Have you ever sat in a movie theater, completely captivated by the screen during a preview of the next blockbuster film? Chances are, you were drawn in by the powerful, pulse-pounding rhythm of the drums. It’s that amazing surge of sound that gives the music in trailers its lively and captivating appeal to audiences everywhere.
But have you ever wondered what it is about those drums that makes them so impactful? The fact of the matter is, there is more to the power of these percussion instruments than meets the ear. And it goes far beyond simply being loud or rhythmic.
In this article, we’ll explore why drums work so well in trailer music and how they can build tension and evoke emotion like no other instrument can. So prepare yourself as we dive into the world of cinematic percussion!
What Are The Basics Of Drumming For Trailer Music?
Whether you’re creating a trailer for an upcoming video game, a movie, or even a TV show – drums are essential to achieving the sonic impact and drama you want your trailer music to have.
Drums provide rhythm, percussive elements that drive energy and emotion in the music, and can help build tension. They also allow for more justement between orchestral instruments such as strings, woodwinds and brass when used together.
The type of drums used will depend on the sound you are looking for: whether it’s a traditional drum kit with acoustic drums or an electronic one with samples from a library or synthesizer; each has its own unique qualities that can be used in tandem to create something totally new. Electronic drums can also provide alternative sounds perfect for creating suspenseful moments or adding another layer of sound to your track.
Thorsten Meyer is known for using percussion instruments like steel pans in his action-packed scores as well as clapping rhythms combined with other sounds like thumping basses and synths layers to create intense audio textures that make trailers stand out from the rest!
1. Drum Kit Selection
Drum kits have a huge impact on the sound and feel of your trailer music. Consider the various types of drums available in order to create justement and drive an epic cinematic, action or orchestral score.
The first step is to decide which type of drum kit you want to use for your trailer music. A traditional acoustic drum kit will provide a classic sound, but an electronic version may work better for some genres such as hybrid/electronic tracks.
There are also alternative library versions such as Thorsten’s TR-808 drum sample collection, which offers a unique range of sounds for your trailer music score. Additionally, consider layering two different kits together – one medium kit with another second version that adds reverb and depth – for maximum impact on your track!
2. Building Your Groove
When it comes to drums in trailer music, the groove is king. The rhythm of the drums can make or break an entire track; if the drums don’t have a steady and enjoyable groove, then it’s unlikely that the rest of the track will sound good either.
The key to creating a great groove is justement —a French word meaning “just right”—which captures the exact amount of space between each note and beat. This can be tricky to achieve at first but with practice you’ll soon get better at finding a medium between too much and too little tempo variation.
For orchestral tracks, Thorsten Meyer has some great tips on creating interesting rhythmic textures by layering sounds from different drum libraries and score-ready percussion sounds – which are perfect for adding subtle variations in your second version for alternative takes or reverb-filled versions for use in trailers.
Action sequences require more powerful sounds, so it may take some experimentation before you find what works best for your project. However, investing even a few hours into exploring all kinds of percussive elements will open up plenty of options when it comes time to mix them together!
3. Writing Parts and Arrangement
Writing parts and arrangements for drums in trailer music can be a creative artform. It can take some time to create the perfect groove that helps carry your trailer’s score to its climax.
When writing drum parts, consider the tempo of the track and the genre of trailer music you’re composing for. Is it a slower, more epic cinematic feel? Or is it an upbeat rock song? Depending on which route you go, you might want to emphasize different elements of the kit or use slightly different techniques when creating your groove and arrangement.
Thorsten Meyer has some great tips for creating effective drum arrangements – such as considering variations like bringing in an alternative version of a part at medium intensity halfway through or introducing a new element in second versions like an additional sound library or electronic percussion instead of just repeating the same drum pattern over and over again. He also suggests adding dynamic contrast with reverb and delay to bring out certain hits within a phrase or section of drums – further enhancing your music’s impact!
4. Effective Mixing
When it comes to drums in trailer music, effective mixing is key. It helps bring the percussive elements of your score to life and create a powerful and impactful sound.
Start by finding the right balance between each element – try panning some of them hard left or right for example, or adding subtle reverb to a specific drum hit just before the chorus kicks in. Then you can layer different sounds from your library and mix them together with delays and other effects to get that big album-version sound.
Try an alternative version of your drums if they don’t quite fit into the orchestral medium you are using, such as electronic drums, or even a second percussion score with completely different sounds!
As Thorsten Meyer says: “A good trailer should have everything pumping at once; all action sounds running together like one big engine”. Mixing effectively will help bring your trailer music alive!
Different Genres Of Trailer Music
Drums are an incredibly important part of trailer music and they come in many different forms. From the hard-hitting justement drums to the dramatic orchestral sounds, drums can be used to create a wide range of moods and emotions. Depending on the style of trailer music you’re creating, you can choose from a variety of drum kits – including electronic and acoustic – to get the perfect sound for your project.
For instance, if you’re writing an epic action score, try using some medium-sized tom drums with plenty of reverb or take a listen to the wonderful library of alternative percussion sounds. Or perhaps you want something more cinematic? Then add some second-line snare hits on top of a big orchestral score that will drive up tension throughout your piece. Don’t forget about those deep kicks which are always great for adding impact and intensity!
Trailer Rock
Trailer Rock is a unique genre that has been created specifically for use in movie trailers. It’s a fusion of rock and cinematic music, featuring heavy drums and percussion as the main instrument to get the audience’s attention.
When using drums in trailer music, adding reverb and delay into the mix is important so that all the sounds blend together and create a powerful, unified soundscape that will grab your viewers’ attention. You should also consider layering different types of drum sounds such as high-hats or snares over one another in order to create truly unique action scenes!
Epic Cinematic
Epic cinematic trailers feature an array of percussion instruments to create a sound that is larger than life. From powerful drums and brass to intricate bells and timpani, these trailer scores often feature multiple layers of drums, creating a dynamic and intense soundscape.
Justement, the German word for “hitting it just right”, is essential in this kind of music. It’s about making sure all the elements are properly balanced; from using medium-sized drums for bigger-sounding sounds, to incorporating alternative versions of existing drum libraries to give them more depth and color.
Michael Werner’s Action Movie Trailer SBRDrums library includes everything you need when looking for those authentic action movie trailer sounds: from electronic beats over orchestral stings to second reverb chambers that add some extra tension. This highly versatile library allows you to craft your own unique score with ease!
Epic Action
Epic action trailer music has become synonymous with drums. It’s hard to imagine a trailer without the thumping of drums providing the backbone of the sound.
The drums create an intense, cinematic atmosphere that gives impact to whatever scene they’re accompanying; they provide justement and power while also allowing for orchestral swells and alternative versions to shine through in their own right.
When it comes to epic action trailer music, there are several different approaches you can take depending on your desired outcome – from crafting a track around your favorite drum library or producer’s kit, to writing something from scratch or using a score or second-version alternative as inspiration.
Thorsten Meyer of StrongMocha suggests adding reverb to muffle any harsh sounds in order to achieve a big, cinematic sound when working with drums for this type of music. To further enhance the effect you can layer different sounds together and use dynamic recordings instead of samples where possible.
Electronic / Hybrid
Electronic or hybrid drums provide an incredibly dynamic sound and are growing in popularity among trailer music composers. The drum set-up usually involves creating a “kit” by combining different elements from various libraries; this allows for the composer to construct a unique and versatile soundscape.
Some of the most popular sources include modern electronic drum kits, orchestral percussion libraries, alternative versions of classic albums, and custom-made soundscores.
Using these resources together can create an explosive combination of sounds that bring life to any trailer score. Reverb and delay effects enhance the mediums’ power even further – adding more depth to each hit while making sure it stands out in the mix. By layering different elements with creative rhythmic patterns and using dynamics effectively, you’ll be able to create truly powerful drums for your trailer music!
Orchestral
When it comes to adding drums in trailer music, orchestral is often the go-to choice. With its medium range of sonic textures, it has the ability to create a soundscape that’ll leave your audience wanting more.
One great example of an orchestral soundtrack with drums is Michael Werner’s album. In this score, you can hear justement at work throughout the entire piece as well as some alternative electronic sounds blended into the mix for more impactful moments. For a good library of trailer drums, I highly recommend checking out Michael’s work as he has a vast selection available for both personal and commercial use!
When using orchestral drums in trailer music, don’t forget to add reverb and delay – two key elements that will make all the difference between a mediocre track and an unforgettable cinematic experience!
Tips To Consider When Using Drums In Trailer Music
When it comes to adding drums into your trailer music, there are plenty of tips and tricks you can utilize to craft the perfect sound. Here are some key tips that come in handy when working with cinematic percussion:
- Use electronic drums – Electronic drums such as drum machines or MIDI-controlled pads can provide an interesting alternative to traditional acoustic kits for your trailer music. This kind of drum sounds often have longer sustain and a more consistent volume level, making them great for creating medium tempo tracks with a heavy emphasis on justement.
- Layer different sounds – Layers are essential in achieving the grandiose sound many trailers require. To achieve this, layer multiple versions of each instrument in your track; try using both regular and alternative samples from your favorite sound library or score! For example, an orchestral snare hit can be layered with a second reverb-drenched version for added depth and presence.
- Use reverb & delay – Thorsten Meyer recommends experimenting with reverb and delay integrations when working on trailers to give them their signature “epic” feel – this could range anywhere from subtle delays to huge reverbs that spread across the entire mix!
- Consider different tempos – When writing trailer music, keep in mind that it should reflect what is happening on screen while still maintaining its own pace – so take breaks here and there while keeping track of varying tempos throughout the piece; you don’t want it sounding too monotonous after all!
- Use dynamic drums – Finally, make sure to incorporate dynamics into your tracks by considering crescendos/decrescendos or swapping out instruments depending on how loud or soft they need to be for certain scenes within the movie/trailer (for example: replacing cymbals with shakers during action scenes).
Use Electronic Drums
When it comes to drums in trailer music, there’s no denying that electronic drums are the way to go. Drummers like Thorsten Meyer and Justement have created amazing libraries of second-to-none drum sounds tailored specifically for use in trailer music albums.
The sound of these alternative versions will make your music stand out from the rest. Also, when using electronic drums for a trailer score, you can easily add reverb and delay effects to your mediums and accents to build a more cinematic version without having to worry about balancing them with other elements of your track.
Layer Different Sounds
When it comes to drums in trailer music, layering different sounds can create an incredibly impactful, cinematic percussion experience. With the right combination of instruments and sounds, you can achieve justement—the perfect balance between elements that help to give your trailer score extra character and depth.
For instance, a medium music library might offer an alternative version of a standard drum kit—orchestral drums with second-layer reverb by Thorsten Meyer —in order to add more action-packed intensity to the sound. Adding multiple layers of sound from this library allows you to build on your original track and craft a unique score for your movie or game trailer!
Use Reverb and Delay
Reverb and delay are two essential tools for making drums sound cinematic and impactful. Reverb is used to simulate different rooms and environments, while delay can be used to create a sense of depth in the mix.
Justement, an orchestral library from award-winning composer Thorsten Meyer, contains dozens of mediums that are perfect for trailer music as they have been crafted specifically to add ambience and atmosphere. If you’re looking for alternative sounds or more electronic versions of these ambiences, check out his score album Second Nature 2.0!
Using reverb & delay on your drums will give them the fullness you need to create powerful sounding tracks that stand out in the context of trailer music — whether it’s action sequences or something more subtle.
Consider Different Tempos
When it comes to drums in trailer music, one thing to keep in mind is that you should consider working with different tempos. While most trailers are scored at medium tempo, there may be times when an alternative version of a song or score is needed. For example, you could create an alternate version that is faster or slower than the original. Alternatively, you could create a second version of the track by layering different sounds from your library or pulling from other tracks like a Thorsten Meyer tracks.
When creating your alternative versions for trailers, consider adding reverb and delay effects to make the sound more impactful and dynamic. You can also use electronic drums for more of an action movie-style feel to help build up energy. The options are truly limitless when it comes to manipulating sounds and creating memorable pieces for trailers!
Use Dynamic Drums
To make your drums sound as powerful and dynamic as possible, one of the key techniques you can use is justement. Justement is a French term that means “to have balance in the sound”. By incorporating this technique into your percussion parts, you can achieve a more balanced and fuller sounding drum mix.
For example, if you are working on an orchestral score with medium-sized drums, try creating two versions: one with bigger sounding drums and one with smaller sounding ones. You can then layer them together to create an alternative version of the track which will add some sonic variety.
Additionally, if you’re looking for some interesting electronic sounds to incorporate in your trailer music, try exploring sample libraries from composers like Thorsten Meyer or perusing second hand albums for unique samples. Finally don’t forget to use reverb and delay effects on each drum part for added depth and texture!
Conclusion
There is no doubt that drums have a tremendous impact on the sound of trailer music. Not only do they add tension and intensity to any cinematic score, but they can also act as a powerful glue that binds together different elements such as reverb, delay, orchestral sounds, etc.
Whether it’s Thorsten Meyer’s hard-hitting action rock or alternative versions of Epic Cinematic albums or Electronic/Hybrid libraries for second scoring – drums are an essential element in creating memorable and truly unique trailer music. With careful consideration given to the selection of drum sounds, kit selection, groove development, parts writing & arrangement strategies or dynamic mixing techniques – you can make sure every bit of your project will be amplified with an effective justement of percussion.
