House music has been filling dance floors since the 1980s, and its drum patterns remain some of the most instantly recognizable in all of electronic music. Whether you want to produce deep house, tech house, or classic Chicago house, the foundation starts with the same beat. This guide shows you how to build an authentic house pattern using our free online MPC drum machine.
Open GRID Drum Machine
Follow along with this guide using our free online MPC drum machine. No download needed.
The Anatomy of a House Beat
House music is built on simplicity and groove. Every house beat shares these core elements:
- Tempo: 120 to 130 BPM. The sweet spot is 124-128 BPM.
- Four-on-the-floor kick: Kick drum on every beat. This is the non-negotiable foundation of house.
- Offbeat hi-hats: Hi-hats between the kicks create the driving pulse.
- Snare or clap on 2 and 4: The backbeat anchors the groove.
- Zero swing: House is straight and driving. No swing needed.
Step 1: Select the 909 Kit and Set Tempo to 126 BPM
The Roland TR-909 is the drum machine that defined house music. Open the drum machine and select the 909 kit. This gives you that punchy, electronic kick, crisp hi-hats, and the metallic clap that are synonymous with house production.
Set your BPM to 126. This sits right in the center of the house tempo range and provides that steady, danceable pulse.
Step 2: Program the Four-on-the-Floor Kick
The four-on-the-floor pattern is the single most important element. Activate the Kick on steps 1, 5, 9, and 13. That is it: one kick on every beat, perfectly even and relentless. This steady pulse is what keeps a dance floor moving.
Push the kick volume to 85-90%. The kick should be the loudest element in your mix. In house music, the kick IS the song.
Step 3: Add Offbeat Hi-Hats
Program Closed Hi-Hats on the offbeats: steps 3, 7, 11, and 15. These fall exactly between the kicks, creating the classic "boom-tss-boom-tss" pattern. The hi-hats should sit at about 60-65% volume, supporting the kick without fighting it.
Step 4: Place the Clap
Activate the Clap on steps 5 and 13 (beats 2 and 4). The 909 clap has that iconic metallic ring that cuts through a mix. Set the clap volume to about 75%. In house, the clap is more of a timbral accent than a heavy hit.
Step 5: Add the Open Hi-Hat
The open hi-hat adds energy and movement. Place the Open Hi-Hat on steps 3 and 11 (the offbeats of beats 1 and 3). This creates a sizzling accent that lifts the energy. Set the open hat volume to about 50% so it blends with the closed hats.
For a more driving feel, add open hats on all four offbeats. For a more minimal feel, use just one on step 3.
Step 6: Percussion and Rides
Layer in percussion for additional groove. A tambourine or shaker on every eighth note (steps 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15) adds high-frequency energy that fills out the beat. Keep this at 30-40% volume. It should be felt as a shimmer, not a distinct sound.
Step 7: Keep Swing at Zero
House music thrives on its straight, mechanical pulse. Set swing to 0%. The driving, four-on-the-floor rhythm should feel like a metronome. This relentless precision is what makes house music so effective on dance floors.
Step 8: Mix and Effects
- Kick: Dry, maximum punch. No reverb.
- Clap reverb: Add 25-35% reverb for that signature spacious clap sound. The 909 clap with reverb is one of the most iconic sounds in electronic music.
- Hi-hat panning: Pan closed hats slightly right (15%), open hats slightly left (15%) for stereo width.
- Percussion reverb: Light reverb (15-20%) on shakers and tambourines adds depth.
Open GRID Drum Machine
Follow along with this guide using our free online MPC drum machine. No download needed.
House Subgenre Variations
- Deep house: Same pattern, but reduce hi-hat volume and add more reverb to everything. The feel is spacious and atmospheric. Tempo around 120-122 BPM.
- Tech house: Add a rimshot on offbeat steps (2, 6, 10, 14) for a busier, tech-driven groove. Tempo 124-128 BPM.
- Acid house: The drum pattern stays the same; the acid sound comes from the bass synthesizer (the Roland TB-303). Your 909 pattern is the backbone.
FAQ
What BPM is house music?
House music ranges from 120 to 130 BPM. Deep house tends toward the slower end (120-124 BPM), while tech house and classic house sit at 124-128 BPM. Anything above 130 starts to cross into techno territory.
Why is the 909 kit used for house music?
The Roland TR-909 drum machine was central to the birth of house music in Chicago and Detroit during the 1980s. Its punchy electronic kick, metallic clap, and sizzling hi-hats became the standard house sound. Our 909 kit recreates these tones digitally.
What is four-on-the-floor?
Four-on-the-floor means playing the kick drum on every beat (1, 2, 3, and 4) without variation. This steady, driving pattern is the foundation of house, techno, disco, and other dance music genres. In a 16-step sequencer, this translates to kicks on steps 1, 5, 9, and 13.
What BPM is house music?
House music ranges from 120 to 130 BPM. Deep house tends toward the slower end (120-124 BPM), while tech house and classic house sit at 124-128 BPM. Anything above 130 starts to cross into techno territory.
Why is the 909 kit used for house music?
The Roland TR-909 drum machine was central to the birth of house music in Chicago and Detroit during the 1980s. Its punchy electronic kick, metallic clap, and sizzling hi-hats became the standard house sound. Our 909 kit recreates these tones digitally.
What is four-on-the-floor?
Four-on-the-floor means playing the kick drum on every beat (1, 2, 3, and 4) without variation. This steady, driving pattern is the foundation of house, techno, disco, and other dance music genres. In a 16-step sequencer, this translates to kicks on steps 1, 5, 9, and 13.