Von-Funkenstein
(Staffordshire UK)
Sunday 19 Feb 2017, 1:58pm
The term 'beat' is generally used by hiphop/urban dance music artists..... essentially it's everything apart from the vocals.
There are as many ways of 'making beats' as there are 'real' music.
Personally i would advise you to start simple, if you are wishing to record anything such as guitar or voice you will need an audio interface, the onboard sound on most laptops or even desktop computes lacks both the appropriate physical connectors and low latency you will need.
Something like one of the simpler focusrite or steinberg interfaces would be ideal for the novice.
You will also need 'DAW' (digital audio workstation) software which will enable you to record in a 'multi track' environment allowing you to build your 'beat' one element at a time layering them. I know the steinberg interfaces come with a cut down version of a DAW called 'Cubase', i'm not sure what the focusrites are shipping with currently though.
if you are on pc then you could also use Reaper which is also a DAW but it's very deep and probably too complex for the beginner, i hear 'Studio One' is supposed to be fairly beginner friendly too...
If you're on a mac just get a copy of 'Garage Band', it's perfect for the beginner.
In your position though i would advise to get an interface and use the DAW software that comes with it initially as it will keep you going for a few years whilst you learn how to use it all.
Don't be fooled by the diminutive size of it all.... if you wind back to the mid 1980s before things started to go digital, the sheer amount of gear that even the most basic of setups such as i suggested for yourself, if the onboard software were turned into their physical counterparts they would easily fill an average sized living room from floor to ceiling!!!! Things like reverb,delay,chorus,flange,compressors,eq's etc are all available within the DAW software... you wouldn't walk into an 'analogue' recording studio and expect to learn it all in a couple of days, the same applies to working with a DAW.
There are loads of great audio recording fora online catering from the complete noob right up to those right at the top of their game at the top of their relevant fields these days so in terms of accessing knowledge there's never been a better time!
People like Dave Pensado, Andrew Scheps, Sylvia Massy, Jacquire King etc are pretty active online are only too pleased to pass on their knowledge, i've learned ridiculous amounts from such people JMB isn't really the best place for this kind of thing unfortunately
x51WSH7N is correct in saying you can source things like midi and audio loops, freeware effects and VST instruments online, you CAN get some for free but like most things most of the best stuff costs money. Some manufacturers do offer a 'base' model guitar amp/effects sim for free, iirc NI do a free version of Guitar Rig, Kontakt player, UVI do a free version of their workstation synth which is excellent! I believe Steinberg are about to launch a free version of Halion Sonic SE fairly soon too so there are plenty of free instruments and effects to get you started though.
You'll also need something reasonable to 'monitor' your audio on, again cost is involved, a pair of reasonable headphones will get you started or a reasonable stereo separates system is ok to start with, laptop speakers and earbuds/beats type headphones are ok for just dicking about with but you'll need better for something that's even remotely worth listening to. As you progress you'll start to develop your hearing differently too which is when you'll want to spend every single penny you have and choose to live off noodles for a week so you can have that new plugin!
You can find a bunch of free stuff at
http://www.dontcrack.com/
https://www.kvraudio.com/
http://www.vst4free.com/
you will need a DAW that uses the VST standard to use most of the software on them though... all DAW software will state if it's vst compatible though.
IF you're into Linux there is a FREE DAW/OS you can grab here.... https://ardour.org/
Have fun!