Retro Jungle Production Techniques With Pete Cannon

Published 2020-07-23
The sound of jungle drum and bass is intrinsically linked with the computers and samplers of the ‘80s and ‘90s. We talk to jungle drum and bass producer Pete Cannon in this exclusive SOS Video Feature, about his retro jungle production process and how and why he’s still using Akai samplers, Ataris and Amigas.

Pete Cannon discusses the history of sampling in the jungle scene, and how samplers like the Akai S950 and S1100 (as used by scene legends such as ShyFX and Liam Howlett from The Prodigy) have become synonymous with the genre. Pete then outlines his favourite jungle production techniques, with tips and tricks on how he uses his Akai sampler, a tutorial on how to recreate classic synth chord stabs, and onto sequencing a drum and bass track using OctaMED tracker on an Amiga computer.

DOWNLOAD Pete Cannon's FREE Jungle Sample Pack:
www.soundonsound.com/techniques/retro-jungle-produ…

00:00 - Intro
00:34 - Pete Interview
05:07 - Using A Modified Akai S1100, Amen Break & OctaMED Tracker on Amiga
12:20 - Short Live Track Playthrough
13:22 - Rave Chord Stabs Using "Chord Memory"
14:51 - Cubase 2 and Atari ST 520
17:48 - 8-bit Sampling With The Amiga
19:00 - 8-bit Vinyl Test Pressings Arrive!
20:08 - Some More OctaMED Details
21:08 - Track Playthrough In OctaMED
25:25 - Outro

www.facebook.com/petecannonbeats/
twitter.com/petecannonbeats
n4records.bandcamp.com/

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#jungle #producer #musicproduction #drumandbass #dnb

All Comments (21)
  • @pokerdealer2003
    I’m 42 and have been doing this since mid 90’s and have still never showed anyone but my wife my music.
  • @beatweezl
    Sample him saying a word ending in "p" and you got a great kick.
  • @MrSTAYUP33
    playing the 808 state horn by mouth is worth the whole vid, although the whole thing is really dope
  • @strongocho
    4:20 you nailed why sample based music making is so good. The act of sampling is actually fun and exciting. It is like fishing. You boringly dig through records until you "catch" something and find a sound that inspires you. From there, it is off to the races.
  • @RonWellsJS
    Pete is full of ability and enthusiasm without a hint of ego, a rare combination of positive energy.
  • @trevor4835
    Woulda killed for this vid a decade ago lol
  • @lbat5276
    Super interesting - how anyone learned these techniques pre-internet is nuts.
  • @LFOVCF
    OCTAMED. Those were the days. A golden time. The limitations made us more resourceful, but now we have it all, and it's marvelous, but hard to get a vibe going.
  • @paweserafin9407
    Back in the middle 90's when I obviously could not afford an AKAI sampler, I got the 8 bit one for my Amiga, and my usual trick was to first record from the source I want to sample to tape, in long play mode, and then I would put the tape in a player which did not support the long play function - it would then play out slower, I would sample it like that and then play with high pitch notes to get back to the real sample tune, but with much better sample resolution lol, same applied to sampling 45's at 33 rpm :)
  • @BeatsbyBlanch
    I was introduced to Photek literally only last year, im 26, and became obsessed w/ how this music is created.
  • @AlexBallMusic
    Fantastic history lesson and end result. Having never made music this way it's really fascinating. A proper craft.
  • @misterjones313
    Ok, had to stop the video at 13:55 'cause I was smiling so much. Big ups to Pete Cannon for replaying 808 State's "Pacific". That was a huge track back in the day in my native Detroit (specifically, the Pacific 0101 variant). I still have my Tommy Boy copy on vinyl with "For A List DJ's Only" stamped on it.
  • @ashtray314
    That bit where he did 808 state was epic! Proper grin on my face 😁
  • You can’t beat this original sound, it just has that something special that’s hard to recreate with modern gear.
  • @RetroJay1974
    This guy is me and I never got around to do doing what he has acheived! We used to haul our Amigas and Synths around to a mates house and sit in his kitchen at all hours! Armed with Sample cartridges, Atari STE's aswell BTW! we would create all sorts of stuff. This was from 1991 to 1995! they were bloody good days, we would record onto Tape and then bomb around in our mates tin-pot Ford Fiesta MK3 blaring whatever we had made.
  • Every time I get nostalgic for old samplers I remember the loading time.
  • @SL-nh6mn
    A module like this should be taught on all music production courses: The Appreciation Module (How hard it was, and how easy you have it now). Great demo and trip down memory lane thank you!
  • @Kodeb8
    The program he is using is called a mod tracker. They are older than DAWs, but they are still extremely useful! The work flow is different, but I'd say it's actually better for music that uses a lot of samples, and ESPECIALLY jungle music! What makes them so powerful is you can quickly chop a part of a sample that you want, and you use keyboard shortcuts to place in the notes, instead of using a piano roll. If you want a modern mod tracker, you should get Renoise! Or if you don't want to pay for it, OpenMPT is also very good!