Complete guide to Techno Drums Pattern (Beginner to Pro) [+free project]

Tutorial covers techno drum patterns from beginner to pro level, using Pig Time techno as a middle approach with tips for different techno sub-genres.

• Sound selection is very important for building drums that fit the track perfectly • Always start tracks with drums to ensure every element fits the rest of the track • Experimentation is key - don't follow instructions exactly, create your own way • Groove elements interact with each other, so you can go back and change patterns as needed

Create patterns by adding drum layers one after another, using drum racks for organization. You can always adjust patterns later to ensure they fit the overall track.

For hard techno, you might have double kicks. For different techno sub-genres like hypnotic or hard techno, groove elements are especially important to manage carefully.

Start with a kick sample, group it into a drum rack, and create the classic 4-to-the-floor kick pattern.

• Hard techno may include double kicks playing alongside the main kick • Play with velocity to add variation and interest to the pattern • Add a rumble layer on top using a bass sound with sidechain compression

You can change velocity wherever you want on the pattern. On the last bar, you can add variation while keeping the first three bars straightforward to avoid repetition.

Use free drum racks provided in the description to add rumble and groove. Sidechain compression helps achieve a pumping effect that makes the groove feel more dynamic.

Closed hats define the groove and energy throughout your track, with lower energy sections at the intro and higher energy sections at the climax.

• Create a one-bar MIDI clip with 16th note grid • Classic pattern is off-beat positioning between kicks • Duplicate and vary velocity to create accents and emphasis • Use swing and grid offset to add groove feel

• Add delay using the 'Hat Shuffler' free rack for texture • Play with sustain and decay parameters for different hat tones • Use envelope adjustments to create different articulations • Create crescendo patterns with varying velocity levels

Start with simple closed hat at the intro, then engage delay and additional effects as the track progresses to build energy toward the climax.

Open hats use the same positioning, delay, velocity, and swing techniques as closed hats. The classic pattern is usually off-beat placement.

• Layer multiple open hats with different textures: metallic, noisy, and crackling variations • Create a massive open hat sound characteristic of modern Pig Time and industrial techno • Play different hats simultaneously to build a powerful hat wall • Use stereo widening to spread hats across the stereo field

• Add fade-in around 20-30 milliseconds to create aspiration effect • Apply reverb with room-like characteristics (avoid overpowering tail) • Use frequency shifter for pitch adjustments instead of transpose • Add minimal delay to avoid muddiness with existing reverb

Start with classic open hat at intro, then add the layered texture as the track progresses for increased driving effect and energy.

• Similar to hat layering but used primarily in melodic techno, melodic house, and deep house • Layer different shakers to add texture and energy • Use attack envelope tricks and copy patterns from existing elements • In melodic techno, skip or minimize shakers; in Pig Time or industrial, use as high-energy wall

• Disable retrigger mode to allow samples to play through naturally • Use classic off-beat positioning • Add long reverb decay for atmospheric effect • Apply stereo widening to open up the soundstage

• Create long reverb to add ambient quality • Add sidechain compression for groove and movement • Layer with stereo techniques to separate from centered elements • Use fade-in for smoother attacks

• Classic off-beat pattern • Double hits creating progressive feel • Reverse ride technique with fade-in for build-up effect • Use frequency shifter automation to modulate pitch subtly

• Place clap every two beats - one kick without clap, second kick with clap • Get three elements right: pitch, volume, and timing • Shift clap timing slightly off-grid for snappy effect in melodic techno and house

• Adjust pitch to fit the track perfectly • Reduce decay if clap sounds too long • Use frequency shifter for pitch modulation instead of transpose • Create subtle variations with pitch or decay on alternating claps

• Add ghost notes at lower velocity for texture • Play clap at end of bar with delay and reverb for atmospheric effect • Use 909 club combining with 909 open hat for classic sound • Build buildups by increasing note density with velocity curves

Snare works similarly to clap - play every two beats with same shifting, pitch, and pattern techniques. Use for buildups, breaks, and creating tension with reverb and effects.

• Tom perks usually used as syncopation element playing sparingly between beats • In deep hypnotic techno, toms can create the main groove • In melodic techno, use as groove element with patterns like syncopated hits • Standard techno uses toms more as sparse accent elements

Add crash primarily for transitions, typically at the beginning of bars or during breakdowns. Add reverb for atmospheric effect and to create section fixes.

• Can be used like tom as sparse decorative element • Add delay and reverb for spatial effect • In hypnotic techno, use as a 16th note closed hat with lower velocity variations • Works well as transition and fill element

With all elements combined - kick, hats, ride, clap, shaker, and percussion - you have a solid professional techno drum groove ready for further arrangement and mixing.

• Hat Shuffler free rack for delay effects on hats • Free drum racks mentioned in description for rumble and groove enhancement • Pig Time Stereo Techno sample pack available for purchase • Free project file available through Patreon membership

Complete drum patterns and additional variations available on Patreon, including extended MIDI files and project files with extra mixing tips.

Master the fundamentals presented in this tutorial first. Experimentation is key - take these patterns and make them your own. Reference dedicated videos for specific topics like clap buildups.

• Subscribe to Patreon for extended resources and project files • Check description for all free racks, patterns, and sample pack links • Apply these principles to different techno sub-genres (deep, industrial, melodic) by adjusting energy levels and pattern density • Continue experimenting with your own sound design choices