How Do You Extract a Groove From a Drum Loop?

By Eddie Bazil

While we are on this subject, wouldn't it be great if you could extract quantise templates from other sources and use them in your own music? What if I told you that you could extract a groove quantise template from an audio loop? Would that excite you a touch?

Most decent audio/sequencing packages like Cubase will offer you an 'Extract Groove or Create Groove Quantise from Hitpoints'. Hitpoints are the same as markers. You apply these hitpoints to the peaks in the audio file and then use 'Create Groove Quantise from Hitpoints' in the audio menu. Of course, the software you are using will have different terminology or tools, but they all do the same thing.

You can then use this quantise groove template exactly as you would any other groove template within the quantise menu option.

This tool is extremely effective when dealing with drum loops as drum loops have distinct peak points (where the kick, snare, hi hats etc peak), so it makes it easier to extract grooves and create templates.

Additionally, you can import groove templates from other sources and use them as exactly the same as using a pre defined template. There are many companies that now offer groove templates of your favourite quantise templates. MPC drum quantise templates spring to mind.

Here is an example of how to extract and create a groove template from a piece of audio. The principles are the same for most software so try to transcribe the tools and terminology across to your software. I am using a very famous piece of audio; a drum loop from Missy E.

Eddie Bazil (Zukan) http://www.samplecraze.com