| So you want to make hip hop beats? Well the trick is | | | | you don't want to overdo the beat by being a |
| that there really isn't a trick at all. Of course beyond | | | | perfectionist. Believe it or not, being a perfectionist is |
| starting with a solid beat and then adding layers of | | | | not going to win you any points in the hip hop game. |
| sound (not too much) to make the perfect mix, you | | | | Listen to some of your favorite hip hop and I bet you'll |
| need to find the right equipment for the job. Fortunately | | | | be surprised to find that it's simple, unique and even |
| with today's incredible technology you don't need to | | | | gritty. What separates good hip hop from the rest isn't |
| buy a single piece of hardware, and even better, you | | | | hours of work, but creativity and moments of clarity |
| don't need to know a whole lot about music theory. | | | | when everything comes together. Remember that |
| Tip #1: Always start with the bear minimum. This | | | | most people aren't going to hear that extra hi-hat you |
| means that you never want to overwhelm yourself | | | | spent an hour getting just right. What they will hear is |
| with a ton of equipment that will cause a ten month | | | | the hook and the beat and the lyrics. Those are the |
| learning curve. So yeah, you might be making great hip | | | | things to focus on. |
| hop beats in about 6 months with hours and hours of | | | | Tip #4: Remember that you're not trying to win a |
| practice, but what good does that do you right now? | | | | Grammy. Yes you heard me correctly, don't pretend |
| What you want to do is think simple. | | | | to be a master music genius when you aren't, and if |
| Tip #2: Make sure you don't spend more than you | | | | you were, you wouldn't be reading this article in the |
| need to. This day and age, there are a tone of cheap | | | | first place, sorry. But that doesn't mean you aren't |
| software programs (some of which cost less than | | | | creative and don't have a lot to offer the hip hop |
| $30 bucks and require nothing more than a high-speed | | | | universe. All you need to do is find your niche and |
| internet connection) that can get you up and running in | | | | remember that you're not out to win a Grammy, but to |
| just minutes. Yes, you heard me right, minutes from | | | | make a solid beat that you can lay some lyrics over. |
| now you can have access to thousands of drum | | | | And above all else - have fun! |
| sounds and samples on a 16-track sequencer. You | | | | Remember that these tips are going to be a little |
| can even export your creations to mp3 so you can | | | | different for every person, but just try to remember |
| put the beat on your i-tunes, transfer it to a mixer to | | | | that the general idea of this article is to show you that |
| lay down the vocals, or burn it to CD to show your | | | | you shouldn't confuse the forest for the trees. In other |
| friends. The point is that there is no reason to spend a | | | | words, get crazy, be creative, find your inspiration and |
| grand when you're starting out, in fact it's not | | | | the rest will come into place. And above all else, |
| recommended and just plane stupid. | | | | remember that the equipment does not make the |
| Tip #3: Don't overdo the beat. After you buy an | | | | musician, it's actually the other way around. |
| inexpensive software beat maker for your hip hop, | | | | |