Snares and Claps

The snare provides the backbeat — the accent that defines the groove. In dark electronic music, snares should crack without being harsh.

The Basic Snare

define :snare do |v=1|
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v, rate: 0.85
end

Why :sn_dub?

:sn_dub has a deep, weighty character that fits dark electronic. The rate: 0.85 lowers the pitch further, making it less “snappy” and more “thuddy.”

Key Parameters

rate (Pitch)

Lower rate = deeper, darker snare:

sample :sn_dub, rate: 1.0   # Original pitch
sample :sn_dub, rate: 0.85  # Deeper, darker (our standard)
sample :sn_dub, rate: 0.75  # Very deep (Skull Fracture)

amp (Volume)

Snares are typically quieter than kicks:

kick 1      # Kick at 100%
snare 0.9   # Snare slightly under

Snare Variations

Standard (Most tracks)

define :snare do |v=1|
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v, rate: 0.85
end

Industrial (Track 2 - Nerve Damage)

define :snare do |v=1|
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v, rate: 0.8
  sample :drum_snare_hard, amp: 0.4*v, rate: 0.9
end

Two layers: :sn_dub for body, :drum_snare_hard for crack.

Heavy (Track 4 - Skull Fracture)

define :snare do |v=1|
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v*1.1, rate: 0.75
  sample :drum_snare_hard, amp: 0.5*v, rate: 0.85
end

Lower rates across both layers for maximum weight.

Tight (Track 3 - Chrome Cathedral)

define :snare do |v=1|
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v*0.9, rate: 0.88
end

Slightly higher rate for a more controlled sound in the atmospheric track.

Snare Samples

Body Samples

• :sn_dub — Deep, weighty (primary choice)
• :sn_dolf — Snappy, electronic
• :sn_zome — Punchy, tight

Crack/Layer Samples

• :drum_snare_hard — Sharp attack
• :drum_snare_soft — Gentler layer
• :elec_snare — Electronic character

Claps

Claps can replace or layer with snares:

define :clap do |v=1|
  sample :drum_snare_hard, amp: v*0.6, rate: 1.1
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v*0.4, rate: 0.9
end

Or use actual clap samples:

sample :perc_snap, amp: 0.8, rate: 0.9

Snare Placement

Standard (Beats 2 and 4)

in_thread do
  sleep 1; snare; sleep 1; snare; sleep 2
end

Single (Beat 3 only - Chrome Cathedral)

in_thread do
  sleep 2; snare; sleep 2
end

Half as many snares = more space, more atmospheric.

Syncopated

in_thread do
  sleep 1.5; snare 0.7; sleep 0.5  # Ghost snare
  snare; sleep 2
end

Velocity Variation

in_thread do
  sleep 1
  snare 1      # Beat 2: Full
  sleep 1
  snare 0.95   # Beat 4: Slightly softer
  sleep 2
end

Subtle variation creates groove.

Quick Reference

# Basic snare
define :snare do |v=1|
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v, rate: 0.85
end

# Layered snare (industrial)
define :snare do |v=1|
  sample :sn_dub, amp: v, rate: 0.8
  sample :drum_snare_hard, amp: 0.4*v, rate: 0.9
end

# Placement (beats 2 and 4)
in_thread do
  sleep 1; snare; sleep 1; snare; sleep 2
end

# Rate guide:
# 0.9+ = snappy, bright
# 0.85 = balanced (standard)
# 0.75-0.8 = deep, heavy