The Amen Break

[kineaesth]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amen_break

I've been reading about this for a while. For those of you who don't know what it is, there's a link, and also YouTube has a good documentary. But what I was wondering is why the drum tab given on Wiki only sounds vaugely like the original when sequenced? I'm sure that there are many more Hi-Hats in the original. Any drummers or musicians have any ideas why?

 

[Absinthe]

I can confirm that is the original break from "Amen Brother" by The Winstons.

It's just generally played at higher speeds/pitches. Maybe that's why you're hearing a discrepancy.

 

[Naudian]

I just watched that 18 minute youtube video about it...

Awesomeness.

 

[Absinthe]

I think I'm gonna upload all the REX loop breaks I have, seeing as how not everybody can be assed to get ReCycle, get the breaks, and slice them. I have a good amount of them including a few classics.

I know some people don't like breaks - such as the Amen - because they seem overused, but they're quite underestimated. Sometimes there is just no substitution, and if you work with them enough, you can make them sound entirely different from their original state.

ADDED: Aww, **** yeah. "Vic Acid" by Squarepusher.

 

[Vegeta897]

Eh? Where are you gonna upload them? That sounds awesome.

 

[Absinthe]

Wikiupload holds up to 5 GB.

 

[CrazyHarij]

the popular version of the amen break is almost always pitched up to 175bpm which is why the regular version sounds different. and it's ****ing overused. beatles breaks is where its at

 

[Absinthe]

The amen shall live forever, and it will haunt you in your dreams.

Then one day - without even thinking - you'll put it in a track of yours. And it is then that you shall stare into your mirror and proceed to weep.

 

[CrazyHarij]

no, that's the 303 you're thinking of.

 

[Absinthe]

Nobody cries over using a 303! The 303 is, like, the ****ing Mac Daddy of electronic instruments.