Drum Programming For People Who Hate Drum Programming

What is MIDI?

In this video we're going to delve into this topic to understand

MIDI is an acronym that stands for “Musical Instrument Digital Interface”

In essence, MIDI is information that enables a specific sound to be triggered on a software instrument without it being the sound itself.

Think of a stop sign. If you’re driving and see the stop sign at the end of the street, you know that it’s telling you “Once you come to this point in the road, you must stop.” The stop sign tells you what action to take without it being the action itself.

In other words, it’s a command.

MIDI is similar to that. It’s a specific command that triggers a specific result depending on what MIDI information is provided.

Let’s take a MIDI drum groove for example.

Contained inside this MIDI drum groove is a performance captured by a real drummer who played on an electronic drum kit in the studio. It contains in it the drummers feel, the rhythm, and all of the dynamics found in a real performance.

An important thing to understand however is that the MIDI groove can’t be heard on its own. It’s just digital information and can’t be played without two things.

1. A software instrument.

2. A drum sampler.

Let’s talk about the differences between a MIDI Drum groove vs a drum sampler.

A drum sampler is a plugin that holds a specific amount of drum samples which are little audio recordings of real drum sounds.

These sounds can be heard once you take a couple steps.

1. Create a software instrument track and insert a specific drum sampler plugin on said track.

2. Trigger the sounds of the instrument track using MIDI.

There are a few ways you can do this. You can either record the MIDI direct onto your software track using a keyboard, V Kit or the keyboard on your computer, or import a drum MIDI groove. Either way, the performance found in the MIDI will trigger the sounds inside your drum sampler.

In other words, a drum MIDI groove is the performance and a drum sampler is the sounds that the performance will trigger.

Let’s look at some examples.

Everything you'll need to know to quickly set up your recording session in your DAW.

Included with this lesson is a free download of the drum MIDI file I created in the session for you to experiment with. Enjoy!

If you decide to build a drum beat from scratch but you don't want it to sound robotic, this module is for you. In the following videos I show some helpful tips on how to create more human sounding beats from scratch by working with three things. Note duration, velocity, and note position.

IMPORTANT! In case you missed it in part 5, I've included a free download of the MIDI file I'm working with in the session. Feel free to grab that, play around and see what results you come up with!

In this video, I'm going to walk you through step by step on how to create a simple rock beat complete with 8th note hi hats, a 16th note drum fill, and a 32nd note ghost note snare roll from scratch AND make it sound more real in the process.

Timestamps

• 00:00 - Intro

• 00:18 - What is a time signature?

• 1:14 - Creating a software instrument track and selecting a drum sampler plug-in

• 1:48 - MIDI routing (Understanding what MIDI notes trigger what drum sounds)

• 2:38 - Understanding the grid in the piano roll (Logic’s MIDI Editor)

• 3:32 - Writing drum beats using the “QWERTY” keyboard. (That thing you’re typing on.)

• 5:00 - Editing MIDI with command click tools in Logic Pro X

• 6:15 - Creating an eighth note hi-hat pattern

• 9:57 - Editing MIDI note durations to change the feel of the hi hats

• 11:40 - Creating a 16th note drum fill

• 15:30 - Creating 32nd note pattern ghost notes on the snare drum.

*FREE DRUM MIDI* - Included with this lesson is a free download of the MIDI file I'm working with inside the session. Feel free to grab that, play around and see what results you come up with!

In this video, I'm going to walk you through step by step on how to create a simple ballad style beat from scratch complete with 8th note ride cymbals with swung 16th notes thrown in. I'm also going to walk through creating a drum fill on the spot consisting of both 16th note and 32nd note toms. Finally, I walk through how to create ghost notes once again on the snare albeit it, in a slightly different context.

►► As mentioned in the title, I'm using the beautifully raw "Vintage Doom" kit from Ugritone.

Feel free to check it out here

https://ugritone.com/collections/heavy-metal-drum-samples-and-vst-plugins/products/vintage-doom-drums?ref=ihiclw6orwc

If you decide to pull the trigger and buy the drum sampler, use the coupon code "AARONCLOUTIER" for 20% off at checkout. This code works for everything in Ugritone's online store.

►► Or just use this link. https://ugritone.com/discount/AARONCLOUTIER

Time stamps

• 0:00 - Intro

• 00:22 - Understanding the pulse of 6/8

• 1:15 - Changing the time signature in Logic Pro X

• 1:40 - Choosing a drum sampler

• 2:04 - MIDI output routing (Where the kick & snare drums live in the MIDI editor)

• 2:38 - Exploring the MIDI editor (Piano roll in Logic Pro X)

• 3:41 - Programming kick & snare using the QWERTY keyboard

• 5:00 - Programming ride cymbals using the pencil tool in Logic Pro X

• (MIDI output routing (Where the ride cymbals live in the MIDI editor)

• 6:50 - Understanding straight time feel vs swing feel

• 7:34 - Using the swing quantize function in Logic Pro X

• 8:53 - Humanizing the velocities - Kick & snare

• 9:39 - Humanizing the velocities - Ride cymbals

• 12:04 - Adding variety to the velocities

• 15:33 - Adding an 8th note fill with a swung 32nd note

• 20:59 - Adding ghost notes on the snare

In this video, I revisit our simple 4/4 rock beat from our first case study and get my grubby mitts all over it to transform it into a mid-paced, metal grove complete with 16th note hi hats, 16th note double bass drums, and an intense 8th note snare pattern.

*FREE DRUM MIDI* - Included with this lesson are a series free download of the MIDI files I'm working with inside the session. Feel free to grab that, play around and see what results you come up with!

Hey there!

I want to talk to you today about creating songwriting templates in your DAW of choice.

What is a songwriting template? Essentially, it is a session with all of your audio tracks, all of your software instrument tracks, and all you preferred plugins already set up so you can quickly get to the recording process.

In this bonus video, I’m going to walk you through the steps to build out a template that’s ready to go every time you write a new song to help you get ideas down fast.

When I was first starting out, if I had a rough idea that I wanted to build on, I would spend time creating a blank session for every single song idea which really just became a time suck because I found myself creating the same audio and software instrument tracks, using the same plugins, setting up the same routing, and lining up my tracks in the same order every time. I tend to be very in the moment once I get an idea and if I’m near my computer, I need to be able to get it down fast without spending extra time setting things up. So sit back or follow along with me in your own DAW. Once we're done, we'll never have to create a session from scratch again.

*FREE Songwriting Template* - Included with this lesson is a free download of the songwriting template I'm working with. This is for Logic Pro X users only but if that's you, feel free to grab that down below.

Everything in the course is taught with the goal of hands on learning, but since I can’t be in the room with you, I am offering a free 30 minute coaching call as an extra bonus to help ensure you are engaged and comfortable applying the material.

If you're interested, please send an email to fastermusiccreation@gmail.com and be sure to put "DRUM PROGRAMMING FREE 30 MIN CALL" in the subject line. You will be sent a link to a short questionnaire to book your free call.

Thanks!

-Aaron-

In this bonus lesson, you’ll sit in on a real private session where I demonstrate how to humanize MIDI drum parts using simple velocity adjustments and subtle dynamic variations. You’ll see the exact workflow I use with students to turn stiff, robotic patterns into natural, expressive grooves.

What you’ll learn in this lesson:

• How to shape realistic dynamics using velocity

• How to humanize hi-hats, snares, and kicks step-by-step

• How strong vs. weak beats influence feel

• Practical DAW techniques you can apply immediately

This walkthrough is designed to give you a real-world look at how drummers think and how to translate that into more authentic MIDI programming.

Special thanks to my student Gavin for allowing me to share our lesson with you all!

Time stamps:

00:00 - Intro

00:11 - Choosing a tempo

00:43 - Creating a simple drum pattern ( kicks on Beats 1 & 3, snares on beats 2 & 4)

01:34 - Creating a hi hat pattern

01:57 - How to humanize MIDI hi-hats - Step 1

03:02 - How to humanize MIDI hi-hats - Step 2

03:42 - How to humanize MIDI hi-hats - Step 3

04:24 - Checking our work. (A/B ing our drums. Before & after.)

04:54 - How I learned to improve my velocity editing skills

06:06 - How to humanize MIDI Snares

06:58 - Knowing when to take a break

In this bonus video, I’m working one-on-one with a private student who asks how to use automation to make songs feel more dynamic. Instead of diving into complex automation, I show a simple, beginner-friendly method for making your drum mixes sound bigger and more 3D—especially in the chorus. You’ll learn how to use basic track duplication, small mix tweaks, and smart arrangement choices to help your kick and snare cut through without needing advanced skills. A great starting point for anyone new to drum programming or mixing rock and pop tracks.

Special thanks to my student Gavin for allowing me to share our lesson with you all!

Time stamps:

00:00 - Intro question from Gavin

00:52 - How I approach making things sound bigger & fuller with MIDI instruments

03:49 - My thoughts on automation

In this bonus Udemy lesson, I guide a private student through the basics of drum bussing in a mix. Learn how to create a drum bus, keep your workflow simple, and shape a dynamic drum sound without overcomplicating your session. Ideal for beginner producers, drum programmers, and anyone looking to get a clearer understanding of mixing drums effectively.

Special thanks to my student Gavin for allowing me to share our lesson with you all!

Time stamps:

0:00 – What Is a Bus? (Student Question)

Clarifying the difference between a bus and other routing options in a DAW.

0:18 – Showing the Mix Bus Setup
Demonstrating a mix bus receiving multiple tracks.

0:32 – Drums Routed to Bus 3
Kick, snare, and drum tracks being routed to the main mix bus.

0:45 – How the Mix Bus Receives Audio
Explaining how track outputs feed into the drum/mix bus.

1:00 – Drum Bus vs. Mix Bus
Why this session uses a full mix bus rather than a dedicated drum bus.

1:18 – Sending Everything to One Mix Bus
Philosophy on simplifying routing for creativity and workflow.

1:33 – Mix Bus Inside the Plugin
How the plugin’s internal mixer acts like a drum bus.

1:49 – Minimizing Complexity to Stay Creative
Discussing creative workflow and avoiding “shiny object syndrome.”

2:04 – What’s on the Mix Bus?
Overview of go-to plugins: EQ, compressor, mastering tools.

2:18 – Creating a Beefier Drum Sound With Sends
Sending drums to another bus for parallel or enhanced processing.

2:36 – Choosing a Drum Bus Preset
Trying “Agro Drum Bus” and other options for tone shaping.

2:54 – Routing the New Drum Bus Back to the Mix Bus
Setting the output and balancing its level.

3:10 – Adding Shimmer and Tone
Hearing how the additional bus affects the overall drum sound.

3:22 – Keeping It Simple While Mixing
Why reducing complexity helps—especially for those more focused on writing.

3:42 – Mixing as a Long-Term Skill to Develop
Discussing strengths, weaknesses, and the ongoing learning curve.

3:58 – Workflow During the Writing Phase
Setting sounds quickly, keeping ideas flowing, and staying creative.