(Part 3) Top products from r/makinghiphop

Check out FL Studio. Great beginner program. Although if you can't afford that, you can check out Caustic (Android app that does a fantastic job for a song editor, and very simple to understand.) and do a -shitton- of tutorials.

I suggest also checking out a few books on drums and such, I have one which is about how to program and think like a drummer. Aimed at older drum machines, but certainly valid in FL Studio.

Look into dropping about 100 bucks into a midi keyboard, they're pretty sweet and make melodies and such much easier to create, in my experience.
Check out the akai series, they make good low-end midi keyboards.
(akai lpk25)
(akai mpk mini)

I have the second one and have played with the first. Both solid and super cheap to get into.

There are others, but those are the ones I have experience with.

Also, for the love of all that is friendship and magic, either buy FL Studio or make it work with just the demo. The demo keeps you from opening projects back up, so you'll just have to keep it running.


If you have an old yamaha keyboard, or want to use that instead, buy a midi to usb converter for about 5 bucks. It'll be a cheap midi keyboard to use and it should have a lot more keys to mess with than the akais I linked, but the price is a bit weirder. Velocity is over 100 bucks typically, unless you're getting used. Check craigslist and friends for super-cheap keyboards.

Finally, check out Warbeats and look through their music theory tutorials. They're very legit and easy to understand. Mostly, check out scales, chords, and basic basslines. Those are the most important bits to know.


But, most importantly, WORK. Put in at least an hour or two a day into making beats. Even if it's not all at once, you need to always be making more beats. It's going to suck, you'll hate what you make, you'll want to stop. Don't stop. If you do it every day for a few hours and make a beat, refine it, get it critiqued, you'll get better. After a year or two you'll be pretty good.

The more you pour into it, the more you'll get out.

Regarding speakers for your studio, you don't need the huge hi-fi speakers that big studios have, they use those mainly to flatter artists and industry reps. For mixing, you should get a set of speakers with a relatively flat frequency response that spotlights the midrange and has low distortion. The Avatone Mix Cube is good for this. You only really need one because a lot of mixing is in mono. The Yamaha NS10s are also good (these are more expensive and are pretty standard in most studios. The thing about these speakers is not that they sound good, but that, on first listen, you'd probably think they sound bad; they highlight problems in your mix.

I imagine if you're doing hip-hop a lot of your listeners will listen on headphones so it's useful to do some mixing on headphones (you might do mono mixing on your nearfield and work out panning and stereo stuff on headphones, for example), so get two good pairs of studio headphones-one for you, and one for people you record (unless you're building this to record yourself, although if people know you have this cool studio they might want to get in on the action and it'd be good to be prepared for that if it does happen-you might also want to record a feature on your track or something).

Get a DAW and know it back and forth. I would say for your purposes, unless you're already well-versed in Pro Tools or already have a copy of it, don't get Pro Tools-there's a huge learning curve and it's by far the most expensive. Reaper has a free demo that you can use indefinitely and FL Studio and Audacity are free. Ableton is what most producers use but it's not really made for tracking or mixing, so what some people do is they produce in Ableton and bounce the track to another DAW to mix.

Microphone-wise, ideally for vocals you want a large-diaphragm condenser. A small-diaphragm will work too but LDCs are standard. You can record on a dynamic mic but they usually need a lot more gain which might mean more noise and you'll need to be handy at mixing to get the sound you want out of a dynamic mic.

If you're investing in a big project like this, read a lot and know what you're doing. This book will get you started on mixing techniques and the basics. This one is a must, it starts out with some chapters on how to acoustically treat the room you're working in which even though it isn't glamorous or fun is totally vital to a good studio.

I'm going to be a little bit different from these other comments. I think there are some pros and cons to this bundle. I clicked on your thread out of curiosity but ended up realizing this was the bundle me and my friend bought during college when we first started rapping. While this bundle is a good starter kit, we had a lot of issues with monitoring. Monitoring is the ability to hear yourself while recording. Its not super necessary but I prefer to hear myself within the headphones while I am recording. There is something called latency, which is the time you speak to the time you hear yourself in the headphones. With this bundle sometimes we couldn't monitor ourselves at all, and other times we could but the latency was so large that it sounded like we were rapping over our own echoes.

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I would recommend purchasing audio technica M50 as headphones. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HVLUR86?aaxitk=cVQsljyy61ps.jPMCOqbVQ&pd_rd_i=B00HVLUR86&pf_rd_p=44fc3e0f-4b9e-4ed8-b33b-363a7257163d&hsa_cr_id=9643844680501&sb-ci-n=asinImage&sb-ci-v=https%3A%2F%2Fm.media-amazon.com%2Fimages%2FI%2F81Hajq6vPiL.jpg&sb-ci-a=B00HVLUR86

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AKG perception microphone. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00160PRBU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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and this behringer audio interface. https://www.amazon.com/BEHRINGER-Audio-Interface-1-Channel-UM2/dp/B00EK1OTZC/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=audio+interface&qid=1571236325&refinements=p_72%3A1248939011&rnid=1248937011&s=musical-instruments&sr=1-5

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It comes out to the same price kind of. I have the M-audio M - track audio interface. I dont think they make it anymore but I really like it so if you find it on ebay or something it might be worth it.

If you are looking at a DAW to start recording. I suggest reaper. Its literally free and insanely robust software considering its free. Theres a 60 day limit on the software but you can really use the software past that date. I used it for like 1000 days before i ended up paying like the 60 bucks for it.

get an audio interface and monitor speakers. the audio interface will allow you to record any instrument/mic that uses an instrument cable or an XLR cable. make sure you get one with the right amount of inputs u want. if you JUST wanna record vocals, you can get a pretty cheap single-input interface on amazon for like $40. here's a pretty good cheap one that you can also hook monitor speakers up to with the Left and Right outputs in the back.
(https://www.amazon.com/Behringer-UMC22-BEHRINGER-U-PHORIA/dp/B00FFIGZF6/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1519988949&sr=8-8&keywords=behringer+interface). For monitor speakers, I've only ever used KRK rokits. I have the 8" and the 5" ones. Obviously I like the 8" better but the 5" ones are still very accurate and impressive. you can go to a guitar center or whatever and listen to a bunch of different brands though if you wanna hear for yourself before you buy. and if you have any leftover money, save it for after you find out what your ideal production workflow is. i personally use maschine and it does everything i could ever want and more, but it might not work out for you. i'd say the interface and speakers will elevate your game instantly and will lead to producing better quality music.

I hear the blue yeti is really special. I use the Samson c01u, but it got the same reviews ass the blue yeti in terms of clarity. It doesn't matter which one you buy, if you get super good at EQing you'll sound pretty great, so learn how to mix well and stuff. You'll be fine.

https://www.amazon.com/Samson-C01U-Studio-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B00HXE4BYW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517773207&sr=8-1&keywords=samson+c01u

My 2 cents is:

1. Everything /u/ChrysMYO said is gold.
   
   
2. Treat this as a learning experience. Working with a rapper in the studio and putting together concepts/songs is an entirely different skill set then just making beats and putting 'em on soundcloud/songclick. Ask for just enough money that it will cover your expenses (travel/food) and so he will value your time.
   It's not about trying to even trying to make money off your friend, but like, assuming you guys make a great mixtape at some point another rapper will ask your friend about you and he will say, "Oh he's dope and he's mad cheap" as oppossed to "Oh yeah he's dope and he'll work for free".
   
   
3. Read this book and get the publishing situation correct in case any of the songs blow up https://www.amazon.com/Plain-Simple-Guide-Music-Publishing/dp/1480354627/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1510342919&sr=8-1&keywords=music+publishing
   
   
4. Put your producer tag on every song. NON-NEGOTIABLE.
   
   
5. Can you DJ? If not, learn. Rappers always need backing DJ's and that'll get you a little bit of that show money. Also, playing shows is fun AF.

Sennheiser has a Beats competitor, 2 actually. One is called the [Urbanite,] (http://www.amazon.com/Sennheiser-Urbanite-XL-Over-Ear-Headphones/dp/B00M3NZKA2) which sound like ass but look pretty great. The other is called the [Momentum,] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00AZZNXOK/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1427837701&sr=8-1&keywords=momentum&dpPl=1&dpID=41PhwEt071L&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SY200_QL40) which sound pretty good but don't look as good as the Urbanites IMO.

Specific to this, you can study tonal harmony, what constitutes a major and minor scale, including natural, harmonic and melodic minor, and studying the circle of fifths and it's reasoning, including understanding what relative minors are, and how keys relate due to their construction.

https://www.musictheory.net/
google-fu
search related forums

If you'd like to get a foundational understanding of music theory that's friendly to people who aren't classically trained, this is the book I'd recommend:

https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Computer-Musicians-Michael-Hewitt/dp/1598635034/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467063989&sr=8-1&keywords=music+theory+for+computer+musicians

Alternatively, just watch this video a bunch. He gives you some nice bare bones practical use of the circle of 5ths, that you can apply right now.

I've been looking at more 49 key MIDI's (most of the 49 keyboards don't have drum pads and other essential hip-hop features, for whatever reason, which doesn't leave a lot to choose from... on Amazon at least) and I'd like to get your input one more time between two controllers, one of which you linked earlier. I might make a separate post tomorrow with all the new information and boards I've narrowed it down to.

So, it's between the M-Audio that you linked earlier and this other M-Audio that I found on Amazon. The one on Amazon is slightly more expensive, and they're definitely different, but the pictures make it hard to tell exactly what the differences are. Despite the price, the one you linked actually seems nicer tho, would you agree?

They seem to literally be the only 49 key controllers I can find on Amazon within my price range that are suited for hip-hop production. Everything else is either $300+ or made for another genre, unless you have any other suggestions. I'm curious why 25 key controllers seem to have much more options to choose from for hip-hop than 49 key.

Here's a quick link to the MPK225. You can see the difference between the 25, 49 and 61 key models. I'll be honest, I don't think you need a full 61 key unless you're a capable piano player who will be making use of multiple octaves quickly, where having to use the octave button would be detrimental. It's very easy to shift octaves up and down, and I find the 49 key to be more than capable of meeting my needs.

I'm looking at the AT-LP120-USB from Audio Technica. Looks great and I know a few people that love it. About $230 at Amazon.

This is the turntable i have, it is fantastic (it says "dj" turntable, but i use it for sampling) It has a rock solid build quality, you can do usb, or line outputs to go into your interface. You can play back at 33,45, and 78 RPM, and it also has a pitch slider as well. you can also get a slipmat for it so you can manipulate the record with your hand/scratch, etc.
Turntable:
https://www.amazon.com/Audio-Technica-AT-LP120-USB-Direct-Drive-Professional-Turntable/dp/B002S1CJ2Q

Slipmat:
https://www.amazon.com/Gemini-Turntable-Slipmats-Pair-Price/dp/B00P9J5SK4/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1485442971&sr=1-7&keywords=record+player+slipmat

Yeah, the headphone jack is no use in this case.

Another good reason to get audio interface is that it takes a major load off your computer when working in your DAW.

If you want a really cheap interface, I could recommend Behringer UMC22.

It's really cheap, and has double TRS outputs. However, Behringer is kind of known for "decent quality for a decent price". This could be your starter interface, and easily upgraded to more quality interface when time comes (For example NI Audio 6).

This is a hobby, $50 isnt a steep investment. You aren't going to like anything you record for about at least a year anyways, get the cheap mic.

edit: to answer the question you actually asked tho id go with this if you wanted to keep it around $200 Rode NT-USB

but if you want to invest, id suggest learn to use the $50 mic already linked, and then save for a proper set up well down the line.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Microphones-Bluebird-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000RLI76G/ref=sr_1_1?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1450196816&sr=1-1&keywords=bluebird+microphone

Love this mic. Can't recommend it enough. I got mine at a pawn shop (which you obviously have to be careful about - don't buy a used one unless you can return it) for $120. You would be hard pressed to find a better mic for the price.

It's from the 33 1/3 series

Super interesting stuff.

Awesome, I'm all about that melody.

Yeah, I need to pick up a mic. I work in a studio so I have access at work, did this last night right on my mac though. Thinking I'll pick up one of these. Rode NT-USB

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00BBXJGX2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect

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Never forget to smile again | ^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

Happy to help


I was on mobile earlier but Schloss' paper is here and you can buy Ferguson here. Also, I was reading this last night and thinking about trends in sampling ethics.


I you find anything more on this topic please send me a PM!

they seem to have really good reviews on amazon


i'd say go for it, presonus makes some really nice gear in my experience. these seem to have all the qualifications of a nice entry level monitor, hell at this price im tempted to cop them to a/b with my JBL 305's

You'll need something like this if you're going straight to your computer (MIDI to USB)

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0017H4EBG?pc_redir=1411209947&robot_redir=1

https://www.amazon.com/Theory-Computer-Musicians-Michael-Hewitt/dp/1598635034

buy this book. just buy it. also buy the mixing secrets book for the small studio. trust me. theyre phenomenal and will change your craft basically overnight

Hey guys, I'm looking to expand from mixing with headphones and getting some studio monitors for my setup.

I use FL Studio\Ableton to produce, and these are the monitors\DAC I plan on grabbing. Pretty entry level stuff, but they are well reviewed. Am I missing anything or should these pieces do the trick?

• Creative Soundblaster Xi-Fi USB Audio
  
  
• 
  PreSonus Eris E4.5 2-Way Powered Studio Monitors
  
  
• 1/4" to RCA cable

No preamp needed. There are two mono (L/R) 1/4" outputs. so just make sure you have a cable to get both channels recorded (I use one of these: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CPR-202-Stereo-Interconnect-Cable/dp/B000068O17/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1478984046&sr=8-5&keywords=stereo+hosa+cable)

If you just have a regular soundcard with a 1/8inch input jack, I think you could use something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-CMP-159-Stereo-Breakout-Cable/dp/B005HGM1D6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1478984046&sr=8-1&keywords=stereo+hosa+cable

Or you can just use the headphone out, which is just a 1/4" stereo out.

so is an interface required for pretty much every mic that isn't USB? Such as this one: http://www.amazon.com/AKG-PERCEPTION-120-Professional-Microphone/dp/B00160PRBU

samson C01U is def the way to go, pretty cheap too. quality is unmatched - i just recorded this on it earlier

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https://soundcloud.com/beanbagderulo/magic-johnson

I use This one I think the problem came when I was mixing this, I also probably had the gain lower than I should have.

I liked your beat man! It has a dope lofi feel to it, the samples are amazing mainly cuz I'm a gamer, no complaints!

are those snowball mics decent for hobby rapping? like these guys. Kinda wanna cop a usb mic while they're on sale for black friday.

I'm pretty sure plugging it in like that on the back is wrong. You should be using one white and one red, and you have to use 3 and 4 to avoid feedback from the master output. I have the exact same interface and I have my 404 hooked up with no problems, but I use 3 and 4 on the back.

I'll try to explain my setup:

Output 3 and 4 from the 2i4 goes to line in on the SP404, obviously matching red and white on both ends.

Line out from the SP goes to the inputs on the front of the 2i4, you need RCA to TRS adapters (https://www.amazon.com/Hosa-GPR-101-Adaptors-pieces-Black/dp/B000068O3S)

That's it for the cables really. You just have to make sure you're not hooking up to the 1-2 output or you'll get feedback, and I don't see how hooking up to the red plug of two different outputs would work as you're hooking it up to 2 and 4.

Then in the Ableton settings you enable input 1 and 2, and set your external effect plugin to send audio to 3/4 and receive audio from 1/2.

Also keep the switch on the front at 1/2.

And also the switches below the inputs on my 2i4 are set to line. Only saw your first picture so I had to edit as I saw the rest. :p

The other commenter (u/psychedellosaurus) did not show you the right cable. The inputs for the 2i2 are mono, you shouldn't just plug a stereo cable into it.

You would need to have something along the lines of this. Assuming that your turntable is like mine and has a built in rca that is male.

I bought a turntable that has USB and RCA, and I use the USB. It's a bit of a pain because FL doesn't want to record from it, so I record to audacity, and then save a .wav of the record.

I have a 2i2, im not sure is the other commenter understand your setup.

Also, on that note... does yours crackle when you turn the volume knob? Mine started doing it a few months/a year after I got it.

I think you need to understand the business side of things. If you make the wrong deal, like a co-publishing deal, you will get an advance, and backend royalties with will go against the advance until it is paid off. check out what an Administration deal. Get an entertainment lawyer. Check these resources out:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/1480354627/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_WCY0Bb2MZXCMA

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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1RVDuSiJncq6VQYiqpzLA

https://www.youtube.com/user/OfficialBeatStars

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Hit up the dude Bobby Owsinski, those frequency references came from this book. Let him know he must of made a mistake lol

Do you use this one or
this one?

Non-mobile: Momentum,

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B006DIA77E/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used

The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles https://www.amazon.com/dp/1936891026/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cP1ezbF60AMRT

Thanks. I got the internal editor mining/refining stuff from The Comic's Toolbox and I got the "you aren't your art" stuff from The War of Art. I learned a lot from both books.

Everyone is ignoring your question except for kingskrp.... check out "the listening book", it takes a lateral approach to making music that will get your gears turning.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BBXJGX2/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1