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Bouyon drum kit: building the bouyon drum sound

A bouyon drum kit is the collection of sounds that lets a producer recreate the pressure of Dominican carnival inside their software: sampled traditional percussion, fast drums and electronic elements.

The essential sounds

The kit starts with the percussion of Dominica: the lapo kabwit, the bele drum, the chakchak and the strikes of chante mas. Then come the modern elements: fast kick and snare, tight hats, electronic percussion and the keyboard sounds that carry the main loop.

Sample the tradition, do not replace it

The best bouyon producers treat traditional sounds with respect: they are what give a track its Dominican identity. A generic drum kit makes a fast beat; a kit fed on jing ping and lapo kabwit makes bouyon. For context, see the instruments of bouyon.

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find a bouyon drum kit?

Producers trade their kits within the community, and many build their own by sampling recordings of jing ping and carnival bands. Demand for the bouyon drum kit keyword is among the strongest on the French side.

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