Learning how to make Hip-Hop beats?

PrettyBoy · 13-03-2010 05:56PM #1

Hi,

Just looking at Jay Ru's thread and I thought I'd ask..

I've been thinking about learning how to make beats for a while now but I've never gotten around to doing anything about it. I don't play any instruments

I know being able to play piano, drums, etc. is a huge advantage when making hip-hop/R&B beats, but can it be done otherwise?

If so, what kind of equipment would I need just for starting off, learning the basics?

Sorry for being very vague, but I really don't much about this subject, but I really want to start learning. Any advice appreciated.

Thanks

colin29 · 14-03-2010 04:52AM

Native Instruments Maschine, perfect for hip hop, you really don't need any musical abilty, it comes with 14,000 sounds and can be used to sample.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46guKidiaGA

You could also consider an MPC (which are quite expensive), it's what the likes of DJ Shadow, J-Rocc etc use, perfect for sampling.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0sG9yc8w0E

Shapey Fiend · 14-03-2010 03:01PM

Those Maschine yokes look class. I've wanted one for a while. Much cheaper than an MPC and it looks a bit more intuitive as well.

You don't necessarily need hardware mind you. A lot of very good beatmakers just use a cracked version of Fruity Loops. I find it hard to get my head around though.

PrettyBoy · 14-03-2010 10:17PM

Thanks Colin. Any idea on how much a New Instruments Maschine would cost over here?

EDIT: Just noticed you're in Vancouver :P I'm guessing around the €600 mark? I'll have a look on the net...

colin29 · 15-03-2010 12:07AM

PrettyBoy wrote: »

Thanks Colin. Any idea on how much a New Instruments Maschine would cost over here?

EDIT: Just noticed you're in Vancouver :P I'm guessing around the €600 mark? I'll have a look on the net...

Thomann.de have it for 579 euro, http://www.thomann.de/ie/search_dir.html?xsid=5558b25f35afa9c055844bddb9cd372c&sw=maschine

YungJoshy · 19-03-2010 09:03PM

I recommend FL Studio or Reason first, thats what I started with and I still use it now.

Jay Ru · 21-03-2010 05:34PM

i use an MPC 1000, Zoom RhythmTrak 234 Drum Machine, a 12 track mixing desk and Ableton 8 on a mac. I had fruity loops but i cud never get into it either, Ableton is a pretty good program though.

And i wouldn't worry bout not being albe to play any musical instruments, alot of the greatest producers in hip hop are the same way.

cmx aka mexy · 23-03-2010 12:43PM

Howdy, I use cubase with a sh1tload of plugins.
Gonna be running some music production classes soon specialising in Dance, Pop and Urban music.
PM me if interested.

Lukasz. · 23-03-2010 09:13PM

Dude,

Im not even gonna start going into equipment....

it all depends on a couple of questions....

What kinda sound do you want to make? What kind of hip hop?
What sort of hip hop do you listen too?

PrettyBoy · 24-03-2010 02:36AM

Lukasz. wrote: »

What kinda sound do you want to make? What kind of hip hop?
What sort of hip hop do you listen too?

I listen to a lot of '90's hip-hop (mostly West Coast). I would rarely listen to 80's stuff. I'm not sure of what sound I want to make, I could name hundreds of beats that make me want to start learning how to make them myself every time I listen to them.

I mostly listen to 2pac, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Gangstarr but also more recent stuff like Game, Tech N9ne, Jay-Z, Drake and Bishop Lamont.

Most of the producers I listen to are pretty mainstream: Dr. Dre, Premier, Neptunes, Swizz Beatz, Scott Storch and I like some stuff from Kanye and RZA.

flyswatter · 25-03-2010 08:01PM

You could do a lot worse than pick up the demo of FL Studio and follow this guys tutorials on youtube. His vids are very good and he is currently doing a 'how to make hip hop' series. Worth a look.

Heres the link for video one of the series, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6p3HAg9rPvc

Video two is out now aswell.

Learning how to make Hip-Hop beats?

Comments