How to Make Your Own Rap Track
- 1). Connect your MIDI controller to the computer with an USB cable. The MIDI controller lets you play and record the synthesized sounds that come with the digital audio workstation.
- 2). Double-click the desktop icon for your digital audio workstation. It may take a few seconds for the program to fully launch.
- 3). Create a new session. Typically you do this via the "File" menu by selecting "New Track, "New Session" or "New."
- 4). Open the "File" menu and select "New MIDI." This assigns the MIDI controller as the primary input device.
- 5). Click "Instruments" and select a drum kit. Scroll through the list and audition each kit by hitting the keys on the MIDI controller. Select a kit that has powerful low-end bass sounds and electronic sounding percussion instruments. Hand-claps typically characterize rap beats too, so select a kit that contains some of these.
- 6). Type your preferred tempo into the tempo box. The typical default tempo for digital audio workstations is 120 beats per minute. The typical hip hop beat is between 90 and 110 beats per minute, so select a tempo in that range. Click the "Metronome" button and hit "Play." The metronome will click at the selected tempo. Practice your rap against the click and adjust the tempo setting accordingly.
- 7). Hit "Record" and play in a four-bar beat using the keys on the MIDI controller. Once recorded, the beat appears as a wave form on the screen. Right-click it, select "Copy" then paste it alongside the original.
- 8). Open a second MIDI track and select a bass instrument from the "Instruments" menu. Hit "Record" and play in a bass line to go along with the beat. Click "File," "Import" and browse for any samples you want to include in the backing track.
- 9). Connect the female end of an XLR cable to a microphone. Connect the other end to the "XLR Input" on the front of an audio interface.
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Connect the audio interface to the computer via either an USB or FireWire cable, depending on the make and model of your interface. Typical audio interfaces are USB-powered, so there's no need to connect a power supply. - 11
Click "File" and select "New Audio." This assigns the audio interface, rather than the MIDI controller. - 12
Connect a pair of headphones to the "Headphones" jack on the front. This enables you to hear the beat and bass line without it spilling into the microphone. - 13
Hit "Record" and deliver your rap. If the backing music is too loud or too quiet, adjust the "Monitor" dial on the front of the audio interface.
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