OK, so you need to figure out what you need to do to start making beats and where to begin. You have some money that you saved up, and you are trying to figure out how to get some value for your money without using up every last cent because you want to start making beats.


Well, you're in the right place – My name is Ralph Edward, and I am an author for The Best Beat Making Blog (https://www.bestbeatmakingblog.com/), and in this article, I will cover what you have to do to get moving in the right direction when it comes to making your own beats.


You will need a PC, Digital Audio Workstation software (DAW), a MIDI controller, an audio interface and monitor speakers.

Computer

For your computer, you don't think so hard about getting Mac or PC. Both can make beats equally well. Which of the two is better just comes down to the one you like best. I prefer Macs, however, if you ask my friend who makes beats he'll tell you the PC is the best.

Macs are significantly more expensive, so if you don't have the money for one, go with PC. You can probably get a PC with similar performance specs for a much lower cost. Music software will eat up your PC's storage space and memory, so make sure you have a large hard drive and plenty of memory.  You will at least 4GB of RAM, yet I really recommend 8 GB or more.

FL Studio

If you have a PC, I would say it is a good idea to try FL Studio for your first DAW. It's much less expensive than its rivals and is an incredible program to get when you are just beginning. Depending on your spending limit, various versions of FL Studio run from $50 to $200, so you can choose how much you want to spend. The great thing is that if you start with the most basic cheapest version, you can upgrade as you learn more and need more advance features.

GarageBand

If, by chance, you go out and get a brand new Mac, it may have GarageBand pre-installed. GarageBand is the little brother form of Logic Pro and is really easy to use for a newbie. My recommendation is to learn the ins and outs of GarageBand until you begin to feel comfortable with it, then move up to Logic Pro. Many of the controls are the same, so you won’t feel that you have start learning from the beginning again.

I hope you found this useful and interesting. If you would like to learn more about making beats, please visit my website https://www.bestbeatmakingblog.com/

Digital Audio Workstations (DAW)

A DAW is basically any software platform that lets you make, alter, record, and playback audio on a computer.

A MIDI Controller allows you to play and control the virtual instruments in your DAW. Typically they come as a keyboard with standard highly contrasting piano keys and pads to play drums. They can also control many other things in your DAW.


I use an M-Audio Oxygen 49 MIDI keyboard. It will cost you approximately $150, but you can find other MIDI controllers for as little as $50. I would suggest getting a controller with at least 49 keys.

MIDI Controller

Audio Interface

The Focusrite Scarlett Solo

The audio interface helps your computer to input and output high quality sound. It also allows you to record vocals or instruments. They come in many shapes and sizes, so you need to think carefully about what you will be using it for. Do you have to record many tracks simultaneously or just one? They are mostly USB 2.0. and you can get a very high-quality sound for a little as $100. They often come bundled with DAW software too, so it is a good idea to do a lot of research before you buy. I use an MBox 2, and it came bundled with Pro Tools DAW.  The Focusrite Scarlett series (3rd Gen) USB Audio Interface is very popular and comes with Pro Tools, Ableton Live Lite, and lots of free plugins.

KRK Studio Monitor speakers are intended for professional studio use and engineered to give you a genuine idea of how your music sounds by the audio signal, not boosting the bass and treble like normal speaker do. They are critical to getting a good, clean mix of the music you make and should not be overlooked. I use a couple of KRK Rokit 5's. They cost me $150 each but, they're worth every single penny.

Monitor Speakers

The great thing is that there are so many tutorials on youtube to help you get started and learn more about making music with this kind of studio set up. This video is Chuki Beats, a very popular YouTuber, showing how to start a track using FL Studio.