Shop around for the beat maker that best suits you. If price is an issue, choose an inexpensive or free (see Resources) program. If you want professional production capabilities, invest in a high-end program like Logic or Pro-Tools. If you want to use virtual MIDI instruments, select a MIDI-compatible program. If you have limited experience making beats, choose a simple user-friendly program like GarageBand or MixCraft. Also take note of the system requirements before making a purchase.
Download or purchase your selected program. If using a free program, simply click the "Download" link on the software Web site. If purchasing a program online, use the provided shopping cart form to enter your purchase information. Some programs allow you to download instantly, while others (particularly the higher-end programs) require you to wait for installation discs to arrive in the mail.
Click the software installer icon. If you purchased a physical installation disc, insert it into your CD/DVD-ROM drive and click the DVD drive icon. If you downloaded the software from the Internet, the installer icon should appear in your "Downloads" folder or in any other folder that you previously selected for file saving.
Follow the installation process as indicated on your screen. In a typical installation, the installer will ask you to agree to the terms of use, enter your product serial number and register with your personal information. It may also ask you to choose a "Basic" or "Custom" install. Choose "Basic" to install the software package as recommended by the manufacturer or choose "Custom" if you want to manually select the files and supplementary material to appear on your computer.
Install any extras as needed. Many programs will include optional plug-ins and samples that you can install along with the software. These will require additional memory on your PC but provide you with additional beat-making opportunities. For example, GarageBand and Logic come equipped with Apple's optional "Jam Pack" plug-ins. Typically, the installer will specifically ask if you want to install these extras before you click the final "Install" button. For more basic programs, you will not typically see this option.
Click "Install" in the lower right corner of your navigation window after you finish entering your information and selecting your preferences. If using Mac OS X, you may need to simply drag the software icon directly onto your "Applications" folder (Macintosh HD > Applications) to install the software. This is mainly true of simple, commercial-grade programs, while more complex programs still require the full installation process.
Install third-party plug-ins of your choosing. Read your software specifications to find out the types of plug-ins compatible with your particular program. Audio units and VSTs are the two most common plug-in types for audio software, and you can download many free plug-ins from the Internet. For instance, if you want to apply custom reverb effects to your beats, you can then download and install a bass plug-in that you can then access from the software window. To install, drag the downloaded file(s) into the "VST," "Audio Units" or other plug-in folder contained within your software's library folder.