At first listen, Kirk Franklin's "Do It Again" feels like a laid-back Gospel groove. Technically, the arrangement isn't flashy, but nailing its tight pocket and lush layers meant zooming in on every production nuance — from the punch of the 808 to the airy Rhodes voicings.
Starting with the Grid
My first move was to drop the original stereo mix into Pro Tools, set the tempo map, and lock the downbeat. Because the song's click is steady, lining it up went quickly. With the grid ready, I could focus on recreating each part with precision.
Drums & Percussion: Building the Pulse
Hybrid drums drive this track — an acoustic kit layered with electronic samples and crisp clap accents. For the acoustic elements, I reached for EastWest Pro Drummer 2 and Steven Slate Drums 5.5. The electronic kicks, claps, and percussion came from Slate Digital's sample libraries inside Battery 4 and Kontakt 7. I stacked multiple hi-hat samples, adding 1/32-note rolls and velocity shifts to capture the human feel Kirk Franklin's grooves are known for.
The Low-End Trio: 808, Synth & Electric Bass
Unlike many Gospel tracks, "Do It Again" leans on three distinct bass layers:
- 808 Sub: A tuned kick-style 808 that delivers sub-energy in the choruses. I crafted it in ANA 2 with quick decay and slight pitch glide.
- Synth Bass: Also from ANA 2, this patch adds midrange growl that cuts through busy sections without masking the 808.
- Electric Bass: Using Prime Bass by Native Instruments, I played a pocket-focused line that glues the drums and keys together. Careful EQ and side-chain compression kept the three bass voices complementary instead of muddy.
Keys: Rhodes, Piano & Organ
The harmonic core sits on shimmering Rhodes, a warm acoustic piano blend, and a classic Gospel organ pad:
- Rhodes: Keyscape gave me that bell-like attack with creamy sustain.
- Piano: I layered Keyscape's C7 with the Noire felt piano in Kontakt 7, balancing brightness and body.
- Organ: The DB-33 in Pro Tools added soulful swells and chord stabs that lift the choruses.
Guitar & Synth Textures
The guitar part is minimal but essential: muted chops, octave slides, and occasional chord stabs. I tracked it with Electric Mint by Native Instruments, dialing in a clean, slightly compressed tone. For ear-candy synth leads, I programmed the patches using ANA 2.
Why This Remake?
I recreated "Do It Again" to resource worship teams worldwide through Loop Community. Kirk Franklin's catalog has inspired countless musicians, and providing a faithful instrumental helps choirs, bands, and solo ministers bring this song to their congregations. While I don't have the exact outboard gear Kirk's team used, careful MIDI programming, layered sampling, and detailed mixing let me capture the vibe authentically — and I'm thrilled with the result.
Get the 'Do It Again' Multi-Track
You can download my multi-track stems on Loop Community. The platform hosts recreations and originals from producers around the globe, making it easy to build set-lists that sound polished on any stage.
Do It Again
Watch Me Play the Instrumental
If you enjoyed this breakdown, drop a comment or tell me which Kirk Franklin song you'd like to see recreated next! And don't forget to explore my Music Hub for more gospel multi-tracks and stems.
