| I've had many friends and aquaintences ask me how I | | | | of a few different instruments: a kick drum, a high hat, |
| got started making hip hop beats. Now, I'm not the type | | | | bass line, a lead, and a clap, snap, or snare drum |
| of person to keep a secret, so I've always been | | | | commonly called "hits". With Sonic Producer you can |
| generous enough to share my knowledge with them. | | | | use up to 16 instruments per beat, which allows for |
| However, after so many requests I think it's more than | | | | almost unlimited variations and complexity. |
| fair to write this guide to share with anybody who is | | | | In the first slot, choose a kick drum. The way I like to |
| interested. | | | | make beats is start with the bass and work your way |
| There is not much that you need to get started | | | | up. Start with a basic 1-2-3-4 pattern, meaning a kick |
| making your own hip hop beats. The first thing you are | | | | drum every 4 beats. Half way in between each kick |
| going to need is a beat making program. There are | | | | drum hit, in the next slot put a hat, but only do the hat |
| many such programs on the market today, but the | | | | every 8 beats. This will create the signature hip hop |
| one that I find best is actually the only online beat | | | | "boom, shh, boom, boom, shh, boom, etc.". |
| maker available. It's called Sonic Producer, and instead | | | | After you have your hat and kick set up, you are |
| of buying just the software, you simply pay for a very | | | | going to want to add a bass line. Suggest a bass |
| affordable membership to the site. Membership | | | | instrument from the drop down and match it to the |
| includes unlimited beat making lessons, videos, | | | | amount of kicks you have. This time, you are going to |
| thousands of preset sounds, and of course the beat | | | | want to vary the notes a bit. Try D-E-D-C for |
| making program itself. | | | | beginners, you don't need anything fancy. |
| Another option you have is to buy top of the line | | | | If you've followed my instructions so far, you should |
| software, but I would not recommend this for | | | | have your very first hip hop beat! Once you nail the |
| beginners as these programs run into the hundreds of | | | | basics, it's not hard to make professional sounding |
| dollars and require complex knowledge of audio to | | | | beats. With all the tutorials that Sonic Producer |
| make any beats at all. This is the reason I recommend | | | | membership offers, it shouldn't be long before you are |
| Sonic Producer to friends... the low start up cost, and | | | | making money licensing beats to local hip hop artists. |
| the fact that complete newbies can start making their | | | | You would be surprised what someone will pay for a |
| own beats in minutes. | | | | good beat... a few hundred dollars is not uncommon. |
| Okay, once your set up with a beat making program | | | | What are you waiting for? Start making your own |
| it's time to make your first beat. Start up your | | | | beats today! |
| software. A basic beat is most commonly composed | | | | |