Liquid DnB, short for Liquid Drum and Bass, is a captivating sub – genre of Drum and Bass. It emerged in the late 1990s and has since carved out its own niche in the electronic music scene. The tempo of Liquid DnB typically ranges from 160 to 180 beats per minute (BPM), maintaining the high – energy pace characteristic of the broader Drum and Bass genre.
What sets Liquid DnB apart is its focus on smooth, flowing melodies, lush harmonies, and a more laid – back, soulful atmosphere compared to the harder, more aggressive counterparts within the Drum and Bass family. The drum patterns in Liquid DnB are often intricate and detailed, yet they manage to convey a sense of fluidity. This is achieved through the use of swung rhythms, syncopations, and a combination of different drum sounds that work together in harmony.
Setting the Right Tempo
As mentioned, the first step in creating Liquid DnB is to set the tempo. In your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), navigate to the tempo settings and set it to a value within the 160 – 180 BPM range. A common choice for Liquid DnB is around 170 – 175 BPM. This fast tempo is the foundation upon which the rest of the track will be built, providing the driving force that keeps the music moving forward.
Selecting Drum Samples
Kick Drums
Finding the Right Sound
The kick drum in Liquid DnB needs to have a solid low – end presence to ground the track. Look for kick samples that have a deep, punchy tone. You can find a plethora of kick samples in sample libraries. Some libraries are specifically curated for electronic music genres like Drum and Bass. For example, if you’re using a sample library like Splice, you can search for terms like “Liquid DnB kick” or “deep punchy kick for DnB”.
You can also consider layering kick samples. Combining a kick with a strong attack (the initial sharp sound when the kick is struck) and another with a more extended low – end body can create a more complex and powerful kick sound. For instance, layer a short, snappy kick sample on top of a long, sub – heavy kick sample.
Adjusting the Sample
Once you’ve selected your kick sample(s), it’s time to make some adjustments. In your DAW, you can use the built – in audio editing tools. If the kick sample is too long, you can trim it to fit the desired rhythm. Use the waveform display to visually identify the start and end points of the sample that you want to keep.
You may also need to adjust the pitch of the kick. In Liquid DnB, the kick often has a relatively low pitch to provide that deep, thumping foundation. Lower the pitch of the kick sample until it sounds right in the context of your track. In most DAWs, you can use the pitch – shifting tool, which is usually represented by a slider or a numerical value adjustment.
Snare Drums
Choosing Snare Samples
The snare in Liquid DnB should have a sharp, clear sound that cuts through the mix. Look for snare samples with a bright tone and a distinct crack. Some good places to find snare samples are in drum kit sample packs. You can search for terms like “bright DnB snare” or “cracky snare for Liquid DnB”.
Similar to kick drums, layering can be effective for snares. Combine a snare with a short, sharp attack and another with a bit more sustain to add body to the sound. For example, layer a metal – sounding snare with a more traditional, wooden – bodied snare sample.
Editing Snare Samples
After selecting the snare samples, you may need to adjust their levels. In your DAW, use the volume fader to make sure the snare is loud enough to be heard clearly but not so loud that it overpowers the other elements in the track.
You can also apply some EQ (Equalization) to the snare. Boost the high – frequency range to enhance the crack and cut through the mix. Use the EQ plugin in your DAW to adjust the frequency bands. For example, increase the gain around 2 – 5 kHz to bring out the snappy, high – end sound of the snare.
Hi – Hats and Other Percussion
Hi – Hat Selection
Hi – hats in Liquid DnB come in various styles. You can choose between open and closed hi – hats. Open hi – hats are great for creating a sense of space and movement, while closed hi – hats are more suitable for adding rhythm and drive. Look for hi – hat samples that have a smooth, flowing sound. In sample libraries, search for terms like “smooth DnB hi – hats” or “airy open hi – hats for Liquid DnB”.
You can also use a combination of different hi – hat samples to create a more interesting pattern. For example, alternate between a short, sharp closed hi – hat and a longer, more sustained open hi – hat.
Other Percussion Elements
Percussion elements like shakers, cymbals, and tambourines can add texture and depth to your Liquid DnB drums. Shakers can be used to create a subtle, rhythmic background, while cymbals can provide a crashing, accentuating effect. Look for percussion samples that match the overall mood and style of your track. For example, if you’re going for a more organic, natural – sounding Liquid DnB track, choose percussion samples that have a real – world, acoustic feel.
When using these percussion elements, make sure they are not too overpowering. Adjust their levels in the DAW so that they blend well with the other drum sounds. You can also use panning to spread the percussion elements across the stereo field, creating a more spacious sound.
Creating Drum Patterns
Kick and Snare Patterns
The Basic Groove
A common starting point for a Liquid DnB kick and snare pattern is to establish a basic 4 – on – the – floor pattern for the kick drum. This means having a kick on every beat of the bar. However, to add the characteristic swing of Liquid DnB, you can slightly delay the kick on the second and fourth beats. In your DAW’s sequencer, use the swing function to adjust the timing of the kicks.
For the snare, place it on the second and fourth beats of the bar. This creates a classic backbeat that provides the foundation for the rhythm. You can also add some variation by including additional snare hits on off – beats or by using different snare samples for different hits to add more interest.
Adding Variation
To keep the pattern interesting, you can introduce some fills and breaks. A fill could be a series of quick kick and snare hits that lead up to a new section of the track. For example, you could have a fill where the kick and snare alternate rapidly for a few beats before returning to the regular pattern.
You can also vary the intensity of the kicks and snares. Use different velocity settings in your DAW’s sequencer to make some hits softer or harder. For instance, make the kick on the first beat of a new section louder and more powerful to emphasize the start of the new part.
Hi – Hat and Percussion Patterns
Hi – Hat Patterns
Hi – hats are often used to create a continuous, flowing rhythm in Liquid DnB. A common pattern is to have closed hi – hats on every eighth note, creating a steady, driving rhythm. You can then add open hi – hats on certain beats to add accents and breaks in the rhythm. For example, place an open hi – hat on every fourth beat of the bar to create a more spacious feel.
You can also use a technique called “ghost notes” with hi – hats. Ghost notes are very soft, barely audible hits that add a subtle layer of rhythm. In your DAW, lower the velocity of some of the hi – hat notes to create ghost notes.
Percussion Patterns
Shakers and other percussion elements can be used to fill in the gaps between the main drum sounds. For example, you can have a shaker playing a simple, repeating pattern on every sixteenth note to add a sense of movement. Cymbals can be used for accents, such as hitting a crash cymbal on the first beat of a new section or at the end of a fill.
When creating percussion patterns, make sure they complement the kick, snare, and hi – hat patterns. They should add to the overall rhythm and feel of the track without overpowering or clashing with the other elements.
Applying Effects to Drum Sounds
Compression
Kick Drum Compression
Compression is an essential effect for shaping the sound of your drums. For the kick drum, compression helps to increase the sustain and make the sound more powerful. In your DAW, insert a compressor plugin on the kick drum track. Set a relatively high ratio, such as 4:1 or 5:1, to reduce the dynamic range of the kick. This means that the louder parts of the kick will be reduced in volume more than the quieter parts.
Adjust the attack time of the compressor to be relatively fast, around 10 – 20 milliseconds. This allows the compressor to react quickly to the initial attack of the kick, emphasizing the punch. The release time should be set so that the compressor releases smoothly, around 100 – 200 milliseconds. This helps to maintain the sustain of the kick.
Snare Drum Compression
For the snare drum, a different compression setting may be required. Set a lower ratio, perhaps around 2:1 or 3:1, as the snare already has a more defined attack and we don’t want to squash it too much. The attack time can be a bit slower than for the kick, around 30 – 50 milliseconds, to let the initial crack of the snare come through before the compressor starts working.
Adjust the release time to be relatively short, around 50 – 100 milliseconds, to quickly release the compression and let the snare sound decay naturally. This helps to keep the snare sounding sharp and punchy.
Applying Compression to Other Drums
Hi – hats and percussion elements can also benefit from compression. For hi – hats, use a very light compression with a low ratio, such as 1.5:1, and a fast attack and release time to just even out the volume of the hi – hat hits. For percussion like shakers, a similar light compression setting can be used to make the sound more consistent.
EQ (Equalization)
Kick Drum EQ
EQ is used to shape the frequency spectrum of your drum sounds. For the kick drum, focus on the low – frequency range. Use a low – pass filter to cut out any unwanted high frequencies above around 200 – 300 Hz. This helps to keep the kick sounding clean and focused on the low end.
You can also boost the low – frequency range around 60 – 80 Hz to add more depth and power to the kick. Use a parametric EQ in your DAW to make these adjustments. Be careful not to boost too much, as it can cause the kick to sound muddy or overpowering in the mix.
Snare Drum EQ
For the snare drum, boost the high – frequency range around 2 – 5 kHz to enhance the crack and make the snare cut through the mix. Use a high – pass filter to remove any low frequencies below around 100 – 150 Hz, as these can make the snare sound boomy and unfocused.
You can also add a small boost in the mid – frequency range, around 500 – 800 Hz, to add some body to the snare sound. Adjust the gain and frequency settings until the snare sounds right in the context of your track.
EQ for Hi – Hats and Percussion
Hi – hats are mostly in the high – frequency range. Use a high – pass filter to remove any low frequencies below around 500 Hz. You can then boost the high – frequency range around 8 – 12 kHz to make the hi – hats sound brighter and more present.
For percussion elements, adjust the EQ according to the frequency characteristics of the specific instrument. For example, if you have a shaker that sounds too dull, boost the high – frequency range to make it more lively. If a cymbal sounds too harsh, you can cut some of the high frequencies around 10 – 15 kHz.
Reverb and Delay
Using Reverb on Drums
Reverb can add a sense of space and depth to your drum sounds. For Liquid DnB, a moderate amount of reverb can create a smooth, flowing atmosphere. Apply a reverb plugin to the drum tracks. Set the reverb time to be relatively long, around 1 – 2 seconds, to create a spacious sound.
Adjust the pre – delay to around 20 – 50 milliseconds. This delays the start of the reverb, which helps to keep the initial attack of the drum sound clear. You can also adjust the mix knob on the reverb plugin to control how much of the dry (original) and wet (reverberated) sound you want. For drums, a mix of around 20 – 30% wet is often a good starting point.
Applying Delay to Drums
Delay can be used to create a sense of rhythm and movement. Apply a delay plugin to the drum tracks. Set the delay time to be a multiple of the tempo of your track. For example, if your track is at 175 BPM, a delay time of around 343 milliseconds (1/16th note at 175 BPM) can create a nice, rhythmic delay effect.
Adjust the feedback setting on the delay plugin to control how many repeats of the delayed sound you get. A feedback setting of around 30 – 50% can create a subtle, yet effective delay effect. You can also use panning to spread the delayed sounds across the stereo field for a more immersive experience.
Mixing and Balancing the Drum Sounds
Volume Balancing
In your DAW, use the volume faders on each drum track to balance the levels of the kick, snare, hi – hats, and percussion. The kick should be loud enough to provide the foundation and drive the track, but not so loud that it overpowers the other elements. The snare should be audible and cut through the mix, but not louder than the kick.
Hi – hats and percussion should be at a level where they add to the rhythm and texture of the track without being too dominant. Listen carefully to the overall mix and adjust the volumes until all the drum sounds blend together smoothly.
Panning
Panning is used to place the drum sounds in the stereo field. The kick drum is usually panned center to provide a strong, focused low – end. The snare can be panned slightly off – center, perhaps 10 – 20% to the left or right, to add some width to the mix.
Hi – hats can be panned more widely, with some closed hi – hats on the left and some on the right to create a sense of movement. Percussion elements can also be panned to different positions in the stereo field to create a more interesting and immersive sound.
Stereo Imaging
In addition to panning, you can use stereo imaging plugins to enhance the width and depth of the drum sounds. These plugins can make the drums sound more spacious and three – dimensional. Apply a stereo imaging plugin to the drum bus (a group track that contains all the drum tracks) and adjust the settings to widen the stereo image without making the sounds sound unnatural.
Final Touches
Automation
Use automation in your DAW to add some dynamic changes to the drum sounds over time. For example, you can automate the volume of the kick drum to gradually increase in a build – up section of the track, creating tension and excitement. You can also automate the EQ settings of the drums to change the sound character in different parts of the track.
Automation can be used on effects as well. For instance, you can automate the reverb send level to increase the amount of reverb in a breakdown section, creating a more spacious and ambient feel.
Mastering the Drum Track
Once you’re happy with the individual drum sounds and the overall mix, it’s time to master the drum track. Apply a mastering chain of plugins to the drum bus. This can include a final EQ to further balance the frequency spectrum, a compressor to even out the overall volume, and a limiter to prevent any clipping and ensure a consistent output level.
Listen carefully to the mastered drum track and make any final adjustments to the settings to get the best possible sound quality. The mastered drum track should be ready to be integrated into the full Liquid DnB composition, where it will provide the rhythmic backbone for the rest of the elements in the track.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating professional – sounding Liquid DnB drums that are full of energy, rhythm, and the signature smoothness that defines this exciting sub – genre of electronic music. Remember to experiment, listen critically, and let your creativity flow as you craft your own unique Liquid DnB drum patterns and sounds.
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