Beat making is one of the best career options if your passion lies in rapping or hip-hop. However, today’s technological advancement has also provided many beat making software that can help you to make beats anywhere anytime. It’s not just enough to have creativity, but to be well equipped with all the possible software. If you are interested in adding to your creativity and skills as a rapper or R&B artist, then it is recommended that you look for some of these best versions of beat making software.
In this review, let’s talk about the best beat making softwares. I am a great fan of music 🙂
Best Overall: Ableton Live 10
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Dollar for dollar, feature for feature, there is honestly no beating Ableton’s Standard edition for the professional DJ or producer. It’s not as bloated, price-wise, as the Suite version, but not as slim on features as the Intro version. In terms of basics, it has everything you’ll need, from unlimited audio and MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) tracks to 12 sends and returns to 256 mixable virtual tracks. You can capture MIDI (and learn some triggers) and they’ve included some complex warp features, as well.
There are also 10GB of sound built into the library, containing 1,800 different samples and loops. Get creative with the five built-in software instruments to lay down your own original melodies and beats. Plus there are 34 baked-in audio effects (eight dedicated to MIDI), so those looking for post-production won’t be missing anything. Any DJ worth their salt is most likely using Ableton Live 10.
REASONS TO BUY
+High quality virtual instruments for EDM+Fantastic Capture feature+Lots of excellent sounds+Superb beats builder and synth
REASONS TO AVOID
-Steep learning curveAdvertisement
Ableton Live 11 has a great selection of electronic drum and synth plugins, which are the most important instruments for EDM producers.
The user interface looks markedly different from the other programs we tested, but once you get the hang of it, the workflow becomes simple and efficient. The Drum Rack plugin helps you layer multiple samples in a 16-pad grid that looks familiar to those who use classic EDM hardware instruments.
Ableton is one of the best music production programs for producers that want to take their arrangements to the stage. Once you produce a track in the software, you can use hardware control devices to launch samples, adjust tempo and record samples from other hardware instruments.
A new edition of this software dropped in April 2021, bringing with it the ability to ‘comp’. This means that you can now record multiple takes of a particular refrain, listen back and compare these attempts, and then select and insert the best-sounding sections from across these recordings. Ableton 11 has also added support for MIDI Polyphonic Expressions (MPE) so artists have more control over the sound and expressiveness of notes.
Runner-Up, Best Overall: Reason 11
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If you ask professional DJs and producers what software they prefer for producing their beats, a lot of them will tell you Ableton. But a smaller, loyal group will point you towards Reason 11. The full version comes in at a great price point and includes all of the premium features you’ll need. With the full version, you’ll get Reason’s 10 tried-and-true software instruments, including the Europa Shapeshifting Synthesizer, the Thor Polysonic Synth, the Subtractor Synth and more.
The loaded version also gets you a host of exclusive effect plugins, including the RV-7 Digital Reverb, the PH-90 Phaser, and the BV512 Vocoder. Of course, you’ll also get unlimited audio and MIDI tracks, VST (virtual studio technology) and ReFill support, and anything else you’ll need to produce high quality, professional tracks.
Best Value: Image Line FL Studio Producer 20
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What originally started as an ultra entry-level audio program (even offering a fully free version, once endearingly called Fruity Loops), Image Line’s FL Studio Producer 20 is now a full-fledged audio workstation that will give you top-notch features for an unbelievable price.
The software holds true on the three main pillars of any good beat-making software: great recording functionality with pitch shifting and time stretching, amazing sequencing capability for MIDI production and a full suite of mixing and mastering plugins to tie it all together for output that sounds great. The intuitive mixer screen is color-coded with easy-to-handle sliders and effects buses, and the piano roll also offers a more intuitive interface than many of the other (more expensive) programs don’t. Plus, there are 80 built-in plugins that range from EQ to reverb, compression and more.
Best Mastering Plugin: iZotope Ozone 8 Advanced
Mastering is the last step in the production process and often comes last when building up your home studio’s software capabilities. But if you want the most professional-sounding tracks after you’ve spent all the time producing and mixing, then you’ll need to turn to Ozone 8, the latest flagship mastering plugin from iZotope. What the brand calls, “The Future of Mastering” offers an expectedly deep set of modern functionality, from tons of stereo and spatial imaging options to a smart track recognition algorithm.
Their EQ’s are some of the most trusted in the software world and they’ve even pioneered the concept of a dynamic EQ that changes with whatever the scope of the song is. They also offer a host of vintage compressors, maximizers and tape delay units to emulate those old-school hardware rack units. These units are available in the standard edition but you can only port them to your digital audio workstation as plugins if you shell out for the advanced version.
FL Studio 20: Best beat making software for for hip hop
FL Studio 20
If you want to get hip hop beats, this is the software to use
SPECIFICATIONS
OS: Mac and PCMIDI: YesCustom drum kits: YesTODAY’S BEST DEALS
US$199View at AmazonUS$199View at AmazonSee all prices (12 found)
REASONS TO BUY
+Genre-specific loops and instruments for hip-hop and EDM producers+Great customization and usability features+Free upgrades
REASONS TO AVOID
-Clunky recording and editing process-UI can be imposingAdvertisement
FL Studio has been a big name in hip hop since it was released known as FruityLoops. Since then it has come on hugely and now is the professional producers choice in many cases. This is thanks to features like multiple arrangements working so well and the ease of using time signature markers.
FL Studio 20 is a full DAW meaning it can be used to make beats but also works as a full production system. You get 500 tracks as standard making it great for quick and easy work. Separate workflows allow for an easy way to stay in control without the interface looking overwhelming. This does make it easy to use but this is still complex and is aimed at the more professional end of the music production market.
Looked after by Belgian-based company Image Line, this DAW regularly receives updates – and the studio is committed to making sure you never have to pay for any of these. Recent additions include a frequency splitter, an instrument tuner and multiple layout improvements.
DrumFlow
Available: Windows
Price: Free
A powerful drum sequencer, DrumFlow is indeed the best beat making software. It has an in-built Drum setup editor, which lets you create custom percussion parts.
- This beat making software can recieve MIDI sync messages from the sequencer and play step by step with it.
- One can find 10 adjustable drum setup parameters, 6 MIDI settings and export drum setup to MIDI file.
- Save the output music in a variety of formats to accomplish the whole task.
MuseScore
Available: Windows, Mac
Price: Free
It’s time for one another but best free beat making software that makes you a professional music developer as soon as you roll your fingers over it. MuseScore is easy to use, powerful and compiles music for guitar, orchestra, jazz, piano, choir, and much more.
- Perfectly suitable for beginners due to ease and compatibility.
- Download your recorded songs in any format and share it with your friends later.
- Talk about composition, editing, mixing, or a new sheet of creativity, MuseScore is one of the most popular beat making software for Mac and Windows.
Magix Music Maker: Best budget beat making app
Magix Music Maker
For a budget friendly beat builder, Magix has you covered
SPECIFICATIONS
OS: Mac and PCMIDI: YesCustom drum kits: YesTODAY’S BEST DEALSVISIT MAGIX
REASONS TO BUY
+425 free sounds and loops+24 virtual instruments+Easy to use
REASONS TO AVOID
-Too basic for someAdvertisement
Magix Music Maker is an affordable way to create beats and more using a program that’s one of many offered by a company that specializes in this area. As a result you get a whole lot of functionality for your money. There are 425 free loops included as well as a whopping 25 virtual instruments right from the outset.
Everything is easy to use, making it friendly enough for a beginner but detailed enough for more experienced producers. This works with MIDI devices like keyboards and drum pads to create beats and uses an intuitive interface for controls and effects. More virtual instruments can be bought as add-ons or you can upgrade to get more features included.
If you purchase one of the ‘plus’ or ‘premium’ subscriptions, you get access to a tool that can even write beats for you. Simply select a mix of templates, soundpools and instruments, and the software will then generate your song. Sure, you might not be presented with a work of musical genius, but it can be a great base for anyone who’s just starting out making their own beats.
GarageBand
Available: Mac
Price: Free
Devoted to Apple users, Garageband is a complete sound library with several instruments like guitar, drummers, voice, and percussionists. Moreover, modern design, intuitive interface, and easy learning features are the best features of this amazing beat making software.
- You can get creative with 100+ EDM and hip hop synth sounds. Now you can choose to morph or tweak the sounds the way you like.
- Heaps of recording and editing features are present here that can be edited with a few clicks.
- One can easily share their new song with their friends or family via social networking websites. These tracks can also be exported to iTunes library along with the list of other music.
LMMS
Available: Windows, Mac, Linux
Price: Free
Music can be produced straight away with LMMS while you create melodies, beats, and enjoy mixing sounds. Playback instruments and plugins can be all done right with typing or MIDI keyboard in the user-friendly interface.
- Share your music through social media platforms or Soundcloud.
- It is an open-source and community-driven project to fine tunes, notes, chords, through piano roll editor.
- Mixing effects can be added using the in-built compressor, limiter, delay, reverb, etc. using this best free beat making software.
Also Read: Best Video Capture Software
Conclusion
The beat making software industry isn’t a very crowded one, which is why it’s still in its infancy. Despite the industry being in its adolescence, it has sparked a lot of interest and has given way to a lot of innovation in this area.