Get That FAT Sound With Pro Beat Loops Production Techniques.

A Look into the Basic Processing of Music Production.

What it Takes to Achieve Dynamic Results in Processing Beat Loops and Samples.

Have you ever wondered how to get that rich, fat sound into your beat loops that you hear everyday on the radio, in the clubs and on your CD’s? Have you ever thought to yourself what tools and techniques are used by the top record producers and studio engineers around the world to get that full punchy sound quality that really sets the pro releases apart from the mere demos? 

The depth of knowledge and education required to master pre and post production processing goes beyond the scope of this article, but even acquiring a basic understanding of audio production tools and techniques can make all the difference in the world to the quality and outcome of your beat loops and other audio recording final mixes. So with in this article we will generally go over the basics of audio processing and some of the key tools used to produce amazing results in every style of music production.

Compression: Getting that punchy sound is usually accomplished through the use of a combination of tools. Compression is generally considered the main tool for controlling the individual and overall levels of the audio spectrum. Compression can be used to focus on specific bands or frequency ranges within a particular mix or individual track in a multi-track recording. For instance you could use compression on your beat loops to control an entire mix or only the low-end frequencies using a multi-band compressor. Different instruments and frequencies will generally use different settings in regard to attack, release, ratio and sustain.

Limiting: Limiting is primarily a form of extreme compression that is used generally for entire mixes especially on mix-down, however it can be used creatively on individual tracks and instruments for greater level control and added punch in combination with compression.

EQ: To achieve maximum fidelity of individual tracks and overall mixes EQ is a vital element in honing in on either the desired frequencies to enhance them, or the undesirable frequencies to pull them down or eliminate them completely. EQ is often used creatively to produce sweeping motions within music and beat loops. By automating low-pass and/or high-pass filters you can add amazing dynamics to music as the filters open and close at the desired time within a mix. This technique is widely used by DJs and producers of most club style dance music and has become more popular among producers of pop, R’n’b and Hip-hop.

Effects: Effects come in a wide variety of tools to choose from but the basics usually cover simple reverb and delay. These tools are used primarily to add space within a mix. Like compression and EQ, reverb and delay can be applied to individual tracks as well as an entire mix depending on the results to be achieved with your music and beat loops. As with all audio-processing tools, effects can also be use in unlimited ways to produce creative dynamics within a mix.

Panning: Panning is the key technique for manipulating and controlling the audio spectrum in relation to the stereo field within a mix. Panning is a crusial element in grouping and separating instruments within a mix to work better together within the stereo field. It is also used to recreate the natural acoustic stereo dynamics we are used to hearing everyday. Panning is also a great tool for creating space within a mix by spreading tracks throughout the left and right stereo field.

Keep in mind that this is simply a brief and very general overview of these key tools and techniques of audio processing. To really understand and use them affectively you must educate yourself with much deeper knowledge relating to all of them and how they work together to produce amazing professional results when used properly and creatively. If you are serious about producing quality music with that fat punchy sound then you must take the time necessary to learn the ins and outs of these tools and techniques, and through that you will achieve the results you desire within you music and beat loops.