Make Your Own Beats Questions and Answers
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MPC Questions
What do I need beside an MPC to make beats?
A:
Besides a MPC and speakers you need a library of sounds. You will need a turntable to sample vynil and a cd play to sample cds. To play them back you are going to need a CD, DAT or cassette tape. You should consider getting a computer. A MAC is a stable music production friendly machine to consider.
Q:
I am setting up a studio and I have an MPC. What other equipment do I need plus my speakers?
A:
You need sounds. Get a turntable and or CD player. Get music into a form that you can present to others. A computer can make an efficient studio. CD is a popular format. Macs are very user friendly and you can get one off ebay for cheap.
Other Questions
How do I boost my kick drum?
Up the 100hz – 125hz 3+ db and add compression B!
Q make your own beats:
Is there a freeware program that can eradicate unwanted noise without compromising an EQ’d vocal?
A:
Both Audacity (http://audacity.soundforge.net) and Cool Edit (www.threecords.com/hammerhead/cool_edit_96.shtml) can help get rid of the noise. Audacity is a wave editor with a good noise reduction plug-in that should get the job done. Cool Edit has effective noise reduction algorithms that will indicate how much the vocal can be cleaned up. Although it is possible to erase most of the noise, be warned that some unwanted changes to the rest of the sound can occur as well.
Q:
I am setting up the equipment for my first foray into the music making business. My laptop soundcard does not seem be to compatible with my audio programs. Do you have any suggestions to work around this problem?
A:
Laptops generally do not come equipped with soundcards capable of handling professional quality audio production. You need to purchase a dedicated audio interface. Most external audio interfaces will connect via USB or FireWire. For a laptop musician, Edirol and M-Audio are the most popular interfaces. Another option to consider is an all-in-one interface/keyboard. Both the Edirol PCR-1 and M-Audio Ozone are good starts.
Q:
What is the best way to transfer music on vinyl to WAV or MP3 format?
A:
The straightforward approach is to output from the turntable into the soundcard and then record as WAV file. Since turntables only output at phono level, you will also need to capture the output from an amplifier or DJ mixer. You will need to connect the phono master output formthe DJ mixer or amplifier to the phono inputs of the soundcard. A wave editor like Sound Forge or WaveLab will be good to record the music. You will then have the ability to save as WAV or MP3.
Q:
How do I get started when I only have a computer and I don’t want to spend a lot of money?
A:
To make your own beats you will need software, a good soundcard, and a solid pair of speakers. The software component however does not have to be costly. You can start with freeware or shareware and move on to something like Cubase when you get more experienced. A good soundcard or audio interface will ensure your computer audio will run smoothly. M-Audio Audiophile 2496 is highly recommended if no planning on doing a great deal of recording. Save money on the speakers right now and don’t go for hi-fi or stereo. Instead, try a set like the Yamaha MSP3. They have great accuracy and are a great value. Finally, a MIDI controller keyboard will round out your system and give you plenty of room to grow.
Q make your own beats:
What do all those envelope acronyms (ADSR, AHDSR, DADSR) mean? What can I do with an envelope anyway?
A:
Let’s start at the beginning. Envelope generators are synthesis tools that govern how a synthesized behaves over time. Most instruments have more than one envelope generator. One modulates the amplitude of a patch, while the other controls how the filter behaves. Simpler instruments might have one envelope that does it all.
The most commonly used envelope is the four-stage ADSR, which stands for Attack Decay Sustain Release. The Attack stage controls the build up, the Decay stage controls the diminuendo to the Sustain level, the Sustain stage controls volume until the note is released and the Release stage controls how long the note will take to fade to silence.
The DADSR has a Delay control before the Attack segment starts up. The AHDSR envelope has a special hold control after the Attack segment that maintains the maximum level for a certain time before the Decay segments begins.
Q make your own beats: What is an LFO?
A:
LFO stands for low frequency oscillator. It is simple an oscillator that runs at a low rate. It makes a great modulation source for rhythmic treatments. Typical LFOs have a few waveforms that effect the destination differently. A square wave will have sharp and rhythmic pulsations. Conversely, a sine wave will give smooth and even modulations.
The rate of an LFO can be increased to produce an audio signal and a standard oscillator can be used as an LFO on the low setting. The Minimoog’s third oscillator can either be used as an LFO or an audible source.
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