How To Make Beats (Part 1)

So you want to be a music producer and make beats? You are probably starting from scratch. That's not a problem.

The first things you need to figure out is whether you are going to buy hardware, such as the Akai MPC 300, or you are going to use your Windows or Apple PC. For many home-based producers, using the PC you have in your home is one of the easiest ways to get started. While die-hard Apple computer users will tell you that a Mac is the best platform to record on, you can have equal results/success using your Windows-based PC as well. Fortunately, software such as Pro Tools made the leap from Apple to Windows platform a few years back.

Providing your computer is modern (3 years or less), you most likely have the minimum specifications to run a music production software or digital audio workstation (DAW). But there are a few things you should be aware of. As a producer, sound quality is going to be a constant struggle with using your computer. Look at it this way, your computer's sound card is probably not magnetically shielded. This means if you plugin a microphone to the back of your computer, there is a good potential for line interference. This means your recordings can come out distorted or have a mechanical hum or hiss.

The first thing you will want to look for is a pro audio sound card. If you are familiar with how to upgrade computers, you can look for an internal sound card that can be installed into your PC's motherboard. If that sounds like a foreign language to you, fortunately, there are many external sound cards that only require a Fire Wire or USB connection. Aside from better signal quality for your recordings, many pro audio sound cards have multiple inputs. For example, a stock sound card only has one mono input for a microphone. A high-end sound card will have two or more channels of audio and accept connections like XLR (standard connections for Professional Microphones) and 1/4 inch (standard connection for most instruments).

Having multiple inputs means multiple recording sources simultaneously. This is called multi-tracking. Many DAW's will allow for you to record each microphone/instrument on it's own channel. This means you can adjust levels and add effects to the sounds independently. Learning how to record using your sound card and DAW is a major stepping stone on the road to becoming the next super music producer.

Make Beats

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Jermaine Dupri Recognized By Georgia

Jermain Dupri Mauldin, also known as JD is an American record producer. He is also well established as a famous rapper. In the year 2006, JD became the youngest inductee to the "Georgia Music Hall of Fame". The music career of JD was self made and the credited hits are the "Money Ain't a Thang" (1998) with Jay-Z "Its like That" (2005) with Mariah Carey, "Welcome To Atlanta"(2001) in collaboration with Ludacris are the prominent ones in his career. In the year 2004 and 2005, Dupri had the experiences of working with Usher and Mariah Carey on their solo releases "Confessions" and "The Emancipation of Mimi" respectively. There are many other albums that he produced along with Carey that include "Its Like That", "We Belong Together", "Get Your Number", "Shake It Off" and "Don't Forget About Us" are the most significant ones in the line.

JD's album "Jermain Dupri presents….Young, Fly & Flashy, Vol. 1" proved controversial because of the content that had his girlfriend Janet Jackson in a peep show club, collected much criticisms and controversies. However, in a survey in the year 2006, Dupri was selected one of the top ten riches of the world of hip-hop music. Dupri again worked with Jackson for the production of the album 20 Y.O. that was released on September 2006. However, it never proved as much successful as Jackson's previous albums with JD. Because of the commercial underperformance by the company, Dupri left Virgin Urban Music and was appointed the head of Island Records. Quite recently, JD recorded few albums with Janet Jackson for the album "Discipline".

DJ Quik Grows As An Artist

DJ Quik is one of the most famous singer, producer and rapper America has ever produced. Even if it was seen during the early 90's that the language of music is getting a global touch to its accent, Quik remained stubborn in constructing music by maintaining heritage. He is one of the few persons who have four gold and platinum albums and one hundred million soundscanned recordings to his credit.

He had a very struggling career in the first part of his life. He began his career in music by selling homemade mixtapes and after he moved out of school, he started DJing in the Southern California. However, in the year 1990, he joined Profile Records and proved himself not only as a singer but also as a producer.

Quik became famous in the field of music during the mid 90's when he began working under the management of the label of Death Row on "Above the Law" and created records in the g-funk style, unique to Quik himself. Mainly, he was hugely inspired by the two stalwarts of the g-funk style, Roger Troutman and George Clinton and learned to use the talkbox that later became the distinctive character of his creations up to the year 2005 when he announced the retirement of the talkbox. Around the year 1994, DJ Quik, under the management of Death Row, worked with the executive producer Suge Knight for the album "save+sound" that had Death Row as a special appearance. However, it is interesting to know that his debut album "Quik Is the Name" was quite successful. In 1998 his album "Rhythm-al-ism" labeled him as an underrated musician by most fans.

DJ Quik Learns The Trade With Death Row Records

With the advent of rap music in the mid 70's there emerged a true rap icon that is considered the most consistent among the artists and the musicians because of his unique ability to blend the music to speak in the language of the urban society and maintain the music's heritage at the same time. DJ Quik has four gold and platinum albums to his name and over one hundred million soundscan recordings. Quik also has production experience with 2Pac, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre to his credit.

In mid 90's DJ took cues from Dr. Dre's Death Row Records and made a name for himself in the music field. He made records in the g-funk style that inspired him to the level that he learned to use the talkbox from Roger Troutman and George Clinton and later made it a trademark character in his musical creations. In the year 1994, DJ Quik joined Death Row under the management of Suge Knight, the CEO of Death Row and together they went on to produce "Safe + Sound" that had Death Row as a guest appearance. While working with Death Row, Quik produced an unknown amount of songs among which some were never released. Under Quik's production, the most famous of Death Row song is "Heartz of Man", sung by 2Pac on his debut Death Row Record album "All Eyes on Me". Although he is known for the production of the album, DJ also did additional production work of mixing half of the album.

As DJ Quik worked hard against the personal and professional problems, he managed to fathom out of them, however, in the process, he changed his name to Quik and rubbed the DJ out of his name.

Timbaland Teams With Justin Timberlake

Timothy Z Mosely who is better known in the music world as Timbaland is a famous American producer, singer and a rapper. He ventured in the music industry in the 90s' and worked as a protege of Devante from Jodeci. His production style is marked by an individualistic uniqueness, unorthodox music arrangements and his instrumentation has a sense of space and rhythm. Timbaland is such a producer who has spread his musical influence on every genre of music and made a successful career as a pop music producer mainly. Timbaland is also a very good performer and has solo and duets to his credit. He also gave vocals to many of the songs sung by him as well as other contemporary singers.

Timbaland worked in collaboration with many of the famous singers and producers like Magoo, Petey Pablo, Beck, Jay-z etc. During the period around 2001, Timbaland produced three tracks for Tweet's debut collection, Southern Hummingbird and produced tracks for singers like Lil Kim and Southern rapper, Pastor Troy. In collaboration with producer Scott Storch, he worked on the production of a number of tracks by the former NSYNC singer Justin Timberlake. This smash album was entitled, "Justified". Another of the massive hits of the album includes "Cry Me a River". This song, however, helped Timberlake to establish himself as a mature singer and helped him to wipe out his teeny bopper image. Timbaland's talents to do rap and his appearance in the music video of "Cry Me A River" made him hugely famous. However, after the release of this album, Timbaland broke up with Scott over some financial problems. In the year, Timbaland produced album "Future, sex, love, sounds" was nominated got the Grammy awards in the "album of the year" category.

Sean Combs Gets His Roots As Puff Daddy

Sean John Combs, famously known as Puff Daddy or P. Diddy, was born in Harlem on November 4, 1969. Puff daddy, as he later came to be known, was raised in Mount Vernon, New York. He derived his nickname of Puff Daddy as a child because of the way he used to puff his chest during football on the field. He was 18 when Puff Daddy joined Howard University, where he was notorious for his reputation in selling and trading term papers and exam papers and in endlessly promoting parties. It was no later than two years that Puff Daddy left Howard and found himself knocking at the doors of Andre Harrell, the executive of Uptown Records. Harrell quickly granted him internship and the rest, you know, is history!

That was just the beginning of a prosperous career, where he came to collaborate with several well-known entities in the industry like Jodeci and Mary J. Blige until he materialized his dream of founding his own label in 1993, with the Bad Boys Records. Puff Daddy, along with his childhood friend, Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.), made the company turn into a success having sold more than 12 million albums by 1994, with the help of Faith Evans and Craig Mack. Puff Daddy made his debut appearance with No Way Out in 1997.

After his association with superstar Jennifer Lopez, Puff Daddy has been in constant spotlight with the Bad Boy Records still continuing to be a reigning deity in the Hollywood with the Bad Boy Record continuing to swing the crowd to their tunes.

The Rise Of Russell Simons

Born on October 4, 1957, in Queens, New York, USA, Russell Simons is the proud son of Daniel Simmons is accredited as the most successful businessman in the US history of rap music. Nicknamed as Rush, Russell Simons co-founded Def Jam Records in 1984 with his associate Rick Rueben. He first branched out from Def Jam Records to make his career in movies, acting and co-producing Krush Groove, a rap movie in the year 1985. The film essentially highlighted a glorified biography of his own with renowned actor Blair Underwood playing his part on screen, but could not make a mark upon the spectators.

This failure of his did not keep. Russell Simmons returned tougher than ever with another film that followed, Tougher Than Leather (1988). Russell Simmons also claimed full authority over Def Jam with Rick Rueben leaving the record company. Without causing any further delay, Russell Simmons quickly rushed into setting up his company, which he called the Rush Communications, trying out everything he could lay his hands upon – be it a clothing line or magazine production or even producing television comedies.

Russell Simmons, along with his other preoccupations, dedicated some part of his time constantly producing films and some of his commercially successful films include Gridlock'd, The Addiction and the Nutty Professor.

Timbaland Teams Up With Aaliyah

Timbaland is considered to be a great producer, singer and a rapper. His production was so full of individualistic fervor that it sometimes said to overshadow the credited performer and became the star attraction of the performance. Timberland has created some of the most astounding creations of the time and specialized in the modern pop music and the urban music. He also created songs for Missy Elliott who worked with him and DeVante. In April 2007, Timbaland released an album featuring singers such as Nelly Furtado, Missy Elliott and Elton John.

While working on "Ginuwine…The Bachelor", R&B artist Aaliyah contacted Missy Elliot and Timbaland to compose the second album for her. The result was that the creation by Timbaland had so many innovations that Aaliyah became the superstar overnight. However, Timbaland is also accused for illegally sampling material from certain middle eastern sources. Timbaland's second album with Magoo, with whom he worked with DeVante Swing, was "Indecent Proposal" that has appearance by some of their acquaintances like Aaliyah and Beck.

In the year 2003, Timbaland's hit single "Deliverance" came out marking the release of the third album, which was a collaboration work of Timbaland and Magoo, was named the Under Construction Part 2. Sista, Timbaland, and Magoo became the Devant's Swing Mob signees who are also known as "Da Bassment" crew with artists such as the Playa, Ginuwine and the girl group Sugah. Timbaland's voice is deep and has a electronic sound, and he is the master of an attractive voice texture that made him popular among various genres along with pop and hip hop.

Timbaland Named By DeVante Swing Of Jodeci

Timbaland Z. Moseley or Tm Moseley was born in the year 1971, March 10. Timbaland is an American composer, singer, rapper and record producer, who could make hip hop beats come alive. Timbaland is mainly known for his works in hip-hop, R&B and pop. Tim is the producer of many singles of many of the singers since the mid-90s. He has nicely played with many genres of music and his music characterizes a trademark sense of space and rhythm and have marked difference in the arrangements, sounds and instrumentation. He is also a very well reputed performer and has performed solo on many occasions. He has also provided the vocals to many of the songs that he produced.

Moseley grew familiar with Magoo in Norfolk. He began making backing tracks on hip-hop, which Magoo liked. At that time Missy Elliott, on behalf of Magoo, got a chance to work under Devante Swing. Elliott brought Moseley along and that was the starting point of Moseley’s work with the Devante. Devante is the member and the producer of the R&B act Jodeci. Devante actually renamed Timbaland after the Timbaland boot that became popular in the hip-hop fashion. Timbaland later became one of the parts of the Devante Swing's Mob signees known as "Da Bassment" crew. Later Timbaland did many of the production work with the Devante productions. Some of the projects that Timbaland worked under the Devante includes, the 1995 Jodeci LP the Show, The Hotel, The After Party, there are various others. In 1995, most of the acts of Devante broke ties with the producer. However, Timbaland, Magoo, Playa and a few others collaborated and continued working on individual projects.

Janet Jackson - Feedback

Chad Hugo Of The Neptunes

Charles Hugo, also known as, Chase Chad was born on February 24, 1974 in the South Hampton roads of the city of Portsmouth, Virginia. He is a Filipino-American Grammy Award winning producer. He is one of the co-producer of "The Neptunes" duo and a member of the funk rock band N*E*R*D. He can play the saxophone, piano and guitar.

In the year 2002, The Neptunes were selected for Producer of the year at the Billboard Music award and The Source Awards. In the same year, "The Neptune Presents… Clones" was produced that debut at the number one position in August 2003.

Hugo was described as the "Mr. Spock" by the Source Magazine. This analogy does not however suit the character of Hugo, as he was not as much "stiff". His role in the Neptune band is more of a 'one man band' and a 'sequencer'.

However, the roles of Pharreell and Hugo interchange and are quite flexible. Hugo has also shown his individuality away from band mate Pharrell. Hugo also individually produced Kenna's album in 2003 named "New Sacred Cow". He also attended the music scholarship of the Old Dominion University.

Currently Hugo is separately producing music for the famous singer Alicia Keys under the Neptune productions. There are other singers, for whom Hugo is producing music, including Ashlee Simpson and Bishop Lamont of "the Aftermath" fame, Merriweather, Marsha Ambrosius. Hugo, also recorded The Neptunes debut album "In Search Of….." for release in the year 2001 along with Pherrell Williams.

Pharrell Of The Neptunes

Pharrell Williams was a versatile personality who was born on April 5, 1973. He is an American singer, producer, rapper, entrepreneur, songwriter and a skateboarder. He was is now made famous by his infectious ability to make beats that would rock the listeners. He is one of the producers among the duo that comprise The Neptunes. The other partner of Pharrell is Chad Hugo along with whom; Pharrell produces hip-hop, pop and R&B music. Pharrell is also the lead singer and the main drummer of the funk-rock band N*E*R*D. His first debut single was in the year 2003 with the song "Frontin". Later he followed it up with a debut album, "In My Mind" in the year 2006. Pharrell was famous for his skills of singing in a falsetto voice and his ability to play both the drums and the keyboard. Pharrell's work in Neptunes won him three Grammy awards. Pharrell wrote verse for the hit "Rump Shaker" in 1992 and in 1994, Hugo and Pharrell co-produced the "Tonight's the Night" under the Neptune banner. In the year 2001, The Neptunes produced Britney Spears' single song "I'm a slave 4 U". This led them to their first worldwide recognition. In the same year Hugo, Pharrell and Haley released their debut album as N*E*R*D. However, they rerecorded their previous productions with the "Spymob" band, which is a funk-rock band. In the year 2002, the Neptunes' reproduced album was released worldwide with Neptunes getting the recognition as the "Producers of the year" at the Billboard Music award and The Source Award.

Pharrell recently composed the "Why Should I Be Sad" based on Britney Spears latest album "Blackout". In the year 2008, he collaborated with Teriyaki Boyz for a nouvel single by the name "ZOCK ON!" that features Busta Rhymes.

Timbaland - Scream

Mariah Carey - Touch My Body

Get Your Inspiration

Platinum Soundsets works hard to bring you the best resources as a music producer who makes beats. We have an amazing collection of sound samples and instrument samples.

Today we add a new resource for you, the music producer. Our new resource allows you to watch music videos on demand. This is perfect for when you need some inspiration for your creative juices.

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