How to Add Depth to Beats With the Akai MPC Drum Machine

The Akai MPC Drum Machine is a sophicated piece of equipment that allows you to layer music and vocals to create great beats. Depth is an important thing when working with beats. Drums can often add that depth and backbeat you are looking for.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Start with a simple beat you can continuously hear, no matter what you add to it. This is especially important if you are new at disc jockeying or using the Akai MPC drum machine. A fast snare drum is a good start, at about 90 beats.

2. Add a piano roll. A piano roll is a piano recording with some vocal in it to give it a rhythm and depth. Hit record, play, and start laying this together. If you are unfamiliar with the keys of the machine, read the user's manual and practice a little with it first.

3. Hit F6 to add the vocal track in. This should round out the beat and make it sound almost complete. There will still be something missing-the drum beat. The drum beat, also called the kick, is important to the entire composition of the piece.

4. Push the F6 button again to add a small drum kick to the mix. This should sound better and more rounded out. Note the difference each time you add a layer of sound to the piece. You must be able to identify what makes a piece good and what isn't working at all.