How to Make a Hip Hop Song With Pre-Recorded Instruments
Digital audio workstations, such as Cubase and Pro Tools, let you record, edit and mix music using your computer. When combined with a MIDI controller, digital audio workstations enable you to use pre-recorded instruments, or "samples" to create your own music. Because hip hop music is characterized by the use of pre-recorded instrument samples, it's the ideal genre for composing and recording with a digital audio workstation.
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Instructions
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Connect a USB cable to the "MIDI Out" jack on the rear of your MIDI controller. Connect the other end of that USB to the USB port on your computer.
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Double-click the desktop icon for the digital audio workstation. It may take a few seconds for the program to fully launch.
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Create a new session. The exact process varies slightly depending on which program you use, but you typically do this via the "File" menu.
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Create a MIDI recording channel. Again, the process varies between programs, but you typically click "File" and select either "New MIDI Track," "Create MIDI Track" or "MIDI track." This opens a recording channel strip, to which the connected MIDI controller is assigned as primary input device.
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Set the tempo. The typical default tempo for a digital audio workstation is 120 beats per minute, or BPM. That's two beats per second. This is too fast a tempo for hip hop, which is characterized by a slower tempo of around 90 beats per minute. In the box marked "Tempo," type "90" where it says "120" to slow the tempo down.
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Open the "Instruments" menu and select a drum kit. Hit the keys on the MIDI controller to audition the sounds. Each drum kit is a collection of pre-recorded sounds. For an authentic hip hop kit sound, pick one containing hand claps. The 808 is a classic hip hop kit. Typical digital audio workstations have an 808-type kit.
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Click the "Metronome" icon to enable the click track. This helps you stay in time when recording.
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Hit "Record" and play in a beat using the keys on the MIDI controller. Select "Quantize" from the "Edit" menu to correct any out-of-time beats. One benefit of using the MIDI interface to sequence pre-recorded sounds is that you can correct and edit notes easily.
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Create a second MIDI track and select a bass synth sound.
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Hit "Record" and play in your bass line. Quantize the bass line. The bass and drums create the basis of your hip hop track.
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Browse the instrument menu for pre-recorded string and brass samples. Select one that fits the vibe of your song. For example, pre-recorded strings provide a mellow contrast to an intense bass groove.
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Create a third MIDI track and record the strings or brass part with the MIDI controller keys.
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Tips & Warnings
When using pre-recorded pitched-instruments, such as strings, piano and horns, use the same set of keys on the MIDI controller. This helps you keep the separate tracks in tune with each other.
References
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