Hook your digital instrumentation up to your PC. Crunk requires heavy use of synthesizers and digital percussion, so connect any electronic instruments, including digital workstations, drum machines and samplers. For a more inexpensive route, just connect a MIDI controller keyboard to your computer's USB port. You can use software instruments to generate the electronic sounds.
Open your preferred digital editing software. For the most versatile beat-making capabilities, use a program that supports multi-tracking and MIDI. Most commercial digital audio software supports these features, including a variety of free programs that you can download. (See Resources)
Create a new track on your multi-track browser. Each track holds one element of your beat, such as percussion, bass or effects. To create a new track, locate the "New Track" option among your menu bar items at the top of your screen. If connecting an external instrument using standard audio cables, choose the "Audio Track" option. If using a MIDI connection, choose the "Instrument Track," "MIDI Track" or "Software Track" option.
Record a line of hard electronic percussion. If using MIDI, select an electronic drum or synthesizer drum setting from your virtual instruments list. If using a drum machine or external synthesizer, choose an electronic drum kit setting, preferably one containing a bit of distortion or a white noise effect. Click "Record" on your software window and record an upbeat, 4-to-16 beat pattern.
Create a second track and add a bass line over your percussion. Choose a deep synthesizer bass setting, like a sub bass or trance bass. To give your bass line more of a characteristic crunk sound, use your instrument options to increase the "Resonance" levels. You will achieve the right effect when you hear a hint of static accompanying your bass sound.
Add additional elements on additional tracks. For this, you can be creative and use your imagination. Use synthesizer leads (bright keyboard sounds) to create melody lines, or use sound effect settings to accompany your percussion or add dimension to the electronic synthesis. To maintain your crunk sound, just make sure to stick with electronic sounds, such as synth leads, pads (soft-sounding synths, like digital violins) and digital effects, and ignore traditional instrument sounds like bass guitar and brass.