Introduction to Beat Making Flashcards

What does 'sampling' mean in the context of hip-hop beat making?

Answer: Taking a portion of an existing recording and reusing it in a new beat

Sampling involves extracting a piece of a recorded song—often a drum break or melody—and incorporating it into a new production.

What is 'swing' or 'groove' in a drum pattern?

Answer: A slight timing offset that makes a beat feel less rigid and more human

Swing shifts some notes slightly off the strict grid, adding a laid-back or bouncy feel to the rhythm.

In a standard 4/4 time signature, how many beats are in one measure?

Answer: 4

A 4/4 time signature means there are four quarter-note beats per measure.

What is the purpose of an 'ADSR envelope' on a synthesizer used in beat making?

Answer: To shape how a sound evolves over time in Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release stages

The ADSR envelope controls the amplitude contour of a sound from the moment it's triggered until it fades out.

What does 'chopping a sample' mean?

Answer: Cutting a sample into smaller segments to rearrange or replay them creatively

Chopping breaks a sample into slices that can be triggered individually, enabling producers to create new rhythms and melodies from the original recording.

Which type of filter removes high frequencies and allows low frequencies to pass through?

Answer: Low-pass filter

A low-pass filter cuts frequencies above its cutoff point, letting only lower frequencies through.

What is 'sidechain compression' commonly used for in beat production?

Answer: Making one sound (e.g., a bass) duck in volume whenever another sound (e.g., the kick) hits

Sidechain compression uses the kick drum signal to trigger compression on the bass, creating a pumping effect that keeps the kick prominent.