Buying your first beat

What is a beat and why do you need one?

When you think of music, what are you thinking of? You might be picturing some type of rhythm. Beats are the foundation of music and can be found in just about every song. Originally, what was called a beat was the rhythmical pattern that's repeated throughout a song. Nowadays, a beat can mean the entire musical track that is typically used to create a full song. A track an artist can sing or rap over.

So why would you want to buy one? Beats can help you write songs. You might not have the ability to produce a song on a high level. In the past, there was only the option of having a composer and/or producer create a song for you from scratch. As you might imagine, that can get very expensive, very quickly. And there is a great risk of the track not turning out the way you envisioned it. But by browsing a catalog of premade beats you can pick the beat you like and it's already fully created, with no surprises, and much more affordable than a custom-made beat.

Plus, beats are fun to play around with! Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, beats can help take your music skills to the next level.

Why there is no such thing as a free beat

There is a pervasive myth in the music industry that music can be created and distributed for free. Musicians and producers who create beats often give them away for free in the hope of building their name or fanbase. But there is no such thing as a free beat because someone has always invested in its creation. While it may be true that creating a beat does not require a huge up-front financial investment, there are many other costs associated with producing music that is often overlooked. These costs can include studio time, equipment rental, marketing, and more. There is always someone who has to pay those bills. So if you're planning on making use of someone's talent, they deserve to be compensated for it, right?

The music industry is a business like any other. Producers, songwriters, and artists are constantly looking for ways to make money and get their music heard. In the age of the internet, producers sometimes do this by giving away free beats. This seems like a great way to get your music out there, but there's a catch: the beats aren't actually free. Producers know that most people who hear a free beat won't take the time to credit the producer or even listen to any of the producer's other music. So instead of getting exposure, producers are actually just getting their music stolen.

That's where audio tags come in. When you hear a free beat, it's likely that there will be an audio tag in it. This is because many free beats are distributed through online channels like SoundCloud and YouTube, and the tags help to identify the producer or copyright owner. Audio tags can act as a form of security, deterring people from downloading and sharing the beat without permission. Although they can be annoying, most producers include them for good reason - so make sure to respect their wishes and use the beat the way is agreed upon! When the audio tag is still present in an artist's beat, you know that the artist did not buy a license to use that beat.

Types of beats: What kind of beat do you want?

There are all kinds of beats, and it's important to know what kind you want before you start producing. Here are some of the more common types of beats: 1) the boom-bap beat, 2) the trap beat, 3) the Latin beat, and 4) the electro-pop beat.

Boom bap, often referred to as hip-hop's golden era, is a subgenre of rap that emerged in the early 1990s. Characterized by its strong and heavy drum beats and old-school sampling, boom bap was pioneered by artists such as Nas, Wu-Tang Clan, and A Tribe Called Quest. The boom-bap style has been described as a "hard-hitting" beat, but it's also used to describe a "heavy" or "dark" sound. While the genre has experienced a resurgence in popularity in recent years, it remains largely overshadowed by more contemporary styles of rap.

The trap beat is slower and heavier than the boom-bap beat, and it's often used in hip-hop and rap music.

There's something about a trap beat that just makes you want to move. Whether you're shaking your head or getting down on the dance floor, there's no denying that these beats make you feel good. But what exactly is a trap beat? Technically, a trap beat is any type of instrumental music that is made for rappers to rap over. The term "trap" comes from the idea of trapping someone - getting them hooked on the music so they can't resist moving their body. And once you start listening to trap beats, it's easy to see why the name stuck. These beats are characterized by their heavy basslines and syncopated rhythms, which create a unique sound that is perfect for dancing. But they also have a dark, gritty feel to them that sets them apart from other genres of electronic music.

Latin music is a genre that has been around for many years and is loved by people all over the world. Latin music is typically upbeat and happy, with a strong beat that can get your feet moving. Latin music is perfect for dancing, parties, and celebrations of all kinds. If you're looking for a little bit of Latin flavor in your life, be sure to check some of the great Latin music out there! A Latin beat is influenced by salsa, merengue, and other Latin styles of music, and it's often used in Latin pop songs.

For many people, the sound of electro-pop is instantly recognizable - a mix of synthesizers, catchy hooks, and upbeat tempos. The genre is typically heavily synthesized, often featuring textured sounds and pulsing beats that create a distinctly electronic feel. Electro-pop also tends to be melody-driven, with songs that are easy to sing along to and stick in your head long after you've heard them. Finally, the tempo is almost always upbeat, lending the music an overall positive vibe.

What to consider when buying a beat

When it comes to buying beats, there are a few things you need to consider before making your purchase: genre, quality, price, download options, and licensing options.

The first is the genre of the beat. If you're looking for something specific, like trap or boom-bap beats, make sure to consult the genre list on the website you're browsing before making your purchase. If you’re unsure, have a listen and save the beats you like. Take note of the genre these beats are labeled with.

The next thing to consider is the quality of the beat. The quality of a beat is important because you want something that sounds good and will work with your song.

The price is important because you don't want to overspend on something that you might not use. If money is really tight, there are beatmakers that offer very affordable beats on platforms like Beatstars or Airbit. On the other hand, be careful with deals that are just to good to be true. If a producer is offering you 100 beats for 5 dollars, you might be able to guess that the quality or usability of most beats is probably not that great.

Beat-making software (also known as a Digital Audio Workstation or DAW) has made it possible for anyone with a computer to create music. There are great free options out there, like Audacity, Garageband, Ableton Live Lite, Pro Tools First, and Cubase LE. It's advisable to download a beat you're interested in before buying it. Stick it into a DAW so you can mess around with it, maybe you'd like to change or add certain things to it? Be sure that a beat is available as a free download so you can try it out.

When you're looking for a new beat to use in your music, it's important to know the license options for the beat. This will tell you if you're allowed to use the beat for your project. There are basically two types of licenses: exclusive and non-exclusive. With an exclusive license, you have the only rights to use the beat, but this comes with a price tag. With a non-exclusive license, you can use the beat for a certain amount of time, sales, and streams, after which you'll need to renew the license or stop using it. Within the category of non-exclusive licenses, there are usually three or four options to choose from. The more expensive licenses, grant you more user rights. There is also a difference between receiving a single audio file or tracked-out files, which means all musical elements are exported separately. This will give you total control over the balance and sound of all the elements of the beat. Whatever you choose: make sure you read the terms and conditions of each license before making your purchase!

Ignition Beat Supply Licensing options. Please note: these may be updated periodically.

Price: How much should you expect to pay for a quality beat?

Generally, you can expect to pay anywhere from $20 to $200 for a beat, depending on the license type you choose. However, it's important to remember that some producers may charge more or less depending on their experience and the quality of their beats. So be sure to take look around before making your final decision.

Conclusion

In conclusion, a beat is an instrumental track used by artists to create songs. It is important to have a good beat because it sets the tone and rhythm for the song. There is no such thing as a free beat, so it is important to do your research before downloading one. And with so many different types of beats available, it is important to choose the right one for your song. Be sure to consider the genre, quality, price, and download options before making your decision.

So what are you waiting for? Start shopping for your first beat today!

Written by Jelle

Composer/producer

@Ignition Beat Supply