Making your own beats is a skill that anyone can learn, regardless of experience. In this guide, we will teach you the basics of beat-making so that you can create your own tracks like a pro! We’ll walk through everything from choosing the right software to creating loops and samples. So if you’re a beginner at producing music, this guide will help you take you to the next level.
What goes into making a good beat?
Many factors go into making a good beat, but the most important thing is to make sure your style sounds good. You also need to consider the tempo of the track and the instruments and samples you want to use. In general, beats should be simple and easy to listen to, without too many layers of complex rhythms.
When choosing samples, it’s essential to use appropriate sounds for the style of music you’re trying to create. If you’re making hip-hop beats, for example, then you’ll want to use samples that reflect that genre. You can find free sample packs online or purchase them from beat production software like FL Studio or Ableton.
In terms of beats per minute (BPM), it’s essential to find a tempo that matches the style of music you’re making. For example, if you’re creating a chillout track, you’ll want to use a slower tempo around 100 BPM. If you’re driving house music, a faster tempo of around 128 BPM is more appropriate.
You can change the tempo of your track by adjusting the BPM in your beat-making software. Most programs will also let you change the time signature, another vital aspect of making beats.
The time signature denotes how many beats there are in each measure. For example, there are four beats per measure in common time, while in cut time, there are two. This can be important to consider when creating loops, as you may want to adjust the length of your loop depending on the time signature of your track.
The basics of beat-making software
Now that you know what goes into making a good beat, it’s time to learn about the software you’ll need to create your tracks. The two most popular programs for making beats are FL Studio and Ableton Live.
FL Studio is an excellent program for beginners, as it’s relatively simple to use and comes with a wide variety of sounds and samples. It also has a built-in sequencer, which lets you create and edit your beats in real-time.
Ableton Live is more complex than FL Studio, but it’s also more powerful and versatile. It comes with a wide range of plugins and effects, as well as a built-in sampler that lets you import your samples.
Both programs are available for purchase online, or you can download a free trial to see which one is right for you.
Once you’ve chosen a program, it’s time to start creating your first beat! In the next section, we’ll show you how to create a basic four-on-the-floor drumbeat.
Creating a basic four-on-the-floor drumbeat
The four-on-the-floor drumbeat is the foundation of most house and techno music, and it’s a great place to start when learning how to make beats. Here’s how you can create one in your beat-making software:
Step One
Start by creating a new track and setting the tempo to 128 BPM. This will be the tempo of your beat.
Step Two
Create a new MIDI channel and select the drum kit you want to use. We recommend using a basic electronic drum kit, as it will give your beat a more modern sound.
Step Three
Now it’s time to create the beat itself. Start by adding a kick drum to the first beat of the measure. The kick drum is usually played on the downbeat, so make sure it’s in time with the tempo by clicking on the gridlines in your software.
Step Four
Next, add a snare drum to the second and fourth beats of the measure. Again, make sure the snare is in time with the tempo, and the notes are played on the gridlines.
Step Five
Finally, add a hi-hat to the first and third beats of the measure. The hi-hat can be played open or closed, depending on the sound you want to create.
And that’s it! You’ve now created a basic four-on-the-floor drum beat. You can add more elements to your moment by adding additional percussion instruments or samples or changing the tempo and time signature. Experiment and see what you can come up with!
Creating loops and samples
Once you’ve mastered the basic four-on-the-floor drum beat, you can start experimenting with loops and samples. Loops are short snippets of music that can be used to create rhythmical patterns, and they’re a great way to add extra interest to your beats.
Most beat-making software comes with a library of loops, or you can find loops online by searching for “free house loops” or “free techno loops”. Once you’ve found a circle you like, drag it into your track and adjust the length if needed.
Samples are similar to loops, but they’re usually longer and more complex. They can be used to create melodies and chord progressions or add texture and atmosphere to your tracks.
Like loops, most beat-making software comes with a library of samples, or you can find them online by searching for “free house samples” or “free techno samples”. Once you’ve found a sample that you like, drag it into your track and adjust the length if needed.
Mixing and mastering your track
Once you’ve created your beat and added any loops or samples, it’s time to mix and master your track. This is the process of adjusting the levels of each element in your track so that they all sound good together, and it’s essential if you want your music to sound professional.
There are a few things you’ll need to keep in mind when mixing your track:
– Make sure the kick drum is always audible. It should be the loudest element in your track, as it’s the foundation of the beat.
– The snare drum should also be audible, but it doesn’t need to be as loud as the kick.
– The hi-hat should be at a moderate level, as it’s used to create movement and energy in the beat.
– All other elements should be at lower levels so they don’t overpower the kick, snare, and hi-hat.
Once you’ve mixed your track, it’s time to master it. Mastering is the process of finalizing your track and making it sound louder and more consistent. There are a few Mastering tips you can keep in mind:
– The overall level of your track should be around -12dBFS.
– Make sure there’s no clipping or distortion in the mix.
– Add some EQ to make the track sound brighter and more dynamic.
– Use a limiter to increase the overall level of the track without causing clipping or distortion.
Publishing your music online
Once you’ve mixed and mastered your track, it’s time to share it with the world! There are a few different ways you can do this:
– Upload it to SoundCloud or another streaming platform.
– Create a music video and upload it to YouTube
– Make an audio file of your track and share it on social media.
– Sell your track on a site like BeatStars or Bandcamp.
Which method you choose will depend on your goals and what you want to achieve with your music. If you’re just starting, uploading your track to SoundCloud or YouTube is a great way to discover new fans. If you’re looking to make money from your music, selling your tracks on sites like BeatStars or Bandcamp is a good option.
Creating a professional-sounding beat isn’t as difficult as you might think. With a bit of practice and some patience, you’ll be making beats like a pro in no time! Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide was helpful. Until next time, happy beat-making!
Making your own beats sumed up :
In this blog post, we’ve covered how to make beats like a pro. We’ve looked at creating a basic drum beat, adding loops and samples, mixing and mastering your track, and finally publishing your music online. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to create professional-sounding beats in no time! Thanks for reading, and I hope this guide was helpful. Until next time, happy beat-making!
