Beat Making MCQ Flashcards

What does 'sidechain compression' do in beat making?

Answer: Ducks one signal's volume based on another signal's level

Sidechain compression uses one audio signal (often a kick drum) to trigger volume reduction in another signal, creating a pumping effect common in EDM.

What is a 'ghost note' in the context of beat making?

Answer: A very soft, subtle note usually placed between main hits

Ghost notes are very softly played notes (typically on snare) that add rhythmic texture and groove without drawing attention away from the main beats.

What is the purpose of a 'low-pass filter' on a hi-hat sample?

Answer: To cut high frequencies, making the hi-hat sound darker or more muffled

A low-pass filter allows frequencies below a cutoff point to pass while attenuating higher frequencies, darkening the timbre of a hi-hat.

In a DAW, what is an 'audio clip' versus a 'MIDI clip'?

Answer: Audio clips contain recorded sound; MIDI clips contain note and controller data

Audio clips hold recorded waveform data, while MIDI clips store note, velocity, and controller information that triggers virtual instruments.

What is '808 bass' most commonly associated with?

Answer: Trap and hip-hop music, featuring deep sub-bass tones

The 808 bass (from the Roland TR-808 drum machine) became iconic in trap and hip-hop for its deep, resonant sub-bass tones often tuned to melodic pitches.

What does 'humanizing' a beat typically mean in production?

Answer: Adding slight timing and velocity variations to programmed notes to sound less robotic

Humanizing introduces subtle random variations in timing and velocity to programmed MIDI beats, mimicking the natural imperfections of live performance.

What is a 'flam' in drum programming?

Answer: Two closely spaced hits creating a thicker attack

A flam consists of two drum hits played very close together, with the first being a quieter grace note, creating a fuller attack sound.