Nowadays, anyone can become a DJ if they have enough passion, creativity, and good beat production software.
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Wanna be the next big hip-hop & trap sensation? Create sick beats in your bedroom with these best free beat making software for Mac & PC.
If you think you have the potential to create awesome beats, what are you waiting for? You should get started right away.
And if picking the best beat making software is the only thing standing in your way, here are some great recommendations and a full guide to get you started.
The 8 Best Beat Making Software in 20201. Magix Music Maker – For Beginners and Hobbyists
Magix Music Maker is probably the best beat making software for beginners and hobbyists that are only scratching the surface of music-making.
It doesn’t get you into too many technical aspects when you’re creating your beats.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s also not suitable for people with some experience in the field.
Software Highlights:
Who Should Use It?
This excellent beat making software for PC is an excellent option for absolute beginners and hobbyists. If you’re looking for something fun and easy to use, this is your best bet.
This is especially true because the Magix Music Maker comes with many tutorials and training that enable you to make music instantaneously without getting into technical things.
Who Shouldn’t Use It?
The Magix Music Maker isn’t the best option for people looking for more control and flexibility over their music production software.
And even if you’re a beginner, if you really want to create professional beats, I recommend investing in an industry-level choice.
Moreover, if you’re already experienced with making beats, have many VST instruments, or already know how to play the guitar or piano, this software may be a little underwhelming for you.
2. Propellerheads Reason 10 – Professional fully-integrated Program
The Propellerheads Reason 10 is a pretty revolutionary beat making software that you can’t get bored of using –even if there are better options.
Being a completely standalone beat making program means that it comes with its own samplers, synths, instruments, and more.
Not only that, but the Propellerheads Reason 10 also comes with several additional features, including an audio recorder and VST support (third party visual instrument plugins).
Software Highlights:
Who Should Use It?
If you’re looking for a professional-grade, fully-integrated program, the Propellerheads Reason will make a very good choice for you.
It comes with industry-quality audio engines and has a high degree of audio routing flexibility.
Moreover, the layout and interface are comfortable and make the workflow very easy.
It suits anyone that wants a hip-hop beat making software as it produces perfect electronic music, including EDM, Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, and more.
Moreover, the Propellerheads Reason enables you to use hardware controllers such as midi keyboards –but I don’t reckon you’d need it.
Who Shouldn’t Use It?
If you’re looking for something very professional and not just an awesome beat making program, you might want to check other options out.
Some of the features seem more like useful extra additions and not core components of the program.
Moreover, if you’re going to chop many parts of your samples, you should use something like Native Instruments Maschine.
3. FL Studio Producer 20 – Beat Making Software for Mac
This popular music-production software is one of your best options if you’re looking for a beat making software for Mac.
It’s been used by famous record producers and DJs, including 9th Wonder and Metro Boomin, so that should tell you something about the quality of the beats it produces.
Only your mouse and keyboard can be your beat making tools if you’re using this software.
Personally, I find it a spectacular choice for anyone looking for a rap beat making software.
Software Highlights:
Who Should Use It?
The FL Studio Producer 20 is a great choice if you’re into hip-hop, trap, EDM, or any electronic-based sounds.
If you’re not big on hardware controllers and don’t want to play keys or finger drums on pads, the FL Studio Producer will suit you well as it shines with a simple mouse and keyboard workflow.
Who Shouldn’t Use It?
If you’re the type to prefer playing the piano or tapping out drum beats on their pad, then you should go for something more interactive than the FL Studio Producer 20.
Moreover, if your music-making includes a lot of audio recording, audio editing or mixing and mastering, this won’t be the most helpful software for you.
And even with the upgraded versions, the audio-recording capability is just not as good as other DAWs.
4. Native Instruments Maschine MK3 – Ultimate Hardware & Software Combo
What makes the Native Instruments Maschine MK3 an incredible software to make beats is that it combines the best of both worlds. It brings hardware beat makers and software studio applications together.
Software/Hardware Highlights:
Who Should Use It?
If you enjoy making music on your laptop or computer but don’t want to miss out on the feeling of using hardware to bang drums and play samples and synths, the Native Instruments Maschine MK3 would be a very good choice for you.
Moreover, the Native Instruments Maschine MK3 is very suitable for sample-making. And it doesn’t matter what type of music you enjoy creating as it suits them all.
Who Shouldn’t Use It?
If you’re not big on tapping with your hands to make patterns, then stick to the mouse and keyboard mechanism provided by the FL Studio or Reason.
Moreover, the Native Instruments Maschine MK3 isn’t the best for recording vocals and instruments as it’s better for making electronic-based music.
On top of that, it may be hard for someone who’s already used to a specific MIDI hardware controller to switch to Maschine –although it’s worth it.
It’s worth mentioning that it depends on patterns and scenes instead of a typical DAW linear timeline. This may take some getting used to, especially that you have to arrange your loops into full songs.
5. Ableton Live 10 – For Perfectionists
Any professional DJ or producer will undoubtedly enjoy the combination of affordability and useful features the Ableton Live 10 has to offer.
It has all the basics you’ll need from unlimited audio and MIDI tracks to mixable virtual ones.
Software Highlights:
Who is this Software For?
If you’re very keen on post-production and like to perfect your sounds, the Ableton Live 10 will suit you pretty well.
It has built-in software instruments that allow you to enjoy the hardware-feel while making use of the software features.
Who Shouldn’t Use this Software?
If you’re a beginner or a hobbyist looking for a simple beat making software, I wouldn’t recommend using Ableton Live 10 as it contains too many options and steps that you can’t maneuver your way around.
6. Ableton Live 10 Intro – First step to Ableton Live World
The Ableton Live 10 Intro is a simplified version of its standard model.
While the standard and suite models come with full key features, more software instruments and capacity to store sounds, and more audio and MIDI effect, Ableton Live 10 Intro still provides you with adequate features to enjoy some beat making and practice for the more complicated elements of the other models.
You can even enjoy it for free for a 30-day trial period.
Software Highlights
Who is this Software For?
If the standard Ableton Live version seems appealing to you, but you don’t have enough experience to work with a more complicated program, you should go for the Ableton Live 10 Intro.
It’s great for someone who’s just getting started with DJing and producing and wants an easy beat making software option.
While it gives you almost all the basic features in the standard model, it keeps it simple by restricting some.
Who Shouldn’t Use this Software?
Steer away from the Ableton Live 10 Intro if you’re not into the complexities of beat making. It’s not the best option for those with little to no experience with DJing and music production.
7. BTV Solo – For Beginners and Experienced users
The BTV Solo is a standalone software that came with a hardware portable production studio piece called “Beat Thang.”
However, you don’t need to have it as the BTV Solo works fully without the hardware.
And while this option was supposed to be a hardware/software combo like that of the Maschine, the hardware of “Beat Thang” didn’t catch on as its creators had hoped.
Software Highlights:
Who is this Software For?
For fast and easy navigation with an ability to customize individual sounds and full beats, the BTV Solo will serve you quite well.
It has plenty of versatility as it allows you to drag and drop individual notes and load sounds onto pads easily.
The actual hardware imitation makes it suitable for more experienced users.
Who Shouldn’t Use this Software?
If you don’t want to spend a lot of time and effort with a steep learning curve, steer away from the BTV Solo.
It’s not ideal for beginners and is a little overpriced compared to other software that is easier to use.
8. Logic Pro X – For Mac Users
The Logic Pro X is a pretty affordable solution for making beats and producing music on a macOS-compatible device. The best part is that it gives you a lot to work with without purchasing additional plugins.
Software Highlights
Who is this Software For?
The Logic Pro X is a great choice for anyone who’s making music on their Mac device and is looking for a powerful, useful tool to make their podcasts sound as crisp as possible.
It’s a safe choice for those looking to pursue a career in music production in the long run.
Moreover, if you’re big on in-program instruments, the Logic Pro X has some of the most extensive choices.
Who Shouldn’t Use this Software?
If you’re not big on engaging with learning curves, you shouldn’t involve yourself with the Logic Pro X.
How to Pick the Right Beat Making Software for Yourself?
The best beat making software actually depends on you as a user. Most programs do more or less the same things but just in different ways.
And while some of the included synths, instruments, and sounds may differ from each other, chances are you’re going to use third-party instruments anyway.
So, in simple terms, it’s not about the program but about how you use it.
But the things you should consider are the following:
Built-in Instruments
Having beat making software means nothing if you don’t have the instruments that you’ll use to create your music.
Options like Logic, Studio One, or Reason are great because they come with a wide array of built-in instruments that facilitate the music-making process.
Audio Interference
This one isn’t essential unless you’re planning on recording vocals or instruments such as a guitar.
Moreover, you can use it to connect your studio monitors to your computer if you get yourself a pair.
Software to Hardware Ratio
Some music-making software is strictly standalone in that you can create your whole piece relying only on software.
On the other hand, some programs give you the option to integrate some hardware and enjoy the feeling of tapping drums or playing the piano.
There isn’t a “better” option, but it depends on your style and preferences.
How to Become a Beat-Maker and Music Producer?
You should study popular music producers and learn what makes them so trendy.
Then, bring yourself further into the scene by working hands-on with music artists. You can start by offering some free gigs.
Make sure you master networking, as this will bring you closer to your goal.
Learn more about the music industry and ask for feedback on your own creations.
Finally, practice makes perfect. So you should do plenty of that while improving your music-making skills by using more complicated effects as you progress through your career.
Final Thoughts
Generally, when you’re looking for the best beat making software, you should ask yourself how you’re going to use it, how much effort you’re willing to put in the learning curve, and what features you wish to get from it.
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I’d recommend the Magix Music Maker if you’re a beginner who’s looking to familiarize themselves with the beat making scene. BTV Solo is also a great pick for beginners.
If you’re a little more experienced (and use a Mac device), I’d recommend that you go for the FL Studio or the Ableton Live 10.
Finally, if you’re looking for the ultimate hardware controller and software combo, I’d strongly recommend the Maschine MK3.
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March 2023
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