More layers.
Compression.
Subtle bongos or something out of the ordinary.
Fills/variations.

I also usually use multiple different hihat patterns on top of each other with slight stereo panning and velocity changes... makes the track sound more complex than what it actually is...

Even the most amazing track is nothing if it doesn't have a driving beat to help it "roll" properly... like with Mesh - Purple Haze: the tune is sweet as hell but the lame percs just ruin it for me...

___________________
Latest releases:
Endless Cycles [Capital Heaven]
The Charlatan [Morphosis]

Adding normal or cross delay to different percs can add a nice touch. Also vary the volume/intensity of various percs (this is like adding delay, but offers more control). For example, maybe you have a snare hit every second beat. Try adding in a quieter snare one tick (assuming 4 tpb) before the normal snare.

Play around with lots of different beats. Randomize stuff and see what parts sound good and what parts sound too weird. Mess with the sound of your percs to get more than just your standard kick/snare/hihat/clap sounds. Try adding in perc instruments that you wouldn't normally use. Don't be afraid to use a particular perc hit only once or twice every 4, 8, 16, or even 32 beats. Don't be afraid to have more than one pattern of some particular perc instrument playing at the same time -- sometimes it is easier to split a pattern into two or three patterns to get the rhythm right (especially if you are using ghost hits or otherwise changing the sound of the perc for different hits).

Most of all, just keep making different beats. I used to have a lot of trouble getting a good beat, beyond any more than, say, a kick and a hihat. I am getting better though, the more I sit around and write.

About sounds, production, or arrangement first... well, you really need all of them (not sure what the different between production and arrangement is supposed to be, though ). However, I have been concentrating on getting good patterns going, and I am absolutely terrible at getting a good sound. But once I have the pattern, I can always go back and add a reverb/compression/another beat to thicken it up/whatever. So I work on getting the pattern right before I fix the sound. On the other hand, if something sounds atrocious, I fix it right then. The sound CAN influence the pattern.

Hope that helps.

___________________
-brash

quote:

Originally posted by TranceInMySoul I've never been good at creating drum loops, I always get stuck on the kick-hihat-clap-extras kinda idea. Listen to this loop to see what I mean: Drum Loop I'm after something more interesting, more original. Any ideas or suggestions? (I'm looking for something to fit in with the track I'm working on, which you can download a small piece of here): Track Snippet How does everyone else write drum sections? You don't have to be a drummer, right? Should I concentrate on the sounds, the production or the arrangement first?

I love the melodic riff in that little piece - I'd love to hear it when it's done.

Honestly, I don't think the drums need much in this case - I think you just need a better bassline (or a bassline!) and more unique samples for the drums.
Those flagship TR-909 sounds, particularly the handclap and ESPECIALLY the open hihat, are getting old fast! Try using combinations of fat 70's disco kicks and metallic 808-ish hats, things like that. The kick sound alone is a day's work sometimes. Go to a trance event, listen carefully and take notes...so what if they think you're a spy! It'll give you new ideas. Download a good house loop or off the net and try to imitate it yourself as close as you can, including the EQ. Check out electro; 80s-ish stuff is big now.

No, you don't have to be a drummer.

quote:

Originally posted by Mr.Mystery Even the most amazing track is nothing if it doesn't have a driving beat to help it "roll" properly... like with Mesh - Purple Haze: the tune is sweet as hell but the lame percs just ruin it for me...

so true! just listen 2 hydra - affinity (thrillseekers dub), i really luv that track, but just listen 2 the percussion, it are those basic samples u get when u instal fruity man! i mean, common! i hate it when something like that happens

___________________
www.luukmaes.tk

quote:

Originally posted by Taz No, you don't have to be a drummer.

you don't???
great.. now i can stop take thoose expencive drum lessons

___________________
Daniel

I dont think you have to know how to drum for Electrinca Music.
When I do drum patterns I usually put something in there out of the ordinarry. It can really give it a good swing and gets peoples attention in a good way....

I can write a hole page about this... but im 2 tired

Ill do it another time..

quote:

Originally posted by coby I can write a hole page about this... but im 2 tired Ill do it another time..

do it nowwwwww :P

___________________
********************
*Mi Casa Es Su Casa*
********************

Viva la raza Mexicana.......

try arpeggiating a clap or hihat and put a slight amount of feedback on it. only go 3 octaves or it sounds too messy, but that's a great way to fill in some of those intermittant frequencies.

tristan.

quote:

Originally posted by tman5943 try arpeggiating a clap or hihat and put a slight amount of feedback on it. only go 3 octaves or it sounds too messy, but that's a great way to fill in some of those intermittant frequencies. tristan.

sounds interesting

___________________

Best Album Ever:
* Infected Mushroom - B.P.Empire