When you first start beatmaking, you make a new track, get excited when it really starts to come together, but then a few weeks later that excitement disappears when you haven't listened to that track in a while. You begin to compare it to songs on the radio and your track doesn't have the same punch, intensity, or that "professional" sound. However, what is the reason for this discrepancy?
Today, we are going to discuss concepts that are critical to making your track compete with the professionals. By learning and applying these concepts into your beats, your beats will immediately starting sounding more professional. However, remember that beat making is an art form and a discipline, and like any art form, it takes practice and many hours to get good at it. Keep in mind that many of the songs you hear on the radio were produced by people who have spent years working on their craft. Don't be discouraged and remember that through hard work and practice, your tracks will soon be able to stand up to the pros as well.
1. Layering: One big difference between amateur tracks and professional tracks is that the pros typically layer sounds to make the resulting sound more unique, interesting, and impactful. This can occur in the drums by layering two complementary kick drum sounds with one another. It can also occur in any other part in the track. The end result is a fuller sounding mix with more impact.
2. The Arrangement: Does your track loop continuously or does it have a proper intro, verse, chorus, and bridge with different elements in each part? The arrangement is a critical factor from having just a great sounding loop progress into a full track. Take care to make sure your beat has a well structure arrangement and it will instantly sound more professional
3. Auxiliary Sounds: Though not as core to the track as other elements such as the bass, the drum, the lead etc., aux sounds really give a track a touch of professionalism. Does your track transition smoothly from verse to chorus with a nice fill or aux sound or does it transition abruptly. Does your track lack little touches that make it unique or are complementary to what a rapper is saying? Auxiliary sounds show that a producer is operating at a higher level and is really putting time and energy into a track.
4. The Mix: Do your frequncies compete against one another or do they complement each other to make a full-sounding mix. A good mix can really highlight a great beat while a poor one can really kill it. Be sure to mix your tracks properly of have someone do it for you. You don't have to have the latest plug-ins to make an effective mix, but you should at least study up on frequencies and basic effects such as delay and reverb to have the knowledge to make a basic good sounding mix.
This is not a complete list, but it is a good start to getting your mixes to sound more professional. By incorporating the elements above, you can be well on your way to having an excellent sounding track.
Today, we are going to discuss concepts that are critical to making your track compete with the professionals. By learning and applying these concepts into your beats, your beats will immediately starting sounding more professional. However, remember that beat making is an art form and a discipline, and like any art form, it takes practice and many hours to get good at it. Keep in mind that many of the songs you hear on the radio were produced by people who have spent years working on their craft. Don't be discouraged and remember that through hard work and practice, your tracks will soon be able to stand up to the pros as well.
1. Layering: One big difference between amateur tracks and professional tracks is that the pros typically layer sounds to make the resulting sound more unique, interesting, and impactful. This can occur in the drums by layering two complementary kick drum sounds with one another. It can also occur in any other part in the track. The end result is a fuller sounding mix with more impact.
2. The Arrangement: Does your track loop continuously or does it have a proper intro, verse, chorus, and bridge with different elements in each part? The arrangement is a critical factor from having just a great sounding loop progress into a full track. Take care to make sure your beat has a well structure arrangement and it will instantly sound more professional
3. Auxiliary Sounds: Though not as core to the track as other elements such as the bass, the drum, the lead etc., aux sounds really give a track a touch of professionalism. Does your track transition smoothly from verse to chorus with a nice fill or aux sound or does it transition abruptly. Does your track lack little touches that make it unique or are complementary to what a rapper is saying? Auxiliary sounds show that a producer is operating at a higher level and is really putting time and energy into a track.
4. The Mix: Do your frequncies compete against one another or do they complement each other to make a full-sounding mix. A good mix can really highlight a great beat while a poor one can really kill it. Be sure to mix your tracks properly of have someone do it for you. You don't have to have the latest plug-ins to make an effective mix, but you should at least study up on frequencies and basic effects such as delay and reverb to have the knowledge to make a basic good sounding mix.
This is not a complete list, but it is a good start to getting your mixes to sound more professional. By incorporating the elements above, you can be well on your way to having an excellent sounding track.
About the Author:
Frank Lubsey is a founding member of the Jam Sonic production team. Please visit his site for hip-hop beats for sale and to purchase beats.
