We’ve had quite a few people (ok, hundreds) suggest that we make a side by side comparison chart of the different beat making software brands, so here’s a quick one. We’ll update it with new information as it’s suggested or becomes available. Eventually, we’ll have a full review for each product as well. If you have suggestions for more titles, or something we should add to the chart…drop us a line.
We’ve just learned that BTVSolo will be hitting the streets March 20th. It’s been a long wait, but it’s finally here. Along with the software, some EXCLUSIVE sound packs will be made available as well. Read about them here.
The sickest in home music production software is here. It’s called BTVSolo and it’s top shelf. Seriously, this is the software to get if you plan on making your own beats.
And I’m not just talking about a skin of an existing program. The co-creator is a Grammy Award winning producer. Check the sales page to see his credentials. This is the real deal.
I know, I know…”so what does it do already?” Well check out some screen shots and a video below. But the quick and dirty…the stuff that sets it apart…
Import and edit your own samples. Go ahead. Read that bold part again.
got a MIDI controller already? Hook it up no problem. Don’t have one? No prob. That one set of pads has 8 octaves.
CD quality sound. Import and export. Export as .wav OR .aiff
Preloaded with sounds (no nintendo 64 sounding bleep bloop tin can sounds either) plus the ability modify those sounds in the application in real time (delay, reverb, pitch shift)
Anyway, the list goes on and on, but I can’t do it justice. Head over and check it out yourself. It goes on sale early 2012 and it’s sure to be huge. Bookmark this page and checkback as I will update with more info as it becomes available.
If you search the web for beat making programs you’re bound to find everything from the crappy free app on a website to a fully professional studio quality software program that will not only break your bank, it’ll break your computer unless you do some serious upgrades.
So where do you get the high end software with the do it yourself prices? Well, if you are short on time and want the best…just go check out DubTurbo. You can’t beat the quality and the price. However, if you prefer to compare, then sit back and I’ll do my best to compare them for you.
Browse around and you’ll see we have reviews of different beat making programs, industry news, and other related stories. We update weekly and would love to get your opinion on what we should focus on.
So you want to make hip hop beats? You hear em in your head, and you want to recreate it on a track. Easy. Nowadays you can get everything done studio quality from the comfort of your own home. You just need to bring the right tools to the party. What tools? Good question.
1. You need a drum machine. You know this. Preferably, you need an all in one solution, not just a drum beat maker. The fewer pieces of equipment you have to get the better on your $. It should have pre recorded sounds, but it should also have the ability to add your own as well. Also, those prerecorded sounds should be studio quality sounds. You can look up Stereo Imaging if you need more info.
2. Sequencer or Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) 16 tracks. Ability to edit/mute individual tracks etc. Add samples and store tons of sounds. Since we’re online, you should be able to drag and drop or copy and paste bars. And don’t forget professional quality exporting. Remember…crap in = crap out. MP3 is not industry standard.
3. Sampling keyboard. Again we’re online here so this should all be accessible from your keyboard. However, you can always get a keyboard that connects via usb.
Pretty simple huh? Everything you need should be available with whatever online software you choose, but know that some offer more features/standards than others.
You want to make beats right? Great. Get $15,000 and meet me at my cousin’s music shop. We’ll get you all the gear you need to set up your own studio. You’ll be banging out your own sick beats in…well…eventually.
Wait, you don’t want to spend that much? You aren’t looking to get all that professional gear? Oh, no problem. Let’s take a look at what beat making programs are available for you home computer then. Way less scratch up front, and still some impressive results at the end.
There are some key things to look for in a DAW (that’s digital audio workstation) that should be included in any software you are looking at.First you’ll need a sampler, a sequencer, and a drum machine.
Specifically, for a sampler you want something that you can insert different sounds into without starting a new bar each time. You also want to be able to add sounds in real time by using your keyboard. Also you’ll want preloaded sounds so that you aren’t starting from 0.
With the sequencer, you want 16 tracks. Also you’ll want individual volume controls over each of those tracks. Trust me on this one. It’s not obvious at first, but without it, you’re really only playing with half the deck. You’ll want the best quality sound too so make sure you’re sounds are uncompressed and your exporting to .wav as well. We want studio quality, not pretty good cd quality.
Finally, you want a drum machine that you can tap on like your sampler keyboard. Look for preloaded sounds as well as the ability to upload your own.
As I mentioned before, always make sure your preloaded samples are uncompressed. A compress format such as mp3 doesn’t give you studio quality sound. Period. It may not sound bad, but it’s not pro quality. Stick to something that imports and exports .wav files. That way when your beats are eventually compressed, you are getting high quality sound. Remember shit in = shit out.
Banging out beats is one of the most satisfying thing I do, but before you run out there and try to be a hip hop beat maker, let’s go over the basics you’ll need for success.
First you’ll need something you can import samples with. Have you ever heard a beat that didn’t have some kind of sample? I guess if you look at the roots, you could make an argument that they don’t use them, but that’s pretty much the exception. You will be sampling so don’t skimp out on this feature.
Next we’ll want to make sure you’ll be able to edit the tracks you lay down. Making a beat is one thing, but tweeking it is another. I’ve made this mistake before, and believe me you don’t want to be redoing everything because later you have an epiphany and realize that that snare isn’t going to work.
Finally, look for something that has tutorials and back end support. You want to see the best way to make beats? Watch someone do it. I mean, this is a lot of new equipment to play with and you’ll want someone to walk you through using it. A forum, training videos, photos, whatever, just make sure they have it handy.
So now you need a hip hop beat maker without draining your wallet? Jump online and you can find more than a handful just waiting for you to buy them. You’ll probably find some super cheap or even free, but just remember you get what you pay for. Based on what’s out ther eyou won’t go wrong spending about $30 to $50. Anything less than that is just junk, and anything more is either too complicated for beginners to use or just a scam in the first place.
There are many to choose from such as DubTurbo, Sonic Producer, and Cyber Sequencer. Each has the same basic setup but vary depending on beats included and interface. Check out post on beat making software for our recommendations and tips on what to look for when comparing programs.
If you are seriously considering purchasing beat making software, let me introduce you to Dubturbo. Even though there are more expensive programs out there, you won’t find one that gives you the features that you get with Dub. Namely, you won’t find another program online that lets you record studio quality tracks. I’ll say that again with emphasis….studio quality.For the record. MP3 is not studio quality. And if you are looking to sell your beats or even just have someone record over them, you need a high quality uncompressed file.
In addition to the high quality master you get, check out what else you get:
Didn’t read it all? Want the recap? How about prerecorded high quality .wav sounds with the ability to import your own. That’s right, you can upload your own samples and bang away at your keyboard to insert them into your beat.
If you aren’t ready to upload your own samples, don’t worry. You’ll get thousands of prerecorded sounds to mess around with. Each grouped by a description such as hip hop, beatbox, etc, etc. And these aren’t some throw away bonus to try and get you to buy the software. We’re talking stereo imaged, mastered, .wav files like the one’s that your favorite producer is using. And when you lay down that sick beat, you’ll be exporting it in that same studio quality mastered .wav format. Just like the pros. From keyboard to cd.
Speaking of keyboard, that’s another thing you won’t find in some of the beat making software available for your home pc. This one has a 4 octave keyboard you can use by tapping on your computer keyboard. Same with the drum kit. Add the snare with your mouse or tap along to the beat you are making. Either way, you get complete creative control without forking over 10k for a home studio setup.
Another great feature of Dubturbo is that you get access to an online version as well as the downloadable software. We all know that creativity hits when it hits so you don’t want to be over at your girls house and losing that beat in your head because you weren’t near your computer.
Is it right for you? No idea slick, but I do know that if it ain’t you get 60 days to return it. How can you go wrong? There’s video tutorials from the creator (a dude who’s been laying down tracks for years) and much more in the members only section.
DubTurbo is a downloadable beatmaking program that works on both PC and Mac. It’s not a full blown DAW because you can’t record someone singing over your track once you make it. You will need another program for that. If you don’t know what a DAW is it’s a Digital Audio Workstation. What does that mean? Well, click here for a definition.
Basically, DubTurbo is a sequencer, drum machine and keyboard all in one. It comes preloaded with studio quality sounds, and still gives you the option to import your own.
As far as quality goes, you won’t find another piece of software for this price. End of discussion…thanks for playing. It’s got a 16 channel mixer, a 4 octave keyboard, .wav samples (read: not mp3), and there’s an online version if you need it. Here’s a quick comparison chart for you:
My Review
The reason this is my favorite piece of software so far is two fold. One the features and quality, to me, set this one far above the rest. Two, I like that I can do it online as well as at my desktop.
First, the sound quality and the software quality are just amazing. I don’t have a super studio setup at home but I do have some Soundscience Rockus speakers (birthday present brag…thank you honey!) speakers and you can tell the difference when you’re hitting the lows on the keyboard.
Also, the sheer quantity of included sounds, both included and with the bonus beats, is ridiculous. I’m not to the point where I have been uploading my own sounds (well, except my son’s voice when we were messing around) but I don’t think I’ve even heard all of them.
Second, I like that I can be on my laptop and still have access to this without having to buy 2 sets. I can email myself a file, and if I get creative late at night, I can fire up the laptop instead of waking anyone up with the desktop. Also, the membership site is so completely geared towards getting the most out of the software whether it’s training videos or selling beats or whatever.
So is it right for you? I can’t answer that. Bottom line for me is I found these 2 pluses. Think about what’s important to you and look at their site. If you think it might be what you’re looking for remember they have a 60 day return policy so you aren’t stuck if it sucks. And I’m pretty sure it won’t.
