How to Make Your Own Rap Songs & Beats

3. Download a digital audio
recording program. While
professional programs like
Cubase, Logic and Pro Tools
boast advanced editing and
mixing features, you do not
need to shell out hundreds of
dollars on software. You can
download an open-source
program with all of the
features you will
need, completely free of
charge.

4. Decide how you want to record
your beats. In order to develop
beats, you have two basic
options. You can record the
music from scratch, using
keyboards or other musical
equipment, or you can layer
pre-recorded audio
loops, available for free on the
Internet. Each option has pros
and cons. Recording your own
music allows you to control
every facet of your sound, but
lacks the benefit of
professional production. Audio
loops, by contrast, have a
polished and professional
sound, but limit your ability to
customize.

5. Open your recording software
and connect any recording
equipment. If you want to
record your own beat from
scratch, connect a MIDI
keyboard, synthesizer, drum
machine or other device that
you have available. To establish
a flawless connection with your
computer, you will need to
connect an audio interface to
your USB port. An audio
interface is an external sound
card, containing microphone
and instrument jacks, and is
available at music supply
stores.

6. Create a track for each layer of music
that you want to record. A track is a
recording space, usually appearing as
a horizontal bar across your software
window. For example, you might
place your percussion on one
track, your bass on another track and
a melody line on a third track. Locate
the "New Track" option on your
software. For example, programs like
GarageBand and Logic require you to
click "Track" on your menu bar and
select "New Track" from the drop
down list. Cubase and Audacity both
require you to click the "Project"
menu and select "Add Track" (or
"New Audio Track," in the case of
Audacity).

7. Click the "Record" button and
record a layer of music onto each
track. If using audio loops, just
drag a different loop file onto
each track. For example, you
might use a bass loop and an
electronic drum loop to create a
classic urban sound, or add
additional layers for melody and
sound effects. For rap music, use
plenty of bass and percussion and
be creative when adding
additional layers.

8. Record your vocals onto a
separate track. You can rap
about anything that inspires
you: your passions, your
frustrations, issues like social
justice and equality. You can
even rap about just having a
good time. For optimum
recording quality, connect a
microphone to your
computer through your audio
interface, or using an XLR-to-
USB converter cable. You can
record your rap through your
computer's internal
microphone, but your audio
quality will sound amateur.

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