BASS & DRUMS & ROCK ’N’ GARAGE

The classic Tong Organ sound first became synonymous with dance music, back in the ’90s. Since then, the sound regularly appears in production styles of increasing variety, while remaining a mainstay in dance and EDM culture. It was also very prominent within garage, so it is hardly surprising that it is imperative to partner this sound with other appropriate elements, linked to the target genre. If you are working in dance or hip-hop, the TR-909 and 808 sound sets still reign supreme, and can be interchanged very easily, depending on the sound colour you require. However it is not all about the Roland machines, as other machines have similarly remained prominent. The ubiquitous Linn Drum still has its place, with an overtly early digitalsounding kick and heavy snare, that are still very much in demand today. One slightly unsung hero was very popular within garage; the E-mu SP1200 drum machine was a sampling machine, with a very crunchy bit rate that provided distinctive character for the Garage sound. Detuning sounds is a big requirement here, so dig through the presets that ship with your DAW, and don’t be afraid to edit and detune any drum sound, to suit your purpose.