The Top 10 things a beat creator absolutely MUST look for in a software-based beat maker
07/10/2013 18:09WOW. It really is mind-blowing how far we've progressed when it comes to making beats. With the introduction of the online drum machine, literally anybody can become a beat creator, cranking out pro quality beats in a minimum amount of time, using only their computer. But as with most new technology, there is a staggering array of options to select from, with many being sub-par, and others being outstanding. Here are the Top 10 features you should ALWAYS demand in any online beatmaker:
A sleek, intuitive interface that's easy to navigate. If the appearance makes no sense and you can never find what you're looking for, you're going to get frustrated quickly, and could end up abandoning your song.
An efficient sequencer (I know that sounds like a fancy production term, but it's basically just the screen you use to create your beats). You'll want one that maintains your workflow by featuring fast shortcuts, simple drag n' drop action, etc.
In-depth video tutorials and ongoing support. You want to get started right away, and shouldn't be left to figure it out for yourself once you've bought the product.
The ability to simply use your computer's keyboard so that zero additional equipment is required. Unless you want to be dealing with controllers and drum pads, you want a program that allows you to tap out the beats directly on your computer's keyboard.
A melodic component (instead of merely percussion). Creating beats using just drums is awesome, but you also need built-in synthesizers so you can add that nasty bass line or catchy high lead.
A multi-octave built-in range. You'll want to be able to reach the highest highs and lowest lows working with both your drum and synth sounds, so aim for at least a 3-4 octave range.
High-quality, professionally mastered sounds. It's great to have old-school, "808"-style sounds on hand for when you want to go for a "retro" sound, but your focus should be crisp, full, modern-sounding samples, with clear high notes and booming basses.
High-performance processing. You need something that can handle all those high-quality samples and all the processing demands that go along with the tracking, editing, and mixing.
TONS of built-in sounds and drum kits. You never know what kind of beats you may be down for creating, so you need a massive sound bank to choose from, preferably with the capacity to be increased or upgraded, and ideally to even import your own sounds to add to the mix.
The ability to produce your jammin' beats in the higher-quality WAV format - NOT just mp3s. If you want to sound like a pro, you gotta use what the pros use - simple as that.
With so many low-quality options on the market today, it really pays to take the time to do your research and find a beat maker that meets your needs. When you do, you'll be pumping out pro quality beats from your own computer, and having a great time in the process. Of all the ones that I personally have sampled, this beat maker is head and shoulders above the rest, but you should decide for yourself. Good luck, and have fun!online beat maker