| While some people swear by certain software (or | | | | people swear by certain software (or hardware for |
| hardware for that matter), it all comes down, once | | | | that matter), it all comes down, once again, to |
| again, to preference. It’s always debatable which | | | | preference. It’s always debatable which software |
| software provides the best tools, but the “best” | | | | provides the best tools, but the “best” tools is |
| tools is subjective and can differ from person to | | | | subjective and can differ from person to person. Just |
| person. Just like how some people will swear on oath | | | | like how some people will swear on oath that the Mac |
| that the Mac is the best computer out, PC users will tell | | | | is the best computer out, PC users will tell you |
| you otherwise, or vice versa. The best way to find out | | | | otherwise, or vice versa. The best way to find out |
| which one works best for you is to try them out. | | | | which one works best for you is to try them out. |
| Luckily, like most software out, vendors usually offer | | | | Luckily, like most software out, vendors usually offer |
| users trial versions of there software or sometimes | | | | users trial versions of there software or sometimes |
| even no-time limit versions and instead disable some | | | | even no-time limit versions and instead disable some |
| functions, such as saving or exporting your creations. | | | | functions, such as saving or exporting your creations. |
| This gives you the opportunity to try different ones out | | | | This gives you the opportunity to try different ones out |
| and see which one works best for you. Some people | | | | and see which one works best for you. Some people |
| base their opinion on the different features a program | | | | base their opinion on the different features a program |
| offers while others may base their decision on how | | | | offers while others may base their decision on how |
| easy it is to use. For the purpose this guide, we’ll | | | | easy it is to use. For the purpose this guide, we’ll |
| clue you in on the best software out there, that | | | | clue you in on the best software out there, that |
| won’t break the bank. The centerpiece of your | | | | won’t break the bank. The centerpiece of your |
| production studio will be your sequencer. | | | | production studio will be your sequencer. |
| The Sequencer: | | | | The Sequencer: |
| The sequencer will be the main production tool in your | | | | The sequencer will be the main production tool in your |
| arsenal; so needless to say, it’s important to | | | | arsenal; so needless to say, it’s important to |
| choose one that you’re most comfortable with and | | | | choose one that you’re most comfortable with and |
| increases your productivity. In essence, the sequencer | | | | increases your productivity. In essence, the sequencer |
| is the platform you will use to make your own beats | | | | is the platform you will use to make your own beats |
| on; from laying down your patterns to creating the | | | | on; from laying down your patterns to creating the |
| foundation of your track. Two of the more popular | | | | foundation of your track. Two of the more popular |
| loop-based software sequencers out there that | | | | loop-based software sequencers out there that |
| hip-hop beat makers may use are Propellerhead’s | | | | hip-hop beat makers may use are Propellerhead’s |
| Reason and Image-Line’s FL Studio (previously | | | | Reason and Image-Line’s FL Studio (previously |
| known as Fruityloops). This free online guide will focus | | | | known as Fruityloops). This free online guide will focus |
| on using FL Studio. FL Studio comes in three different | | | | on using FL Studio. FL Studio comes in three different |
| flavors: the Producer Edition, the Fruity Edition, and the | | | | flavors: the Producer Edition, the Fruity Edition, and the |
| Express Edition. The Producer Edition is one of the | | | | Express Edition. The Producer Edition is one of the |
| more expensive editions at $149 and evidently has the | | | | more expensive editions at $149 and evidently has the |
| most features, while the other two are $99 and $49 | | | | most features, while the other two are $99 and $49 |
| respectively. The Producer Edition is more of a | | | | respectively. The Producer Edition is more of a |
| pattern-based Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW) in | | | | pattern-based Digital Audio Workstation (or DAW) in |
| the sense that it’s more than just a sequencer, but | | | | the sense that it’s more than just a sequencer, but |
| a “do-it-all” program and can be the standalone, | | | | a “do-it-all” program and can be the standalone, |
| centerpiece of your entire studio. For the sake of this | | | | centerpiece of your entire studio. For the sake of this |
| free guide, you should have at least the Fruity Edition | | | | free guide, you should have at least the Fruity Edition |
| as the Express Edition cannot be used as a | | | | as the Express Edition cannot be used as a |
| standalone sequencer and requires other software to | | | | standalone sequencer and requires other software to |
| control it. For more information on the different | | | | control it. For more information on the different |
| type’s available visit FL Studio’s software | | | | type’s available visit FL Studio’s software |
| page.In my own opinion, FL Studio is the best value, as | | | | page.In my own opinion, FL Studio is the best value, as |
| it’s only $149 for the Producer Edition compared to | | | | it’s only $149 for the Producer Edition compared to |
| Reason’s $499 price tag and comes with a lifetime | | | | Reason’s $499 price tag and comes with a lifetime |
| of free updates. That means whenever a newer | | | | of free updates. That means whenever a newer |
| version comes out, you can upgrade absolutely free! If | | | | version comes out, you can upgrade absolutely free! If |
| you would like to try the software before buying it, trial | | | | you would like to try the software before buying it, trial |
| versions are available for download at the Image-Line | | | | versions are available for download at the Image-Line |
| website. | | | | website. |
| The Sound Editor: | | | | The Sound Editor: |
| Just like software sequencers, there are several | | | | Just like software sequencers, there are several |
| sound editors available. The basic function of a sound | | | | sound editors available. The basic function of a sound |
| editor is to edit wave files which can be especially | | | | editor is to edit wave files which can be especially |
| helpful with sample-based production. Sample-based | | | | helpful with sample-based production. Sample-based |
| production essentially is using samples (a portion of an | | | | production essentially is using samples (a portion of an |
| audio track) as the foundation to your music. These | | | | audio track) as the foundation to your music. These |
| samples can be obtained from old records, sample | | | | samples can be obtained from old records, sample |
| CDs, or recorded from an instrument. With that in mind, | | | | CDs, or recorded from an instrument. With that in mind, |
| the sound editor is particularly helpful when | | | | the sound editor is particularly helpful when |
| “chopping” up loops or drum breaks, or sampling | | | | “chopping” up loops or drum breaks, or sampling |
| sounds as it gives you a close-up visual representation | | | | sounds as it gives you a close-up visual representation |
| of the sound file you’re working on. Whether using | | | | of the sound file you’re working on. Whether using |
| your own samples, sound banks, or synthesizers, | | | | your own samples, sound banks, or synthesizers, |
| you’ll find a sound editor extremely helpful and | | | | you’ll find a sound editor extremely helpful and |
| essential to your home studio. Some of the more | | | | essential to your home studio. Some of the more |
| popular sound editors include Adobe Audition, | | | | popular sound editors include Adobe Audition, |
| Propellerhead’s Recycle, and Sony’s Sound | | | | Propellerhead’s Recycle, and Sony’s Sound |
| Forge. I have personally grown accustomed to using | | | | Forge. I have personally grown accustomed to using |
| Adobe Audition (formerly known as Cool Edit) for my | | | | Adobe Audition (formerly known as Cool Edit) for my |
| own sound editing needs and it retails for $349. Just | | | | own sound editing needs and it retails for $349. Just |
| like the software sequencers I mentioned earlier, there | | | | like the software sequencers I mentioned earlier, there |
| are shareware versions available and I highly | | | | are shareware versions available and I highly |
| recommend trying them all to find out which you’re | | | | recommend trying them all to find out which you’re |
| most comfortable with using. Fortunately, if you | | | | most comfortable with using. Fortunately, if you |
| don’t want to spend another $349 right away, the | | | | don’t want to spend another $349 right away, the |
| Producer Edition of FL Studio 6 comes with a | | | | Producer Edition of FL Studio 6 comes with a |
| standard wave editor with some basic features such | | | | standard wave editor with some basic features such |
| as record, cut, copy, paste, etc. Here is a quick look at | | | | as record, cut, copy, paste, etc. Here is a quick look at |
| wave editor in FL Studio Producer Edition.While some | | | | wave editor in FL Studio Producer Edition. |