making beats
Out of context: Reply #1511
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- nocomply3
OK friends, I know this is a dumb and loaded question, and I don't know if this is the best place to ask... but, like, how?
How do you make and record beats?
I have ideas for songs that have been kicking around in my head for years, and I made a promise to myself that in this next year I'm actually going to do some writing/recording.
I play guitar and ukulele. I can do a little drumming and keys.
But what if I wanted to make a beat/backing track to do my stuff over?
Should I record live samples and loop them somehow?
Should I just use the sample sounds in Garage Band (are they even any good?).
Should I buy a drum machine thing (how do those even work?!)
The last time I recorded was on a four track. I was playing trumpet in a ska band in high school that never made it out of my friend's garage.
So, like, where do I start? How can I do it cheaply? I don't want a super-produced sound. I don't want it to be perfect. I want it to be real.
Honestly, I kinda just want to do it all live on a 4-track. I want to make music – not poke around on a computer. But I'm sure there's a better way.
Thanks for all who share any advise/wisdom here!
- yes, get a drum machine. drum machine will be your best friend.futurefood
- i would find a cheap laptop and run free software ( ie. Reaper) and get a small interface (focusrite). just as fun as 4 track but with flexibilityfuturefood
- also, there are loads of vids on youtube of people with simple gear making great music.futurefood
- If you can play a lot of instruments well enough to do a live-looping gig then get a nice looper pedal - Boss RC505 is super easy to use.microkorg
- Fuck it and just buy an old 4 track on eBay. LOTS of synth and modular folk are recording their stuff to tape these days for the analog noise/sound.microkorg
- Most important thing is that the method you choose is FUN and satisfying in some way. If its a chore then you're never gonna do it.microkorg
- Got an iPad? Theres some great sequencing/sampling apps, drum machines, synths apps etc that you can make sounds and record on too.microkorg
- Thanks for the tips! Going to look into the stuff you have mentioned.nocomply
- Korg Gadget, Beatmaker 3, Akai iMPC Pro - all decent music making apps. You can hook up your ipad to MidiControllers too.microkorg
- The guys at GuitarCenter would have a field day w this! jk. The cheap and easy way is pretty much poking around on computer.caterpus
- i use AppleLoops ALL THE TIME for work in sound design and composition for tv/film the trick is manipulate them to make them original n appropriate.caterpus
- that said, buy a simple digital interface n Logic n never use GarbageBand. U get a ton of great plugins and loops or just record ur own. HIT ME UP ; ]caterpus
- i usually start with a break these days and try and get the structure of a song together as quickly as possible then go in to the studio with a drummer andkingsteven
- track drums so i often just sample breaks off youtube as a catalyst (also means i'm not tempted to stick with them) there was some discussion of the drum brokerkingsteven
- a few posts ago, i'd have a look at that if you don't fancy sitting on tracks for a year before they're done. honestly there's nothing better than a good breakkingsteven
- as catalyst for writing good tracks. 3 parts of good break + good bass + good guitar + good synths. if i can't get it down in a few hours, and i don't think ikingsteven
- can listen to it ad infinitum - i usually know it's not going to make it and start again!kingsteven
- iMaschine app for phone and ipad is a cheap way to get in.stoplying