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My new Metalheadz EP is here, and so is the walkthru for the opening track, Headgames!

🎥 VIDEO HERE (no sharing: it's all Patreon-exclusive!) 🎥

I talk about the arrangement, how the song sections work, the importance of transitions, emotional elements, drums of course – and why you should sometimes take a break from your usual style.

Any Qs, hit me up!

(PS: I can't share the EP, as it's owned by the label)

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Comments

DRU

Congrats on the release, dope song and helpful video!

DRU

Where would you recommend to get solid samples for jungle and dnb? Jungle/dnb producer sample packs or other genres? Splice, Tracklib? I feel like Splice isn't that good though. What do you think?

Darren Stratton

Great EP and loved the walk through with the focus on structure and transitions. I think the genre needs some kind of 'red thread' and familiarity. Getting that balance right between repetition and variation and interest I feel is the difference between an ok tune and an amazing one!

Fanu/FatGyver

I havent really bought many sample packs for jungle specifically. Check out drums by Barry Beats!

DRU

ah thanks man! How about Rhythm Lab? They have tons of breaks but I just wonder about the sound quality.

RainCitySounds

It could take a bit to amass a solid collection of breaks on Tracklib. Splice has many cool packs from Sample Magic, like "Reworked Breaks" and their "Vintage Breaks" series, but overall I am not super impressed with what Splice offers. I have gotten a lot of mileage out of Rythm Lab's Neu Jungle pack. There are a lot of fantastic breaks in there. And I think their Amen pack is one of the best I have come across. I think both of those packs are worth the money.

DRU

thanks I'm gonna check out those Rhythm Lab packs. I'm also not impressed by Splice overall. Tracklib is way better IMO and cheaper.

DRU

What’s the name of the amen pack? I couldn’t find it on their site.

Daniel

Fanu/FatGyver

Oi man, thanks for checking. Technically it's not a pack; I believe it's a set of samples that's once shipped with the MPC 4000…got it from some Akai sampler group on FB, I believe! More Headz walkthru stuff will come soonish.

Shaelibri

This is so inspirational, Janne. You make a great point about getting pretty specific about the sound you are after before sifting through samples and presets. I imagine that takes a lot of discipline and patience, something I need to work on. It feels easier sometimes to just throw all kinds of sounds against the wall to see what sticks, of course just producing a very messy wall.

Ben Hill

The getting bored struggle is real; I swear I lose really good ideas because I get bored and have to change them. I also get to a point where I dont' have the ability to tell whether something is actually any good anymore...

Ben Hill

Curious about the phasing effects on the drums in the middle section

DRU

nice thanks I don't have that one. I have another one from them called the ultimate amen breaks pack

NORIK

Working on multiple tracks at once is something I've found helps with boredom

Fanu/FatGyver

Yes! It’s good for those who can finish tracks. Periods of reaping/sowing can be effective.