Archive for the ‘120-140 BPM’ Category
Loop #138
For this loop I decided to take the opposite approach to producing. The "Costanza Method" of recording, if you will. As I'm sure most of you already know, effects and audio processing are typically applied during the mixing process, after all of the tracks are recorded. However, for this session, I applied a variety of sonic sculpting tools to the master bus BEFORE recording a single note. Sure, I checked the levels to make sure everything was copacetic, but I wanted this random...
Read More
I'm not referring to the lame Sting song (ok ok, I admit I like it... relax), I'm talking about the seven days I just spent on vacation in Mexico. Without going into too many details (most of which, I can't really remember anyway), my wife and I just returned from a much needed getaway to Tulum. A place where the sun is hot, the beer is cold and the tacos are cheap. In other words, my Heaven.
[caption id="attachment_5613" align="aligncenter" width="224" caption="Watch out for the Green ...
Read More
I know, I know. There's been a serious lack of loop postings recently. This isn't because I haven't been keeping busy in the studio. In fact, it's been quite the opposite. For the past month or so, I've been burning the midnight oil, cranking away at something so big, so revolutionary, that it needs its own URL. It's a project that's been a plan of mine for years and finally, technology has caught up to my vision, enabling me to pull it all off. More details to be released soon. Stay tune...
Read More
I just realized I've posted 116 different loops on this site but not a single one has been a shuffle. What the hell is wrong with me? Some of my favorite songs are shuffles. Pride And Joy, Sweet Home Chicago, Moanin'.... I could go on and on. From jazz, to blues to rock, the shuffle is one of the few grooves that can find a home in almost any genre (except for Viking metal or perhaps Psychobilly).
Loop #117
Today's loop is a straight ahead jazz/blues shuffle ala Art Blakey. With a "fo...
Read More
Loop #106
For today's first loop request, I make my foray into the grimey world of Dubstep. A half time feel with some extra thick bass and a crunchy, gated snare, it sits right in the 139 BPM sweet spot of your garage. I'll be including the rest of the loops from this session in Volume 7.
Preview Here:
[audio:139_DubStepB.mp3]
Get the .wav file here.
Get the .rx2 file here.
Get the .aiff file here.
139 BPM...
Read More
Like I mentioned in my previous post, I just upgraded my studio to Logic 9 and have been busy checking out all of its new features. From a user interface point of view, not much has changed. It still looks and feels much like its predecessor, but there are some new editing tools that peaked my interest as a drummer. Specifically, Flex Time and the drum replacement/doubling tool.
Now, I pride myself on having good time and getting nice sounds in the studio, but sometimes it's fun to play ...
Read More
Loop #82
Well, not totally backwards... but I did displace the traditional bembe bell pattern by two eighth note triplets. Does this really matter? Nope. I think the Afro-Cuban police will let it slide.
It's one of those grooves that can be felt in 3, 4 or 6/8. Throw this under your next arrangement of "Afro Blue" or "My Favorite Things" and let the 20 minute modal improvisation begin. If this groove has you foaming at the mouthpiece for more, you can get the complete set of fills a...
Read More
Yes yes, I know I haven't been cranking out the free loops on a "daily" basis this week. A full refund is in the mail. I promise. You see, things are pretty crazy around "Casa del Gruss" at the moment. We're currently looking for some new digs (something a little more drummer friendly.. you know, ideally with a barn and a 48 channel Neve console) and I'm finishing up Volume II of Gruss Loops... to be released next week! But fear not, here's a loop to keep you cheap bastards entertained in t...
Read More
And what a birthday it's been. All kinds of presents, cards, emails, phone calls and tweets. To top that off, my wife took me out for a surprise gourmet dinner at Chuck E. Cheese's. The highlight of which, was sitting in with their famed house band. The drummer, Pasqually, was kind enough to let me take over the throne while he put a few pizzas in the oven.
[caption id="attachment_3042" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Pasqually aka 'Doughfoot'"][/caption]
Anyway, enough about ...
Read More
The Roland 808. It's the drum machine sound I grew up on. Round, blippy sounding toms. A kick drum loaded with enough sub-bass to shake an entire roller rink. From hip-hop to pop music, the 808 dominated the programmed drum sound of the early to mid 80's. You can even hear the 808 on Marvin Gaye's 1982 hit slow jam, "Sexual Healing".
[caption id="attachment_2726" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="The Roland TR-808"][/caption]
Loop #67
Today I decided to go for that old 808 sou...
Read More
