The Beat Talk

I’ve decided to start a little mini-series called “The Complete Producer” in which I will talk the different elements that shape a well-rounded, successful music producer. In this first part I’m going to talk about a skill that I consider to be absolutely crucial to being a good producer – the ability to create good melodies.

What do all the greatest songs – in any genre of music -  all have in common?  They are all driven by a great melody. A melody is a set of single notes in succession that form a musical line. The hook to your favorite song, a guitar phrase, and succession of single piano notes are all examples of a melody. Read More…

Posted under Uncategorized

I know people usually prefer articles about the technical aspects of making beats, or perhaps articles about the business aspects of selling beats, but this article does not fit into either of those categories. It is, however, a motivational and “general advice” article which may be invaluable to you as an upcoming producer.

If you are a producer, you have more than likely asked fellow producers, artists, friends or family for some feedback of your beats. You would like all of the feedback you receive to be positive, of course, but this is not always the case. Your friends and family will most likely compliment your work to spare your feelings, but a fellow producer or artist is bound to be critical of your work, offering either a derogatory comment, a simple “I don’t like it,” or some kind of valuable criticism. Read More…

Posted under Motivational

When it comes to making beats, there are tons of questions that I encounter. One of the most common is “How should I start the beat?”

I usually begin by setting the tempo of the track. On your software program, adjust the Tempo (most programs simply have up and down arrows to increase or decrease the tempo) and turn the metronome (click) feature to On. Use the metronome ticks to get a feel for how you envision the beat sounding. Begin nodding your head to the clicks, and increase or decrease the tempo accodingly to suit the tempo you desire. Read More…

Posted under Production Help

When it comes to making beats, one of the most common questions I hear is “Which is the best software to make beats with?” The question is then followed by responses which usually include the programs Fruity Loops, Reason, and Cubase.

Before I get into any details, let me answer this question for you. There is no “best” piece of software for making beats. The final product of your music depends not as much on the computer program you use, but moreso on the person in front of the computer.

I’ve heard producers create professional sounding music on every piece of music production software. Just because Fruity Loops costs 1/4 of what Reason costs doesn’t mean it that it lacks potential to make professional sounding music. Read More…

Posted under Production Help