While some people do use certain software (or hardware for that matter), it all comes down, once again, to preference. It’s always debatable which software provides the best tools, but the “best” tools are subjective and can differ from person to person. Just as some people swear that the Mac is the best computer, PC users will tell you otherwise, or vice versa. The best way to find out which one works best for you is to try them out. Fortunately, like most software, vendors often offer users trial versions of their software, or sometimes even versions without time limits, and instead disable some features, such as saving or exporting your creations. This gives you a chance to try different ones and see which one works best for you. Some people base their opinion on the different features a program offers, while others may base their decision on ease of use. For the purpose of this guide, we’ll give you tips on the best software out there, that won’t break your bank. The centerpiece of your production studio will be your sequencer.
The Sequencer:
The sequencer will be the main production tool in your arsenal; so it goes without saying that it is important to choose one that you feel most comfortable with and that increases your productivity. In essence, the sequencer is the platform you’ll use to make your own beats; from laying out your patterns to creating the foundation of your track. Two of the most popular loop-based software sequencers hip-hop beat makers can use are Propellerhead’s Reason and Image-Line’s FL Studio (formerly known as Fruityloops). This free online guide will focus on using FL Studio. FL Studio comes in three different flavors: Producer Edition, Fruity Edition, and Express Edition. Producer Edition is one of the most expensive editions at $149 and obviously has the most features, while the other two are $99 and $49 respectively. Producer Edition is more of a pattern-based digital audio workstation (or DAW) in the sense that it’s more than just a sequencer, it’s a do-it-all program that can be the stand-alone centerpiece of your entire studio. For the sake of this free guide, you must have at least the Fruity Edition, as the Express Edition cannot be used as a stand-alone sequencer and requires other software to control it. To learn more about the different types available, visit the FL Studio software page. In my opinion FL Studio is the best value as it is only $149 for Producer Edition compared to Reason’s $499 price and comes with free updates for life. That means every time a newer version comes out, you can update it absolutely free! If you would like to try the software before purchasing, trial versions are available for download on the Image-Line website.
The sound editor:
Just like software sequencers, there are various sound editors available. The basic function of a sound editor is to edit wave files, which can be especially useful with sample-based production. Sample-based production essentially uses samples (a portion of an audio track) as the basis for your music. These samples can be taken from old records, sample CDs, or recorded from an instrument. With that in mind, the sound editor is particularly useful when “cutting” drum loops or pauses, or sampling sounds, as it gives you a close-up visual representation of the sound file you’re working on. Whether you use your own samples, sound banks, or synthesizers, you’ll find a sound editor extremely useful and essential for your home studio. Some of the more popular sound editors include Adobe Audition, Propellerhead’s Recycle, and Sony’s Sound Forge. I’ve personally gotten used to using Adobe Audition (formerly known as Cool Edit) for my own sound editing needs and it costs $349. Like the software sequencers I mentioned above, there are shareware versions available and I recommend trying them all to find out which one you feel most comfortable using. Fortunately, if you don’t want to spend another $349 right away, the Producer Edition of FL Studio 6 comes with a standard wave editor with some basic features like record, cut, copy, paste, etc. Here’s a quick look at the wave editor in FL Studio Producer Edition.
