Introduction
The way we listen to music has changed over the years. No longer do people listen to albums and buy physical copies of their favourite artists, instead, they stream music from services like Spotify and Apple Music.
That being said, it's important for producers to keep up with these trends so that they can stay relevant in this digital world. One technique that's been gaining popularity is adding swing to songs.
One type of swing that many producers try to recreate is the MPC swing. It originates from the old-school samplers/midi program controllers from AKAI. Especially the Akai MPC 60.
However, you are actually able to get the legendary MPC-swing in FL Studio - or any other DAW, that supports Groove Templates.
Let me show you how.
What is MPC Swing?
Swing is a rhythmic feel characterized by a pronounced accentuation of even-numbered beats within the bar, and a general implied motion toward the succeeding note value.
In essence, it's an effect that makes your music sound like it was recorded with a drum machine or analogue sequencer. It gives your music a more groovy and not so much computerized quantized sound.
It is really popular in for example a lot of house music genres and hip-hop. I use it a lot on UK Garage drums to make them bounce more.
Step 1: Finding the MPC Groove Templates
You can find MPC Groove templates on some websites. Do a simple Google search for “MPC Swing Groove Templates” - or something like that. It should provide you with some websites, where you can download the files.
Sometimes you can also find the swing/groove templates on music producer forums. Just start diggin’ a bit.
I found some from GoldBaby. The file is called: “MPC60 - Free MIDI Groove templates”
You can download them for free here
Step: 2 Installing the Swing / Groove Templates in FL Studio
- Open the downloaded folder with the MPC Groove templates.
- Drag the midi file into an empty Piano Roll (This will load a bunch of midi notes)
- Click “File” and then “Save score as”
- Save it in the FL Studio Groove Template folder (the default location is C:\Program Files\Image-Line\FL Studio 20\Data\Patches\Scores\Quantization).
- You should now be able to see the swing/groove templates under “Quantize” in the Piano Roll in FL Studio.
NOTE: You have to do this for each file in the downloaded MPC Groove template folder.
This is because FL Studio has to convert the midi file into a Score file so that you can use it for Swing quantization later. It will maximum take 5 minutes.
Put on some music while you do it 🙂
Step 3: Using the MPC Swing Groove Templates
- Go to the Piano Roll in FL Studio
- Click on “Tools” and then “Quantize”
- Select the new folder (mine is called “MPC60 Swing”)
- Choose one of the MPC Swing templates
- Click “Accept”
- Done - now you have applied MPC Swing to your Piano Roll
Step 4: Finding the right amount of MPC Swing
You can apply swing to any tempo in FL Studio, but it's important to make sure that you are using the right amount. A good rule of thumb is that the more swing applied, the more life it will give your pattern. If you set too little or too much swing, then your track will sound robotic and lifeless respectively.
So this is an experimental game. Try out what works for your song, so that you do not overdo the MPC Swing in your FL Studio project.
Myself, I like to play between the range of 55% and 62%.
You should find your own MPC Swing sweet spot in your FL Studio.
Swing can add that little extra life to your beats
Swing, like other forms of quantization, is a powerful tool that can add a little extra life to your beats. It provides a subtle groove and variation to your patterns. Swing is an effect that adds variation to the timing of notes in musical performances by shifting them ahead or behind their notated positions, making it sound as though they were being played with more energy and emphasis than if they had been played exactly on time.
Swing is a special kind of groove that can be applied to any genre. It’s the magic that makes you want to get up and dance, but it doesn’t have to sound cheesy! Swing can make your beats feel more alive, energetic and excited. It adds variation in timing to musical performances by shifting them ahead or behind their notated positions, making it sound as though they were being played with more energy and emphasis than if they had been played exactly on time.
Now it is your turn to transform your songs into “swingy” and groovy pieces with MPC Swing in FL Studio.
[Also read]: Why use Field Recordings in House Music?
