Elevating Modern Production: The Ultimate Hitmaka Drum Kit Guide
If you've listened to a club banger or a smooth R&B hit over the last decade, you've likely heard the work of Hitmaka (formerly known as Yung Berg). From producing Big Sean's "Bounce Back" to working with Chris Brown and Ty Dolla $ign, Hitmaka has defined the "New R&B" and "Club Rap" sound. Central to this sound is a very specific rhythmic foundation—one that producers everywhere try to emulate using a high-quality Hitmaka drum kit. What Makes the "Hitmaka Sound"?
Hitmaka’s production is characterized by a "less is more" philosophy, often consisting of no more than five core elements to leave maximum space for the artist. His drums aren't just background noise; they are the heartbeat of the track, often featuring:
Hard-Hitting 808s: His 808s are often based on simple Roland 808 kicks, tuned perfectly with long releases and short attacks.
Polished Percussion: Clean claps, crisp rimshots, and sharp hi-hats that provide a "bounce" essential for modern R&B.
Nostalgic R&B Textures: Many kits, like the one by Vale on LANDR Samples, are inspired by early-to-mid 2000s R&B, featuring synth textures, dreamy pads, and eerie textures. Essential Hitmaka Drum Kits for Producers hitmaka drum kit
If you want to capture this Grammy-nominated producer's vibe, several curated kits have become industry standards:
The Lunch77 Hitmaka Drumkit: This is widely considered a go-to for many in the community. It includes nearly 80 sounds, ranging from "Bounce Back" style 808s to specific "Cardiak" rides and crashes. You can find this curated pack on TwoShot.
Vale’s Hitmaka Sample Pack: Found on LANDR, this pack focuses heavily on loops and textures that mirror the R&B/Hip-Hop crossover style Hitmaka is known for.
Hit Kit V3: While not exclusively "Hitmaka," this massive collection of 4,000+ sounds on Hit Kit Samples is used by A-list producers who share Hitmaka's space in the charts, such as those working with Justin Bieber and Swae Lee. How to Mix Like Hitmaka
Owning the kit is only half the battle. To get that "in-your-face" drum sound: Elevating Modern Production: The Ultimate Hitmaka Drum Kit
Slight Distortion: Apply a little analog grit or overdrive to your 808s to help them cut through small speakers.
Layering: Most of his rap kicks are based on a core 808 layered with floor stomps or real kick drums for extra punch.
Space: Avoid over-complicating the rhythm. Simple patterns with the right "swing" allow the artist's melody to shine.
13 songs Hitmaka helped create for other artists - Revolt TV
Hitmaka often uses snares that mimic the classic "Trapaholics" mixtape sound—dry, slightly compressed, and with a lot of "crack." Look for file names like Crack_Snr, Big_B_Slap, or Layback_Clap. The Base Clap: A dry
The Hitmaka Drum Kit isn’t revolutionary in sound design. It’s revolutionary in restraint. In an era of hyper-produced beats, these drums remind you that pocket is power. Load them up, loop a two-chord Rhodes, and let the silence between the hits do the work.
That’s not just a drum kit. That’s a philosophy.
Hitmaka’s engineer, Ivy Berry, has revealed in interviews that they clip the master channel aggressively.
Send your claps to a reverb bus. Use a Plate Reverb with 1.2 seconds decay. High cut the reverb at 4kHz. This keeps the low end clean but the clap wide.
Note: Always support producers by buying official packs when possible.
Don’t just drop a snare sample and leave it.
This is the dead giveaway. Hitmaka avoids trap snares. He uses layered claps.