Netsky show us how to build a huge DnB drop

Since debuting in 2009 Belgian drum & bass producer Boris Daenen has grown from his roots in the realm of underground, liquid DnB to have hits that span the realms of club music and radio-friendly pop alike. We visited him in his Antwerp studio to watch him breakdown Rio, complete with its huge, hip-hop inspired build-up and drop.

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Rio’s intro features a half-time, hip-hop beat, which Boris began by selecting a kick sample. “It’s a dirty kick, it’s not very clean… which is what I wanted; it’s hip-hop, it shouldn’t be too clean!”

The kick and snare heavily sidechain the bassline in order to get a loud, pumping sound.

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The hat sample is a simple 909 closed hat that plays on eighth notes relative to the track’s 173bpm tempo. The hat is also pitched up a couple of semitones, and Boris uses Live’s EQ Eight to high-pass the low-end and boost the tops slightly with a high-shelf.

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To get a contemporary feel Boris employs a trap snare sample that’s tweaked with a transient shaper, made less weighty with EQ and reverbed with Live’s Reverb effect. The snare is layered with a clap that complements its hip-hop flavour. To segue between the intro and the build-up, Boris brings in a sustained brass chord that prepares the listener for the brass hook.

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The brass riff is played via Session Horns Pro in NI’s Kontakt, with harmonies employed occasionally. Underneath the brass Boris layers a piano from 4Front True Piano, which is brightened with EQ Eight and hyped up with Live’s Multiband Dynamics’ OTT preset.

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The beat in the build-up is a programmed part from Toontrack Superior Drummer, which is heavily compressed, high passed, reverbed and sidechained to the kick and snare. This beat is then layered with a selection of drum loops.