| A music beat maker is going to have a few things | | | | don't want to end up with a music beat maker that |
| going for it that separate it from a virtual drum-machine | | | | does not give the sneer, bass-drum etc. the exact |
| or traditional software beat maker. The most essential | | | | tone you are looking for. |
| difference is that it is going to allow a song-writer to | | | | You will also want to have control over the |
| produce an entire song from beginning to end. This | | | | beats-per-minute or BPM. This stands for how many |
| usually means that the samples will also have to be | | | | beats are played each minute, so for a song that is |
| more expansive. More samples and sounds will be | | | | set at 100 BPM, 100 beats are 'completed' per minute. |
| necessary as well as at least 16-tracks. Beyond this, | | | | This does not mean you should use every beat |
| there may be a virtual drum-pad and there should also | | | | (silence is golden) but it is the standard for determining |
| be a virtual piano set. | | | | the tempo of the song. Just make sure you have |
| The piano set would be used to add the bass-lines, | | | | control over it. |
| guitar parts, vocal elements and synthesizer sounds; | | | | Last but not least you will want to have an easy |
| essentially everything that doesn't sound like a | | | | export option in your music beat maker. At the very |
| percussion instrument. The idea behind a music beat | | | | least you will want the beat maker to export to mp3 |
| maker is that it will allow a song-writer to drop a nice | | | | with the click of a button, and the more export file |
| beat and then have enough tracks and samples left | | | | options available the better. Most software beat |
| over to add a hook. A hook is the part of the song | | | | makers today will have this option, and that would |
| that keeps the listener listening. Every great song has | | | | include music beat makers as well. |
| a great hook. | | | | To re-cap, the four ingredients you will want to have |
| There are a few things every beat maker should | | | | on your music beat maker at the bare minimum are: |
| have, so for the purposes of this article, these | | | | - 16-track sequencer (not an 8-track sequencer) |
| elements will be discussed now. For one thing, a beat | | | | - Individual volume control (for each of the 16 tracks) |
| maker should have a 16-track sequencer. Whether or | | | | - BPM Control (to control the tempo of the song) |
| not the tracks can be bounced onto one of the tracks | | | | - Easy Export Option (at least exportable to mp3 so |
| is not as important as making sure there are 16-tracks | | | | you can burn the song or upload it etc.) |
| available. 8-track sequencers simply do not give the | | | | Just remember to try out as many music beat makers |
| song-writer enough options and may be okay if you | | | | as possible by downloading 'free' versions on your |
| are just looking for a quick and simple beat but lack | | | | computer. This way you will have a good idea about |
| the desired effect when you want to add a hook or | | | | what you like and don't like and then you can choose |
| produce an entire song from scratch. | | | | accordingly. The price of beat makers has gone down |
| You will also want each track to have its own volume | | | | so much in the last few years that you can probably |
| control. This is pretty obvious, but make sure that you | | | | spend well under $100 and be pretty happy with the |
| try out the samples and the volume control on each | | | | purchase and the beats you make. Good luck and |
| track before you purchase the music beat maker. You | | | | happy beat making. |