How To Make A Beat On The Computer - The No1 Definitive Guide
How To Make A Beat On The Computer - The No1 Definitive Guide
If you want to learn how to make a beat on the computer then this is the article for you...and this should be fun! But to make a really good beat you need to understand the tools of the trade and practice all the time until you understand how to take that masterpiece in your head and get it down onto a record.
First of all you need to get a few things:
* Music program to edit your audio - Pro Tools is great.
* Beat sequencing software - I use Reason as a Plug-in with Pro Tools.
* A PC with a good sound card or audio interface - You can get an Mbox with Pro Tools.
* A set of headphones - Buy the best you can afford.
THE FIRST STEP IS CREATING SAMPLES
1. Import the audio from the track you would like to sample.
2. Cut the sample into small chunks that you can use in your beat.
3. Keep your samples organized as follows:
* kick drums
* hi hats and cymbals
* snare drums
* melodic instruments
* percussion
Organize the samples into folders that make the most sense.
NOW WE CAN PUT THE BEAT TOGETHER
1. Install your beat sequencers.
2. Write down a simple plan of how you would like the beat to go and import your initial instruments. For example if you're making a techno tune you might start with a heavy kick drum.
3. Now you want to import your samples and arrange them into loops. Most loops contain the following samples:
* kick drum
* bass line
* percussion
* melodic instrument.
4. The final stage is to arrange your samples into the final song and then tweak it until you're happy.
Final thoughts.
Be prepared for your first beat to sound really sh@! and work on your tunes every day until you can play it next to a song in the charts and it sounds just as good.