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How to Make a Rap Beat in Florida Studio 8

Florida Studio 8 or "Fruity Loops" not only lets you mix and master your songs, it also provides an easy to use interface with features such as digital effects, virtual instruments as well as mono and stereo settings. When creating rap beats on Florida Studio 8, you have the option of using your own midi connection with instruments or can choose to use virtual instruments provided such as the drum track composer and piano roll function.

Things You'll Need

  • Florida Studio 8
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Instructions

  1. Getting Started

    • 1
      Install the program on your computer.

      Install the program on your computer. If you don't have the program, download the free trial version online.

    • 2
      Select clear-sounding instruments.

      Open the program and click on "File" then "New File." Look to the left of the screen and search the soundbank by scrolling down. Select the drum sounds you want to use and drag them to the sound interface.

    • 3
      Time the drum sequences.

      Select the pattern tab, located above the sound interface, and compose the drum beat of your choice by selecting the metronome squares according to your preference. Arrange the kick and snare samples so they blend with each other.

    Composing the Beat

    • 4
      Fine-tune the bass before using.

      Click the "pattern" function again to select a different pattern. Right-click the pattern box and select the bass function. Set the bass parameters as you want them or press play while tuning the bass until you get the sound you're looking for.

    • 5
      Place drum blocks side by side.

      Select the playlist function, located next to the pattern function, and copy and paste the drum track blocks on track one next to each other. Select the block and drag it over a space so the blocks line up next to each other.

    • 6
      Listen as you go along.

      Click back on the pattern view and draw the bass chords with your mouse by clicking on the squares and stretching the sample out. Insert the bass chords by putting each block slightly below the other. Press the playlist function and copy and paste the bass blocks next to each other on track two just as you did the drum track on track one. Listen to your beat by pressing the play button located at the top of the screen on the left.

    • 7
      Piano roll makes it easy.

      Click the pattern view and right-click to bring up the FL piano keys function. Use the piano roll feature by selecting keys on the virtual piano. Compose the chord structure similar to that of the bass but make sure to keep all key chords the same.

    • 8
      Listen one last time before saving.

      Select the playlist function and copy and paste the key block on track three. Select all the blocks on tracks one through three and expand the beat by copy and pasting the samples next to each other. Repeat the above steps if you want to add additional instruments. Press "Play" to preview your beat before saving it.

Recording Music

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