How To Make Platinum Rap Beats

Many up-and-coming music producers struggle with achieving a top notch radio-ready sound like Dr. Dre, Kanye West, Lil Jon, Timbaland and many other top producers. This is because many of the top producers in the industry have a catalog of music from multiple genres that most music producer would never consider listening too.

Since the late 90’s music has shifted primarily to a digital format making it increasingly harder to get some of the oldies that our mothers and fathers you to party too. But don’t let this discourage you, if you start now within less than a year you can have a huge collection of oldies.

I started about 10 years ago and I have collected over 10,000 LP’s in every genre. So anytime I want to switch up my production style I simple pull an old LP from the catalog.

I also suggest building a major catalog because eventually music will go back to a more musical sound where you will here more instruments and drums.

Below is a list of steps that can help you enhance your production style.

1. Start build a catalog of music from the early 1990’s back to the mid 1930’s by buying old LP’s.
2. Get your hands on the following genres: Soul, R&B, Old School Rap, Rock, Country, Classical, Bachata, Merengue, Hindi, Soca, Calypso, Reggae & Dance just to name a few.
3. Search for music in other languages. It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand the language just find bits and pieces of music that cause you to listen to it over and over again. Remember music is universal.
4. Buy drum kits that are inspired by some of your favorite music producers.
5. Try to re-create beats made by your favorite producers. This is a good way to increase your production style and get familiar with what instruments they use to make most of their hits.
6. When mixing your music compare your mix to a genre that is most similar to yours. So if you are producing a west coast track you want to listen to how Dr. Dre mixes his snares, kick high hats, etc.
7. Listen to how your favorite music producers layer their instruments.

Here is a list equipment I recommend you purchase to achieve a quality sound.

Akai MPC2000XL, MPC3000
E-mu Vintage Pro sound module
Novation SuperNova synth
Roland XV-5080 sound module (2)
Soundart Chameleon audio DSP engine
Studio Electronics SE-1 sound module
Yamaha Motif synth
Digidesign's Pro Tools

If you would like to get more information on how to enhance your production go to Mix Me Entertainment and register for free drum kits, beats and other useful information.