Little Gaps.. Huge Difference!!

Just working more on some mixes for my friend Greg, and thought it was worth highlighting how much difference leaving space in the bass line can make to a groove. Take the first example, the groove as I received it. Notice there's no rests in the line at all, but it does follow the kick drum quite nicely :

Audio Clip - http://www.liamgaughan.com/nogaps.mp3


However, just adding a little rest before the second note, really helps those first two kicks punch a lot better:

Audio Clip - http://www.liamgaughan.com/gaps.mp3

The technique was really brought to light to me by Dr. Dre and his bass player Mike Elizondo who commented once in an interview that Dr. Dre really opened his ears and showed him how effective the space could be used. It can be heard in use all over the first two Eminem albums, and 2001. There's a tidbit for the day.

Liam