Quadeca Drum Kit — Repack
Good for finding realistic, raw room samples. 3. Processing the "Scrapyard" Sound Once you have the samples, the key is the processing 1.2.3 .
. While Quadeca (Ben Lasky) often uses high-quality loops from platforms like
Quadeca has a penchant for taking clean sounds and burying them under layers of texture and distortion. This is a defining characteristic of his overall production style. A review of his album From Me To You notes his use of "heavily distorted drums" and "weirdly distorted synths" to create an off-kilter, unsettling vibe. This technique is not just about volume; it's about creating a specific aesthetic. On his album Vanisher, Horizon Scraper , he takes this further, incorporating sounds that are “all buried and blurred together into this vaguely nautical atmosphere”. This technique is not just about volume; it's about creating an aesthetic where the punch of a kick drum might be smeared and saturated, feeling less like a drum and more like an abstract pulse in the mix.
Low-end frequencies that feel like they are breaking digital meters. quadeca drum kit
High-pitched, organic rimshots are used instead of traditional trap snares.
As discussed in his TikToks, he often uses obscure, processed samples, such as Indian drums to create unique percussive loops. 4. Atmospheric Percussion
: Quadeca has previously revealed his use of the Monster Drum VST Plugin , which includes approximately 18 different kits covering various genres. This is a primary source for his more versatile percussive sounds. Good for finding realistic, raw room samples
Quadeca’s "kit" is often built from scratch using non-traditional sources: Found Sounds series, he notably utilized a distorted sample of a
In his production, a quiet, intimate drum part is often more effective than a loud one. Use velocity automation to make each hit slightly different in volume, imitating a live drummer. 3. Genre Blending
Granular synthesis plays a massive role in his music. High-quality Quadeca kits include acoustic drum loops that have been chopped, reversed, pitched down, and run through bitcrushers to create an eerie, stuttering rhythm. How to Process Drums Like Quadeca A review of his album From Me To
: Sounds from libraries like Akihiko Matsumoto’s Feedback library are often cited for achieving the "dirty" ambient noise prevalent in his mixes.
To get that signature I Didn't Mean to Haunt You warmth, run your drum bus through a tape emulation plugin (like RC-20 Retro Color, SketchCassette, or Soundtoys Decapitator). Turn up the "wow and flutter" to introduce pitch instability, and dial in a heavy amount of tape saturation. Sidechaining the Atmosphere
To begin, it's crucial to understand that Quadeca’s drum approach is rarely static. His work is defined by a constant evolution, shifting from the organic to the synthetic, often within the same track.
Doors closing, metal clinking, footsteps, or distant chatter, often used as percussion. Cymbal Swells: Used sparingly for transitions. Open Hats: Often distorted or bit-crushed. Where to Find Quadeca-Style Drums (Resources)
Snares in the modern Quadeca universe rarely sound dry. They are often layered with heavy wooden acoustic rims, metallic pings, and massive, washed-out reverbs that suddenly cut off (gated reverb). 4. Glitchy, Fragmented Percussion Loops
