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DK+ Expansion Packs

- - these Kits are NOT provided as part of DK+ itself
- - you can purchase them separately from the NUSofting and DASHSignature product catalogue.

Ethno Set 1234 Expansion Pack

African - Arabic funky grooves

This first Expansion Pack for the DK+ Virtual Drums is mainly dedicated to Doumbek and Djembe, two similar hand drums from the North Africa culture.

"Ethno Set 1234" includes also some conga, timbale and tambourine samples, edited and programmed to get the sound closer to those from some native African percussion instruments.
Even though you may see the similarities between Doumbek (also called Darbouka or Darabukka) and Djembe in shape and origin, the sounds of them and even more the style of music of their respective contexts is quite different:

Here are some links so you can explore the subject in detail:

How to install "Ethno Set 1234"

Simply copy the four folders: into your DK+ "library" folder. You may keep the extra bank: afro_shaker_Ethno_Set_1234.dk+ where you like.

How to get the most from the "Ethno Set 1234" patterns

Our Expansion Pack features many rhythmic patterns built into the kits themselves, there are 24 patterns in each of the 4 kits you install in the DK+ Library. Plus an extra bank afro_shaker_Ethno_Set_1234.dk+ similar to Kit1 but here a shaker accompaniment is featured.

The patterns for the DK+ sequencer are rigidly quantized as the step sequencer offers the Swing parameter rather than fine groove tuning. A few pattern may benefit from a very slight swing amount but if you want to get closer to a real percussionist feel our suggestion is to export the patterns you intend to use in your composition. as MIDI files.

Once exported, the MIDI files can be processed by your VST host features: you may use groove quantizing to add those small variations in the position of the hits so that the rhythm would sound more natural, or use some sort of randomizing function applied both to position and velocity. That randomizing function is often called "humanize" as it try to get rid of the "mechanical" feel that the perfect quantization at 1/16 or 1/32 gives.

The "Ethno Set 1234" patterns are just a starting point for your rhythmic exploration. Some of the patterns are simple one bar figures, but many of them are complex enough so that you may need to listen to many consecutive loops to get the groove. During this listening process you may wish to mute some tracks when many instruments are playing at the same time, to better focus on each instrument pattern.

Also listening at different tempo speed (BPM) changes the feel of the groove a lot.

Ethno Set Patterns Lists

Here are descriptions of all the patterns in the Kits. The patterns were programmed using the internal Small Room Reverb and a tempo range from 90 to 129 as reference. You can adjust the Reverb effect and BPM to your taste and needs.

Ethno Set 1 Conga, Doumbek and Timbale
Patterns Steps Notes
A B C 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps each 3 variations on a single Doumbek rhythm
D E F 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps each 3 different Doumbek rhythmic figures
G H I 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps each 3 variations on a reggaeish rhythm
J K L 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps each 6 variations on 2 rhythmic figures
M N O 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps each 3 variations on and hybrid Afro-Arab groove
P Q R 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps ayyuub Some say that Ayyuub is supposed to sound like a camel walking.
T 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps bayou Bayou is a rhythm with the same time pattern as Ayyuub but has a double DUM and is usually played more slowly; it is often used in belly dance drum solos.
U V 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps maqsuum The simple Maqsuum is the basis of many rhythms and is especially important in modern and folk Egyptian rhythm.
X W 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps sayyidii It is traditionally used for the Tahtib (a man's ritual "stick dance") as well as belly dance (especially the cane dance -- which is partially a parody of the man's version).
Ethno Set 2 Random Conga, Doumbek, Timbale and Tambourine
Patterns Steps Notes
A B 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps each 2 variations on a cool afro groove using Random Conga
C D E F 16 and 32 steps 2 intros + 2 variations on a fusion Afro-Arab groove
G H 1 x 6/4 bars = 24 steps each 2 variations on a Sufi like rhythm
I J 16 and 32 steps funky tambourine!
K L 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps kind of African march rhythm
M N 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps camel dance with Doumbek
O P 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 2 variations on a steady Doumbek rhythm
Q R S 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps each 3 variations on a complex and modern rhythm
T U 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 2 variations on a modern rhythm with African accent
V X W 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 3 different single patterns
Ethno Set 3 Random Conga, Doumbek, Timbale and Tambourine
same as Set 2 but with lower pitch and deeper sound
Patterns Steps Notes
A B 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps each 2 variations on a cool Afro groove using Random Conga
C D E F 16 and 32 steps 2 intros + 2 variations on a fusion Afro-Arab groove
G H 1 x 6/4 bars = 24 steps each 2 variations on a Sufi like rhythm
I J 16 and 32 steps variation on funky tambourine!
K L 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 2 variations on a "World" rhythm
M N 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 2 variations on a filled up groove
O P 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps 2 variations on a western groove
Q R 1 x 9/8 bars = 18 steps each 2 different complex odd grooves
S T U V 1 x 11/16 bars = 11 steps 4 variations on a complex odd grooves
X W 2 x 3/4 bars = 24 steps 2 different single patterns, one simple and the other complex
Ethno Set 4 Djembe, Doumbek and Timbale
Patterns Steps Notes
A B C 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps each 3 variations on a very Afro rhythm
D E F 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 3 patterns Djembe + Doumbek
G H I 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 1 intro and 2 variation patterns Djembe + Doumbek
J K L 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 3 patterns Djembe + Doumbek + Timbales variations
M N O 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps each 3 variations on a "World" rhythm with incremental complexity
P Q R 2 x 4/4 bars = 32 steps 1 intro and 2 variation patterns Djembe + Doumbek + Timbales variations
S T U 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 3 patterns Djembe + Doumbek + Timbales, hypnotic groove
V X W 1 x 4/4 bars = 16 steps 3 patterns Djembe + Doumbek + Timbales, down tempo dancing groove


Funk Equipment Set 1

The samples in this Set were created by Christian Eisenach, for FunkEquipment
and the DK+ banks by Luigi Felici, for NUSofting

Set 1 includes Kits 1 & 8, with 4 kicks, 4 snares, 2 rimshots ("stick"), 3 snareroll, 11 HiHats, 3 toms, 3 rides and 1 crash. All the samples are stereo 24 bit, 44100 Hz sample rate.

The Kit 1a Lite Edition is now provided as part of the DK+ product; the drums provided in the different kits are:
NOTE: for the Cymbals banks you need to have enough RAM installed in your PC, or you can use the "Less Memory" version of DK+, anyway your host may freeze for some seconds on bank loading, but that is to be expected.

Seven banks are supplied and each bank includes some example patterns.

Downloads

When you purchase Funk Equipment Set 1, you will receive an email with a link to the download page and a Ticket Number.

Access the download page and enter your Ticket number. You will see the list of downloads available to you; you will also need WinRAR to install the sounds.

Download the files:

Installing the Sounds

Double click on Kit1a_Samples.part1.exe and choose the folder location where you would like to place the DK+ Library, it will take about 150 MB of your drive space. You don't need to open the 4 *.rar files, they are automatically linked to the *.exe file.

Repeat for Kit1b_Samples.part1.exe, which needs about 28MB.

Kit1a and Kit1b: Sounds Details

Bank: Kit1a.dk+
Pad # Drum Name Triggers Layers
01 Kick01-1 C1 (note 36) 10
02 Kick01-2 B0 (note 35) 10
03 Stick01-1 C#1 (note 37) 10
04 Snare01-1 D1 & D#1 (note 38 & 39) 10
05 Snare01-1 E1 & F1 (note 40 & 41) 10
06 HH01-1 F#1 (note 42) 10
07 HH01-2 G1 (note 43) 10
08 HH01-3 G#1 (note 44) 10
09 HH01-4 A1 (note 45) 10
10 HH01-5 A#1 (note 46) 10
11 HH01-6 B1 (note 47) 10
12 Snareroll01-1 F2 (note 53) 10
Bank: Kit1a + Toms02.dk+
- - the same as Kit1a.dk+, plus:
Pad # Drum Name Triggers Layers
19 Low Tom C#2 (note 49) 10
20 Mid Tom D2 (note 50) 10
21 Hi Tom D#2 (note 51) 10
Bank: Kit1a + Toms02 + Ride03.dk+
-- the same as Kit1a + Toms02.dk+, plus:
    (with velocity filtering on the Rides)
Pad # Drum Name Triggers Layers
15 Ride03-1 C4 (note 72) 3
24 Ride03-2 C#4 (note 73) 3
Bank: Toms02 Single Set.dk+
Pad # Drum Name Triggers Layers
tuning 1:
01 Low Tom G2 (note 55) 10
02 Mid Tom G#2 (note 56) 10
03 Hi Tom A2 (note 57) 10
tuning 2:
19 Low Tom C#2 (note 49) 10
20 Mid Tom D2 (note 50) 10
21 Hi Tom D#2 (note 51) 10
Bank: Two Ride03 + Crash03.dk+
Pad # Drum Name Triggers Layers
01 Ride03-1 C4 (note 72) 10
02 Ride03-2 C#4 (note 73) 10
03 Ride03-3 D4 (note 74) 10
04 Ride03-4 D#4 (note 75) 10
05 Crash03-1 E4 (note 76) 10
Bank: All Ride03 + Crash03.dk+
- - adds 5 more pads which use the Random and Filter
features of the DK+ pads, enabling an amazing endless
variation in repetitive cymbals patterns
Pad # Drum Name Triggers Layers
06 Ride03-1 G4 (note 79) 10
07 Ride03-2 G#4 (note 80) 10
08 Ride03-3 A4 (note 81) 10
09 Ride03-4 A#4 (note 82) 10
10 Crash03-1 B4 (note 83) 10
Bank: Kit1b.dk+
Pad # Drum Name Triggers Layers
01 Kick08-1 C1 (note 36) 10
02 Kick08-2 B0 (note 35) 10
03 Stick08-1 C#1 (note 37) 10
04 Snare08-1 D1 & D#1 (note 38 & 39) 10
05 Snare08-1 E1 & F1 (note 40 & 41) 10
06 HH08-1 F#1 (note 42) 10
07 HH08-2 G1 (note 43) 10
08 HH08-3 G#1 (note 44) 10
09 HH08-4 A1 (note 45) 10
10 HH08-5 A#1 (note 46) 10
11 Snareroll08-1 F2 (note 53) 6
12 Snareroll08-2 F#2 (note 54) 10




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