How to start making my own beats?
May 9, 2021 11:16 AM Subscribe
What's the best way for a beginner to get into making hip hop beats? What tools do I need? What resources should I use?
I've recently been getting back into the hip hop I listened to in my teenage years (late 90s - early 00s boom bap/underground rap). How can I learn to make beats like those? Googling it, looks like the barrier to entry and cost is much more manageable then back then, but I'm overwhelmed with the options.
What basic set up do I need? What are some good learning resources? Looking to do this as a hobby, hoping to spend lest than $1K to get it going.
I've recently been getting back into the hip hop I listened to in my teenage years (late 90s - early 00s boom bap/underground rap). How can I learn to make beats like those? Googling it, looks like the barrier to entry and cost is much more manageable then back then, but I'm overwhelmed with the options.
What basic set up do I need? What are some good learning resources? Looking to do this as a hobby, hoping to spend lest than $1K to get it going.
Best answer: A good place to start is dropping US$99 on the DAW that many hip hop producers use: FruityLoops. There's a ton of online content to help you get started with FL, including youtube videos to help you make beginner hip hop beats or recreate classic hip hop tracks like Nas' 'It Ain't Hard to Tell' or Biggie Smalls' 'Hypnotize'.
You don't need any hardware to use FL or other DAWs, but if you want something for more tactile input you can get a fairly inexpensive USB controller with responsive pads. I like the Akai MPK keyboard series but there are tons of options. This AskMe thread has a bunch of useful suggestions. The best thing is to visit a music store and try out different devices to see which feels best to you.
posted by googly at 11:59 AM on May 9, 2021 [2 favorites]
You don't need any hardware to use FL or other DAWs, but if you want something for more tactile input you can get a fairly inexpensive USB controller with responsive pads. I like the Akai MPK keyboard series but there are tons of options. This AskMe thread has a bunch of useful suggestions. The best thing is to visit a music store and try out different devices to see which feels best to you.
posted by googly at 11:59 AM on May 9, 2021 [2 favorites]
I just started doing this myself. I purchased this Arturia MiniLab Mk II, which is an awesome little midi keyboard with pads that can be mapped to drums. It also comes with an Ableton Live Lite subscription, which is software that allows you to create tracks/beats (otherwise known as a DAW). That said, you don't even really need the MiniLab (or any another midi controller) - you can make beats in Ableton using your keyboard and mouse.
For actually learning how to make the beats, there is no shortage of YouTube videos to get you started. If you Google "hip hop beat Ableton" there are tons and tons of tutorials on there to help you out. And +1 to the recommendations from SaltSalticid for some foundations.
Ultimately though think the first step is basically getting Ableton or another DAW (maybe do their 90-day trial) and just play around with the software alongside the tutorials to get a feel for what's possible.
posted by thebots at 12:02 PM on May 9, 2021 [1 favorite]
For actually learning how to make the beats, there is no shortage of YouTube videos to get you started. If you Google "hip hop beat Ableton" there are tons and tons of tutorials on there to help you out. And +1 to the recommendations from SaltSalticid for some foundations.
Ultimately though think the first step is basically getting Ableton or another DAW (maybe do their 90-day trial) and just play around with the software alongside the tutorials to get a feel for what's possible.
posted by thebots at 12:02 PM on May 9, 2021 [1 favorite]
I've suggested the Korg Kaosillator Pro for easy to dive into creating beats & mixes from scratch for a non-musician, an intuitive interface that practically plays itself. I've played ambient gigs just goofing around randomly on it that audiences have enjoyed somewhat. The thing I that don't love about the Korg Kaosillator Pro hardware unit version is that saving performance mixes to card-memory back-up is thorny (I just save mixes to an audio recorder).
If you have an Apple iPad, the Korg Kaosillator iPad App version sounds like the ultimate groovy inexpensive creative hip-hop machine. The Korg Electribe iPad App is also fun. This is best way to dip toes in...
If you feel a bit more serious, then I fave thebots suggestion for the Arturia Minilab + Ableton package. But I'll caveat that while Ableton is the best DAW ever (everyone uses it now) for beginners there's a pretty steep learning curve. Abelton software is very flexible and ingenious, but kinda non-intuitive, so you'll have to go back to school to figure it out.
When you add vocals/raps to beats, that's another thing, like adding a usb mic or an audio interface...
posted by ovvl at 5:47 PM on May 9, 2021 [1 favorite]
If you have an Apple iPad, the Korg Kaosillator iPad App version sounds like the ultimate groovy inexpensive creative hip-hop machine. The Korg Electribe iPad App is also fun. This is best way to dip toes in...
If you feel a bit more serious, then I fave thebots suggestion for the Arturia Minilab + Ableton package. But I'll caveat that while Ableton is the best DAW ever (everyone uses it now) for beginners there's a pretty steep learning curve. Abelton software is very flexible and ingenious, but kinda non-intuitive, so you'll have to go back to school to figure it out.
When you add vocals/raps to beats, that's another thing, like adding a usb mic or an audio interface...
posted by ovvl at 5:47 PM on May 9, 2021 [1 favorite]
Seconding FL Studio (formerly FruityLoops). Easily the most intuitive and enjoyable DAW for making hip hop beats. With free updates forever, great value too.
posted by cincinnatus c at 1:36 AM on May 10, 2021
posted by cincinnatus c at 1:36 AM on May 10, 2021
There are a lot of ways to answer this question. In the '90s, people who hadn't moved to PC-based setups might've used two turntables and a mixer, a sampler (like an SP-12/SP-1200, or an MPC60/MPC3000), maybe a drum machine (the TR-808 was the big one), and a cassette or DAT recorder.
This will be both more expensive and more complicated than using a DAW, so it's probably terrible advice.
posted by box at 12:06 PM on May 10, 2021
This will be both more expensive and more complicated than using a DAW, so it's probably terrible advice.
posted by box at 12:06 PM on May 10, 2021
LMMS is a free, open source, multiplatform digital audio workstation.
https://lmms.io/
posted by cmdnc0 at 12:11 PM on May 10, 2021
https://lmms.io/
posted by cmdnc0 at 12:11 PM on May 10, 2021
Thirding FL Studio! I used to use Reason (also great) but moved to FL Studio over a decade (??) ago (when it was called fruity loops). I have the producer edition. Fl Studio is built for beat makers with the 'pattern' taking centre stage. It's extremely addictive and you will never leave your computer.
You can download a trial version as linked by someone above. If you buy it, you get a lifetime of free updates.
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 12:54 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
You can download a trial version as linked by someone above. If you buy it, you get a lifetime of free updates.
posted by ihaveyourfoot at 12:54 PM on May 10, 2021 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
As you know, lots of hip-hop has roots in funk, and this will show you how some classic beats work, as well as let you fiddle with them and change them.
This won't help you directly make stuff, but I've found it to be a very fun way to learn transferable things like concepts, ear training for rhythm, and comfort with visualization.
Then when you decide to get Ableton or an MPC or whatever, you can hit the ground running with some relevant experience.
posted by SaltySalticid at 11:38 AM on May 9, 2021