| With today's technology, creating rap beats is not | | | | There are many different items to choose from. Some |
| nearly as difficult as it used to be but the top 3 steps | | | | of the most popular tools include the MPC series of |
| remain the same. These are the things you absolutely | | | | stand alone production tools, and computer software |
| must have to even create your first beat: | | | | such as Reasons & Fruity Loops. Then there are |
| - The Will | | | | other pieces of equipment like keyboards, |
| - The Way | | | | microphones, mixer, track machines, etc. You have to |
| - The Movement | | | | decide what's right for you and your budget. For me, I |
| Let's start with The Will. It all starts here. You've got to | | | | use Reasons 3.0 software and an EMU X-board midi |
| do more than just want to be a producer. You have to | | | | controller because they fit my budget and they make |
| have the willpower to figure out what it takes then do | | | | great industry quality sounds. |
| what it takes to be successful. And let's stop and | | | | This is The Way to create rap beats. |
| define success real quick: Success is the progression | | | | Last and certainly by any means not the least is The |
| of a worthy goal. This means success is not obtaining | | | | Movement. This may be more important than the other |
| the goal but the journey you go through to obtain it. | | | | 2 steps. Nothing happens without action. Nothing! You |
| This is where your will comes into play. Without the | | | | can have all the willpower in the world but if you're just |
| willpower to learn what it takes to become a producer | | | | sitting on the fence waiting for the perfect time then it's |
| and complete all the steps involve guess what? You | | | | not going to happen. You've got to get moving. You've |
| won't be very successful. You must have the drive to | | | | got to do your homework by pricing the equipment, |
| see it through to the end. You can't be easily deterred | | | | setting a date to get it, doing what it takes to get it, and |
| by every little bump in the road that comes along...and | | | | actually using it to become better at your craft. |
| surely they will come. | | | | Talk is cheap! It's the people that act on their desires |
| You must have The Will to keep going. | | | | that achieve their goals...not the people who simply talk |
| The second thing you must have is The Way. The | | | | about them. Again, nothing replaces action. Nothing. |
| Way is your vehicle to create rap beats. It is your | | | | We see all the top producers in the rap industry and |
| equipment. I once had a lot of will but I didn't have the | | | | guess what? They are busy working on more and |
| way to produce anything! But using your will correctly | | | | more beats. What's the difference between you and |
| will lead to you doing the research to getting equipment | | | | them? I mean we all get the same 24 hours in a day |
| so that you can make beats. | | | | and breathe the same air. The difference is how we |
| A good way to find out about the different equipment | | | | spend that 24 hours that we are each given. Why not |
| that you will need is to do research in music stores, | | | | spend that time making beats? |
| read magazines like Scratch where producers list the | | | | And as you're making beats you are steadily building |
| equipment they use, read forums or online blogs. Or if | | | | up your catalog of songs. YOUR catalog could be |
| you know any producers, just ask them what kind of | | | | worth lots of money one day. Don't sleep... |
| equipment to use. | | | | You've got to have Movement. |