How to Make R&B Beats With Software
- 1). Download free beat-making software. A few free demo software programs you can find online are FL Studio, Beatcraft Drum machine and Propellerhead Reason. Study the software tutorial to get familiar with the layout of the software and learn how to use the music samples. Scour the sample and instrument browser for R&B instruments such as the string, horn, saxophone, piano and bass guitar. Consider what kind of R&B beat you want to make.
- 2). Plug your midi-keyboard into the computer. Open the beat-making software. Go to options. Ensure that the keyboard is connected and ready for use.
- 3). Find the option that allows you to adjust the layout of the program. Alter the program layout to suit your preference. Ensure that the setup is suitable to your preference, because this enhances your work flow. Select the”default” layout, if you do not have any preferences. Ensure that that you have access to the sample or instrument browser, the play list and the instrument loader.
- 4). Click the sample browser to choose the instruments you want. Scroll down the R&B folder for instruments. Find samples that you can create a drum pattern with, such as a drum, clap, hat and snare. Choose the softer sounding percussion, because R&B beats have a very smooth and soft feel to them. Think of your favorite R&B artist’s music to get an idea of an R&B beat.
- 5). Load all of the instruments and samples that you find into the sample loader. Organize the sample loader by placing the first instruments you use towards the top. Name and label the instruments to tell them apart.
- 6). Look for "strings" and "piano” folders to find smooth R&B instruments. Search under the guitar section for the bass guitar. Send these samples to the sample loader. Open the piano-roll tool to begin creating the melody for the beat. Set the tempo around 130 beats per minute. Most R&B beats are moderately slow. Since the bass line of the beat is usually the foundation, create the bass line melody first. Work all the other instruments around the bass line. Use a different pattern for each instrument.
- 7). Send the instrument patterns to the play list layout. Ensure that you name the instruments in the layout so that you can identify each one. Begin the beat with a four-bar introduction. Create two eight-bar verses and two eight-bar choruses.