A frequent variation is playing the bass drum on all four beats similar to Ska. The most common distinguishing feature of the Reggae beat is the simultaneous snare click and bass drum on the 3 beat of each measure referred to as “One Drop”. While other Caribbean styles have largely retained their original forms, Reggae continues to develop into hybrid forms.

Reggae incorporates Rhythm and Blues, African rhythms, Jamaican folk tradition and Rastafarian culture. Its development closely follows that of Ska. The repetitive accents or opening of the hi-hat on the upbeats helps propel the groove. However, Soca has a faster tempo, a steady “four on the floor” bass pattern and a prominent syncopated snare rhythm. Although its patterns are similar to those of Soca, the bass drum in Calypso plays a more syncopated rhythm with a less prominent snare pattern. Originated in Trinidad with Steel Drums as the primary instrument and signature sound. Caribbean Music is rather simple rhythmically and does not usually stray outside 4/4 time. Steel Drums are frequently the signature sound of this “Island” or “Tropical” music which often reflects a “party” atmosphere. This product is included in the Producer Collection plugin bundle.Caribbean music is a fusion of several musical styles, including South American, Cuban, African, North American and European. If you’re looking for the best sample drum kit for Reggae at an unbeatable price, this is for you. We gave special attention to capturing natural dry room ambiance with top-of-the-line Earthworks microphones. Toms are single-headed with a very short sustain.Īlso included are a small auxiliary snare drum and percussion sounds of woodblocks, cabasa, shakers, glass bottles, tambourine, cowbell, and triangle, making this one of the most comprehensive sampled Reggae drums around. The kick is full and rounded with a clear and pleasant warm attack. The piccolo snare used for the Reggae snare sample is tuned high and tight and cuts through without sounding the least harsh.

These drums would sound equally at home in Reggae, Roots, Ska, Afro-Beat, Funk, or anything else you may have in mind.įor our VST Reggae drum kit, we sampled snappy, warm, and full-sounding drums, providing a solid foundation for your track. Run it through tape or tape emulation for a more vintage sound, or keep it clean for a more modern approach. Recorded with modern equipment, it has a more transparent tone, giving even more post-processing options to suit your genre. This Reggae drum set was primarily influenced by the drum sounds from Bob Marley and the Wailers records. Meet Handy Drums REGGAE STANDARD: the best-selling drum plugin for Reggae music productions.

Reggae snare drum kit