How to Create Your Own Beats and Songs Using Freeware
In the '80s, commercial drum machines were huge and cost at least $5,000. Drum machines often had only a few samples, and each instrument was difficult to adjust. Also, it was a pain to input the drum sequences. Computers have revolutionized music to the point that today you can create significantly better beats with an incredible range of samples for free on your home computer using LMMS.
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Instructions
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Download LMMS or "Linux Multimedia Studio." This is the free, open-source alternative to FLStudio. Don't be put off by the name, LMMS is available for Linux, Mac and PC.
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Install LMMS, following the easy on-screen instructions. When finished, open the program and click "OK" when asked about settings. This should take you to the main screen.
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Look over the interface. The "Song-Editor" is where you'll be dragging instruments and samples for melody creation. The "FX-Mixer" is for adding FX such as reverb and delay. The "Beat+Bassline Editor" is what we will focus on for rhythm creation.
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Click the "My Samples" button located at the lefthand-side toolbar. It has a large green musical note in the middle of it. You should see multiple folders listed.
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Click the folder labeled "Drums." When it opens, double click "Bassdrum03," which is a driving, techno-beat rhythm. Also click on "Highhat_opened01," which is a high-hat similar to ones used in happy, hardcore-type techno.
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Navigate to the "Beat editor," where you'll see sets of blocks. These represent time in a loop. When you click the first one in the "Bassdrum03" section, that is the first note in a set of 16 beats for 4/4 time. If you click 4 notes, the first of every fourth block, you'll get a techno drum beat, or a sort of metronome.
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Find "Highhat_opened01," and click the seventh and 15th block. This will give you the open high-hat sound also associated with techno. Press "Play" in the upper lefthand corner of the "Beat editor" to hear what you've made.
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Tips & Warnings
To give the beat more of a hip-hop sound, try changing out the drums for something deeper and changing the beat so that it is off-time.
Add a variety of instruments to make it more complicated.
Add the blocks while the loop is playing for real-time feedback of the sounds.
Try to re-create your favorite songs--this will help you to finally create your own.
Remember to save frequently so as not to lose your hard work.
