Drum programming in FL Studio
The high-level drum theory relates to each specific subgenre as a working framework of theory. But I will say that when you are creating a production in FL Studio, you should always be open to moving kicks around to best fit the rhythmic top-line melody if you are starting a track with a top line first as opposed to starting a track with a drum arrangement. A good rule of thumb is that a kick should always synchronize with a note change point, or at the start of the next bar.
Let’s show you exactly what I mean by using the drum pattern synchronized with a note progression in the Piano Roll:
Figure 4.24: Channel Rack | Drum sequence with hi-hat triplets via the Piano Roll
Notice that the FL Keys inputs are on the same pattern block as the kicks; this implies that the keynote has the same block pattern as the kick and follows it succinctly. In most cases, you won’t use a VST in this form; it will be composed...