Hi-Hats and Percussion

Hi-hats provide rhythmic texture and forward momentum. In dark electronic music, they should be crisp and metallic without being harsh.

The Basic Hi-Hat

define :hat do |v=1|
  sample :drum_cymbal_closed, amp: 0.25*v, rate: 2.2, release: 0.05
end

Key Parameters

rate: 2.2 — Higher rate = higher pitch = more metallic
release: 0.05 — Short release = tight, crisp
amp: 0.25 — Quiet relative to kick/snare

Hi-Hat Samples

Closed Hi-Hats

• :drum_cymbal_closed — Our primary choice
• :drum_cymbal_pedal — Softer attack
• :elec_tick — Electronic, clicky

Open Hi-Hats (Accents)

• :drum_cymbal_open — Sustained ring
• :drum_cymbal_soft — Gentle accent

Rate Variations

sample :drum_cymbal_closed, rate: 1.5  # Lower, softer
sample :drum_cymbal_closed, rate: 2.0  # Balanced
sample :drum_cymbal_closed, rate: 2.2  # Bright, metallic (standard)
sample :drum_cymbal_closed, rate: 2.5  # Very bright, aggressive

Higher rate = brighter, more cutting.

Hi-Hat Patterns

Eighth Notes (Standard)

in_thread do
  8.times { hat; sleep 0.5 }
end

Hi-hat on every eighth note. Classic, driving.

Sixteenth Notes (Intense)

in_thread do
  16.times { hat; sleep 0.25 }
end

Double the density for aggressive tracks (Nerve Damage, Skull Fracture).

Syncopated

in_thread do
  hat; sleep 0.5
  hat; sleep 0.25
  hat; sleep 0.25
  hat; sleep 0.5
  hat; sleep 0.5
  hat; sleep 0.5
  hat; sleep 0.25
  hat; sleep 0.25
  hat; sleep 0.5
end

Velocity Variation

Static hi-hats sound mechanical. Add subtle variation:

in_thread do
  8.times do |i|
    v = [1, 0.7, 0.85, 0.75, 0.95, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9][i]
    hat v
    sleep 0.5
  end
end

Or randomize slightly:

in_thread do
  8.times do
    hat (0.7 + rand(0.3))  # Random between 0.7 and 1.0
    sleep 0.5
  end
end

Open Hi-Hat Accents

Add open hats for emphasis:

define :hat_open do |v=1|
  sample :drum_cymbal_open, amp: 0.3*v, rate: 1.8, release: 0.2
end

# Pattern with open hat accent
in_thread do
  3.times { hat; sleep 0.5 }
  hat_open  # Accent before beat 3
  sleep 0.5
  4.times { hat; sleep 0.5 }
end

Hi-Hats by Track Type

Standard (Most tracks)

define :hat do |v=1|
  sample :drum_cymbal_closed, amp: 0.25*v, rate: 2.2, release: 0.05
end

Aggressive (Tracks 2, 4)

define :hat do |v=1|
  sample :drum_cymbal_closed, amp: 0.22*v, rate: 2.4, release: 0.04
end

Lower amp (more hats = less per hat), higher rate (brighter).

Atmospheric (Track 3)

define :hat do |v=1|
  sample :drum_cymbal_closed, amp: 0.28*v, rate: 2.0, release: 0.06
end

Lower rate for a softer, less aggressive sound.

Hi-Hat Dynamics Through Sections

Percussion Beyond Hi-Hats

Shakers

sample :drum_cymbal_closed, amp: 0.15, rate: 3.0, release: 0.03

Very high rate, very short = shaker-like.

Rides

sample :drum_cymbal_open, amp: 0.2, rate: 1.5, release: 0.3

Lower rate, longer release = ride cymbal.

Metallic Textures

sample :elec_tick, amp: 0.3, rate: 1.2
sample :elec_ping, amp: 0.2, rate: 0.8

Quick Reference

# Basic hi-hat
define :hat do |v=1|
  sample :drum_cymbal_closed, amp: 0.25*v, rate: 2.2, release: 0.05
end

# Open hi-hat
define :hat_open do |v=1|
  sample :drum_cymbal_open, amp: 0.3*v, rate: 1.8, release: 0.2
end

# Eighth note pattern
in_thread do
  8.times { hat; sleep 0.5 }
end

# Sixteenth note pattern
in_thread do
  16.times { hat; sleep 0.25 }
end