There are a lot of different things a person can do when they start out making beats. But the following tip is a surefire way to make your songs flow and feel much more professional. Please note that this is a tip that works with almost any kind of software and hardware and so it should be easy to accomplish no matter what you’re using.
Here it is: Use an odd BPM.
It’s a very simple solution to a common problem. You make your own beat and you’re happy with the way it sounds, but it doesn’t feel… natural. Chances are your beat is in a boring tempo – most likely 120 BPM. For those that are not familiar, BPM means Beats Per Minute, and tempo is basically the speed at which your song is playing. Fast songs = higher tempo, slows songs = lower tempo.
If you listen to hip hop songs it’s very difficult to just figure out the tempo/BPM. Following along with a metronome is one solution, but that can get frustrating. The easiest thing to do is to import a song into software that will analyze the tempo for you. If it’s accurate, down to the tenths or hundredths of the beat, you’ll see that songs don’t really come in 120 BPM or 110 BPM – they’re a lot more likely to be 118.34 or 123.12, etc. Using even, “clean” numbers will make your beat feel cold and mechanical.
So take a beat or instrumental that you created and look at the tempo. See if you can enter in a different BPM for it, with 1-2 numbers to the right of the decimal point. Not all beat making hardware and software will let you do this, and it can be tough to find out after you’ve already bought it. Test it out for yourself and see if this makes your beats a little dirtier and more natural sounding.
There is an unbelievable amount of competition for each hip hop contract that is signed. While the odds can seem overwhelming, the fact of the matter is that some people do find success in spite of the odds. The good news is that there are ways to make high quality, professional sounding hip hop music without spending lots of money for expensive studio time or equipment. This way, you can take all the time you need to perfect your music, ensuring that when you do get the ear of an industry executive, you are showing them your best work.
The first thing that any hip hop artist needs are ideas. While this may sound obvious, it is important to remember that you cannot build an entire career around one beat or one song. Many artists look to the past for inspiration, and spend a great deal of time listening to the work of other artists. This is a great way to learn what works and what does not without investing in expensive classes or lessons. Take lessons from the great artists that came before you and find a way to make your beats your own.
Ideas, however, are no good unless you have a way of recording them. The best thing that anyone can do when starting out is to invest in a low cost beat producer. Beat producing software can be used by anyone who has computer access and allows users to manipulate and create their own beats without having to work with a band. This software makes most external recording equipment unnecessary, and ensures that your music will sound clear without expensive microphones or complicated hook ups.
In addition to beat production software, artists should invest in a high quality mic that will allow them to capture the vocals and add them to the beat that they have created. Again, the quality of the recording can make a big difference in how much someone likes your music. Keep in mind that a mic does not need to be expensive to be good. Read customer reviews before making a purchase to ensure that you are getting good value for your money. Sites that sell used equipment can also be great sources for microphones.
Websites are incredibly important for any musician who is starting out. Almost every hip hop artist maintains a website, giving them a place to share upcoming gigs with fans and allow them to hear any new music that they are working on. When setting up your website, make sure that you create a wall or forum where you solicit feedback from visitors. This represents a great opportunity to have others listen to your music and tell you what they think.
After you have recorded a few songs and set up your website, it is time to start marketing your work. Reach out to friends and family members. Schedule any gigs that you can both locally and in the nearest city. With a few great songs and the right exposure, you could become the next big name in hip hop.
Click the link above to check out my review of Sonic Producer, a cool way to make beats online.
