Analog vs. digital drum sound design: The definitive guide

One of the many hotly-discussed topics in music production is whether analog drum sound design is superior or inferior to digital drum sound design.

The simple reality is that there’s no universal or clear-cut answer to this debate—both have unique workflows, benefits, and drawbacks that can be prioritized very differently depending on your needs and preferences. In the tutorial video above, expert DJ and producer Devon Johnson dives deep into this topic, breaking down analog and digital drum sound design using Arturia’s MatrixBrute and Pigments to demonstrate. He covers workflows for kick, hat, snare, clap, and cowbell sound design, and then applies the two methods head-to-head in the context of some beats.

Win a free Arturia MatrixBrute Noir

If you’d like to get your hands on an all-new Arturia MatrixBrute Noir yourself, we’re currently hosting an unprecedented community challenge on the Splice Discord where you can win one as the grand prize. Check out the article below for more details on how to enter—original track submissions can be made until 6:00 p.m. EST on May 1st, 2024:

What’s your perspective on analog and digital drum sound design? What sorts of topics would you like to see us tackle on the Splice YouTube channel next? Let us know in the comments section of the video, and subscribe for more producer-led tips, tutorials, and insights.

Make music to win an Arturia MatrixBrute Noir ($2299 value):

April 12, 2024

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Harrison Shimazu

Harrison Shimazu is a composer, content strategist, and writer who’s passionate about democratizing music creation and education. He leads the Splice blog and produces vocaloid music as Namaboku.