20 minutes from class

 

Pocket Drums Overview

In this workshop, we’ll explore how to create Pocket Drums in Ableton Live: loose, human, off-grid drum grooves inspired by Dilla, the LA Beat Scene, modern hip-hop, trap, RnB, and the newer wave of wonky drum programming artists.

Pocket Drums are all about feel. Instead of perfectly quantized beats, we’ll focus on groove, swing, timing, sound choice, and subtle imperfections that make drums feel alive. We’ll look at how to build grooves that push and pull against the grid, create bounce with odd rhythmic divisions, and use drum switch ups and wonky fills to keep patterns moving.

We’ll start with the fundamentals of pocket and timing, then move into practical Ableton techniques using the Groove Pool, MIDI editing, off-grid placement, velocity, sound selection, and creative fill programming.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to make drums that feel loose, heavy, human, and full of personality.

How to Pocket Drums
Learn what makes drums feel “in the pocket” and how timing, velocity, swing, and sound selection work together to create bounce.

Groove Pool Techniques
Explore Ableton’s Groove Pool and learn how to apply, adjust, extract, and customize grooves for more human drum programming.

Odd Beat Divisions
Use triplets, quintuplets, septuplets, and other uneven rhythmic divisions to create unexpected movement and wonky rhythmic tension.

Off Grid Editing
Learn how to manually push and pull drum hits off the grid to create feel, looseness, drag, rush, and controlled imperfection.

Sound Selection
Choose kicks, snares, claps, hats, percussion, and textures that support the groove and make the rhythm hit harder.

Drum Switch Ups
Create variation by changing patterns, swapping sounds, muting elements, and shifting the groove throughout an arrangement.

Wonky Fills
Program fills that feel loose, expressive, and unpredictable while still supporting the main groove.

This session is beginner-friendly, but the concepts go deep. Whether you make hip-hop, trap, RnB, electronic music, beat scene-inspired tracks, or just want your drums to feel more alive, you’ll leave with practical techniques for building grooves that hit hard without feeling stiff or over-quantized.

 

Pocket Drums Project from Class

Included with the Session is an Ableton Live Project with an intro and ABCD sections. Custom Drum Racks, Samples, Audio Effect Racks and more for you to explore, remix, learn from and built your own pocket drum beats.

 

Custom Drum Rack

Inside the included project you'll find a custom drum rack kit packed with all the sounds you'll need to start creating your own beats. This can be a great starting point to use Live's sound similarity feature to create endless more drum kits in the style!

 

Airwindows Channel & Buss Audio Effect Racks

Included with the Ableton projects are 2 custom audio effect rack channel strips one for tracks and another one for group tracks. This channel strips include:

• Pre and post analog summing console saturation
• Analog Console colors (API, SSL, Focusrite, Neve etc.)
• Tape Saturation and Tilt EQ
• Smooth Glue Compression
• Parallel Ambience/Room Reverb
• Multi-Stage transparent clipper

 

What's Included with this session

• 2+ hours of Ableton Certified Training Video
• Pocket Drums Project from Class
• Custom Pocket Drums Kit
• PDF with a list of best Sample Packs, Max for Live Devices & Live Extensions for the style

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ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR

Yeuda Ben-Atar, a world renowned Ableton Certified Trainer, hails from Los Angeles, California. Originally from Israel, Yeuda’s passion for music led him to the United States, where he discovered his true calling with Ableton Live in 2007, embarking on a journey of mastery.

He approaches Ableton in a unique way; producing and performing with video game controllers under the moniker Side Brain.

One of Yeuda’s most remarkable qualities is his exceptional knowledge and speed, combined with his unparalleled ability to explain complex concepts in a simple and engaging manner.

With years of experience as a music production instructor and educator, Yeuda has contributed his expertise to prestigious institutions throughout the United States, including USC, UCLA, UCSD, Colburn Music School, Berkley School of Music, Cal Arts, NAMM, Skywalker Sounds, Bedrock LA, Sonos Studios, Sweetwater Headquarters, 1500 or Nothing studios, Grammy U, Pensado’s Place, Vintage King, Museum of Making Music, Lynda.com (now known as Linkedin Learning), and Perfect Circuit Audio, among many others.

His projects have included working with and teaching artists such as Timbaland, Ludacris, Lavel Kali(Beyonce, Drake) DJ Numark and Jurassic 5, Beck, Skrillex, Flying Lotus, Ed Sheeran, Rick Rubin, Giorgio Moroder, Simi, Bootie Brown (Pharcyde), Dave Pensado, Madison Mcferrin and countless others.