Captain Pikant Summons the Ghostbusters Beat: 80s Spookiness, Aussie-Style

Summoning the Ghostbusters Groove

Captain Pikant kicks things off by confessing his childhood obsession with all things Ghostbusters—movies, cartoons, toys, and of course, that unforgettable Ray Parker Jr. track. It’s clear from the get-go that this beat isn’t just a side project; it’s the stuff of synth nerd dreams and Halloween dancefloors alike.

The captain lays out the mission: recreate the Ghostbusters rhythm using modern gear but with all the spooky 80s flavour you could want. There’s talk of legendary drum sounds, surprise fills, and enough reverb to make your backyard sound like a haunted warehouse. It’s all about nailing those spectral vibes and inviting viewers to follow along, even if their only ghostly experience is trying to find their keys at 3am.

Drum Machines and Spooky Ingredients

Next, Pikant gets stuck into the nuts and bolts of the beat, starting with the trusty LinnDrum—a drum machine so 80s it practically comes with leg warmers. Kicks land on every beat, snares on two and four, and hi-hats ticking away like a possum in a biscuit tin. The base rhythm’s described as the cake base—plain but absolutely essential before you whack on the scary sprinkles.

But it’s not all vanilla. Variations creep in, open hats appear, and the tempo’s set at a steady 115 bpm. Pikant goes full detective mode, hunting down the original cymbal samples and grumbling about mysterious EEPROM swaps. The result? Not a perfect match, but close enough to raise the hair on your arms—if not the dead.

"Think of this as the cake bass, unspectacular on its own, but a necessary foundation for all the nice sugary treats that go on top."

© Screenshot/Quote: Captainpikant (YouTube)

Layering, Sequencing, and Percussion Wizardry

With the base locked in, it’s time for some creative layering. Pikant guides us through building the break section, stacking creepy side sticks, tom fills, and a tambourine that’s got more swing than a backyard hammock in a windstorm. There’s talk of microtiming, ghostly echoes, and panning tricks, all to make the percussion sound less robotic and more like it’s played by a poltergeist on a sugar high.

He even tosses in a cowbell from the LIN-9000 for extra authenticity, tweaking the accents and timing to humanise the groove. Tips on using sequencer conditions to create evolving patterns are sprinkled in—handy for anyone keen to make their own monstrous beats. Pikant’s advice on sequencing is practical, but with enough weirdness to keep things interesting.

SDS-V Spells, Guitars, and Synth Mischief

"we need a long snare roll that goes from soft to loud. This crescendo builds plenty of excitement."

© Screenshot/Quote: Captainpikant (YouTube)

Now for the real trickery: the Simmons SDS-V enters the scene, bringing its iconic hexagon pads and wild, velocity-sensitive sounds. Pikant demonstrates how those snare rolls and tom sweeps inject drama, making the groove surge like a startled roo across the stereo field. He explains the importance of microtiming and flams for true 80s flair, and how layering SDS-V fills with the LinnDrum snares makes everything sound fatter than a sausage at a footy BBQ.

But it doesn’t stop at drums. The captain spills the beans on the original recording’s creative process—Martin Page and Brian Fairweather’s synth and guitar antics, Ray Parker Jr.’s rock ambitions, and even a cheeky nod to the Huey Lewis temp track scandal. There’s guitar scraping, chorus effects, and synth lines that would make Egon Spengler’s hair stand on end. It’s a mad scientist’s lab of 80s production, and Pikant’s loving every minute.

Catch the Full Aussie Spook-Fest

As much as I’d love to spill every secret here, some things you’ve just got to see—and hear—yourself. Captain Pikant’s full jam and the sound examples are the real showstoppers, so do yourself a favour and cop the video. It’s got all the haunted grooves, mad layering, and 80s spookiness you could want, straight from the captain’s lab. Don’t let the ghosts keep all the fun!

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