Spent the entire day working on this track! A few days ago, I put together a playlist for inspiration and also had some AI-generated DnB tracks created to see what the algorithm would come up with. One of those tracks had a Baglama-like riff, which I ended up sampling and weaving into my own track. It was a lot of fun bringing this together, and my old love for Drum and Bass has definitely been reignited. Hope you enjoy this banger as much as I enjoyed making it!

DRUM AND BASS

Sometimes, you just have to embrace the flow. This week's beat started as an old sketch—just a Rhodes and a bassline collecting dust. I added a basic drum groove, and the vibe felt right. So I explored Tracklib’s library for some brass and vocal samples, layering them more prominently than I usually do. For a week where inspiration was hard to find, it turned out surprisingly well. Sometimes, letting the samples lead the way is all it takes.

TRACKLIB

This is another classic sample challenge from the Discord – only using samples from the provided pack. It's all about creativity and pushing limits with what you've got. Lately, I've been refining my workflow for sample-based beats. I used to rely on Ableton's Sampler to chop samples, but now I work directly with audio files for precise chops, time-warping, and pitch adjustments. This hands-on approach makes my process smoother, faster, and gives me more control. Each beat is a new experiment and a step forward in mastering my sound.

Something I still struggle with is that it takes too long to make the beat. I often listen to the whole work-in-progress too many times and lose momentum. On the other hand, things need time to take shape. I think I need to find a middle ground to make my beatmaking even more efficient and keep the creative energy flowing.

SAMPLE CHALLENGE - DJ UNKNWN

Today was a real challenge as I was co-hosting the event while crafting my beat. I intentionally lowered my own expectations and followed the first idea that came to mind to complete the challenge. This track is more of a sketch than a polished beat—the transitions between parts are rough, the drum leveling isn’t great, and there’s practically no EQ or mixing on the tracks.

Still, I had so much fun with the pack, the challenge, and hosting. We had 25 producers in the room, each giving their best. I absolutely love this community - it’s such a creative hub where so many different people come together who might otherwise never meet. The genres are as diverse as the people behind the music, and I’m proud to be part of this amazing collective.

WAV.RYDERS EPISODE 15

This week's beat feels like the soundtrack to running on empty. Work, family, winter – it’s all catching up. I’ve been struggling to find structure in my music-making and procrastinating until Sunday nights to pull it together. You can hear it in the roughness, the unpolished edges.

But here’s the thing: I’m still here. This year, my focus has been on my mental health, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come. Despite the exhaustion, I’ve been more productive than ever. I’m stable, I’m growing, and I’m not giving up.

The finish line is in sight, and I’ve got big plans for what’s next. For now, I’m pushing through, step by step, beat by beat. This one’s for everyone feeling the weight - you’re not alone. Let’s keep going.

I AM TIRED

This track started with a guitar sample I made years ago while experimenting with pitch-shifting on the Eventide H9. Despite its quirky time signature and key changes, I’ve always wanted to give it life. Layered with synth arps mimicking the original line, plus my mallet section - music box, vibraphone, and glockenspiel - it came together with a deep sub, lush pads, heavy reverb, and a touch of RC-20 warble and noise. There’s something hypnotic about it that makes me want to listen on repeat.

CYCLES (INTERLUDE)

"Retrograde" is the product of a creative detour: What started as a hip-hop sample pack turned into a Synthwave odyssey, crafted from oneshots and a handful of carefully selected samples. The result is a bold reimagining of retro aesthetics, where vintage vibes collide with futuristic energy.

RETROGRADE

This week's sample pack came from the Zurich-based jazz band Okvsho. 

Once again, 25 producers came together for 4 hours of intense crafting and sculpting, pushing their imaginations to deliver wildly different interpretations of the same source material. It’s always mind-blowing to see how versatile our collective output is. Huge shoutout to Okvsho for providing such inspiring and challenging sounds for this session!

For me, the day was all about focus. Hosting the event in the first hour, explaining the rules, and handing out the sample pack meant I only had about two solid hours to dive into the beat. My plan? Stick to the one-shots and run with the first ideas that came to mind, keeping things simple and raw.

The drum samples were super unprocessed and needed plenty of love. saturation became my best friend and, honestly, I doubled down on the drum bus aswell. On top of that, I finally got to try Ableton’s SP-404-inspired effects rack for glitching and automation. Let me just say: it was ridiculously fun tweaking those little details.

In the end, I delivered a solid beat that captured the vibe and brought pure joy in the making.

WAV.RYDERS EPISODE 16

This week’s challenge had me diving headfirst into nostalgia - crafting a beat with just four tracks and the simplest of 8-bit sounds. I embraced the limits and honestly… challenge accepted! It felt like stepping back into the 80s, glued to my NES, exploring pixelated worlds, and chasing high scores at the arcade during vacation. There’s something magical about recreating those retro vibes – a reminder of simpler times when chiptunes were the soundtrack to every adventure.

One more week to go! Merry Christmas and see you all for the grand finale next week.

8-BIT NINTENDO SOUNDTRACK

This one’s a bit rough. I made it entirely in the Koala Sampler app on my iPad. I’ve been searching for a simple way to sketch beats on the go, at work, or whenever inspiration hits. The plan was to export the stems to Ableton and refine everything on my computer.

…That didn’t happen. 😅
Instead, I ended up with a screen recording from my iPhone. The audio quality isn’t great (it's really bad), but hey – not a year without a little glitch. First and last one for this year.

Massive thanks to everyone who’s been part of this journey. I’m honestly so proud to have made it all the way to the end. 

Next week feels kind of scary – the emptiness after this. But I think I’ll just keep going and see where it takes me. I’ve got plans to officially release some of the tracks from this year, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop making something new every week.

KOALA

I drop a new track every Sunday. My sound blends hip-hop, lofi, soul, funk, and experimental vibes. No conventions—just pure creativity. Hit me up for collabs!

New tracks tagged #WeeklyBeats2024