| You are an aspiring musician who wants to get | | | | As someone who is just starting out, you'll often find |
| started making his or her own hip hop beats (or rap, | | | | yourself overwhelmed by how to use a program like |
| house, techno, etc.) on your computer. This article will, in | | | | Pro Tools, because too much is thrown into your face |
| detail, explain how you can do this for free, without | | | | all at once. It's not You need to start from simple |
| having to spend thousands on studios, producer gear, | | | | means, and then gradually add more plugins. |
| and software. | | | | 2. Get your musical ideas from your brain to your |
| We're hitting a huge leap in the way musicians in the | | | | speakers immediately without worrying "wheres this or |
| 21st Century produce there music through the means | | | | wheres that?" Without these complications, you're be |
| of technology. Just about two decades ago, the idea | | | | free to express the music inside you without getting in |
| that anyone can own a home recording studio in there | | | | your way! Part of why musicians and producers have |
| bedrooms would seem like a blur. Producers and pro | | | | problems with computer music software is the feeling |
| musicians would spend thousands of dollars on | | | | of working on your PC desktop, not music. Instead of |
| analogue gear, hardware samplers, and processors | | | | building up that melody you hear in your head, you'll |
| just to make records. | | | | spend more time opening and closing windows just to |
| But as we move into the digital age, softwares are | | | | get where you want. Of course, this takes time out of |
| beginning to replace "dinosaur" methods of producing. | | | | your workflow and will leave you uninspired and bored. |
| This isn't to say that analog gear has no value. This | | | | This is very counter-productive to making music |
| article will explain why anyone can music without | | | | because it's supposed to be a fun process, not work! |
| having to spend any money. Here is a virtual beat | | | | 3. With everything you'll need, never worry about |
| maker that acts just like that MPC2500 you've had | | | | having to spend add-on gear just to make beats. Tap |
| your eye on. | | | | the out on your computer keyboard if you like! With |
| Ok, you're thinking, "great but what makes this beat | | | | many fancy and expensive music gear on the market, |
| maker so special?". Here are 3 main points: | | | | it's easy to fall into the trap of buying hardware you |
| 1. It has a simple to use interface. Keeping things simple, | | | | don't really need. So often, producers fall victim to |
| fun and strait to the point. Too many beat machines | | | | buying into the hype of the latest gadgets, or the next |
| have a steep learning curve. Less is definitely more! | | | | best instruments, and spend way more than they really |
| Things can become very complicated where the | | | | need. As a result, they begin loosing interest in making |
| focus is too much either on graphics or on parameters | | | | music. Avoid this trap by keeping it simple with easy to |
| EFX plugins that will distract users from making music. | | | | use software. |