How to make your hi-hats more interesting

Boring hi-hat patterns kill a beat. Here's how to spice them up: 1. Velocity variation - never keep hats at the same velocity 2. Mix closed and open hats 3. Use different hat samples within one pattern 4. Pitch automation for movement 5. Add swing/groove (even 5% makes a difference) 6. Layer rides and crashes for accents Listening to top beats on beatcorelab, you'll notice the hi-hat work is always detailed. It's what separates amateur from pro. What's your hi-hat secret?