In today's article, we'll discuss different production methods used in hip-hop to make a beat. We won't argue or debate the best production method because the discussion is rather pointless. However, we will talk about different production ideas so that you may experiment with them in your own production workflow. The following are common production methods used in hip-hop:
Sampling: Sampling has been with hip-hop since the beginning and will be with hip-hop until the end. In this method, bits and pieces of existing records are used and then new drums are added underneath to give a song a hip-hop feel. Sampling can be simply looping a portion of music and adding new drums, or it can involve incorporating small pieces from many different songs and combining it into one song.
Layered Sampling: Similar to sampling, layered sampling involves taking a sample of a song but then adding synths and possibly live instruments on top of the sample to build upon it. This in turn gives the beat a less sampled feel. The Trackmasters are good examples of this method.
Synth-Based: The origins of this date back to Afrika Bambaata, but this is simply using synthesizers and drum machines to create original music. The majority of Dirty South music is descended from this vein of hip-hop.
Interpolation: With interpolation, a producer hires a team of musicians to interpret, or rather, to play the musical part that he/she hears on a record. The actual sample is not used. It is the recording of the musician's hired that are used. This allows the producer to do different things like change the instruments, rhythms, or tempo of the sample since they aren't using a record. The pioneer of this method is Dr. Dre.
Live Instruments: In this style, live instruments and musicians are used to come up with beats. The difference between this style and interpolation is that interpolation uses musicians to play a part of a song from an existing record while the live method uses musicians to come up with original music. The most prominent pioneers of this style are The Roots.
As the world of hip-hop evolves, so will it's production methods. However, experiment with any of the methods listed above to increase the versatility of your productions.
Sampling: Sampling has been with hip-hop since the beginning and will be with hip-hop until the end. In this method, bits and pieces of existing records are used and then new drums are added underneath to give a song a hip-hop feel. Sampling can be simply looping a portion of music and adding new drums, or it can involve incorporating small pieces from many different songs and combining it into one song.
Layered Sampling: Similar to sampling, layered sampling involves taking a sample of a song but then adding synths and possibly live instruments on top of the sample to build upon it. This in turn gives the beat a less sampled feel. The Trackmasters are good examples of this method.
Synth-Based: The origins of this date back to Afrika Bambaata, but this is simply using synthesizers and drum machines to create original music. The majority of Dirty South music is descended from this vein of hip-hop.
Interpolation: With interpolation, a producer hires a team of musicians to interpret, or rather, to play the musical part that he/she hears on a record. The actual sample is not used. It is the recording of the musician's hired that are used. This allows the producer to do different things like change the instruments, rhythms, or tempo of the sample since they aren't using a record. The pioneer of this method is Dr. Dre.
Live Instruments: In this style, live instruments and musicians are used to come up with beats. The difference between this style and interpolation is that interpolation uses musicians to play a part of a song from an existing record while the live method uses musicians to come up with original music. The most prominent pioneers of this style are The Roots.
As the world of hip-hop evolves, so will it's production methods. However, experiment with any of the methods listed above to increase the versatility of your productions.
About the Author:
Frank Lubsey is a composer, jingle writer, and beat maker that is a part of the Jam Sonic production team. Visit his website for hip-hop beats for sale and to purchase beats.
No comments:
Post a Comment