Beats and drums. How to begin? (part 1)

There are many ways to start a project in FL Studio. Almost any time you want to begin your work you spend a few minutes to think which samples you need to add to the Step Sequencer to make that beat you have in your mind. Well, this software helps you to somehow make up your mind, you just need to click on File/New from template and there you have it. You can pick one of those groups of samples or just select the Empty option to choose the samples or drag them to the Step Sequencer yourself. For instance, if you click on the Basic option you will see that four basic samples or instruments are added to the Step Sequencer. They are a Kick, a Snare, a Clap and a Hat so let me explain what these simple samples are.

FL STUDIO AND REGGAETON (Part 1)

Vico C

Some people in Europe, Asia or North America feel that a certain Caribbean modern rhythm is “cool”. Well, perhaps it is. But, what do you know about it? Central America music is as vast as the blue of its ocean, it would be impossible to talk about all of it. For example, Cuba has its magnificent salsa, cha cha chá, danzón and bolero, Dominican Republic is the motherland of Merengue and Jamaica gave birth to one of the best sounds in history: reggae (Who doesn’t admire the Legendary Bob Marley, the King of Reggae?). Of course, there are more countries and more types of music in the area but I’m going to talk about a new musical fever in that always warms up this sunny part of our planet: The Reggaeton, also known in Spanish as Reguetón.

Tego Calderón

Reggaeton was born more than two decades ago in Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Panama. It is mostly a fusion or the original reggae, hip hop and other Caribbean styles. Some of its more remarkable artists are Vico C, Daddy Yankee, Tego Calderón, El General and Ivy Queen, among others.

Despite great criticism from some media that consider it “too vulgar and ordinary” because of its plain and unadorned lyrics, Reggaeton is very popular in the world, especially in Latin America, where it’s rare to attend to a party without it. Its sticky cadence together with its erotic lines and dance remind those times when Elvis Presley scandalized the conservative members of society with his wiggling waist and made the youth go crazy at the same time.

Daddy Yankee

But this is not the best thing, oh no. The best of it all is that Reggaeton beats are frequently made with FL Studio. Yes, and the kicker is that according to many FL Studio users, Reggaeton is not as difficult to make as other music styles, so one of the purposes of this blog is to teach you how to do it!

Ivy Queen

But before you get to Reggaeton FL Studio ABC steps you need to get know it better first so my advice is that you should start listening, downloading or purchasing some to get familiar with it, ok?

Here are some of the best Reggaeton musicians you may consider:

·         Vico C

·         Daddy Yankee

·         El General

·         Tego Calderón

·         Ivy Queen

·         Mel Vidal

·         Wisin & Yandel

·         Calle 13

·         Tito el Bambino

·         Don Omar

·         Gente de Zona

Some fresh videos

How to use FL Studio 8.0?

This is a very fun program for people who like to make music. Here is a few helpful tips to begin learning it.

1. Hit (in the side task bar) "Packs" and explore in there until you find the desired sound(s) you like.

2. Drag that over one of the current sounds. (Kick, Clap, Hat, Snare.)

3. Click the button at the very top that looks like piano keys. This opens the "Piano Roll".

4. Next to the box name is a drop down list of instruments you currently have in the holder.

5. Click that and select the instrument of your choice.

6. Click on the piano to preview the note that you may place on the track.

7. Press play to listen to your masterpiece!

8. Enjoy your music!

Tips: 
- Play around with it until you get your desired music.

- Check out sites that provide detailed step by step videos for specific FL Studio functions.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-FL-Studio-8.0