Fade
The Beat Strangler
Administrator
illest o.g.
Here are some tips to help you improve your beat making!
Always Have Good Drums
Drums are arguably the most important part of any beat.
The Beat Is Never Finished
Depending on your beat, there could still be something you can add. Most likely it would be something small, but it could also be what will make a big difference.
Less Equals More
There's no need to be over-the-top with your beats. Always aim to keep your beat as simple as possible, then maybe add small sounds later on.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
If your sample doesn't sound good to begin with, then the end result will be your beat will also sound bad. Always try to get the best-sounding audio source.
Save, Save, Save (and back up too)
It can be easy to forget about saving your projects and backing them up, but it's something you must regularly do in order to avoid trouble.
Always Sample Something
Virtual instruments are great but sometimes even the smallest sample can make a huge difference. Try using sampled drums first such as breakbeats, and you will instantly hear a big difference in your beat.
Don't Be Afraid To Play Live Instruments
Not everyone can play an instrument, but if you can get your hands on one, then try to play something. Even if it's a basic note or chord, you can then sample yourself and do whatever you want.
Listen To Criticism
It's not just about you. It can be hard to hear someone tell you that your beat is not that good, but as long as they're giving you good criticism, you should listen and make the necessary corrections.
Listen To Different Forms Of Music
Hip Hop is great but it's always best to listen to as many styles of music as possible. By listening to other genres you will expand your musical knowledge and also get some ideas for your own beats.
Take A Break
You may be a beast when you hit the studio, but sometimes it's best to just take a break. This will allow you to come back to the lab refreshed and ready to make beats with a better perspective.
Go Digging For Vinyl Records
Using vinyl records for sampling is not as popular as it once was, but if you have a turntable then you should at least try to sample from vinyl. Online sample sources are great but with vinyl you never know what you will find, plus it has that vinyl sound that is perfect for Hip Hop beats.
Do What Comes Natural
If you're making beats in order to make money, that's fine. If your beats are made specifically for that purpose then you could have a problem. It's best to create beats naturally because it will allow you to be much more creative and to try different things. Making a certain style of beats on purpose could lead to you not being creative any longer, plus you will end up sounding like most other producers.
Filtering Is Your Friend
Using filters can make a world of difference, mainly by allowing you to make room in your audio space. If you have a track that has a thick sound then by filtering out some of the low-end you will allow it to sit better in the mix.
Master Your DAW
There are plenty of DAWs out there for you to use, and it's fine to try them out but your best bet is to stick with one and master it. Otherwise you will end up spending too much time testing various DAWs instead of actually using them (and making music).
Always Subtract, Never Add
When mixing, things can get pretty messy. Always take something out of the mix rather than add because if you keep adding things like other sounds or effects, it could quickly muddy up the mix.
Use Your Ears
Forget staring at the computer screen to nudge audio or move clips around. Depending on your setup, try to use your ears to make your beats instead of your eyes.
Save the Effects for When You Mix
Effects are an essential part of beatmaking, but many beats contain too many effects. Even then, effects should (for the most part) be applied during the mixing process.
Practice Your Technique
Practice makes perfect. If you only make beats once every few weeks or months then you will never reach your full potential. If you were to work on your beatmaking every single day then you will elevate your skills very quickly.
Don't Worry About Effects
Effects should be used sparingly because too many could muddy up your mix, or just make a particular track not even sound good by drowning out the real sound of the instrument you're applying it to.
Get a Solid Foundation
Without a solid foundation, a house would collapse. The same thing applies to your beats. If your drums and bass don't sound good then neither will the rest of your beat. Always make sure the foundation sounds good and really helps carry the tune.
Spend a Lot of Time Making Your Drums Sound Great
Having good drums is not enough for Hip Hop beats. Having great drums is ideal. If your drums sound great then your entire beat will.
Basslines Are Difficult so Start with Simple Patterns
It's rare that you hear really dope basslines in Hip Hop, but if you're trouble with yours then start with simple patterns (like a bass note on the first kick drum of each bar). Once you've mastered that, then you can move on to more advanced patterns.
Focus on Building Loops and Not Entire Songs
If you're just starting out then don't focus on creating a full song, instead, focus on loops. Work on one loop at a time then string them together to create a full song.
Make Beats First Then Worry About Mixing Later On
Beatmaking should be just that - making a beat. Try to make all your tracks sound good with one another but worry about mixing them once you get to the mixing stage.
Do Your Own Style
It's fine if you want to make beats for money, but always remember to do your own style. This will allow you to be as creative as possible, which is what beatmaking is all about.
Always Have Good Drums
Drums are arguably the most important part of any beat.
The Beat Is Never Finished
Depending on your beat, there could still be something you can add. Most likely it would be something small, but it could also be what will make a big difference.
Less Equals More
There's no need to be over-the-top with your beats. Always aim to keep your beat as simple as possible, then maybe add small sounds later on.
Garbage In, Garbage Out
If your sample doesn't sound good to begin with, then the end result will be your beat will also sound bad. Always try to get the best-sounding audio source.
Save, Save, Save (and back up too)
It can be easy to forget about saving your projects and backing them up, but it's something you must regularly do in order to avoid trouble.
Always Sample Something
Virtual instruments are great but sometimes even the smallest sample can make a huge difference. Try using sampled drums first such as breakbeats, and you will instantly hear a big difference in your beat.
Don't Be Afraid To Play Live Instruments
Not everyone can play an instrument, but if you can get your hands on one, then try to play something. Even if it's a basic note or chord, you can then sample yourself and do whatever you want.
Listen To Criticism
It's not just about you. It can be hard to hear someone tell you that your beat is not that good, but as long as they're giving you good criticism, you should listen and make the necessary corrections.
Listen To Different Forms Of Music
Hip Hop is great but it's always best to listen to as many styles of music as possible. By listening to other genres you will expand your musical knowledge and also get some ideas for your own beats.
Take A Break
You may be a beast when you hit the studio, but sometimes it's best to just take a break. This will allow you to come back to the lab refreshed and ready to make beats with a better perspective.
Go Digging For Vinyl Records
Using vinyl records for sampling is not as popular as it once was, but if you have a turntable then you should at least try to sample from vinyl. Online sample sources are great but with vinyl you never know what you will find, plus it has that vinyl sound that is perfect for Hip Hop beats.
Do What Comes Natural
If you're making beats in order to make money, that's fine. If your beats are made specifically for that purpose then you could have a problem. It's best to create beats naturally because it will allow you to be much more creative and to try different things. Making a certain style of beats on purpose could lead to you not being creative any longer, plus you will end up sounding like most other producers.
Filtering Is Your Friend
Using filters can make a world of difference, mainly by allowing you to make room in your audio space. If you have a track that has a thick sound then by filtering out some of the low-end you will allow it to sit better in the mix.
Master Your DAW
There are plenty of DAWs out there for you to use, and it's fine to try them out but your best bet is to stick with one and master it. Otherwise you will end up spending too much time testing various DAWs instead of actually using them (and making music).
Always Subtract, Never Add
When mixing, things can get pretty messy. Always take something out of the mix rather than add because if you keep adding things like other sounds or effects, it could quickly muddy up the mix.
Use Your Ears
Forget staring at the computer screen to nudge audio or move clips around. Depending on your setup, try to use your ears to make your beats instead of your eyes.
Save the Effects for When You Mix
Effects are an essential part of beatmaking, but many beats contain too many effects. Even then, effects should (for the most part) be applied during the mixing process.
Practice Your Technique
Practice makes perfect. If you only make beats once every few weeks or months then you will never reach your full potential. If you were to work on your beatmaking every single day then you will elevate your skills very quickly.
Don't Worry About Effects
Effects should be used sparingly because too many could muddy up your mix, or just make a particular track not even sound good by drowning out the real sound of the instrument you're applying it to.
Get a Solid Foundation
Without a solid foundation, a house would collapse. The same thing applies to your beats. If your drums and bass don't sound good then neither will the rest of your beat. Always make sure the foundation sounds good and really helps carry the tune.
Spend a Lot of Time Making Your Drums Sound Great
Having good drums is not enough for Hip Hop beats. Having great drums is ideal. If your drums sound great then your entire beat will.
Basslines Are Difficult so Start with Simple Patterns
It's rare that you hear really dope basslines in Hip Hop, but if you're trouble with yours then start with simple patterns (like a bass note on the first kick drum of each bar). Once you've mastered that, then you can move on to more advanced patterns.
Focus on Building Loops and Not Entire Songs
If you're just starting out then don't focus on creating a full song, instead, focus on loops. Work on one loop at a time then string them together to create a full song.
Make Beats First Then Worry About Mixing Later On
Beatmaking should be just that - making a beat. Try to make all your tracks sound good with one another but worry about mixing them once you get to the mixing stage.
Do Your Own Style
It's fine if you want to make beats for money, but always remember to do your own style. This will allow you to be as creative as possible, which is what beatmaking is all about.
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