Beat-making is a creative endeavor that requires practice and equipment to get the best results. You’ll need different tools to control your work, so here are five of our favorite pieces of gear you shouldn’t be without while producing music on the go.
The “beat making equipment guide” is an ultimate guide to the 5 essential beat-making equipment essentials. The article discusses the different types of equipment that are used in a professional recording studio and how they can be applied to your own personal music production setup.
People who are enthusiastic about music and want to learn how to make their own beats may be unsure about what type of equipment they need.
Fortunately for them, producing beats is considerably easier (and less expensive) than it was in the past, and you can practically make the same thing with half the material and spend half the price. That isn’t to say that every piece of software or piece of equipment available is worthwhile.
People wanting to get into this field may encounter one factor that may seem to be an advantage at first, but which may also create a lot of headaches: the number of equipment and supplies accessible.
Beginners may have a lot of ideas that they want to put on their beats as soon as possible, but selecting the proper equipment is critical and should not be overlooked.
With that in mind, we thought it’d be a fun idea to put up a list of everything you’ll need in terms of equipment and software to get your beat-making career started. We’ll also give specific product suggestions to ensure that you make a purchase that is both cost-effective and capable of producing high-quality beats.
So, let’s get started.
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What’s the best way to get started making my own beats?
First and foremost.
It’s best if you have a strong desire to learn before you start generating beats. It’s not simple to learn how to produce beats from beginning and progress to becoming a good beat creator.
Listening to a lot of music is an excellent place to start, and you can also look for YouTube lessons or E-books that will teach you the foundations of beat creating to get you started.
After gaining a certain level of theoretical knowledge – which is a portion of the process you may completely skip if you want to – you simply practice. I mean a lot of practice.
Don’t get discouraged if your tracks don’t first sound like anything Kendrick Lamar would rap over. The fact is that evolution is a gradual process, and your rhythms will most likely sound boring at first. Things will settle into a better rhythm as time passes and you learn new things, and seeing your own progress will give you a tremendous lift.
What Are the Requirements to Begin Producing Music Beats?
1) A Powerful Computer
Everything passes via the computer in order to generate high-quality beats. As a result, having a decent one is critical.
When you’re a seasoned music producer with a steady stream of revenue, Macs are frequently the best option; but, because we’re concentrating on emerging talent, we’ll suggest certain Windows PC specifications.
Keep in mind that having a PC with increased capability in some activities is critical for the beat-making process to go smoothly and generate high-quality content, so don’t overlook the following suggestions!
Processor
It’s advised that you use a CPU with at least an i5 processor, however an i7 would be best if you can get your hands on one. You should seek for a computer with at least 6 cores for composing music, since this will allow you to utilize the software you’ll need without your computer stalling every 20 seconds.
RAM
At the very least, you should start with 8GB of RAM. But, once again, 16GB of RAM would be excellent, particularly if your beatmaking skills improve.
Storage
That is dependent on the amount of music you want to create at first. Beginners don’t usually work on a lot of complicated projects at once, so you’ll probably be OK with only a little amount of RAM.
If you feel that your storage space is going to run out, you may also purchase an external hard drive. It’s crucial to remember that having a reasonable quantity of free space on your computer is always a good idea.
2) Workstation for digital audio (DAW)
The DAW is the program that allows you to make beats.
This kind of digital workstation comes with all of the tools and capabilities you’ll need to do tasks like voice and instrument recording, tracking, mixing, mastering, editing, and more.
Ableton Live is a software program that allows you to create (Windows and Mac)
Many people think of Ableton as a great DAW for EDM artists, but it can also be used to compose high-quality music in other genres.
The software’s design, which is not especially straightforward and rather different from more typical interfaces, may be a little daunting for newcomers. However, once you get the hang of it, you should be able to experiment with a wide range of sounds while judiciously using the many features and tools available.
Users praise Ableton for the sound capture function, the variety of high-quality sounds accessible, and the synth power.
MPE (Midi Polyphonic Expressions) is a new feature in the current edition of the program that gives creators greater control over the expressiveness of notes.
There is a free trial available (30 days)
Price ranges from $99 to $199.
FL Studio is a software program that allows you to (Windows and Mac)
FL Studio, the favored beatmaker of many music producers, provides an appealing blend of easy interface and a variety of fascinating sound options.
You work with workflows that are well-organized in this DAW, which makes the life of new producers much simpler. You may also experiment with a large variety of plugins and complicated effects, as well as excellent equalization, automation, sidechain management, and plugin delay compensation capabilities.
Furthermore, the program is regularly getting new upgrades for which you do not have to pay additional fees. These new features give you a lot more to experiment with, as well as layout enhancements that aim to increase general usability.
For the Trial Version, there is no restriction to the number of times you may use it.
Price ranges from $99 to $199.
GarageBand is a band that performs in a (Mac)
This music program is only available for Macs and is absolutely free. Despite its limitations in terms of generating tools and possibilities, the application is still more than capable of meeting the demands of a budding beatmaker.
Garageband features a highly straightforward and basic UI that was clearly designed with inexperienced producers in mind. Because the actual editing/cutting of music is relatively straightforward, and the mixing and mastering tools that come with it are basic but efficient, you’d undoubtedly experience a lot of creative freedom using the program.
There are over 100 hip hop and EDM synth sound selections, as well as all of the fundamental instrument sounds that producers often use.
It’s advised that you upgrade to a more complex DAW than GB if your producing talents have greatly improved and you feel the need for additional mixing and mastering choices.
Free of charge
Logic Pro X is a software program that allows you to create music (Mac)
Although Logic Pro X is a Mac-only DAW, it is often regarded as the most capable music production software available.
Although it lacks the simplicity of GarageBand’s interface, this application makes up for it with a plethora of additional capabilities and tools. It also lets you to create music from the ground up using a variety of drum plugins that may be tweaked.
Mixing and mastering sounds is also more easier and more efficient. Hundreds of MIDI and basic tracks may be created, with up to 15 insert effects and 8 sends per channel. The software is also updated on a regular basis, with no additional fees required.
Logic Pro is more expensive, and it might be intimidating for a first-time producer to work with, but it’s nothing that a longer period of experience can’t fix.
There is a free trial available (90 days)
199 dollars
Professional Studio One 5 (Windows and Mac)
Studio One is yet another powerful DAW alternative, this time compatible with both Windows and Mac computers and featuring a straightforward user interface.
The program provides a ton of features, tools, and sound plugins to choose from. You’ll be working on a music session where you may drag everything from presets and virtual instruments to audio loops and effects.
It contains a chord detection algorithm that finds and eliminates chords in audio or MIDI records, as well as predicting probable chord progressions. You may also use Melodyne 5, a pitch-correction plugin that allows you to fine-tune the voices on the recording.
Other interesting features include real-time loop stretching, beat quantization, choke groups, and pattern integration.
There is a free trial available (14 days)
Price: $16,99 per month
3) Keyboard for MIDI Controller
The MIDI controller is the device that will allow you to sequence music and interact with your DAW’s virtual instruments. The controllers are often in the shape of a keyboard, and we’ll discuss this sort of MIDI.
It may be used as a standard keyboard (while connected to your computer) or you can assign various parts and keys to operate other instruments and/or sound effects. It’s actually up to you, since with the help of a competent DAW, you’ll be able to customize almost anything, and you’ll be able to utilize the MIDI as you see appropriate.
MPK Mini MK3 AKAI Professional
This AKIK MIDI Controller has 25 keys, 8 beat pads, 8 360° knobs, and a 4-way thumbstick to regulate pitch and modulation. It’s worth noticing the all-black design with red accents, which is quite stylish.
The 360° knobs provide a lot of mixing and synth control choices, and the keys and rhythm pads are velocity-sensitive, so there are no delays.
To program drums, trigger samples, and operate the virtual synthesizer, function buttons like Note Repeat and Full Level may be used in conjunction with the beat pads.
A built-in adjustable arpeggiator with sound synthesis settings is also available.
Interesting features from the MIDI’s Music Production Starter Kit, such as 6 virtual instruments, MPC beats, and 2GB worth of sound files, may be enjoyed by novices in particular.
On a more positive note, the feel of the keys against the fingertips may be improved.
Mini Lab by Arturia
There are 25 keys, 16 assignable knobs, 8 rhythm pads, and 21 keyboard instruments and synthesizers on this one.
The keys are rather smooth on the fingertips, and the response time is really quick, making playing it a relaxing and stress-free experience.
The AnalogLab software that comes with the MIDI makes the learning process a lot more enjoyable, with a variety of entertaining sounds to experiment with.
You may also utilize the “octave up” and “octave down” buttons to add dynamic to your production by playing with different versions of the same track.
On the downside, some producers complain that the pads do not have the same tactile feel as the keys.
V25 Alesis
This Alesis model has 25 keys, eight beat pads, four assignable knobs, and four assignable function buttons.
Both keys and function buttons are pressure-sensitive, and visual indication about the current control state of buttons and knobs is provided by blue LED lights.
There are also Octave up and down buttons, which give you some range control over your beats. They’re located adjacent to the pitch and modulation control wheels, which are great for fine-tuning your voice.
Premium software is available, including many instrument sound choices, MPC beats, and even the Ableton Live Lite version of the DAW.
Most criticisms of this MIDI are centered at the beat pads, which are said to have poor sensitivity and a strange feel to them.
Keystation 49 MK3 by M-Audio
This is a colossal creature. The Keystation by M-Audio has 49 keys, one volume fader, transport and directional controls (5 total), octave up and octave down buttons, one volume fader, and two control wheels – one for modulation and one for pitch.
The 49 keys are all velocity-sensitive, and the control wheels and volume fader work smoothly as well.
This MIDI is also compatible with iOS devices, however you’ll need to purchase an Apple to USB converter separately.
This one also comes with its own software, which includes MPC beats, Ableton Live Lite, XPand 2, Mini Grand, and Touch Loops, among other great features.
This isn’t necessarily a negative comment on the device; nevertheless, the large number of keys and different sorts of control buttons might be intimidating for beginners, so keep that in mind before purchasing.
AKM320 MIDIPLUS
With 32 keys, two transpose buttons, octave up and octave down buttons, one volume fader, and pitch and modulation control wheels, this MIDI falls midway in the center. It is far less costly than the other choices on the list.
This one works with iOS as well, as long as you have the correct adaptor.
This is the sort of MIDI that can do all of the duties that a novice beat maker needs, but it’s not ideal if you’re looking to improve your production skills.
There have been several issues with MIDIPLUS’ quality control. People who received MIDIs with broken cables or drivers that were not recognized by PCs have been reported.
4) Headphones or Studio Monitors
Both of them are designed to serve the same purpose: to aid you in consistently perceiving and monitoring sound. This is accomplished with the aid of these devices’ flat frequency response, which enables you to mix your music in a clean and effective manner without the need of any external equalization.
Studio Monitors, also known as Monitor Speakers, are more typically seen in music studios. While headphones are the most popular choice among amateur producers owing to their convenience and inexpensive cost, there are other more basic studio monitor alternatives that may be readily employed in a home setup.
As a result, we thought it would be fun to show you a little bit of each of them. We’ll offer you a few recommendations for nice headphones and a few recommendations for basic studio monitors, and you can decide which one is ideal for you.
Eris E3.5-3.5′′ Near Field Studio Monitor by PreSonus
The Studio One and Studio Magic music software are bundled with these PreSonus studio monitors, which come as a pair. Thanks to the arrival of these free applications, you’ll be able to save a lot of money.
We’re off to a terrific start in terms of practicality. One of the monitors has a stereo aux input, headphone port, volume control knob, and power/off button on the front panel.
The 1″ silk-dome tweeters ensure and balance the high frequency response, which is driven by 3.5-inch oven composite drivers.
The PreSonus also boasts an acoustic tuning option, which is uncommon for monitors in this class and allows you to obtain great sound quality in any situation.
KRK Classic 5 Bi-Amp Professional KRK Classic 5 Bi-Amp Professional KRK Classic 5 Bi-Amp
This KRK Classic 5 studio monitor type allows you to adjust your frequency settings from low to high, tailoring your sound to the area you’re in.
A glass-aramid composite woofer solidifies the bass tones, and the low-resonance function reduces distortion significantly. Thanks to the soft-dome tweeter, the highs are likewise quite smooth, extending up to 35kHz.
If you want to amp up the bass, you may utilize the low-end extension, which allows you to amplify bass sounds by up to -2dB.
There’s also a function that lets you alter your flat frequency, which makes your mixing process more dynamic and adaptive to various circumstances.
CR-X Series by Mackie
These Mackie monitors are also sold in pairs, and one of the monitors has both a volume knob and a headphone jack on the front panel.
There are also three inputs: one 14″, one 18″, and one RCA. The sound is driven by 50 watts, resulting in clear, consistent audio.
All of the necessary connection cords to get the monitors up and running are already included in the purchase.
However, there is one tiny but almost universal concern regarding these monitors. A hissing sound seems to be present at all volume levels. It’s not a very noticeable sound, but it’ll almost certainly be present in sound feedback at all times.
Some beatmakers believe that utilizing wires other than the ones given in the kit would eliminate the hissing.
DT 770 PRO by beyerdynamic
These beyerdynamic headphones are a little more costly than other items in their class, but they make up for it with a high-quality sound experience.
Closed over-ear headphones are designed primarily for sound monitoring. You may have seen a number of them in the heads of podcasters, since they’re often used for both music and voice/dialogue monitoring.
The sound quality is excellent, with a wide frequency response and excellent noise cancellation. There is no color to the music, and it all sounds the same; the highs are smooth, and the bass sounds are loud and clear.
The earpads are changeable and constructed of velour, which is exceptionally gentle on the ears, allowing you to wear the headphones for lengthy periods of time.
It’s available in two colors: black and gray.
ATH-M20X (Audio-Technica)
To round up our sound monitoring device selection, we have these extremely inexpensive headphones from Audio-Technica, a name recognized for producing high-quality audio equipment.
These feature 40mm drivers with earth magnets and aluminum wire voice coils. If you wish to increase performance on certain tracks, the frequency response may be adjusted.
The circumaural shapes around the ears provide excellent noise isolation, and the inbuilt neodymium magnet makes it ideal for recording and mixing your music.
However, some manufacturers think that these headphones may be a little more comfy. As a result, it’s not ideal for really extended production sessions.
Wired Over Ear Headphones by OneOdio
Coming in at a considerably lower price than the studio monitors on the list, these OneOdio headphones have a 3.5mm & ¼” jack, making them multi-compatible. You’ll be able to connect this to your computer, audio interface, or MIDI.
Unlike other headphones, they won’t get in the way of extensive beat-making segments. They have plush cushioned ear cushions that are both comfortable and noise-cancelling. The headband is also elastic and adjustable, allowing for a great fit on your head.
The internal 50mm speakers are equipped with neodymium magnets and can provide powerful bass as well as clean and sharp voices.
The single-side monitoring feature, designed specifically for producers and beatmakers, enables you to rotate the earcups up to 90 degrees to hear music from just one side.
5) Audio Connection
If you want to make sure your at-home beat-making experience is as good as it can be, you’ll need to invest in an audio interface.
Because your computer’s sound card is incapable of correctly processing sound signals from your microphone and instruments, the audio interface comes in useful. In other words, it makes it feasible to record and monitor sounds in the highest possible quality.
It may seem to be an unneeded extravagance, but it is the sort of technology that allows you to build up a learning environment with everything you want. When it’s time to compose beats for a musician or a possible customer, you’ll be prepared with everything you need to create high-quality content and wow them.
Scarlett 2i2 by Focusrite
This Focusrite 3rd generation audio interface provides high-fidelity sound monitoring as well as a wealth of other capabilities.
The pre-amps on this are high-quality, giving your voice and instruments a crystal-clear tone when recording. Gain Halos also aids in the delivery of clean sound by removing undesired clipping and distortion.
There are two balanced outputs, both of which are low-noise and capable of producing clear and rich sound. Because the gadget has a headphone port on the front, producers who want to listen to their beats via headphones won’t be disappointed.
You won’t have to worry about your rhythm losing quality when mixing since the recording and mixing capacity is up to 24 bit/192kHz. Throughout the beat-making process, your track should sound professional.
Focusrite created an online tool for beat creators that are just starting out. Easy Start takes new producers through the fundamentals of sound monitoring and recording, saving you time that may be spent doing things incorrectly.
AudioBox by PreSonus
This audio interface has two class A mic preamps and two instrument inputs for recording instruments or connecting a MIDI controller. Its chassis is built of steel, making it very durable.
The mixer controls are specifically created for sound monitoring, with minimal latency, and the recording and playback capability is up to 24bit/192kH.
There are headphone and balanced TRS outputs, and condenser microphones may be readily accommodated.
It’s a lot less expensive than other audio interfaces, but it still includes three separate software packages: Ableton Live, Studio One Artist, and Studio Magic Plug-in Suite.
It is compatible with both Windows and Linux operating systems.
U-PHORIA UM2 BEHRINGER
This Behringer alternative has a sampling rate of up to 48 kHz, is compatible with all major DAWs, and has a relatively tiny footprint.
There are four MIDAS-designed pre-amps to choose from, enhancing your leveling possibilities.
One XLR mic input, one headphone port, and one power/off button for the direct monitoring capability are all found on the frontal panel. In the rear, there are two extra-low latency outputs, a USB port, and a power/off switch for the +48V powering option.
Behringer also offers download alternatives for use with your audio interface, including more than 150 instrument and effect plug-ins, as well as audio recording and editing software.
It works on both Windows (XP and above) and iOS.
M-Track Solo by M-Audio
M-Audio was previously mentioned as a MIDI alternative, but they also offer some excellent audio interfaces. One of them is the M-Track Solo, which has a somewhat larger size than typical but excellent overall features.
This is a well designed interface that will complement your setup perfectly. Aside from its beauty, this baby delivers 48 kHz clear audio clarity, making it a visual as well as a functional treat for beat creators.
Two input pre-amps and one output pre-amp are located in the top area of the interface, while one XLR mic entry, one instrument output, a power/off switch for the built-in phantom power, and a 1/8″ headphone jack are located in the bottom/front section.
The headphone and stereo RCA outputs provide you complete monitoring freedom, all with minimal to no delay.
In addition, the MPC Beats program is included. Three virtual instruments, more than 80 FX plugins, and 2GB of music material with various instrument sounds and features are included in the package.
On the negative side, a large number of consumers complain about the poor quality of the plastic material used to make the interface. It’s best to maintain it stable in a secure location and to prevent dropping it as much as possible.
Studio 24c by PreSonus
PreSonus’ black-and-blue styled audio interface has a hefty price tag, but it compensates with a wealth of functionality and excellent sound quality.
To record your favorite instruments, you’ll use a 2-in/2-out USB-C interface (with USB-C to C and USB-C to A cables already included), two XMAX-L mic preamps and two XLR mic entry, 48V+ phantom power built-in, and two instrument/line inputs.
The headphone connector, as well as the MIDI input and output entries, are all located on the rear of the interface.
The converters on this enable for recording and playback of tracks at a sample rate of up to 24bit/96kHz. Small LED lights in red, yellow, and green are located on the front panel to aid in the monitoring of input and main levels.
The Studio One Artist and Ableton Live Lite DAWs are also included, as well as the Studio Magic Plug-in Suite software, which includes various plugins to play around with and experiment with in your beats.
Is it possible to have a talent for making beats?
Sure, but skill is useless without practice.
One of your tasks as a beat maker/music producer is to see music everywhere, not only in music. You’ll notice all the diverse noises around you in a new light, and some of them may be worthy of some “musicalization.”
Not only will you get a fresh viewpoint, but you’ll also be able to reimagine the essence of excellent music tracks by experimenting with new beats and rhythms using samples. You may repurpose elements of excellent music to create a new track with its own style and vitality.
Listening to a lot of excellent music and, of course, practicing beat creation as hard as you can can bring you to this point. You’ll ultimately come up with brilliant ideas that only your own creative mind could think of.
There’s no doubting that there’s skill involved when you take ownership of a fantastic piece of music that’s completely your own.
What is the best way to make my beats sound professional?
It all boils down to a mix of excellent gear and practice.
Your beats will most certainly sound horrible if you have superb equipment but lack the skills to back it up. The same is true in the other direction.
It’s just a question of gradually improving your equipment and beat-making talents until you have both amazing equipment and producing abilities, allowing you to create nothing but great, professional-sounding beats.
The “making beats for beginners” is a guide that lists the 5 essential equipment needed to make beats. The article covers what type of equipment, where to buy it and how much it costs.
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