Posts tagged “beatmaking”
Jun 30, 2026
How to make better hi-hat rolls and patterns
Match the hi-hat pattern to the subgenre, then keep the groove from going lifeless with layering, variation and processing. Trap, drill, boom bap, lo-fi and electronic.
Jun 14, 2026
How to make your 808 hit hard: a complete trap 808 guide
Everything that makes a trap 808 knock: tuning it to the key, carving space against the kick, placement and patterns, and the advanced moves (slides, octave jumps, switching 808s, saturation and clipping).
Jun 4, 2026
How to make trap hi-hat rolls: a simple fills guide
Build trap hi-hat rolls from a steady 8th-note baseline: where to place fills, which subdivisions buzz, and how to dress them up with pitch, pan and effects.
May 24, 2026
How to write a counter melody that adds depth
A counter melody adds depth by contrasting your main line in rhythm, register and timbre. Six steps to write one that reads as a new layer, not a copy.
May 1, 2026
How to turn a great loop into a full EDM song
Turn an EDM loop into a finished track: map the song form, build energy by adding and dropping elements, smooth transitions with automation, and use space.
Apr 20, 2026
How to write a disco bassline that grooves
Build a disco bassline step by step: 16th-note syncopation around 110 BPM, octave jumps on the offbeats, chromatic approach notes, and chord-tone spice.
Apr 10, 2026
How to arrange a song by ear: the ear-first method
Ear-first arrangement builds a song by listening to what comes next, not by rote rules. Loop eight bars, hear the gap, and change two elements at a time.
Mar 30, 2026
How to layer sounds for fuller, more professional tracks
Layering stacks two instruments on one part so it sounds rich, not flat. Which sounds to pair, how to glue them, and quick fixes for thin bass, leads and snares.