Making The Beat | Three Different Techniques (Pt.3)

In part one of our 3 part series on how to approach making a beat, we talked about sampling.  In part 2 we detailed the Keyboard Approach to making hip hop beats.  In our third and final installment of how to approach making a hip hop beat we talk about the Composite Approach.

What is the Composite Approach?

Essentially, the Composite Approach is the combination of the first (Sampling) and second (Keyboard) approaches to beat making. Instead of relying on one method, the Composite Approach offers a versatile option by combining the two.  It is called the Composite since the Samples and Keyboard sounds are melded together to create a cohesive sounding track.

How’s it done?

The Composite Approach in hip hop production combines Sampling and the Keyboard Approach – so basically part of your beat comes from sampling and part comes from sounds you played. That’s really the only requirement for a beat to be considered a Composite Beat. There are no real guidelines for how much of the Composite Beat needs to be sampled and how needs to be played from the keyboard. Perhaps you have some skills on the piano but need to step your drum production game up – you just can’t seem to get your snares to sound so rich and crisp. So you’ll sample some drum sounds from one of your favorite producers, or from an old 70’s record, or wherever you hear a snare that appeals to you. The rest of your beat you could lay down with your keyboard skills. Or maybe you have a sick drum pattern laid out, some killer keys on top, and some viscious violin stabs…all you’re missing is a nice bassline.  So you might sample a bassline that you like to round out your beat.

Similarly you may use samples for your whole record and just add a simple hi-hat from your keyboard. Or your beat is all samples but you need but you feel like you need a nice vintage 1920′s brass sound on top  to complete the hook.

Producers who rely on Composite Approach do not have to always follow this method, of course. If they feel like it they can make a record done entirely with samples, or a record done straight from the keyboard sounds. In fact at times it’s good to switch it up.

Another option, which arguably is the Keyboard Approach, is to sample yourself. Typically you may sample something like a piano melody, or a couple horn stabs. You can always play a sample yourself, then chop it up, add some effects, and loop it just like you would with a typical sample.  It’s a great way to go about beat making and something producers should consider trying.

Why Would You Use The Keyboard Approach?  The Advantages

The Composite Approach offers the same advantages and disadvantages as that comes with Sampling and the Keyboard Approach.  Since we already outlined those in detail we will skip it here. We will say, however, the more your beat uses samples, the more of the advantages/disadvantages of sampling you will experience. The reverse holds true for the Keyboard Approach.  That being said there are still some advantages specific to the Composite Approach

1. You’ll be a More Versatile, and Prepared, Producer.

Imagine this: You’re getting your once in a lifetime shot. There you are chilling with Jay-Z and his engineer Young Guru.  Your playing beats for Jay and he’s nodding away, feeling what you got. But then he tells you he has this idea for a track and wants  you to flip a sample off a record he just handed you.  If you only play your beats and don’s sample, what do you do?  Panic.  But if you are versatile and know how to sample, you’re in luck.  Think this is made up?  How do you think 9th Wonder got the chance to produce Threat off of Jay-Z’s Black Album?

2. It Can Spark Your Creative Side

Since you are not reliant on one method, you have different ways to go about approaching your beat-making.  This can come in handy if you are stuck in a creative rut. Can’t quite lay out a melody you are satisfied with?  Try sampling.  Tired of digging through crates of records to come up short finding a horn sound you like?  Play your own.

3. They Complement each other

Digging through crates looking for samples will give you inspiration for melodies that you may want to use, or certain sounds you may want to create.

What are the Drawbacks?

1. You Still Have to Create a Cohesive Sound

Combining old school samples with some of today’s modern sounds can make for some interesting mixes – and not necessarily for the better. You want your beat to sound cohesive, and not like a mish mash of random sounds with different effects and feels to them. This requires some knowledge of producing to blend the sounds to make a nice beat. Likewise, to really create a sound beat you’ll have to have a good ear and understand what blends well together. If you sample a flute from a record, it will pay to understand what key it was played in so that when you play the complimentary keys you know what key to play in.

2. Tons of Options

With lots of options to go about producing it can be overwhelming and a challenge. Many producers get caught up in all their sounds, and all their records that it can actually hinder performance. Being able to manage going through all your records and sounds on your computer takes time and discipline.

3. Jack of All Trades, King of None

Trying to master both sampling and playing the keys takes a lot of time and can be discouraging to producers. You’ll probably never be as knowledgeable and skilled on the MPC as someone who is 100% dedicated to sampling. Likewise for the keys. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but if you really want to be seen as the guru in either field, it may be worth sticking to the one approach that works for you.

The Composite Approach gives you even more freedom, control, and versatility then either the Keyboard Approach or Sampling. It allows you to start from scratch, create some of your own unique melodies and rhythm and fill in the rest with samples. Or, create a solid beat with samples, and take it to the next level by playing on top of it. It requires understanding sampling and music theory to be done right and a decent amount of time to invest in both approaches.  However, producers who have a handle on the Composite Approach are some of the most versatile and face the least limitations to producing.  When done right, it can be the most rewarding of the three approaches.

This is the third and final installment of our Three Techniques to Beat-Making series and we hoped you enjoyed it. That being said, we’ll end off on the same note we ended the first two posts. Whatever approach you choose, the most important way to produce is one that represents you. No one approach is going to all of a sudden make you a hit-maker. Just pick what works for you and produce beats that are representative of you, not someone else.

Till next time,

Cole

This post was written while listening to: Tical – Method Man