Double-Time

We have been progressing well with our drum programming. We're now at a point where we know how to pick our sounds, where to place the sounds to have a proper rhythm, how to copy our patterns to track and how to create up to a 4 bar drum pattern. Now it's time to introduce a new alternative method of programming drums. This is a method that you've heard in many songs. Whether you're listening to hip-hop, r&b, pop or alternative music there are many times where you will hear a style of drumming commonly referred to as double time. First, let's hear some examples. The following are songs that are either completely double time or have a break down in which there are double time drums.







As you can see the average double time beat is noticeable via the fast hi-hats or percussion, sometimes fast bass drums, and sometimes a slow snare pattern with few seemingly fast accent hits. Today we're going to make drum patterns using this method in Reason. Let's get started!

1. Open Reason

2. Create a Mixer 14:2

3. Set your tempo between 60-79.

4. Create a ReDrum. For this exercise we're going to make a 64 step pattern.

5. Now here's where things get different. Do you see the RESOLUTION switch? Change your Resolution from 1/16 to 1/32.

6. For Sound 1 load in a clap or a snare. Place it on Box 9. Go to EDIT STEPS and place it on box 9 for all of this pattern. Do NOT copy it to track.

7. For Sound 2 load in a Bass Drum. Place it on the 1 and click around for a few other boxes that you think sound good.



8. For Sound 3, load in a Hi-Hat. Place it on any boxes that you want.


9. For Sound 4 load in a Percussion Hi or Other. Place it on any boxes that you want.

*Reminder* This is a 64 step pattern! Don't forget to use the EDIT STEPS feature.

What are some things you notice about this pattern? An interesting thing to note is that when you create a double time beat it is basically doubling your tempo. So 60 becomes 120, 75 becomes 150, etc. If you tried to do a double time beat at 90bpm you would really be having a tempo of 180bpm. Some would consider that too fast.


Now that you've done this demonstration, Create a new 64 step double time beat that has each sound on its own pattern. When you are finished with this pattern, create a Dr. REX Loop Player and load in a Dr. REX Percussion Loop. Use the keyboard to try and create an original percussion pattern. Now create an NN19 and try to create an original melody using the Major Scale.