Making Beats | How to Make Rap and Hip Hop Beats

M-Audio AXIOM 25 USB MIDI Controller

2008-12-10T11:42:00.000-08:00

When looking for my first MIDI controller to add to my own personal studio, my two major limits were cost and space. I think this can translate to many of you out there which is why I can recommend the M-Audio AXIOM 25. Not only does this MIDI controller pack a lot of features into such a small unit, but the price compared to other MIDI controllers is great. The feel of the keys are just right, not too resistant but just enough spring to make them feel like the real thing. Controlling FL8's and Reasons synthesizers is a lot more fun now with a MIDI controller than when I was using was a computer keyboard. Another deciding factor was going with a well respected name brand company. M-Audio has been in the music game for a long time which gave me the assurance I was buying a quality product. The only issue I had was trying to map the transport buttons (play, stop, rewind, etc..) to Fruity Loops. After searching through image-lines forums I found a template that gave me transport controls but it also caused other little problems that irritated me. I eventually switched over to Reason 4.0 at about that same time and I have no problems using the two together since. All quirks aside, this keyboard is a great addition to the novice beat/music producer looking for something affordable and small to control their software synthesizers.

Akai MPD24 USB/Midi MPC Pad Controller

2008-12-10T11:15:00.003-08:00

Jumping into the world of beat making can be intimidating, especially when it comes to hardware based equipment. When I first started out on my beat making adventure (I'm still on it) I started out with software based programs to get the feel of drum patterns and their rhythm's. One of my first hardware purchases was an Akai MPD24. This drum controller is great for first timer's and the seasoned veterans, as the possibilities are endless with this amazing machine. Don't get confused though, this is not a drum machine like the AKAI MPC 2000 XL where it stores its sound banks and loops inside the machine. The Akai MPD24 connects directly to your computer via USB and controls your software based drum machine such as Reason's Redrum or Fruity Loops' FPC. The AkaiMPD24 is also compatible with nearly every beat production software you could throw at it. I have my MPD24 hooked up to my Macbook controlling Reason 4's Redrum. Window users will need to install the included drivers to make it work with Reason or Fruity Loops. I would definitely recommend this product to any beat making enthusiast ready to start laying down some tracks with their hands.

Making beats - The Software to make beats

2008-12-10T09:49:00.000-08:00

The simplest way to begin your dive into the pool of beat making is going to start with your software. Starting off with a software based beat maker, you can begin experimenting and learning the tricks of the trade without dishing out a lot of money on expensive hardware based machines such as an Akai MPC500 or Roland DR-880 and still end with the same results. Here is a list of some popular beat making software. This is by no means an extensive list but merely software I have used and recommend to get your beats started.

FL Studio 8 Fruity Edition - Ahh good ol' Fruity Loops. I can still remember how excited I was after creating my first beat in this software. This beat making software truly sparked my interest into the world of beat making. For absolute beginners, this would be my first recommendation. The ease of use and the plethora of plug-ins already included are perfect for the beginning rap/hip hop producer. Many artists including Soulja Boy (you don't have to like him) use this program in their commercial songs.

Propellerhead Reason 4.0 - From absolute beginners to big time producers, whatever you decide to end up being, Reason 4.0 provides you with all the tools you'll need to create, edit and mix your beats. The interface mimics actual hardware set-ups which in turn can prepare you for your leap into the hardware based realm of beat making. For beginners, the learning curve is at a medium level but can quickly picked up in about a weeks time. This is my current choice of software based beat production.