How to create that "West Coast" rhythm?

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three15mafia

three15mafia

V10 Productions, NYC
What's up yall? I love that "West Coast" rhythm that Dre made so famous. His once protege, Focus, did a great job of exaggerating this feel. I've heard others refer to it as the "push-pull" effect.

I know that the "MPC swing quantizing" had a lot to do with this, however, I have been using Reason for many years and have loved trying to recreate these rhythms by hand. I feel like there are several different ways of placing the Kick/Snare/Hi Hat to create this effect.

How do yall place the KICK/SNARE/HI HAT rhythmically to create the "West coast" feel?
 
You're a lil' bit late with that. Anyway, nothing magical, just great ears. Good samples, simple drum programming, loud drums. Quality channel-strips won't hurt, I'd add real tube drive.

Layer the snare to give it body, highs and a wide sound.

Gotchanoddin's Vintage Dre-Tonez kit can help you.
 
Why do you say "a bit late"? That's the whole point, we can't let that west coast sound get outdated. That's why producers like Khalil, Nottz and Battlecat still try and make tracks with that feel.

A good example of a simple west coast drum pattern is "Multiply" by Xzibit. Kick, snare, kick snare, but layered with a open high hat. If you eq the right sounds, it'll give you that funky LA knock.
 
Push your Hi Hats a few ticks away from the kicks and snares, and also pay attention to how you use Open Hi Hats. The Hi Hats really play a critical role in the whole feel.
 
also kick under the snare in programming also gives it that push pull. somone on here said it's like house music patterns at 86 bpm which is pretty accurate.
 
Focused said:
Push your Hi Hats a few ticks away from the kicks and snares, and also pay attention to how you use Open Hi Hats. The Hi Hats really play a critical role in the whole feel.
Click to expand...

That's the kind of answer I was looking for. I was more interested in the rhythm itself, not so much the actual sounds.

The hi hats definitely are critical in this feel. I put a SLIGHT swing on the hi hat and then shift the entire hi hat line several ticks late. I've usually placed the snare a couple ticks later (but not as much as the hi hat).

I also like to play the melody even more dragged behind the beat (later than the hi hat).

I don't use an MPC but I know that that its quantize settings (i.e. 51-75%) have played a big role in this style of production.

Anyone here use an MPC for West Coast and want to share their perspective?
 
[Youtube]x0lkU9tYrJE[/Youtube]
[Youtube]Tyt9sdQrSM8[/Youtube]

Draggin your melody is also quite important to achieving that feel.
 
You dont need a mpc for this sound and I wouldnt say Dr Dre made it famous thats like a diss to other cats doing it before him like DJ Quik for example all it is is a basic 4 on the floor drum pattern with little to no quantizing I think Dr Dre uses a 1/32 value while a lot of other cats use 1/64 or no quantizing at all.
 
Man with all due respect ot Dre and the west coast. . . that sound is all Philly and Cincinatti. . .Props to Sam Sneed and Mel-Man

But back on subject. . .Minimal Quantization like homie said. . .
 
three15mafia said:
The hi hats definitely are critical in this feel. I put a SLIGHT swing on the hi hat and then shift the entire hi hat line several ticks late. I've usually placed the snare a couple ticks later (but not as much as the hi hat).
Click to expand...

I whipped this up real quick, is this what your talking about with the hihats?
 




it really comes from studying stuff like this and slowing it down to a rap speed. Same rhythmic qualities
 
Last edited:
LorenzoInaBenzo said:

I whipped this up real quick, is this what your talking about with the hihats?
Click to expand...

Yeah that's on the right path...

Focus has such a good grasp on it... he can even that feel without hi hats and just kick and snare and the occasion tamborine hit:

search "Live By The Gun" - Tony Yayo

check it out

---------- Post added at 01:09 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------
Focused said:
it really comes from studying stuff like this and slowing it down to a rap speed. Same rhythmic qualities
Click to expand...

You're definitely right about that... P Funk was another big influence
 
1. Use your natural rhythm (don't quantize).

2. Quantize, but shift the snares a little early, the hats a little late, or both.
 
Focused said:
[Youtube]x0lkU9tYrJE[/Youtube]
[Youtube]Tyt9sdQrSM8[/Youtube]

Draggin your melody is also quite important to achieving that feel.
Click to expand...

Killed the first one, second one was hot except that little Chinese scale was cheese to me.
 
Really...what defines a WEST COAST rhythm or beat? I was on DUBCNN the other day and found this interview with hip hop mastermind T. Martin who is from the WEST..Locke High - South Central to be exact! Check it out... especially starting at 10:11.
dubcnn.com/interviews/terracemartin2010/
 
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