So you want to be a music producer and make beats? You are probably starting from scratch. That’s not a problem.

The first things you need to figure out is whether you are going to buy hardware, such as the Akai MPC 300, or you are going to use your Windows or Apple PC. For many home-based producers, using the PC you have in your home is one of the easiest ways to get started. While die-hard Apple computer users will tell you that a Mac is the best platform to record on, you can have equal results/success using your Windows-based PC as well. Fortunately, software such as Pro Tools made the leap from Apple to Windows platform a few years back.

Providing your computer is modern (3 years or less), you most likely have the minimum specifications to run a music production software or digital audio workstation (DAW). But there are a few things you should be aware of. As a producer, sound quality is going to be a constant struggle with using your computer. Look at it this way, your computer’s sound card is probably not magnetically shielded. This means if you plug in a microphone to the back of your computer, there is a good potential for line interference. This means your recordings can come out distorted or have a mechanical hum or hiss.

The first thing you will want to look for is a pro audio sound card. If you are familiar with how to upgrade computers, you can look for an internal sound card that can be installed into your PC’s motherboard. If that sounds like a foreign language to you, fortunately, there are many external sound cards that only require a Fire Wire or USB connection. Aside from better signal quality for your recordings, many pro audio sound cards have multiple inputs. For example, a stock sound card only has one mono input for a microphone. A high-end sound card will have two or more channels of audio and accept connections like XLR (standard connections for Professional Microphones) and 1/4 inch (standard connection for most instruments).

Having multiple inputs means multiple recording sources simultaneously. This is called multi-tracking. Many DAW’s will allow for you to record each microphone/instrument on it’s own channel. This means you can adjust levels and add effects to the sounds independently. Learning how to record using your sound card and DAW is a major stepping stone on the road to becoming the next super music producer.

Article Source: http://www.platinumsoundsets.com

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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Making beats in todays day and age is becoming easier and easier with all of the new technology that is available. To get the title “Beat Maker” is an easy title to receive nowadays. All you need to do is download some software and sounds, make a few repetitive 4 bar loops and then have your best friend spit hot fire (most times its “not fire”) over the beat. But to become a real producer or even harder an underground legend, it takes a lot of grind and hustle. Most people are not focused enough to get to this level or just simple don’t have what it takes.

Mister K.A. is the true definition of the overly abused word hustler. With over 2,000 tracks used under his belt and the entire internet whispering about his talent, he currently holds the title as one of Hip Hops underground Producer Kings. In the following interview, you will get a chance to get inside the mind of Mister K.A. see what makes him tick and take notes.

How long have you been producing?

I’ve been producing for around 5 years off and on, I’ve been doing this as a full time career for about 2 years now.

How did you learn how to produce?

To tell you the truth, I learned how to produce all on my own. All the programs/equipment that I use I learned on my own. I basically just hooked it up sat it in front of me, and would just mess with it until I started to understand how it worked and could make quality material. Naturally the more I messed with it the better it got, which has got me to where I am today with the knowledge I know.

How often do you make tracks?

When i first started i would make 10-15 tracks a day, now that i am in a better position i make maybe 4-5 beats a week because i do so many other things besides just making them.

The art of being able to create a form of sounds arranged in a way I wanted starting from basically an idea in my head. Choosing everything from the melody to the drums to the bass etc… was just really entertaining, had a lot of feeling of artistic freedom and before I made beats I was rapping a lot. So to be able to make my own beats the way I wanted was just straight dope. Than when the money started coming in… It’s kind of like the icing on the cake.

How did you get discovered?

Well I wouldn’t say that I am discovered yet, I’m still looking for that one major jump off you know? But the way I came up was basically through word of mouth.

How long does it take for you to make a beat from start to finish?

It really depends, I don’t have a set time. But usually takes anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour is my usual work time. There have been times where I’ve worked on beats for like 2 days. I would add a little bit, leave it alone, play it back later on, add more. Sometimes change up how I work, but usually on grind time it takes around 15 mins to an hour.

What type of music do you produce?

I do mostly Hip Hop, but I do dabble into R&B. I want to get into rock.

Sample or original? Why?

I personally love original, there is nothing wrong with people who just sample, but thats not my preference. I like the idea of building something from absolutely nothing. That and there is no clearance issue selling an original beat.

What equipment do you use?

Right this second I am using FL7 Studio to lay my stuff into, I have 100’s of Vst’s (Too many to name), 61 key midi keyboard, Korg TR61, Motu Ultralite Interface. I am dabbling into Pro Tools at the moment.

Describe the creative process you use to make your tracks?

I start with the melody and lay it on a 4 bar loop, and just keep adding and adding sounds, than arrange it so I can just cut out sounds for the verse, and add them all back in for the chorus, than I will go through the verses and create bridges, breakdowns, drum switch ups etc…

Do you use live instrumentation?

At the present moment I don’t use actually instruments. I would really love to though. I want to add live guitar, bass and also drums very soon. Only thing you might consider live is I do actually do beat boxing into my beats, maybe if I hear some sort of object that makes a good sound I will use like for example a cup full of change for a shaker or something. Switch it up a little bit ya know.

Who have you produced for?

Oh man whenever someone asks me this I always forget everyone. Ive done Stat Quo, Big Lou (Street Sweepers Ent), Chino XL, Outerspace, Papoose etc.. As far as underground and independent artists I have no idea what the numbers are, Ive done joints for at least 2,000 unsigned artists in 2007.

It’s so cliche to say and I am sure almost every producer might say the same, but I’d love to work with Dr.Dre. For the fact he such a perfectionist. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t even mind just sitting in the back watching him work. Might learn a lot that way too, Ive heard him on a phone call I was on a little bit back, he is a very smart man.

Who is your favorite artist?

Without a doubt my favorite artist is Saigon. I’m very pissed that he’s still on this “quitting rap” stuff but I contacted him several times, and if he doesn’t pick up rapping again. I’m going to find him and make him. People need to hear what he has to say. Very talented emcee.

If you could give one tip to a wannabe industry producer what would it be?

One thing I would tell every producer who wants to do this is to just never wait on anything in this game, if you think you can make beats and the good things will just come forth you will be waiting forever. You have to get out there and work hard and make enough noise till people come to you, not you go to them.

What websites besides BeatCreators.com do you use?

There ain’t no other websites baby. www.BeatCreators.com IS the website I go to, all day everyday!

Bonus: What other side ventures do you have going on outside of producing?

On the side I own a promotion company and also I am opening up a recording studio.

Article Source: http://www.beatcreators.com, By Ike Barnes

For more education on careers in the music industry, check out: www.Music-Career-Guide.com

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