. | | | | selected. |
| First of all, why use swing? Swing is useful in two | | | | Swing templates are especially useful when using |
| situations. It is first of all useful when having used an | | | | electronic instrument parts that are fully quantized. |
| editor or a click-in interface (like Reason's Redrum or | | | | Using these synthesizer sounds and drums, everything |
| the FL Studio sequencer), and in this case it serves to | | | | being quantized, will lead to staleness. So in this case, |
| humanize the drum samples loop. If it weren't for the | | | | many top producers will leave one quantized and |
| swing, all the samples would be precisely on point, and | | | | swing the other, or swing certain instruments. Swinging |
| the human ear likes to perceive variance, not 100% | | | | the drums in this case will produce some nice ear |
| accuracy in everything. This is what makes concerts | | | | candy as the drum parts interact with the electronic |
| such an appeal; if your favorite artist sang the exact | | | | instrument sounds. |
| same notes with the same tones and timing as the CD | | | | Using swing settings for drum samples is an acquired |
| versions of his or her tracks during every live | | | | skill, and starting with percentages between 51% and |
| performance, there wouldn't be such a demand. | | | | 65% is a good start for most budding producers or |
| When using it for drum sample tapping, swing is similar | | | | those already established who had not delved into the |
| to quantization and it will help keep you in check to | | | | rhythmic aspect of swing. There are various styles of |
| make sure that you're not hitting off-notes. | | | | templates that have come directly from groove |
| But what exactly is swing? Swing is, again, like | | | | machines like the MPC 2000 and so, and these can be |
| quantization, but without the 100% timing. There are | | | | useful to replicate the swing that legendary hip hop |
| various styles of swing templates, with varying | | | | producers have used for countless classics. |
| degrees of swing. A 50% swing, for instance, is no | | | | |