How to Make Hip Hop Music Beats

How to make Hip Hop music beats using Fruity Loops, a popular music production software.

Introduction

In order to make Hip Hop music beats, there are several things that you will need. You will need a drum machine, a sampler, and a sound card. You will also need some basic knowledge of how to use these devices. In this article, I will show you how to use each of these devices to make Hip Hop music beats.

Drum machines are very important in making Hip Hop music beats. Drum machines can be used to create various types of percussion sounds. These sounds can be used to create drum loops or fill in the gaps between other instruments. There are many different brands and models of drum machines on the market today. Some of the more popular brands include Akai, Roland, and Yamaha.

Samplers are also very important in making Hip Hop music beats. Samplers can be used to record short samples of sounds and then play these samples back at different speeds. This can create a very unique sound that can be used in Hip Hop music beats. Samplers can also be used to loop samples so that they can be played over and over again. There are many different brands and models of samplers on the market today. Some of the more popular brands include Akai, Roland, and Yamaha.

Sound cards are also very important in making Hip Hop music beats. Sound cards allow you to record and playback sounds on your computer. Sound cards can also be used to add effects to your recordings. There are many different brands and models of sound cards on the market today. Some of the more popular brands include Akai, Roland, and Yamaha.

What You Will Need

To make hip hop beats, you will need a computer with music production software, a MIDI keyboard, and a sound system. You may also want to invest in a digital audio workstation (DAW) and an audio interface to get the best sound quality.

Once you have all of your equipment set up, you will need to choose the instruments you want to use for your beat. Hip hop beats typically include drums, bass, and one or more melody instruments. You can use any combination of real instruments and samples to create your beat.

Once you have your instruments selected, it’s time to start laying down some tracks. Begin by programming your drumbeat. Start with a simple four-count measure and build from there. Next, add in your bassline. Again, start with a simple four-count measure and build from there.

Now it’s time to add in your melody instruments. Start by playing around with some simple melodies on your MIDI keyboard. Once you have something you like, record it into your DAW. From there, you can add effects, edit the performance, and mix everything together to create your hip hop beat!

Creating the Beat

The first step to making a hip hop beat is to choose the tempo, or speed, that you want your beat to play at. Most hip hop songs play at around 70-80 beats per minute (bpm), though some are slower and some are faster. Once you’ve chosen the tempo, it’s time to start building your drum track.

There are a few different ways to make beats, but most producers start with a basic drum machine or sampler. A drum machine is a piece of hardware that plays pre-recorded drum sounds; a sampler is a piece of hardware or software that allows you to record your own sounds and then play them back at different pitches.

The first step is to choose the kick drum sound that you want to use for your beat. A kick drum is the low, thumping sound that forms the backbone of most hip hop tracks. Once you’ve chosen your kick, add it to your drum track and set it to repeat at the tempo you’ve chosen.

Next, add a snare drum sound. A snare is a sharp, high-pitched sound that usually falls on the 2nd and 4th beats of a measure in 4/4 time (which means there are four beats per measure and the snare falls on beats 2 and 4). Add your snare sound to your track and set it to repeat on those same beats.

Now it’s time to add hi-hats. Hi-hats are fast, sharp percussion sounds that usually fall on every beat in 4/4 time (so they’d be playing on beats 1, 2, 3, and 4 in our example). Add your hi-hat sound(s) to the track and set them to repeat on those same beats.

The last step in creating a basic hip hop beat is to add some percussion accents. These can be any sounds you want, but claps and cymbals are common choices. Percussion accents usually fall on the 8th notes (or half -beats) between each snare hit, so in our example they would fall on beats 1 & 3 and on beats 2 & 4 (in between each snare hit). Add your percussion accent(s) to the track and set themto repeat on those same 8th notes between each snare hit.

Adding Samples

Adding samples is one of the easiest ways to add interest and depth to your hip hop beats. By using samples, you can add in new elements and sounds that you might not be able to create yourself. Plus, it can be a lot of fun digging through old records and finding that perfect sample to use in your beat.

When it comes to adding samples to your beats, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, make sure you have the rights to use the sample. There are a lot of places you can find royalty-free samples, so there’s no need to use someone else’s copyrighted material. Second, try to use samples that compliment the other elements in your beat. You don’t want a sample that sticks out like a sore thumb. Instead, try to find something that will blend in and add to the overall sound of the track.

Once you’ve found the perfect sample, it’s time to get creative with how you use it. You can loop it, chop it up, or even play it backwards. Get creative and have fun with it!

Mixing and Mastering

Now that you have all of your tracks recorded, it’s time to mix and master your hip hop beat. This is the process of taking all of the individual tracks and blending them together into a cohesive whole. It’s also the process of making sure that your beat sounds its best by adjusting the levels, EQ, and other settings.

Mixing and mastering can be a complex and technical process, but there are a few simple things you can do to make sure your hip hop beat sounds great. Here are some tips:

– Start with the drums. The drums are the foundation of any hip hop beat, so it’s important to get them sounding good first. Adjust the levels of the different drums so they all fit together nicely, and don’t be afraid to experiment with EQ to get them sounding just right.
– Make sure the bass hits hard. A good hip hop beat needs a strong bass line to hold everything together. Again, adjust the levels and EQ of your bass track until it sounds just right.
– Bring in the other instruments one at a time. Once you have the drums and bass sounding good, you can start to bring in the other instrument tracks. Add them in slowly so you don’t overcrowd the mix, and adjust their levels until everything fits together nicely.
– Fine-tune the EQ. Once all of the tracks are in place, take some time to fine-tune the EQ of each track until everything sounds just right. This is often where mixing and mastering can get really technical, so don’t hesitate to experiment until you find what sounds best.
– Add effects sparingly. Effects can be a great way to add some flavor to your hip hop beat, but it’s important not to go overboard. Use effects sparingly and only when they add something positive to the mix.
– Make sure everything is balanced. The final step in mixing and mastering is to make sure that everything is balanced correctly. This means adjusting levels so that no single track is too loud or too quiet, and adjusting EQ so that everything fits together nicely. Take your time with this step – a well-balanced mix will sound much better than one that’s uneven or mismatched

Conclusion

So there you have it! You now know how to make hip hop music beats using a variety of different techniques. Experiment with different sounds and see what works best for you. There are no hard and fast rules when it comes to making music, so don’t be afraid to experiment. And most importantly, have fun!