"What exactly is the purpose of a ride cymbal?"

Its like a piano, though not literally.
Signed;Hans Zimmer

 

First of all let me clarify that the 909 did sell more than the 303 which was a complete commercial flop to start with. But only because initially it was one of the first midi machines and many people wanted to put it to the test. It didn't make it to many records until the electronic dance music (not EDM) revolutionized the production flow in a way. 303? Yep, and i sold it in the mid 90s, as i mentioned in another thread. The guy who still has it is a friend of mine anyway.
As for my set up of the late 80s, it was fairly simple. Soundcraft main mixer,Roland submixer for the synths, Roland TR 606,808,909,TB303,Korg DDD5, Akai MPC,Roland D-50,Yamaha DX7,Oberheim Matrix6R, Roland VP-330, Aphex Aural Exciter, Urei1176 limiter, Alesis Midiverb, Roland SDE-1000, Urei 809 and Yamaha NS10 monitors and Fostex E16 for tracking live instruments, and finally a Fender Stratocaster and Precision bass. Also an Audio-Technica condenser and SM57+ SM58 Shure mics. Everything was sequenced in the Akai and mixed live to tape. A SMPTE box was used to sync the Fostex to the Akai if i recall. Or was it SMPTE to MTC, i can't remember this one really. I still have the 808+909, the MPC and the VP330 (which i love),the Precision bass and the NS10s.
Ps: Its the 808 kick that can sound as a bassline with a long release. That's why its commonly used in hiphop and similar downtempo genres and 909 is commonly used in the more uptempo styles. But any analog drum machine can be versatile in sounding like a percussive synth of sorts. For you guys of the newer gen a good thing to check is the DaveSmith/RogerLinn Tempest or the Electron Analog Rytm. I want one of these (or both) badly anyway hahaha.
https://www.davesmithinstruments.com/product/tempest/
https://www.elektron.se/products/analog-rytm/

 

Last edited: Mar 23, 2017

>it was fairly simple. Soundcraft main mixer,Roland submixer for the synths, Roland TR 606,808,909,TB303,Korg DDD5, Akai MPC,Roland D-50,Yamaha DX7,Oberheim Matrix6R, Roland VP-330, Aphex Aural Exciter, Urei1176 limiter, Alesis Midiverb, Roland SDE-1000, Urei 809 and Yamaha NS10 monitors and Fostex E16 for tracking live

Hope you don't fool me. In cause not: ("fairly simple" - HA HA!)

Both the tempest and analog-rytm sequencers looks fine, especially the ladder based on its features. Pretty sure it's worth 1.6K, but I never could afford that actually (my TR-8: 250 Euro = toy vs. instrument^^). Anyhow, I'm now motivated to start an Ableton session, taking some x0x drum racks and making some (hopefully) grooving beats. We'll see us in 2 days x)

>Its the 808 kick that can sound as a bassline with a long release. That's why its commonly used in hiphop and similar downtempo genres and 909

You're right, I'm always mix both up since you can choose on my TR-8 (toy) the three drummachines 707, 909 and, with a patch, 808. Because there is no display, you never see which drum is loaded on a slot. The 808 is the one with optional long release and "just bass" without a beginning downpitch (so no punch) - I need to remember these basic things..

>First of all let me clarify that the 909 did sell more than the 303 which was a complete commercial flop to start with.

At least that story I know of. Not often, but sometimes the crowd/consumers need a while to realize what a product is able to. I never used a real 303 in my life, but using the VSTi ABL3 from AudioRealism at least slightly sounds like a 303 (kind of methdone for the real one).

>It didn't make it to many records until the electronic dance music (not EDM) revolutionized the production flow in a way.

I also hate it if these days somebody is talking about "EDM", he/she most probably mean the new-style children techno/house shit. For me, like for you, the real EDM is the music from the 90s straight out of the clubs and not those melodic David Guetta/Spinnin' Records/Ultra records shit. Regarding "revolution": I also remember a time, about 94/95, when the very few tracks get more and more and the technique begins to develop (in terms of getting more complex). Hm, it was probably earlier, you know better.

>303? Yep, and i sold it in the mid 90s

Ouch, then you really needed some money at that time I suppose ;)

It would be really interesting to hear something from you.. I would really looking forward to listen =) But I also totally understand if someone want to stay anonymous here. Anyhow, was nice to talk with you and get some "out of those days" facts from first hand - thanks a lot!

 

I know some people have given more elaborate answers, but I'm going to keep it stupidly simple and phrase it like this:

Its function is the same as a closed hi-hat in rock, except in jazz. In other words, it keeps the pulse of the music in a sharp and short way. Hi-hats played in straight 4s or 8s is very rock, rides with swing are more jazz.

Yes, I know that's a gross oversimplification, but it gives a layperson all they need to know.

 

Last edited: Mar 23, 2017

To answer this question, you first of all need to know why a ride cymbal exists. Short answer; it doesn't. A ride cymbal is in fact NOT a cymbal. It's a complex set of algorithms designed to purvey the mathematical CONCEPT of a cymbal but actually cannot be recreated in the physical universe due to its incredibly inconsistent and volatile theoretical material form.

There actually has never been a ride cymbal, but simply the IDEA of one. Now that we are in the future, only incredibly powerful computers can create simulations of ride cymbals which are used all over garage and house music, but these too are only concepts...

No one has ever heard a REAL ride cymbal. EVER. And neither will you.

 

Last edited: Mar 23, 2017

Isn't the function obvious?

 

Think frequency spectrum for a moment. All drums and cymbals offer a unique spectrum range - the ride cymbal being on the more splashy / sizzley side. To me, this is one of the main purposes of the ride cymbal.

 

a LITTLE bit out off topic but I can't help it

 

Yeah, That is how I also see/view and utilize a ride personally, I think Chris Adler (Burn The Priest/Lamb Of God, Megadeth, Blotted Science and Protest The Hero) really does a great job of utilizing the various different cymbals available, This LOG track which he's playing through at some fest or clinic demonstrates how he uses the ride bell to highlight/accent certain sections of a track,

He isn't the fastest blast beater but more still technically has a very interesting technique (being a lefty like myself that plays regular unlike say Mike Smith whom is another metal drummer I love. Is a total fucking legend that's a southpaw and play's a kit setup for a southpaw). He has more in common with a player like Thomas Haake for example than he does a typical thrash metal drummer, Chris often will be playing 6/8 over a standard 4/4 which makes his style instantly recognizable compared to many great drummer's in the metal realm that end up unfortunately sounding similar/indistinguishable from one another. Obviously he's more than capable of blasting but always plays for the track, I admire that in a drummer a lot and can make such a difference. I've seen LOG every time they've come over to play here in England since New American Gospel! = what John Campbell looks like haha and Tom Araya too, I believe LOG are at the top of the heap in regards to modern heavy metal for many good reasons unlike some bands that have a standout member that for want of a better term kind of carries the rest along/is the focal point.

All the best your way and to all as always, Love the ping and ring

Dean

Edit:
My closest friend who plays in a band (that aren't a raging, down tuned/extended range packing cauldron of hatred and noise like I), A modern take on the classic power trio that pedal catchy powerful rock that should appeal to Neil Young with Crazy Horse fans and such as well as they do more modern sorts has a gong, Uses it and takes it on the road too because he can.

It's not as mahussive as the one's that Chris is having fun with, Danny's a lefty like myself and as you'll see his kit is setup for a lefty, It was always a nightmare gigging as we'd have to either play first or last due to almost every other band having a right-handed drummer or at least played orthodox instead of goofy, This was whilst in my young to late teens, I played bass with Danny and Ally which is before they changed name to Virginmarys, Playing mostly shithole's in Manchester and other north west cities, They are doing really well these days so that isn't an issue anymore haha, Still as close today since bonds/friendships like that never break. Ally who's guitar and vocals is also left-handed but like me, He plays/learned regular as getting a hold of a left-hand guitar and bass guitar back when we started was just difficult unless you we're a spoilt bastard with parent's that we're loaded it wasn't happening ;) Heck the setup and action on stuff that was "affordable" to a young teen would make a slide player blush, That is why these days it is awesome people have access to Asian made gear that is cheap but can be setup to play really great on practically any budget, If not come totally playable a lot of the time straight from the off with only string gauge and other preferences being the only reason to meddle. To be honest the choice available these days is pretty overwhelming but you'll never hear me complain about that as it's better for all of us player's, Keeps prices competitive/fair, Don't get me wrong either as some of the best quality comes stuff IMveryhumbleHO also from Asia in the higher price ranges. As a guitarist primary Ibanez's best, top of the line electric's are superb as are another Japanese name that match Ibanez's best stuff, Being Caparison. Yamaha's stuff is quality for an brand that cover a much broader range of instruments, Roland too...etc. Cheers :D

 

Last edited: Mar 23, 2017

Here's the easiest way to figure out what a ride cymbal does: open your drum kit VI and start messing around with it. Chances are, you'll end up making a sound or a beat similar to one you've heard before, or one that fits the song you are working on. If you don't, then you don't actually need a ride cymbal and shouldn't worry about it.

 

Oh yes, once you get the special chip in your head, you can hear it.

 

I HIGHLY recommend that you begin to DECONSTRUCT SONGS as a practice.

Then you can identify the different sounds you hear and begin to identify a LEAD or a BASS. Once you can do that then move on to other areas such as percussion and point out the KICK or SNARE. Then you can progress to the cymbals.

NOTE how they play along with the track and mentally understand how it adds to a track.

ONLY by taking apart music can you truly understand the purpose of each sound.