Using an external instrument

Adding Excitement with Drums

Okay, the next thing to do is to add another drum layer. I feel it's getting a little bit dull, so I need to introduce some more excitement in terms of the drums.

Loading a New Pattern

I'm going to load up a different pattern here. These are patterns that I've pre-programmed already, which is a whole subject in itself. I'll move on to something that I've stored here on C41.

Input Adjustments

Since I've only got the two inputs on my sound card, I need to swap these inputs over. I'm going to come into the outputs here and play a little pattern. This new pattern has more of a "bossanova" feel to it.

Matching Tempos

Now, how can I make this work with this track?

1. Match the Tempo:

   • I'll set the tempo to 123. That's perfect.

2. Consider Existing Beats:

   • I've already recorded a beat with the kick drum, so I'll probably omit the kick drum from this new beat. Otherwise, it's going to sound too heavy on the bass frequencies.

3. Adjusting Volume:

   • I'll use the volume control, click on the drum sound, and turn its volume down.
   • This way, I've got something much more light and breezy that can work on top of our track.

Integration

If I come over to what we've set up already, I feel that this works quite nicely. So, I'm going to pop that in.

Duplicating the Drum Track

What I'm going to do here now is very easily:

• Right-click and duplicate my drum track.
  • This means it will have the same settings.
• Delete the clips that I made earlier since I don't need them at all.

Recording the New Patterns

Now I can just arm this track and record these patterns.

• Same procedure again: click Record and then Play.

That's probably going to be enough there. I'll double-click like so and set my loop brace around those two points.

Listening to the Result

Let's have a listen.

So far, that's working pretty well at the moment!