DnB Sounds...

[Future Proof]

Really, there are many ways that you can go about making DnB beats. The most common way seems to be with sample manipulation. Alot of older DnB went that route, either with one-hit samples or by taking a loop of a beat, dividing it into subsections that isolated each hit and then resequencing those slices into its own drumbeat. I personally would love to learn more about composing DnB though, because I have little idea of how most DnB artists create that sense of chaos and completely mash beats up from one bar to the next.

[adam]

Typically, DnB involves individual samples and layered loops. Loops are selected on the basis of having similar grooves (the same snare pattern), and then are layered up on top of each other. Individually sequenced sample hits are then used to fill out the drums, and provide more variation.

This is based on an article I read in an issue of Computer Music approximately six months ago. If they don't know what they're talking about, neither do I. You may also want to look up the article...it was fairly detailed.

[thee carp dreamer]

the drum programming is the easy part, just chop up any old break and program it at 174bpm.

the hard part is mastering/compressing the drums. sometimes it's better to use a drum machine, but for the love of god don't use 808s or 909s.

[Leon]

Building up rhythms from scratch is the most fun though. Creating your own original sounds. Hmmm

[adam]

And screw the 808 diss. Ain't no sound like an eight-oh-eight.