The Rap Beat Creator Podcast Episode 4: 3 Essential Steps To Making Your Own Beats

Here's the link to this weeks Rap Beat Creator Podcast. Its called:

"3 Essential Steps To Making Your Own Beats...
...How You Can Make Beats That Make MONEY!!!

Click here to listen now!!!

I had a little fun with this one and I think you'll enjoy it.

For those of you who've requested to hear different beats, keep listening for This Week's Featured Beat segment during the podcast interlude. The Featured Beat is for sale for $29.99 until April 30th, 2009! If you want to get more info, hit me up at mello@free-hot-rap.com.

However, The Rap Beat Creator Podcast is absolutely FREE and you can listen to it or download it so you can listen to it later, right now by clicking the link below:

The Rap Beat Creator Podcast Episode 4

************************************************

Here's what people are saying about The Rap Beat Creator Podcast:

"I look forward to your next Rap Beat Creator Podcast." - Mike DoubleD
http://www.myspace.com/treesreachingdown

"Mello, this was very informative. It is good to hear how creative people work." - Eric G.

Enjoy and make sure to leave me comments about the Podcast.

Let's shoot for 10 to keep a good dialogue going.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com
www.MusicMarketingPromotions.com

P.S. In case the link doesn't open automatically in your media player you can copy & paste the link below in your browser:

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/rbcp_ep4.mp3

*****************************************

Make Beats Online: Sonic Producer Will Change The Music Production Game

Can you really make beats online? The rumors are true. Its a fact that technology advances every 18 months. Within the last year music production software has changed drastically. There are music production suites for every budget. There are expensive programs like Reasons and ProTools. There are also inexpensive programs like Sonic Producer.

Although Sonic Producer cost less than an expensive meal for two at a Red Lobster, it can set the foundation for a 'hungry' producer to buy all the meals he wants for the rest of his life.

This software not only has a sequencer, but it comes programmed with an extensive database of sounds for you to choose from to make your own beats. As a producer you need industry quality sounds so that people will take you and your music serious.

The online interface for Sonic Producer also boasts a keyboard, 8 drum pads, and a 16-track volume control.

With the online keyboard you can play melodies and basslines to help you get the groove that you want for your beats. The 8 drum pads help you tap out the beat that you want with more accuracy. Most standard hardware beat machines have drum pads and Sonic Producer gives you this feature as well so you can have a more natural feel when making beats.

The 16-track volume control is great because you can mix sounds to levels that fit your track. A good mix can change the feel of a beat.

One of the features that Sonic Producer has that Reasons 3.0 doesn't have is the ability to convert your finished track in to mp3 format and export it. This means you can download it to your Ipod, burn it to a CD, or even upload it to your MySpace.com page or any site that accepts mp3. You can even create your beat, save them at mp3 files and upload them for sale on sites like Rocbattle.com.

For more information click here or copy and paste the link below in your browser:

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/Beat-Site-Reviews/sonic_producer.html

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

Who Is JAX?

I just wanted to put this tribute up for my man JAX. I bought his "Observe LP" over 9 years ago and I've been playing it every since he made his transition. I remember giving him the money and him putting the CD in my hand. I think we were at the Yin Yang Cafe which is now called the Apache Cafe.

Tonight was JAX's wake and its always hard to see someone I know in a casket.

What made it easier for me is that he had on some Hiphop gear instead of a suit...

...and the fam is laying him to rest in a B.I.N.K.I.S. Recs shirt.

BTW, B.I.N.K.I.S. stands for Before Ignorant Niggas Killed Intelligent Songs. JAX loved B.I.N.K.I.S. and B.I.N.K.I.S. loved JAX.

Brother, I miss you. It was hard for me to see you lying in state but I know that your body is not YOU. You are with us always and now you've joined the rest of the angels.

I put together this little movie and in the background is one of your songs from your Observe LP, rightly titled, "Who Is JAX?" I hope you enjoy it. Its my first movie and I couldn't think of a better subject.

Rest In Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

****************************************

Finding The Right People to Buy Your Beats

Now for my continuing rant about marketing. Like I said in a previous post, marketing is the lifeblood of your business. If you don't have customers, you don't have a business.

So how do you find the right people to sell your beats to?

You have to identify your target market.

How do you do that?

You identify your target market by doing research such as demographics and psychographics.

What are demographics & psychographics?

Here are the definitions according to AllBusiness.com:

"Demographics are the average or typical characteristics of the people who buy your products or services. Such characteristics include age, income, education, status, type of occupation, region of country, or household size.

"Demographics can also include the age of children, the status of home ownership, one's home value, and whether one's home is located in an urban or a rural location.

"Psychographics take this idea a step further: These include people's lifestyles and behaviors — where they like to vacation, the kinds of interests they have, the values they hold, and how they behave.

"To hone this information to fit your marketing needs, you will need to conduct research — survey people who have bought your products or those who use similar ones.

"You need to know both demographics and psychographics in order to advertise and sell your product effectively. You'll need to match the audience's characteristics of the media you choose with the characteristics of your desired purchasers.

"In that way, you won't loose precious dollars on wasted advertising and marketing."

I couldn't have said it better!

There is really no shortcut to finding out who your customer is. You can try but you'll "loose precious dollars on wasted advertising and marketing"....

....and why would you want to do that?????

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. If your primary goal is to make a living by making your own beats, then I would like to suggest you to LiveOffBeats.com. Live Off Beats can help you get sales for your beats so that you can make beats on a full-time basis.

********************

A Much Needed Vacation

Hey I'm back from vacation. I packed up the fam and went to a cabin in Blue Ridge, GA.

When I say I had a GREAT time, you gotta feel it with me. I had a ball. My whole family enjoyed it.

Dope hot tub, mountain view, no phones ringing, no cars. I mean it was perfect!

So I just wanted to say I'm back and be on the look out for more music program reviews. Also you'll find a revamped site within the next 2 weeks. Holla...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

********************

Beats On The Beach Music Seminar Hitting Miami,FL : NODFACTOR.COM

Check this out! For those that are able to check this out...please do it!

Click on the link below for hands on lessons on how to make your own beats:

Beats On The Beach Music Seminar Hitting Miami,FL : NODFACTOR.COM

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

*******************

Top 20 Hip-Hop Albums of All Time: No. 20 - The Boombox Music Blog

Yo, I came across this while I was fumbling around online. It's the Top 20 Hiphop Albums of All Time compiled by employees of AOL. The comments posted at the end of the list are krazy!!!

Hiphop is so diverse. People were chiming in on their favorite joints and voicing their opinions about what should or should not have been on the list.

There were a lot of mentions about the producers of the albums as well. Some of them might surprise you.

Click on the link below for the full list...according to AOL. LOL!!!

Top 20 Hip-Hop Albums of All Time: No. 20 - The Boombox Music Blog

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

********************

Super Producer Dr. Dre Son Passes Away

As some of you may know, Dr. Dre who's real name is Andre Young, Sr. lost his 20-year old son Andre Young Jr. last week.

It is reported that he passed away at home. My prayers go out to Dr. Dre and his family.

Dr. Dre is one of the greatest producers in the world and his discography is to be admired. I've been a Dre fan since the World Class Wreckin' Crew and I've even tried to make beats like him. Death is never easy. Once again Dr. Dre you and your family are in our thoughts.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

*****************************************

The Source Magazine Picks 20 Greatest Producers

In 20 years, there have been some great Hiphop producers. For their 20th Anniversary, The Source magazine has named their top 20. I've put the list below. What do you think about this list? And why the hell isn't my name on it?! Or yours?! LOL!

Anyway, I can pretty much agree with the majority of the producers on this list. Who would you put on the list and who would you kick off? Here it is in alphabetical order:

1. Bomb Squad
2. DJ Paul and Juicy J
3. DJ Premier
4. DJ Quik
5. Dr. Dre
6. Erick Sermon
7. Jermaine Dupri
8. J Dilla
9. Kanye West
10. Lil Jon
11. Marley Marl
12. Mannie Fresh
13. Pete Rock
14. Puff Daddy & The Hitmen
15. RZA
16. Scott Storch
17. Swizz Beatz
18. The Neptunes
19. Timbaland
20. Wyclef Jean & Jerry Wonder

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/

P.S. Our names should be on this list for the next twenty years. If you haven't check out Music Producer Pro then you might not get on the list. Click here to start making beats for only $39.00!





************************************************

The MF Doom Body Double Controversy - Is It True?

Wow! I don't know how many of you are familiar with my man MF Doom but it looks like he's catching some heat. It's been rumored that Doom has been using a body double or not even showing up at all for booked shows.

Now, Doom is my man hands down. I don't know what's going on as far as this body double business but he is a down to earth dude. The fans all see the "metal face" mask but all that aside I don't see Doom hiding anything.

Doom not only produced "Somethin's Gotta Give" on my High Risk album but he also helped me do some lawn work once and didn't ask for a penny. No joke. I put that on my daughter life. This is someone whose crashed at my crib before folks so I don't know about these allegations.

Like I said, I don't know what's going on. Dude wears a mask so it could be some clowns out there just gettin' money by using his name. I've seen Doom perform at clubs where there were only 20 people so why would he dodge a packed house? It doesn't make sense.

Check out the video below. ANYBODY could've done this.




Click the link below for the full story.

CunninLynguists Producer Calls Out MF Doom : NODFACTOR.COM

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: Acres of Diamonds Right Under Your Nose

Man, I put together a heater a couple of days ago and I started thinking about my life. One of my co-workers at my day job who encourages me on different ideas that pop in my mind got me to thinkin' bout getting back into music the way I used to be back in the day.

I've tried to do so many other things and I have been marginally successful. I've had enough jobs to last a lifetime. I've even held a real estate license at one time. But the thing that I am most consistent at is the music business. I've been involved with this business in one way or another since 1988 but I always comeback to music.

One story that always guides me the "Acres of Diamonds" story. It's about an African farmer who owned a lot of property. He was facinated about stories of people finding diamonds in far off lands so he sold his property for little of nothing and went searching for untold riches. He searched and searched and finally he died without every finding 1 diamond.

Meanwhile the farmer who bought the property was walking along the farm one day and while he was on the riverbank of his land noticed a shiny stone. Being unfamiliar with the stone he took it his friend who was a rock expert. His friend told him it was a diamond asked him where he found this stone and he replied "my whole farm is full of them".

The moral of the story is don't be so quick to run off looking for wealth some other place. It is usually right up under your nose. Use what you have to get what you want. And like I said before, in my situation, I always keep coming back to music, no matter what!

Here is the beat that I made and it is for sale. It's been tagged so no one can steal it but I'll gladly take the tag line off for the right buyer. I'm open to all offers.

Click on the link below and it will open up your media player and begin to play:

http://www.free-hot-rap.com/WhereYouBeenBoy.mp3

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/

P.S. If you haven't already done so and you think that making your own beats is your "Acres of Diamond" click here to check out Music Producer Pro.

Make Your Own Beats: The Death Of A Legend - Isaac Hayes

Isaac Lee Hayes, Jr. (August 20, 1942 – August 10, 2008)

Aw man :-( In 2 days, back to back, we have lost 2 great entertainers. Isaac Hayes who is best know for his work on the movie Shaft passed away one day after one of the Kings of Comedy, Bernie Mac. He scored the movie and wrote the theme song as well. That work alone was so phenomenal, he won a 2 Grammys and an Oscar. Ironically, Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac worked together on an upcoming movie called "Soul Man". I strive to have a career as long and prosperous as Isaac Hayes and Bernie Mac.

Isaac's career started back in the 1960's with STAX Records. He did much of the songwriting, arranging, and production for the labels artist.

The younger generation may remember him as the voice of Chef from the cartoon South Park. He was probably one of the more popular characters. Chef was always singing love songs and whenever he was asked for advice from the kids at the school, he would break out and sing a love ballad. Too classic!

From writing, singing, playing, producing, composing, and acting, Isaac Hayes was one of the greatest. He will surely be missed. The angels in Heaven have a new conductor. Rest In Peace Isaac Hayes.

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: I'm Back In Business Baby!!!

Whew!!! For a minute, I thought I would have to get a new computer. You know I'm a BIG advocate of making your own beats so when my EMU X-Board 25 keyboard wouldn't power up I was wiggin' out. I wanted to put a special audio message on the front of my website http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/. I knew it would help me get more subscribers so when it happened I was trippin'.

I thought it was just something I was doing wrong so I tried it again the next day. Luckily, I knew how to record my message without using the keyboard so I got it done. I checked the drivers and ran a virus scan but still no luck.

I suspected the USB port was the problem because my webcam wasn't working either. So I did a little research and I found out that I needed to get a USB PCI card to install in my computer. I shopped around online and got a couple of prices. Most were $30.00 and up. I even saw some for $100.00!!! So I checked eBay and baammm!!! I found one for $5.98 with free shipping so I ordered it on Thursday. It was in my mailbox on Saturday afternoon and in my computer on Saturday night.









When I hit the switch to the X-Board and the display lights came on, I knew I was back in business. So yeah, there will be more beats in the near future and I'm about to unleash the beast on these cats out here. Make your own beats or die!!! That's whassup!!!

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist

www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats: Old Skool vs. New Skool

There is a big difference between the music today versus the music 20 years ago. The Hiphop Kulture was in its "Golden Era" back then and the music was alot more fun. It wasn't making as much money as it is today but it seemed a bit more pure.

Everyone was working to be different from the competition, not trying to emulate them. I mean Heavy D was different from N.W.A. Public Enemy was different from The 2 Live Crew. Big Daddy Kane was different from Run-DMC. And being in the true spirit of Hiphop, the artists strived to be different from each other. What was cool is that you could hear all these artist on the same radio playlist. There was balance.

Today I can't say that at all. Most mainstream rappers are consistent when it comes to talking about Ballin'. How much they are ballin? How much money they have? How many girls they have? Let's talk about my Phantom and my Bentley and how I got to be this way selling drugs, etc., etc. Yeah right!!! The only ones that sound different now are the underground emcees. There are some who still flex skills like Common and Lupe Fiasco but they are rare and they ain't selling records like the drug dealer/pimp types.

The music is different as well. Some of the music still bangs but since everybody found out that Soulja Boy made his break off of Fruity Loops & MySpace.com, people have been trying to copy that formula.

What???

There are still some producers that sample and there are still some who try to make their music have a signature sound. I applaud these producers for wanting to be different. Make your own beats. Make your own sound. That my friend is Hiphop. Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Rapper/Producer Daz Dillinger's New Album and What He Thinks About Making Beats

Dogg Pound member Daz Dillinger is set to release his latest album, "Only On The Left Side" next Tuesday, August 12th. I've been a Daz fan before he was called Dillinger in The Chronic and he's been pretty consistent even though he doesn't get a whole lot of publicity.

I liked what he said about making beats though.

“I’m doing a lot of producing, I just don’t be giving my beats out,” he says. ” I can make more money with my beats than the person I give it to. Because I put the records out, I’m seeing the money come in, I’m getting the ringtone money, everything. I can make a song tonight and have it up on iTunes in 2 days.”

I keep telling you cats that making your own beats is the way to go. No, you don't have to be a Daz Dillinger but you do have to be proactive and make things happen for yourself. If you're the writer and producer, you get to keep 100% of your publishing royalties if you know what you're doing.

The traditional music business is dead. I like what he said about iTunes. People are looking for new joints to put on their iPods that not everybody has. People are tired of the same songs being played on the radio 20 times a day. There is a golden opportunity at hand and people like Daz Dillinger are ahead of the game. Peace...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Make Your Own Beats...Or Else!!!

Hey this is just a thought that I had. If CL Smooth would have been making beats, would his career have flourished as much or greater than Pete Rock's? We all know Pete Rock is sick on the beats and he can flow too. Not as good as CL but he held his own in the group and on his solo joints.

I don't know why Pete Rock and CL Smooth actually broke up. I've heard it was over, you guessed it...BEATS! There was a point in the 90's when Pete Rock was making beats for everybody. Pete was blowin' up and CL was getting blown off. That's just one example of someone who was the beat maker that thrived while others in the group fell by the wayside.

How about Teddy Riley and Guy. Boy, Aaron Hall sure could sing! I mean the ladies were on that dude back in the day even though some said he had a stuttering problem. Teddy was the man though. He coined the New Jack Swing era and made lots of money making beats for other artists besides Guy. I mean from Keith Sweat to Micheal Jackson he made a lot of beats. He produced from countless rap artists too.

Aaron Hall put out some solo albums but so what? I mean the albums were dope but Teddy was collecting checks...FAT CHECKS!!! All from making beats.

Am I advocating that if you are an artists you should take some time to learn how to make your own beats? Hell yeah that's what I'm saying. See you may not always be hot as an artist. And rappers are a dime a dozen. Producers though, producers stand the test of time. Look at Russell Simmons. He even produced a few of Run-DMC's early joints before he became the mogul that we all know. I'll bet he's still gettin' royalty checks too from the 80's.

With that said, I'm out. Tomorrow I'm going to discuss some preventive maintenance stuff to help you in your business as you make your own beats. Until then...

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Did You See Kanye West & Sway On MTV Last Night?

Photo Credit: Justin Borucki

Did anyone happen to catch the MTV special "Choose or Lose & Kanye West Present: Homecoming"? I thought it was great! Here is someone who's been ridiculed for one reason or another who goes out and actually helps someone he didn't know.

Now, I'm not saying that Kanye never helped anyone before this because I'm sure he has. It was just good to see him do this with war veterans from Iraq. The stories that these three people had were very touching. Yep, I said touching.

See even though they were being filmed giving away items, paying off the soldiers debts, etc., the point was that they were helping somebody who thought there was no end in sight to their misery. I give Mr. West a thumbs up fa sho for doing this.

These soldiers are dying everyday just so people like you and I can enjoy the freedoms that we have such as blogging or making your own beats or whatever. The stories of when they joined the military were even more chilling to me. They had joined pre-9/11. They weren't expecting to go to war and now they were living history. One man said he'd never even held a gun before. They were all young people too.

I know he only helped 3 people during the special but how many other lives were touched just by watching it?

Kanye knows what it's like to lose a loved one and I do too. I lost my uncle (R.I.P.) to a senseless murder by some teenagers the same day as his mom died. But those that are living must go on. Thanks Kanye West and MTV! We needed that...

For the full story click on the link below:

Kanye West And MTV Hear Veterans' Stories In 'Homecoming' - News Story Music, Celebrity, Artist News MTV News

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

Hot Beatmaker Series: Interview with Base Jase

Here's a great interview on beat maker Base Jase. He's a producer for MTV's The Real World & The Hills. In addition to that he makes money selling beats online and he makes beats for other artists. This is a great read courtesy of Nodfactor.com.

Click the link below for the full interview:

Hydrosonics: Base Jase : NODFACTOR.COM

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
http://www.rapbeatcreator.com/

P.S. If you don't get started making your own beats today, when, I say, when my friend, will you get started. Click here to get started today for under $40.00!!!

Make Your Own Beats: What Are You Waiting For?

Have you ever dreamed of programming drums like Timbaland or Swizz Beats?

Then click here to make your own beats!

Are you a rapper or emcee that really wants to put out a demo or album but just can get your hands on the right music?

Then click here to make your own beats!

Are you in a group where one person handles most of the production of beats and you have to wait on him or her to give you beats or get into the studio to record?

Then click here to make your own beats!

Are you a Hiphoppa in need of some extra cash?

The click here to make your own beats!

Do you want to leave a lasting mark on the music industry and have a long career?

That's right - you need to click here to make your own beats!

Am I serious about you making your own beats? Yes, yes, and yes! I'm sure many people can relate to my story. I've been in the music business since 1988. I've been in several groups where someone else handled the beat making duties and most of the time I never had a problem with it.

I always felt like I could make my own beats but I never really pursued it because I was so focused on becoming the best emcee (for those that are Hiphop dialect challenged, an emcee is also called a rapper - but not all rappers are emcees. That a topic for another article). I'm a perfectionist so in my mind, I became one of the best emcees. I mean I've even performed at the Apollo in Harlem with one group I was in called The Insane Cirkle so I thought I was "the man".

Everything was fine for a while but we always had to go back to a certain producer with our ideas and he would charge us by the hour for studio time to put the ideas together and record songs & demos. I kept encouraging the members of the group to get our own equipment and no one moved a muscle.

One day, one of co-workers at my slightly above minimum wage job who had some connections with Dallas Austin and some other people offered to let me use a Boss 660 drum machine that he had laying around the house. I accepted and I began to make killer beats. The only drawback was that I couldn't make any melodies with it so I still end up going back to the same producer to help me finish the rest of the track and I was still paying him for studio time...and giving him production credits. But I did make some money with the 660.

I knew I couldn't keep the Boss 660 forever so I bought my first piece of equipment: A Roland PMA - Personal Music Assistant. At the time it was cutting edge technology because I could produce on the go. I was a public transportation user back then and I could make my own beats while I was on the train. It was MIDI capable so I could sync it up with other MIDI instruments in the studio and the sounds that it produced weren't bad. I made some money with it too.

Later after The Insane Cirkle broke up, I found myself in another group called Prophetix with my homeboy Eddie Meeks. Prophetix accomplished many great things and once again I shrugged off the production duties to work on my lyrics because our deejay, Jon Doe, was our producer who made really hot beats. With me being from down south, I wanted more bass kicks in the music I rhymed over but no one was feeling me on that concept. Most of the hit rap songs that you listen to have 808 kick drum sounds in them and so do the classics. As with the last group I got tired of waiting for beats and waiting to record in the studio so one day I went out and bought Reasons 3.0 and an EMU X-Board 25 and the rest is history.

The members of Prophetix disbanded for one reason or another and I'm REALLY glad I got my own equipment. There is an old saying that goes, "God blesses the child that's got his own". Well, I no longer have to wait on others to make music for me or wait to go to the studio just to record scratch vocals. Sure, I'll rhyme over another producers beats but I don't have to wait on anybody and my studio time is not limited by anybody else. If I have a good idea, I don't have to wait a week or two to get it recorded. I can do it all from the comfort of my home studio when ever I want to do it.

The point I'm trying to say is WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? There are endless optionS for making your own beats. I not a fool though. I know everyone can't afford an MPC 3000 or software like Reasons. As much as I love what the MPC does, it was just simply out of my budget. One great option for new producers to get is to get Music Producer Pro. It comes with software you can download off the Internet and it is full of tutorials that can help you get started today. It is currently selling at $34.95 at the time of this writing but it's easily worth $250 to $300.

If you don't get started making your own beats now when will you get started?

Let's Make It Happen!!!

Mello Melanin, The Hot Instrumentalist
www.RapBeatCreator.com

P.S. To make your own beats, get started now by clicking here to go to the Music Producer Pro website. You won't be sorry! Peace...