To Quantise or not to Quantise

When it comes to beats, most producers like their kicks to be consistent, their snares to be steady and in general for their percussion to be punctual.

But there is a wave of producers with a different perspective; people who believe that imperfection has a beauty all of its own.   This article will get behind their thinking and compare the pros and cons of quantisation with those of using more wonky beats!


What is Quantisation?

I suppose this is a good place to start - Quantisation is when you constrict a large range of values to a limited set of values.   In music production, this is usually used to talk about putting beats in time.   For instance, if you play in a synth riff into your sequencer, chances are it won't be perfectly in time.

To avoid having to manually go through and correct each note, most programs come equipped with a "quantisation" feature.   This does it for you, putting the notes perfectly in time.   Very useful for the vast majority of music makers, but it's not for everyone...


Why wouldn't I Quantise?

Now, while putting things in time is, in general, a good idea when it comes to music, there's a lot to be said about the human element.   That's why live drums are still used so often - those minute differences that only happen in the real world make all the difference... The changes in velocity, tone and, as we're discussing here, timing.

This timing change can simply add a bit of a shuffle to the beat or it can entirely change it into a new genre of music.   When music is so noticeably offbeat that is no longer considered in time, it gives a whole different feel than a perfectly quantised piece.

In fact, people consider this so important that some programs come fitted with "humanisation" tools, or as I like to call it; "Wonkisation".   Deliberately making the timing wonky for effect.

When not to Quantise

If you want to make something feel more live, then be careful with quantisation.   If it sounds too regimented then the listener will see through your VST and know it was computer generated straight off.   Either by using careful Wonkisation (which deliberately makes the timing a bit off - It may be called "Groove Quantisation" in your sequencer.)

Another completely different way to use wonky beats creatively still retains an electronic feel - A few deliberately off-beat snares and kicks sound like the producer doesn't know what they're doing, but when used consistently it can make for music that entices the listener to nod their head in an entirely different way to conventional in-time recordings.

For genres like Dubstep, Trip Hop and Glitch Hop this can be a fantastic way to add variety between tunes and even develop your own style.   Since most producers tend towards the "highlight all, Quantise" approach, by focusing on the artistic reasons for being out of time you could separate yourself from the crowd!

In conclusion, it draws back to the age-old cliche: "Rules are there to be broken".   If you think it sounds interesting to be out of time, then ignore what convention says; Wonkify your beats to your heart's content!