| Making rap beats has never been easier. Ten years | | | | of your rap beat. If you want to create an intricate or |
| ago, to make rap beats you needed a professional | | | | complex rhythm for your song, now is your chance to |
| sound studio with lots of advanced (and expensive) | | | | do it. |
| sound equipment. To make rap beats today, you only | | | | Step Five: Instrumentals |
| need to find audio production software online for | | | | By now, your rap beat should be mostly complete. |
| cheap or free, and you can make music on you laptop | | | | Although you can still change it if you want, doing so |
| in your bedroom. One thing has not changed, however: | | | | will cause problems further down the road. It's best to |
| knowing how to make rap beats still required talent, | | | | make sure you're happy with your basic rap beat at |
| training, and practice. Many would-be laptop DJs open | | | | this point before moving on. |
| their audio software excited and ready to make | | | | So far, you just have a beat line. No matter how good |
| hip-hop music, only to realize that they have absolutely | | | | it is, it is not a song. Adding instrumentals is where you |
| no idea what to do, or even where to begin. If you're | | | | add the melody of the song. For your first sixteen-bar |
| one of these people, this article will give a very brief | | | | segment, start with eight bars of pure beat, just to |
| introduction on how to make rap beats. | | | | establish the rhythm. Then, in the next eight bars, add |
| Step One: Before You Start | | | | an instrumental hook to establish the melody and grab |
| It's best to write your lyrics ahead of time, so that you | | | | the listener's attention. Next, extend that instrumental |
| know how where your song is going and how to build | | | | melody to a full sixteen bars (the length of a lyrical |
| it. Make sure you understand the basic structure of a | | | | verse), and loop or it for the duration of the song. |
| rap or hip hop song. Lyrical verses that are sixteen | | | | Step Six: Lyrics |
| bars long is the industry standard. The instrumental | | | | Now it's time to add the lyrics. It's best if you record |
| hook at the beginning is commonly eight bars long. | | | | them while listening to your, as it will match the rhythm, |
| Keep this in mind when creating your rap beat. | | | | melody, and energy of the music better. It's also a |
| Step Two: High Notes | | | | good idea to keep them on a separate track-that way, |
| The first thing you should do is set down your high | | | | you can easily adjust or even replace them later |
| tones. These are most commonly cymbals, but you | | | | quickly and easily. |
| can also use chimes, whistles, bells, etc. It doesn't need | | | | Step Seven: Audio Effects (Optional) |
| to be too complex. The main goal of laying out your | | | | This is the point at which the final mix of the song |
| high notes is to establish for yourself the basic tempo | | | | occurs. Use audio effects, such as reverb or echo to |
| and BPM (beats-per-minute) that you will build your | | | | help establish the mood and atmosphere of your song. |
| song around. | | | | Adjust your equalizer settings, volume levels, speaker |
| Step Three: Bass Line | | | | balance, and so on. |
| Next, add your bass line, the "booms" or low tones. | | | | * Remember, this is just a very brief tutorial on how to |
| Using the tempo you established earlier with the high | | | | make rap beats. It's a good staring point, but if you |
| notes, flesh out the basic rhythm of your beat. Again, it | | | | really want to learn how to make rap beats that will |
| doesn't need to be that complex-it just needs to | | | | get radio play, read books on music theory, take |
| regulate the beat of your music. | | | | lessons from professionals, and practice, practice, |
| Step Four: Mid-Notes | | | | practice. Just knowing the basics of how to make rap |
| This is where you add the various mid-notes, such as | | | | beats don't mean you know how to make rap beats |
| kicks and snare drums, to create the distinctive sound | | | | for the next platinum hip hop album. |