Beatmaking: How Music Virtuosos Make Money with Exclusive Beats

Contents:

• Hip-hop instrumentals
• How beatmaking began
• What a beatmaker does and what equipment he uses
• uses
• Pros and cons of the profession
• How much can you earn on creative work
• A new sense of music

Hip-hop instrumentals

Beatmaking is one of the revolutionary trends in music that came from hip-hop. Beatmakers create the framework of a piece of music from beats and set its atmosphere.

The name of the profession comes from the English. beatmaker (beat - rhythm, maker - creator). Having begun collaborating with hip-hop and rap artists, beatmakers have become sought after in a variety of music genres. Nowadays, original beats are created using a computer, where they arrange, record the melody, and vocals. The ability to combine computer music developments and a sense of style guarantees the release of unique tracks.

How beatmaking was born

Over time, technology evolved. In the 80s, musicians created sketches based on fragments of recordings of various genres. Their further work was hampered by copyright issues, which were resolved in the 90s. At the same time, samplers developed innovative software, and they began to create their own beats, rather than assembling compositions from other people's rhythms. Today, beatmakers build works on the sounds of electronic music, bass guitars, drums, synthesizers, keyboards, and more. This is a recognized musical art.

But the story wouldn't be complete without mentioning those who were at its origins. This is undoubtedly Afrika Bambaataa, the godfather of hip-hop culture, who rose to fame releasing electro hits in the '80s. Bambaataa hosted hip-hop parties starting in 1977, seeking to pull kids out of gangs and instill in them a new musical culture. Another prominent figure in beatmaking is Jamaican DJ Kool Herc. He pioneered the idea of ​​breakbeat DJing, using funk drum solos with a focus on rhythm.

What does a beatmaker do and what equipment does he use?

The profession of a beatmaker is often compared to production, but this is not entirely true. A producer is responsible for the song as a whole, including the lyrics and the correctness of the performance. A beatmaker sets the rhythm of the song, and achieves the best results when working in a team with the performer, composer, producer, and arranger. Mutual understanding between them helps write a hit. The beat is created for the vocal capabilities of the artist, taking into account the musical style in which the composer wrote the music. The arranger finalizes the piece and releases it.

Creating a beat is a long and painstaking process that begins with programming and ends with mixing and mastering. An experienced specialist will be able to release a catchy intro and diversify their own work with drops (edit:falling sounds) or rhythm changes. He is well acquainted with the effects and techniques of dynamic sound processing. The master must be able to choose the right equipment, understand the differences between beat-generating software. Let's dwell on this point in more detail. A beatmaker uses certain equipment in his work:

• A computer or laptop with suitable specifications for work.
• A sampler for playing parts of recordings or samples. One reliable model is the Akai MPC One.
• A MIDI keyboard with 32 or 49 keys, which allows you to improvise and control the sound. For example, the AKAI MPK MINI MK2 is a leader among keyboards.
• Synthesizer. It can be purchased instead of a keyboard, and its main functions are sound playback and recording. Korg littleBits is a worthy model for beginners.
• Studio microphone with a stand or pantograph, providing a noise-free signal. Alctron CM6-MKII is suitable for beginners.
• A pop filter for a microphone, ensuring clarity of sound. For starters, you can consider the Hercules MH200B model.
• Studio headphones. Here you can take a closer look at the Prodipe 3000 model.
• A monitor, as a must-have tool for mixing. For example, you can consider the KRK RP5G4.
• Audio interface. This is a necessary attribute for recording vocals, which ensures clear signal transmission. Beatmakers often choose the Alctron U12 for their work.

After selecting the equipment, software is selected, and only then can beatmaking begin. Special software called a sequencer is recommended for this work. The most popular programs are:

• FL Studio.A digital workstation for creating music with a user-friendly interface and minimal system requirements. Easy to use - the user selects sounds, adjusts their order, and launches a track.
• Ableton Live.Features practical automation and offers tools for improvisation. Suitable for writing music in the studio and for live performances.
• Logic Pro. Provides access to 20 thousand loops (edit:repeating musical passages). Extensive audio editing capabilities are provided, there is a vocal correction function.

Imported software is licensed and is quite expensive. Before purchasing, it is recommended to carefully consider the functionality of each program. Thematic articles, reviews, and video overviews, as well as trial periods offered by software developers, will help with this.

Pros and Cons of the Profession

Every profession has its pros and cons. Among the advantages of the occupation are a favorite activity and earnings. There is no upper limit on income - everything depends on hard work and professional qualities. A flexible work schedule allows you to organize a studio at home - live in Minsk and collaborate with performers from the USA. Another obvious advantage is the ability to select clients for collaboration and the absence of traditional "boss-subordinate" relationships.

Among the disadvantages of beatmaking, some point to the lack of social guarantees. Creative crises occur, and career growth in the traditional sense is nonexistent. Fame in beatmaking comes when collaborations with top singers begin, and the fees for work become substantial. But at the initial stages, considerable investments in equipment and software will be required.

How much can you earn from creative work?

The profession is distinguished by the fact that success does not depend on the experience and length of service of the beatmaker. A beginner's beat can "take off", it will be noticed by producers and artists, regular clients will appear, who will begin to order other compositions and pay generously for them. Sometimes you have to wait years for recognition, but there is no need to despair, a freelance artist can earn money in different ways:

• sell beats;
• produce songs;
• write compositions to order;
• Rent out beats;
• Receive royalties;
• Give master classes;
• do DJing.

A beatmaker's income level depends on experience, location of sale, and license type. Beginning musicians earn between $25 and $40 renting out beats. Beat sales start at $130 per musical unit. As fame increases, prices will rise—exclusive licenses for individual beats can reach several thousand dollars. Everything depends on the talent and name of the beatmaker and the artists they've worked with.

A New Sense of Music

The founder of funk (edit: one of the fundamental trends in African-American music) James Brown introduced the concept of groove - a specific unearthly feeling that arises while listening to a composition. Groove appears thanks to a skillfully generated, deep and dynamic beat created by a beatmaker. If you want to learn more about this unique profession that allows you to fill the world with harmony, we suggest you familiarize yourself with thematic literature, blogs and professional communities:

• M. Towersbury "The Secrets of House Music Production" - tips on working with samples (digitized sound fragments).
• M. Hooks' "Music Theory for Computer Musicians" discusses music theory and how it works on a PC.
• The "Beatmaking School" Telegram channel discusses musicians' work and shares useful FL Studio features.
• The beatmaker.tv website has a lot of music and collections from authors from Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, and you can also upload your own compositions.