Best Beat Making Software for Both Amateurs and Professionals Alike

When you first start rapping, it’s okay if you don’t make your own beats. Many people don’t, and some people never do – they simply focus on the writing and performance aspects of the industry. However, many rappers want to start making their own beats eventually, so they can feel like what they release is 100 percent theirs. It’s also nice to make your own instrumentals because you can sell them to other rappers who don’t want to make their own beats.

I wanted to write a post covering the best beginner’s beat software, but I decided that beginning software isn’t enough. Many people start with easy software and work their way up to more advanced software as they learn. So, I decided to cover both. I’m going to list some of the programs you should download when you’re first learning, and then list what you should download when you’re ready for the next step. If you’re ready to buy the best beat making software, check out this post first.

Beginning Software

1. Magix Music Maker

Known as the easiest beat making software on the market, the Magix Music Maker is not too technical – it can be used with just a drag and a drop. It features thousands of pre-programmed sounds and also allows for live instrument recording. Each loop and sound has been designed to fit in perfectly with the last, making sure that your music sounds like one cohesive piece. The instruments and loops you obtain depend on the package you choose, but some possible instruments include a string ensemble, drum engine, bass machine, guitar, choir, and orchestra.

Features and Benefits:

• Limited free version available

• Ability to make beats quickly

• Easy drag-and-drop use

• Allows for instrument recording

• Soundpools for making a variety of genres

• Loops available in 7 pitches

There are two additions available for 2020: the plus edition and the premium edition. Click here for the plus and here for the premium, and make sure to compare the two to best fit your needs.

2. Apple GarageBand

This IOS software can be operated on the computer, tablet, phone, and any other Apple device. You can plug in your guitar and record live instrumentals, or you can choose from included samples. Instead of using a MIDI keyboard, you can use the app’s Musical Typing keyboard, where the keys can be assigned to suit your needs. From the app, you can export your song to your music library, and share it to social media or over text message with ease.

Features and Benefits

• Comes free with IOS devices

• Holds 255 audio tracks

• Flex Time makes sure your recordings are on key

• Compression and EQ makes finishing tracks simple

3. BTV Solo

Using the keyboard that already comes with your computer, you can make beats with BTV Solo quickly with more than 1,000 available sounds. Grammy award winner Dallas Austin says he uses this software to create every beat he makes. The software has customizable effects, patterns, and instruments that make it easy for beginners to create exactly the sound they’re looking for. Beyond making beats, you can also upload a song you’ve recorded to the program to mix it.

Features and Benefits

• Midi compatible, although not required

• Includes training videos

• Exports files in 16 or 24-bit WAV format

• Comes with various instrument kits such as drums, percussion, and acoustic

• Mixing capabilities with more than 60 effects

BTV Solo is offered at an extremely affordable price. Click here to learn more.

Advanced Software

1. FL Studio 20

FL Studio 20 comes with more than 80 instrument and effect plugins and a state-of-the-art mixer designed to make even the most complex beats. Depending on the version you buy, it can cost several hundred dollars, but by purchasing it once, you are entitled to lifetime upgrades for free. Used by world famous producers such as Metro Boomin, this software allows for as many as 103 audio inputs/outputs and 125 insert/send tracks. It is designed to fit on a single screen for convenience and ease of use.

Features and Benefits

• Lifetime upgrades to newest version

• Piano roll and step sequencer

• Mixer with 10 FX slots per channel

• Plugins for compression, delay, filtering, reverb, and many more

• Touch screen compatible

There are multiple versions of this program, but the most popular (and affordable) are the Fruity Edition and the Producer Edition. Check them both out to decide which is best for you.

2. Ableton Live 10

Because it comes in three versions, I decided to focus on the features in the Standard package. This software comes with nearly 2,000 sounds, 34 audio effects, and 8 MIDI effects. It also has 5 instrument options: a drum rack for layering samples, an “impulse” drum sampler, an instrument rack to combine instruments to layer sounds, a “simple” sampler that’s easy to use, and the ability to record with an external instrument. Some amazing features include multitrack recording and support for WAV, MP3, and more.

Features and Benefits

• 1,800 sounds

• PC and Mac capability

• MIDI features including pitch, scale, velocity, and more

• Unlimited undo

• Unlimited effects per project

You can the standard version by clicking here, but if you’re interested, you can view the Intro version here and the Suite version here.

3. Studio One 4 Professional

Despite its professionalism and hefty price tag, Studio One is relatively simple to use. It accommodates unlimited audio and instrument tracks and comes with 5 virtual instruments and 37 native effects. It allows you to incorporate live samples from the world and edit them efficiently and quickly import song data in the case of a collaboration. With a 64-bit resolution, sounds and music from this software are extremely high quality and sharp.

Features and Benefits

• Unlimited audio and instrument tracks

• Mastering suite with automatic mix updating

• 4 pitch and timing editor

• Operates on 64-bit operating systems

Those interested in purchasing Studio One 4 can check it out here.

There is really no wrong or right way to make beats and create art. You might make a beat that a lot of people like or you might make a beat that nobody likes. That's life, and everyone has their opinion. The important thing is that you're creating art that you like, and your preferred software may end up not being any of these. Because everybody is different, I suggest checking into each of these software to decide which one is more suited for you.

*This post may contain affiliate links, meaning that I will get a small commission if you purchase from my link with no extra cost to you :)*