Beat Making Software: The Top 10 Programs

Whether you are a beat-making junkie, or just your everyday average hip-hop head, there are a variety of beat making programs to suit your needs.

The Beginnings of Beat Making

Remember, back in the day, when you used to make beats by banging your fists on the kitchen table? Then you graduated to cutting and scratching up your pop’s records? Then came the keyboards with the beat machine built in. Or, if you were really into it, you bought a drum machine with the 808 bass. Yeah, those were the days, yo.

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Nowadays, in this age of computer-driven programs and Pro-Tools, beat-making has reached a new level. Software programs of all kinds are available to anyone old enough to click a ‘buy’ button.

Enter the Future of Beat Making

There are several free beat-making software programs available, but I would only recommend them for the passive beat maker. You know, the guy who is only into making beats because his friends are.

For the professional beat maker who takes himself and his beat-making skills seriously, I have compiled a Top 10 list of beat-making software that is sure to please.

The Top 10 Dopest Beat Making Software

Propellerhead’s Reason. This one is my favorite because it is the software that I was trained on. Easy to use, Reason is a complete track waiting to happen. It has built-in loop samples and everything you need in one program to compose beautiful, phat beats.
Acid Pro. Used by many industry professionals, this program is loop-based, meaning you would take a loop sample and build your track around it.
Cakewalk. This program is often referred to as the beginner’s guide to beat-making. It is so easy to use that you will feel like you are in the “2nd grade” of producing.
CuBase. This is another fan favorite. A bit more complicated to use, this program provides all the same elements that the previous three have: loop samples, editing, and synthesizing.
Traktor DJ. This program offers a variety of mixing options, including on-the-fly looping and unparalleled pitch-shifting.
T-Racks 24. This program is specially developed for mastering. In other words, this software is designed for ‘putting the finishing touch’ on your tracks.
Storm 3. Again, all of these programs are, for the most part, equal in the mixing options they provide, it’s just up to the individual to decide which one works best for you.
SampleTank. A solid virtual sample for holding and triggering all your loops.
Battery 2. One of the deepest virtual drum machines around with thousands of effects and ways to transform your beats.
Halion Player. Another virtual sample option for greater versatility and access to even more sample libraries.

Any of these programs will suit your need for beats. The most popular programs are the top 5, but each beat-maker in the world has different tastes. So, I would suggest taking a few for a test drive and see which one fits the best.