How to Make a Hip Hop Song with GarageBand
Hip hop songs are comprised of two primary elements, a beat and a vocalist. Using Apple's default music editing and recording application, GarageBand, you can use your computer to compose both elements of a hip hop song. You also have the option of uploading a completed hip hop beat or composing your own with Apple's built-in loops.
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Instructions
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Insert the microphone cable into the "Line-In" port on the computer. Look closely at the symbol next to the port to ensure it is the correct input. Next, connect the headphones to the computer and put the headset on.
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Click "Finder" and then click "Applications" to find "GarageBand" in the list. Double-click on "GarageBand" to launch the application.
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Click "File" and then click "New." The Project Chooser opens with several project templates to choose from. Click "Voice" and then click "Choose" and type in the name of the project file and click "Create." The track time line opens, displaying the regions where your hip hop song sound is recorded. An icon in the left of the first track indicates the instrument as "Male Voice."
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Double-click on the track icon to change the type of instrument to something different such as "Female Voice" or "Male Voice Basic" from the "Track Info" window.
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Click the "Track" and then click "New Basic Track" to open a second audio track. This track and any tracks that you add below it are used for your hip hop beat. Determine if you are using a complete hip hop beat or making your own with GarageBand.
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To import a completed hip hop beat, browse to the audio file location using "Finder." Click on the song and then drag it directly on to your hip hop beat track and release the mouse. GargeBand displays a "Converting" bar until the music is added to your project.
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Arrange your own hip hop beat using GarageBand loops. Click "Control" and then click "Show Loop Browser." This opens a window of small instrument sounds to use in your beat. Click on the icon of any loop to hear how it sounds. Click on a loop name and then drag it directly on to your hip hop beat track to add it to your project.
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Find standard hip hop sounds in the "Drums" section of the Loop Browser, but don't be limited to what is here. Make your beat out of any sound you prefer. Add the same loop name to the track to repeat the sound in the time line. Click on the loop in the time line and drag it where you want to hear the sound. Continue building your beat with loops until it is as long as you want the song to be.
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Click "Play" to review your hip hop beat and edit as necessary. Listen to the track while you prepare and practice your lyrics. Click "Record" to begin adding your voice to the beat. Click the same button to end recording.
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Create a new voice track each time you record the lyrics to your hip hop song. Click the "Mute" button to silence previous recordings, so you can focus on making a new one. Listen to each recording individually to determine which is the best take.
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Click "Share" and then click "Send Song to iTunes" to export the project as an audio file.
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Tips & Warnings
Use "Copy," "Cut" and "Paste" commands, found in the "Edit" menu to arrange your hip hop beat.
References
- Photo Credit Brand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
