For the Hip Hop producers/beatmakers

[Memsterrr]

Sup people. I know this forum isn't particularly keen on Hip Hop, but indulge me for a minute, because I know you all know your shit to the fullest. I'm intrigued by this beat. Can anyone break-down or explain how 7thdan managed to get such a filthy, yet crystal clean mix on this beat?

If I was to hazard a guess, I think it has something to do with very astute use of stereo separation, and he probably mastered it using ProTools -- or some other high end DAW. I also know that these dudes use the MPC to make and sequence their beats, rather than a DAW.

With that said, my second enquiry is this... I can't conceive ever making a beat this complete on FL Studio 20, and honestly it makes me sad . Do you think it's possible to replicate such a wide, analogue mix on FL Studio 20? If so, how?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsmmOS- ... MQ&index=7

[vurt]

not heard the track...
re your last question though, yes, it's possible.
many producers of many genres use fl, but it takes time and effort to be good enough, there are no shortcuts im sorry

as to the forum not liking hip hop, many of us do, and were conversing with you about it, yes some folk don't see the attraction, but not everyone

[Memsterrr]

not heard the track...
re your last question though, yes, it's possible.
many producers of many genres use fl, but it takes time and effort to be good enough, there are no shortcuts im sorry

as to the forum not liking hip hop, many of us do, and were conversing with you about it, yes some folk don't see the attraction, but not everyone

lol Fair enough bro. I jump the gun now and then...

But yeh, I get what u mean. But It's just infinitely more difficult when you haven't the faintest clue what you're doing technically, and have only a very vague concept of how different functions on a DAW interrelate. I'm not looking for a shortcut. I'm only looking for some basic guidance to establish a baseline. Because my ear is yearning for more, and my fingers can't follow through.

Think of it this way, could you fly an aeroplane without knowing what any of the various buttons in the cockpit do? I think we know the answer to that...

That said, I don't need to know THAT much about FL Studio, my craft is a simple one. However, some basic guidance on how to replicate a wide, analogue sound , geared towards dusty, gritty Hip Hop beats, would be great at this point. Because I've tried everything to make FL Studio sound like an MPC.

I've recently started messing with Decimort 2 (which has helped quite a bit), and various stock stereo separation plugins, and I can certainly say l've reached the next level, but I still have a LONG way to go. As I said, my ear is yearning for a lot more... and I just can't follow through technically...

Hope that makes sense.

[thecontrolcentre]

Decimort is a great "Akaiser" and can get you that gritty texture, but I'd recommend looking into compression techniques for pumping up your beat. The track you linked sounds like its been heavily compressed. +1 to vurts advice too ...

Unfiltered Audio BassMint and LO-FI-AF are worth a try to get "that" sound.

[elxsound]

Most of what you're hearing for what sounds wide likely came in the mixing stage and then likely pushed further in the mastering stage.

You don't need anything beyond FL. Like Vurt mentioned there are no shortcuts, so if you do take a trip down this rabbit hole for mixing mastering just be aware that most of what you watch (for structured courses) will be in PT, Cubase, or Logic, but most things can be translated to FL and workarounds can be found for adapting to any host.

For just dusty, gritty, and lo-fi mixes there is no shortage of quick tutorials online. You'll end up rolling most of the highs and likely more than you feel comfortable with at first. There's more to this, but again lot of the grit comes in the mixing stages when you start adding in saturation effects. There no rule you can't do more before mixing but sometimes fixating on the sound can be detrimental to finishing a track. Again no rules, do you but it's something to keep in mind if you're not finishing things.

There are sections in the track where parts are pushed to sides, doubled/delayed. Look up ADT for the vocals... Its a heavily used effect in hip hop (used as throws in the video). There's lots of play of mono/stereo and M/S EQ placement. If something stands out in the video give us a time stamp in the video and someone here can likely tell you what's going on.

Another bit of advice you're free to take ignore... If you're going to learn more mixing, and if you're going the free route, try to find one person to study and learn their method before exploring all the methods. There's enough variations and tips/tricks to hold you back if you don't create a foundation to build from.

[experimental.crow]

not heard the track...
re your last question though, yes, it's possible.
many producers of many genres use fl, but it takes time and effort to be good enough, there are no shortcuts im sorry

as to the forum not liking hip hop, many of us do, and were conversing with you about it, yes some folk don't see the attraction, but not everyone

lol Fair enough bro. I jump the gun now and then...

But yeh, I get what u mean. But It's just infinitely more difficult when you haven't the faintest clue what you're doing technically, and have only a very vague concept of how different functions on a DAW interrelate. I'm not looking for a shortcut. I'm only looking for some basic guidance to establish a baseline. Because my ear is yearning for more, and my fingers can't follow through.

Seems like a shortcut is just what you're looking for ...

Think of it this way, could you fly an aeroplane without knowing what any of the various buttons in the cockpit do? I think we know the answer to that...

apples and bridges ...

That said, I don't need to know THAT much about FL Studio, my craft is a simple one. However, some basic guidance on how to replicate a wide, analogue sound , geared towards dusty, gritty Hip Hop beats, would be great at this point. Because I've tried everything to make FL Studio sound like an MPC.

everything except learning THAT much about FL Studio ...

I've recently started messing with Decimort 2 (which has helped quite a bit), and various stock stereo separation plugins, and I can certainly say l've reached the next level, but I still have a LONG way to go. As I said, my ear is yearning for a lot more... and I just can't follow through technically...

congratulations !..

Hope that makes sense.

hope is the thing with feathers ...
no wait ... a crow is the thing w/ feathers ...

[vurt]

did someone mention feathers?

[Memsterrr]

not heard the track...
re your last question though, yes, it's possible.
many producers of many genres use fl, but it takes time and effort to be good enough, there are no shortcuts im sorry

as to the forum not liking hip hop, many of us do, and were conversing with you about it, yes some folk don't see the attraction, but not everyone

lol Fair enough bro. I jump the gun now and then...

But yeh, I get what u mean. But It's just infinitely more difficult when you haven't the faintest clue what you're doing technically, and have only a very vague concept of how different functions on a DAW interrelate. I'm not looking for a shortcut. I'm only looking for some basic guidance to establish a baseline. Because my ear is yearning for more, and my fingers can't follow through.

Seems like a shortcut is just what you're looking for ...

Think of it this way, could you fly an aeroplane without knowing what any of the various buttons in the cockpit do? I think we know the answer to that...

apples and bridges ...

That said, I don't need to know THAT much about FL Studio, my craft is a simple one. However, some basic guidance on how to replicate a wide, analogue sound , geared towards dusty, gritty Hip Hop beats, would be great at this point. Because I've tried everything to make FL Studio sound like an MPC.

everything except learning THAT much about FL Studio ...

I've recently started messing with Decimort 2 (which has helped quite a bit), and various stock stereo separation plugins, and I can certainly say l've reached the next level, but I still have a LONG way to go. As I said, my ear is yearning for a lot more... and I just can't follow through technically...

congratulations !..

Hope that makes sense.

hope is the thing with feathers ...
no wait ... a crow is the thing w/ feathers ...

Thanks for the advice people. I'll be sure to pay heed!!

[RunBeerRun]

Wow they really based the compression around the singer's lines.

If you took out the singing and just left the compressor's places the same, it would be just as entertaining.

[Memsterrr]

Most of what you're hearing for what sounds wide likely came in the mixing stage and then likely pushed further in the mastering stage.

You don't need anything beyond FL. Like Vurt mentioned there are no shortcuts, so if you do take a trip down this rabbit hole for mixing mastering just be aware that most of what you watch (for structured courses) will be in PT, Cubase, or Logic, but most things can be translated to FL and workarounds can be found for adapting to any host.

For just dusty, gritty, and lo-fi mixes there is no shortage of quick tutorials online. You'll end up rolling most of the highs and likely more than you feel comfortable with at first. There's more to this, but again lot of the grit comes in the mixing stages when you start adding in saturation effects. There no rule you can't do more before mixing but sometimes fixating on the sound can be detrimental to finishing a track. Again no rules, do you but it's something to keep in mind if you're not finishing things.

There are sections in the track where parts are pushed to sides, doubled/delayed. Look up ADT for the vocals... Its a heavily used effect in hip hop (used as throws in the video). There's lots of play of mono/stereo and M/S EQ placement. If something stands out in the video give us a time stamp in the video and someone here can likely tell you what's going on.

Another bit of advice you're free to take ignore... If you're going to learn more mixing, and if you're going the free route, try to find one person to study and learn their method before exploring all the methods. There's enough variations and tips/tricks to hold you back if you don't create a foundation to build from.

No time stamp... the whole track just sounds insane to me, in an obscure sort of way.

But thanks. Good advice again

Somewhat relieved that I don't need anything beyond FL, for the simple fact that I cannot afford it!

So it basically boils down to simple compression, and mixing, huh? Who'd a thunk it... maybe I do need to learn compression more. My knowledge of compressors is superficial at best...

[Memsterrr]

Wow they really based the compression around the singer's lines.

If you took out the singing and just left the compressor's places the same, it would be just as entertaining.

Elaborate, if you may?

[elxsound]

Most of what you're hearing for what sounds wide likely came in the mixing stage and then likely pushed further in the mastering stage.

You don't need anything beyond FL. Like Vurt mentioned there are no shortcuts, so if you do take a trip down this rabbit hole for mixing mastering just be aware that most of what you watch (for structured courses) will be in PT, Cubase, or Logic, but most things can be translated to FL and workarounds can be found for adapting to any host.

For just dusty, gritty, and lo-fi mixes there is no shortage of quick tutorials online. You'll end up rolling most of the highs and likely more than you feel comfortable with at first. There's more to this, but again lot of the grit comes in the mixing stages when you start adding in saturation effects. There no rule you can't do more before mixing but sometimes fixating on the sound can be detrimental to finishing a track. Again no rules, do you but it's something to keep in mind if you're not finishing things.

There are sections in the track where parts are pushed to sides, doubled/delayed. Look up ADT for the vocals... Its a heavily used effect in hip hop (used as throws in the video). There's lots of play of mono/stereo and M/S EQ placement. If something stands out in the video give us a time stamp in the video and someone here can likely tell you what's going on.

Another bit of advice you're free to take ignore... If you're going to learn more mixing, and if you're going the free route, try to find one person to study and learn their method before exploring all the methods. There's enough variations and tips/tricks to hold you back if you don't create a foundation to build from.

No time stamp... the whole track just sounds insane to me, in an obscure sort of way.

But thanks. Good advice again

Somewhat relieved that I don't need anything beyond FL, for the simple fact that I cannot afford it!

So it basically boils down to simple compression, and mixing, huh? Who'd a thunk it... maybe I do need to learn compression more. My knowledge of compressors is superficial at best...

Compression, EQ, use of mid/side EQ placement, saturation effects and when to use them, tape effects and when to use them, delay, doubling effects, and stereo widening effects just name a few.

The good thing is that you know what you like, and you know you want to replicate so it’ll be somewhat easier to build up your skills for this.

[donkey tugger]

Loads of good advice. I'd just add that the best things you can get (if you haven't already..) is a half decent pair of headphones and monitors.

You can have all the plug-ins in the world, but if you can't hear what's going on in detail (such as the sub-bass in this track and how the 808 fits in with the acoustic stuff etc for example) then yer fuckered!

[Memsterrr]

I have half-decent headphones and monitors. Only half-decent though lol. I have the k271 mkII AKG headphones... which is the best I could get for my budget. My VONYX monitors are small, and kinda weak. But they provide some reference, which is better than nothing.

[Memsterrr]

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