6 Expert Tips for Elevating Your Trap Drums

Welcome to our blog on 6 tips to improve your trap drums! As a beginner in the world of trap beat production, it can be overwhelming trying to figure out how to make your drums sound professional. That's why we've compiled a list of tips specifically for improving your trap drums using FL Studio. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your trap beats to the next level, these tips will help you get there. From layering 808s to adding reverb, these simple techniques will transform your trap beats and make them stand out. So let's dive in and take a look at how to improve your trap drums!

1. Choose the Right Drum Sounds

When it comes to trap beats, the drums are just as important as the melody. A great way to add some punch to your drums is to use samples or drum kits that have been professionally processed by an audio engineer. This will save you time from having to EQ and compress each drum sound individually.

One of the most crucial drum sounds in trap beats is the 808. This bass-heavy sound gives trap beats their characteristic thump and low end. When selecting an 808 kick, make sure to choose one that has a nice attack and decay, as well as a resonant frequency that sits well in your mix.

Another important drum sound in trap beats is the snare drum. The snare drum is what gives your beat its backbeat and drives the rhythm. When selecting a snare drum, make sure to choose one with a nice crack and punch. You can also try layering multiple snare sounds to add some depth to your snare drum.

In addition to the kick and snare, make sure to choose hi-hat sounds that complement your melody and overall beat. Hi-hats can add some nice texture and movement to your beat, so it’s important to choose ones that fit well.

2. Distort Your 808s With Saturation

One of the key elements to trap production is the use of saturation on the 808 kick drum. Saturation is a form of distortion that adds harmonics to a sound and can make it sound “fatter” or more “aggressive.”

To add saturation to your 808 kick drum, you can use a plugin like the Decapitator by Soundtoys. The Decapitator is a versatile saturation plugin that can add a wide range of distortion flavours to your sound.

To add saturation to your 808 kick drum, simply insert the Decapitator on your 808 kick track and adjust the Saturation and Drive parameters to taste. Be careful not to overdo it, as too much saturation can make your 808 sound “muddy” or “clipped.”

3. Use Hi-Hat Rolls to Progress Your Beat

Hi-hat rolls are a great way to add some movement and progression to your beat. Hi-hat rolls are created by playing a series of rapid hi-hat hits in quick succession, usually on the 16th note grid.

To create a hi-hat roll, start by choosing a hi-hat sound that you like and placing it on the 16th note grid in your DAW. Once you have your hi-hat sound chosen and placed on the grid, you can create the roll by adding additional hi-hat hits on the 8th and 12th notes.

Hi-hat rolls can add some nice energy and movement to your beat and can help to transition between sections of your song. Experiment with different hi-hat sounds and roll patterns to find the combination that works best for your beat. A quick and easy way to add complex hi-hat rolls is with the SYFER Trap Midi Pack and the hi-hat expansions. We have a collection of 1000+ pre-programmed hi-hat rolls for you to drag & drop to instantly add bounce into your beats.

4. Layer 808s with open hats to create distortion

Trap beats often feature heavily distorted 808s, and one way to achieve this distortion is by layering an open hat sound with the 808 kick. The open hat sound can add some extra high-end frequencies to the 808, which can help to create a more aggressive and distorted sound.

To do this in FL Studio, start by loading an 808 and an open hat sample into two separate channels. Next, use the parametric EQ 2 on the open hat channel to boost the high frequencies, around 5 kHz and above. This will give the open hat a brighter sound that will add some extra high-end to the kick when they are layered together.

Once you have the open hat EQ'd to your liking, adjust the volume and panning of both the kick and open hat to taste. You can also try using a compressor on both channels to glue them together and create a more cohesive sound.

By layering an open hat with your 808 kick, you can add some extra aggression and distortion to your trap beats. Just be sure to play around with the EQ and volume levels to find the right balance for your mix.

5. Pan your drums

Pan your hi-hats and 808s to add width and movement to your mix. When panning drums, it’s important to consider the stereo field and how each drum sound will fit within it. By panning your hi-hats and 808s, you can create a sense of space and movement in your mix.

For example, you might pan your hi-hats slightly to the left and right, while keeping your 808 kick centered. This will create a sense of separation between the two drum sounds and help them stand out in the mix.

Additionally, you can try panning your hi-hats and 808s in opposite directions to create even more movement and interest in your mix. Experiment with different panning settings to see what works best for your beat. Just remember to keep the overall balance of your mix in mind and avoid panning anything too far to one side or the other.

6. Try adding reverb effect to drums

One technique that can add some depth and space to your drums is the use of reverb. By adding a reverb effect to your drums, you can create the illusion of the drums being recorded in a large room or hall, which can give your beat a more immersive and professional sound. To add reverb to your drums in FL Studio, simply insert a reverb plugin on your drum channel. There are many different reverb plugins available, so experiment with different settings to find the sound that works best for your beat. A good starting point is to set the wet/dry mix to around 50%, and adjust the decay time to taste. You can also try using a low-pass filter on the reverb to roll off some of the high frequency content, which can help to blend the reverb more seamlessly with your drums. Remember to be cautious when using reverb on your drums, as too much can muddle the mix and make your beat sound cluttered. A little goes a long way, so be sure to use reverb sparingly and mix with a critical ear.

In conclusion, improving your trap drums can take your beats to the next level. By following these tips, you can add punch and depth to your drum sounds, create interesting rhythms and grooves, and add professional processing to your drums. Whether you're just starting out with trap beat production or you're an experienced producer looking to fine-tune your skills, these tips will help you take your trap beats to the next level. Don't be afraid to experiment and try out new techniques – the more you practice, the better you'll become at crafting professional-sounding trap beats.