Tuesday 13 November 2012

Making Hip-Hop Beats For Sale (Purchase Beats): Inspiration

By Frank Lubsey


Sooner or later as a beat maker, you'll hit a point after making enough beats where your beats will start to sound very similar to each other and you'll eventually get sick of making the same beat over again. When you reach this point, beat making can sometimes start to feel like a chore and you will start to feel uninspired. However, it is quite natural to feel that way and it is really part of the process. Today, we are going to discuss a few ways to stay inspired so that you can continue to grow as a beat maker.

Before we jump in though, remember, despite how frustrating a wall can be, frustration is a good thing. Frustration is the energy that when harnessed properly, will force you to change what you are doing. If you were content with the way things were, your beats would all sound the same because you'd keep doing the same things over and over again and have no incentive to change. In other words, don't get too discouraged and embrace this feeling of frustration. It is a good thing.

Listen to new music: Music is like food for a beat maker's mind. Whether you realize it or not, when you listen to new music, you are subconsciously learning to new musical ideas which you will play with later. If you aren't listening to new music, you are essentially starving your mind. Also, listen to music beyond your own genre. The greatest producers such as Dr. Dre and Timbaland have sampled from a myriad number of sources such as world music, reggae, and jazz. This is why their sound is so unique. The universe of music is much more than just hip-hop, so have an open mind and listen.

Get new sounds: Sometimes, using the same sounds over and over again can be uninspiring. If you've used the same vst or or keyboard for a few months, you'll start to know your favorite sounds and keep using them over and over again. The result is that your beats will eventually start to have your favorite sounds appear again and again and the end result is beats that sound the same. Every once in a while, keep things fresh by buying a new vst or keyboard.

Experiment w/new effects: Oftentimes, buying new sounds aren't necessary because we haven't gotten the most out of the sounds that we have at our disposal. By simply applying effects to existing sounds, we can breathe new life into sounds that would otherwise be uninteresting and stale. Don't be afraid to go beyond reverb, eq, and standard effects. Experiment with programs like CamelSpace and Camel Phat and you'll be surprised the unique sounds that come out of it.

Staying inspired can be frustrating at times, but it is an important part of the job of a beat maker. Try some of the above tips and don't get frustrated.




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