Three Drums
30s preview
- Key
- 8B · C major
- BPM
- 96
- Double-time
- 192
- Open Key
- 1d
- Energy
- 44/100
- Pop
- 36/100
- Length
- 8:16
- Released
- 2023
- Genre
- Downtempo
- Label
- Not On Label (Four Tet Self-released)
- Loudness
- -10.4 dB
- Dynamics
- 15.2 dB
- ISRC
- GBXNG2323001
Key, BPM and audio features: model-based audio analysis · how we measure · catalogue updated July 2026
At 96 BPM in C major (8B), Three Drums is a slow-groove tempo downtempo production. The feel is dark and steady. The groove is loose and less beat-driven. It is vocal-led. Its spectrum is weighted to the sub and kick, with a heavy low end. The master keeps real dynamic headroom. The master keeps unusual dynamic range for club music (crest 15 dB). Less groove-driven than 99% of Four Tet's catalogue.
- Reach:
- better known than 89% of Four Tet's catalogue
- Tempo:
- slower than 86% of Four Tet's catalogue
- Brightness:
- darker than 79% of Four Tet's catalogue
Sonic profile
Frequency spectrum
amplitude · bass → treble
- 35%
- Low
- 30-130 Hz
- 28%
- Low-mid
- 130-570 Hz
- 21%
- Upper-mid
- 570 Hz-2.5 kHz
- 16%
- High
- 2.5-11 kHz
FAQ
What key is Three Drums in?
Three Drums by Four Tet is in C major, or 8B on the Camelot wheel.
What BPM is Three Drums?
Three Drums runs at 96 BPM, a slow-groove tempo track.
What mixes well with Three Drums?
From 8B it blends harmonically with 9B, 8A, 7B. Moving to 9B lifts the energy a step.
Is Three Drums good for peak time?
With energy 44 out of 100 at 96 BPM, it works best as a warm-up or breakdown cut.
Mixes harmonically
8B → 7B · 9B · 8AFrom 8B, 9B (G major) lifts the energy a step; 8A (A minor) settles into the relative minor; 7B (F major) cools the energy down a step.
How to mix it
In 8B at 96 BPM: 9B (G major) — move to 9B to push the floor harder; 8A (A minor) — switch to 8A for a mood change without losing the groove; 7B (F major) — drop to 7B to bring the room down gently.
Pitch range at ±6%: 90-102 BPM — anything in that window beatmatches without sounding stretched.
Key on the fader: without key lock (Master Tempo on CDJs), above roughly +5% it plays a semitone higher, so treat it as 3B rather than 8B; below -5% it reads as 1B. With key lock on, it stays 8B across the whole range.
Programming: a warm-up or breakdown cut — early set or after a peak to reset the room.
Similar tempo
Within ±3 BPM of 96 — beatmatch without a big tempo pull.
More downtempo
More from Four Tet
Full profile
Other recommendations
Beyond strict key and genre matches: tracks that still sit in beatmatch range of 96 BPM with a compatible energy and groove — candidates for a key jump or a genre crossover.
