Decap: The Drummer Behind Your Favorite Tracks

Decap may not be a household name like Kendrick Lamar or Olivia Rodrigo, but his influence is undeniable. His work can be heard in tracks from a diverse range of artists, including Freddie Gibbs, Bad Bunny, Mac Miller, BTS, and even Ludwig Göransson’s score for Oppenheimer.

Nicholas Piantedosi, known as Decap, is a record producer and the mastermind behind Drums That Knock, a series of sample packs that have become staples in countless records across various genres. Since its launch in 2016, the series has been so successful that it’s now on its 11th edition. Kenneth Blume, previously known as Kenny Beats, who has produced hits for artists like Denzel Curry and FKA Twigs, remarked that Decap “changed a million lives with a single snare.”

Given his passion for low-end sounds, Decap has a particular bone to pick with phone speakers. Despite having access to modern tools in his preferred digital audio workstation, Ableton Live, he still relies on his vintage Boss SP-202 Dr. Sample from 1998.

When asked about his most essential tool, he cites Ableton Live as the platform where he brings his ideas to life. The most underrated tool in his arsenal? The clipper. He believes a soft clipper can impart a warm analog feel to drums or make them hit hard, calling it a game-changer for his music.

If he could change one thing about his phone, it would be the speaker. He laments that a raw 808 is nearly inaudible on phone speakers, meaning many listeners miss out on the low-end experience. For him, if he can make his drums sound good on a phone, he knows he’s doing something right.

His favorite gadget? The Boss SP-202 sampler, which he got in junior high and used to chop his first samples, marking the beginning of his music journey.

Decap wishes the trend of gatekeeping over gear would disappear. He believes that you don’t need specific hardware or software to be a real producer; if you have a computer, you have everything you need. He emphasizes that talent can come from anywhere, even from a kid in North Africa with basic headphones.

When it comes to creation, he expresses contentment with his own music, stating he doesn’t feel the need to create for anyone else. He takes pride in developing a hard-hitting sound that transcends genres.

The best advice he’s received came from his dad: always make a decision and commit, but remember that you can always change your mind. To focus, he practices meditation, aligning his mind and body for clearer concentration. When feeling stuck, he employs the 3M technique: make it, mix it down, and move on, emphasizing the importance of staying active in the creative process.

For splurging, he believes in treating himself to great food, especially in Los Angeles, where amazing restaurants abound. If he had a tagline for his biopic, it would be, “This all started with not wanting a real job.”