Starboy Outtatown Drum Kit !free! -
The Starboy and Outtatown Drum Kit represents a pivotal moment in modern music production, serving as the foundational palette for the "Hyperpop" and "Rage" subgenres that dominated the early 2020s. Developed by the producer collective Working on Dying, specifically Starboy and Outtatown, these sounds departed from traditional trap aesthetics to embrace a high-energy, digital, and synthetic soundscape. The Sonic Identity
The kit's core identity is defined by its "industrial" and "metallic" textures. Unlike the warm, organic sounds of classic boom-bap, these samples are designed to pierce through dense, distorted synthesizer melodies.
The 808s: Often characterized by heavy saturation and a "square-wave" grit, these bass sounds act as melodic instruments rather than just rhythmic anchors.
The Percussion: Sharp claps and "chirpy" hi-hats provide the frantic pace necessary for 140+ BPM tracks.
FX and Textures: Kits often include "glitch" sounds and lo-fi textures that add a layer of digital chaos, a hallmark of the Hyperpop aesthetic. Influence on Modern Production
The Starboy and Outtatown sound became synonymous with artists like Playboi Carti (specifically during the Whole Lotta Red era) and Lil Uzi Vert. Their collaboration on tracks like "Over" and "Futsal Shuffle 2020" showcased how these drum kits could create a futuristic, video-game-like atmosphere that resonated with a new generation of listeners. Cultural Legacy
Beyond the technical specs, the kit's popularity on platforms like Reddit's Drumkits community democratized a once-exclusive sound. By providing bedroom producers with the exact "ingredients" used in platinum-selling hits, Starboy and Outtatown sparked a global movement of DIY "Rage" beats, effectively shifting the sonic landscape of mainstream hip-hop toward a more aggressive, electronic-influenced future.
While there isn't a formal academic paper on this specific kit, several detailed breakdowns from production communities and merchants like ProducerWAV highlight its essential role in the Hyperpop and Rage genres. The "Starboy x Outtatown" sound is defined by high-energy, distorted, and synthetic percussion used heavily by artists like Ken Carson and Yeat. Core Components of the Sound Kit
A typical "stash" or drum kit from these producers, such as the starboyrob 2023 drum stash, contains over 700 sounds including: Starboy Outtatown Drum Kit
808s & Bass: High-count (e.g., 260+ 808s) focused on "super-trap" and "rage" styles.
Percussion & Snares: Approximately 50-60 variations each of claps, snares, and percs designed to cut through dense synth melodies.
Sound Design Tools: Often includes MIDI files for hi-hat patterns and FL Studio mixer presets to achieve immediate industry-standard "leveling". Production Techniques & Application
According to expert tutorials on platforms like YouTube, using these kits effectively involves specific technical choices:
Rhythmic Patterns: Drums typically consist of a two-step hi-hat pattern with frequent triplets. Instead of a standard snare, producers often layer a clap with two extra "accent" claps for a punchier feel.
Dynamics: A common "trick" for the signature groove involves putting claps and kicks into a bus to sidechain the hi-hats, ensuring the high-end "ducks" every time a drum hits.
Mixing Style: Starboy's style is often described as "full and cinematic," frequently using chords, while Outtatown relies more on "bouncy" accent leads and bass synths.
Tempo & Scale: Beats are usually set between 132 and 152 BPM, often utilizing the minor pentatonic scale to blend "sadness and happiness". Recommendations for Producers The Starboy and Outtatown Drum Kit represents a
Check Verified Sources: Authentic kits are often hosted on sites like ProducerWAV or discussed in specialized communities like r/Drumkits.
Layering: Use Serum presets (like "Synth Souls") alongside these drum kits to match the synthetic, "metal-like" texture common in their productions.
Deconstructing the Sound: Why These Drums Hit Different
To understand why producers are raving about this specific kit, you have to understand the production paradox of modern Afropop. It isn't just 808s and hi-hats; it is a fusion of Highlife, Dancehall, and Logoboro.
The Starboy Outtatown sound revolves around three pillars:
How to Use the Kit: A Production Tutorial
You’ve downloaded the kit. Now, how do you make it sound like Starboy?
Step 1: Tempo is King Set your DAW to 100–112 BPM. Starboy beats rarely go fast.
Step 2: Start with the Shekere Forget starting with a kick. Drag in a shekere loop from the kit. This sets the "groove." Quantize it at 70% swing.
Step 3: Add the Log Drum Layer the "Log Drum 3" over the shekere. Pan it slightly left. Deconstructing the Sound: Why These Drums Hit Different
Step 4: The Kick Pattern Place the kick on the 2 and 4 (not the 1 and 3). This creates the "bounce." Sometimes, place the kick right before the clap.
Step 5: The Starboy Clap Layer a dry clap with a rimshot. Turn the velocity down so it feels lazy. Add a tiny bit of reverb.
Step 6: The Bass (Recommendation): Use a sine wave bass. Don't use the kick drum to define the rhythm; use the bass. Let the kick sit on top of the sub.
Where to find it?
A quick search on LimeWire (yes, it's back) , Reddit's r/drumkits, or Splice (under creative commons clones) will yield results. Look for the version with the black and silver cover art—that is usually the "clean" compilation.
Final Tip: Take the kit. Delete the sounds you don't like. Keep the 20 best kicks and the 30 best snares. Create a folder called "My Starboy Arsenal." Then, close Reddit, open your DAW, and make a hit that actually sounds like you—just with a little help from Abel Tesfaye’s engineers.
Happy producing.
Keywords used naturally: Starboy Outtatown Drum Kit, Starboy, Outtatown, drum kits, producers, snares, kicks, hi-hats, The Weeknd, production, FL Studio, sample pack.