There is a debate going on in many forums related to audio and music sequencing and production, and it centers on the method that producers use to sequence and input drum samples. We have people that use the keys on regular MIDI keyboards to record drum patterns, where normally they are used to play instrument lines and such. In the meantime, others use made-for devices like the Akai MPD range, which allows for drum input via dedicated pads.
Recently, the hat has tipped in favor of the dedicated drum samples hardware route, with new, much less expensive devices becoming popular among veterans and newbie producers alike. The Akai MPD, for example, is pretty much the same as the MPC series of drum sequencers, except that it lacks any sequencing and arranging capability, leaving that processing up to the actual host (the computer audio/midi program, such as FL Studio (formerly Fruity Loops) and Cakewalk Sonar.
On the keyboard end, we can see many producers preferring to stick with key input for drum samples. One of the advantages here is velocity recognition, but it's nowhere near as good as the pad sensors on the MPD, for example. A common reason expressed for choosing the keyboard is that it's very easy to hit multiple instruments at the same time, and also that many producers already have a great feel and rhythm on the keyboard keys.
The keyboard method has several drawbacks, the most obvious one being trigger response for drum samples. Pressing a key does not trigger the sample, it's only once the key is pressed down, and the delay between putting finger to key and key reaching the sensor bed can be devastating to rhythmic anticipation and hitting notes on the fly.
The pads aren't immune from criticism, though. People complain of poor quality even in the highest end products, with many pads not being able to withstand 50 hours of use required by a regular music producer. In fact, manufacturers make a lot on the backend with sales of replacement drum pads!
Lately, there has been a trend among manufacturers to combine the function of both devices into the same product. Therefore, we've been introduced to keyboard and pad hybrids like the Akai MPK, and these probably target those just getting into the production world. They do look very appealing, with pads above the keyboard and the keyboard being semi-weighted action in some cases, but mostly just velocity-sensitive (as in the case with the MPK). Still, some people have complained that this is going backwards. Simply put, apparently these devices are of a gimmicky nature, with neither the keyboard nor pads really good. They've been bashed as the worst of both worlds, a harsh criticism shared by top magazines, too.
Recently, the hat has tipped in favor of the dedicated drum samples hardware route, with new, much less expensive devices becoming popular among veterans and newbie producers alike. The Akai MPD, for example, is pretty much the same as the MPC series of drum sequencers, except that it lacks any sequencing and arranging capability, leaving that processing up to the actual host (the computer audio/midi program, such as FL Studio (formerly Fruity Loops) and Cakewalk Sonar.
On the keyboard end, we can see many producers preferring to stick with key input for drum samples. One of the advantages here is velocity recognition, but it's nowhere near as good as the pad sensors on the MPD, for example. A common reason expressed for choosing the keyboard is that it's very easy to hit multiple instruments at the same time, and also that many producers already have a great feel and rhythm on the keyboard keys.
The keyboard method has several drawbacks, the most obvious one being trigger response for drum samples. Pressing a key does not trigger the sample, it's only once the key is pressed down, and the delay between putting finger to key and key reaching the sensor bed can be devastating to rhythmic anticipation and hitting notes on the fly.
The pads aren't immune from criticism, though. People complain of poor quality even in the highest end products, with many pads not being able to withstand 50 hours of use required by a regular music producer. In fact, manufacturers make a lot on the backend with sales of replacement drum pads!
Lately, there has been a trend among manufacturers to combine the function of both devices into the same product. Therefore, we've been introduced to keyboard and pad hybrids like the Akai MPK, and these probably target those just getting into the production world. They do look very appealing, with pads above the keyboard and the keyboard being semi-weighted action in some cases, but mostly just velocity-sensitive (as in the case with the MPK). Still, some people have complained that this is going backwards. Simply put, apparently these devices are of a gimmicky nature, with neither the keyboard nor pads really good. They've been bashed as the worst of both worlds, a harsh criticism shared by top magazines, too.
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Do you want to know how to make beats? Start with some good hip hop drum samples, then look for a basic tutorial on the topic and get started!
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